Patents by Inventor CAROLINE J. THOMAS
CAROLINE J. THOMAS has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10587117Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10582772Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20190328137Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10390619Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20190156667Abstract: A dash cam on a vehicle for reading signage and updating navigation of the vehicle. A detour is detected from a route using a navigation system in a vehicle. A video recording from a dash cam on the vehicle which is continuously recording as the vehicle is operated is reviewed, and the reviewing of the video recording is based on a time of the detour from the route. Signage of a road diversion on the video at a location of the detour is detected. The signage is assessed to determine a route change based on the road diversion, and the route change includes avoiding the location of the detour or a detour area. The navigation system is updated with the route change based on the signage and the road diversion. The updated navigation includes the avoiding of the location of the detour or the detour area.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Waleed Arshad, Charlotte Bird, Elizabeth Bowen, Ashley Robertson, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20190129728Abstract: A resource allocation system is provided that includes a memory configured to store at least one executable, user-given instruction and a data processor unit operatively coupled to the memory and configured to effectuate running of a given application by executing a corresponding user-given instruction stored in the memory. The system further includes a display interface operatively coupled to the data processor unit and configured to accommodate a given virtual desktop comprising a given application running according to a user-given instruction processed by the data processor unit. The system further includes a policy configurator operatively coupled to the data processor unit and configured to generate a given user-defined policy regarding at least a designated display interface such that a predefined share of a given system resource is allocated to the designated display interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Martin A. Ross, Caroline J. Thomas, James Hewitt, Mark J. Lawrence
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Publication number: 20190090637Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10178911Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10170879Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) having a connector to connect to an input power supply and a plurality of power outlet sockets for receiving plugs having a number of pins. Each power outlet socket has a mechanical locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position when a plug is inserted into the power outlet socket to lock and unlock a plug pin in the power outlet socket. Absent actuation the locked position is adopted. Each power outlet socket includes an externally, manually actuatable, first release element, and an internally, electrically actuatable, second release element. A power sensor detects whether or not power is being drawn and, for power outlet sockets which currently host a plug and are not drawing power, the second release element is actuated by the PDU so as to unlock the mechanical locking mechanism, thereby freeing up the associated plugs for removal.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Mark J. Lawrence, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180366885Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention is provided. The power distribution unit has a plurality of electrical power outlet sockets each for receiving a power plug and a power distribution system for supplying electrical power to each of the sockets. The power distribution unit includes an excess power detector for detecting an aggregate power drawn from the plurality of sockets and for actuating a disabling mechanism for disabling power supply for a subset of the sockets in response to the detected aggregate power exceeding a predetermined first threshold, wherein the subset of the sockets are sockets that are detected as currently not drawing power.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180241206Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180226761Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) having a connector to connect to an input power supply and a plurality of power outlet sockets for receiving plugs having a number of pins. Each power outlet socket has a mechanical locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position when a plug is inserted into the power outlet socket to lock and unlock a plug pin in the power outlet socket. Absent actuation the locked position is adopted. Each power outlet socket includes an externally, manually actuatable, first release element, and an internally, electrically actuatable, second release element. A power sensor detects whether or not power is being drawn and, for power outlet sockets which currently host a plug and are not drawing power, the second release element is actuated by the PDU so as to unlock the mechanical locking mechanism, thereby freeing up the associated plugs for removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Mark J. Lawrence, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180203595Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a user device, a first touch gesture at a display of the user device visually displaying a virtual object; defining, by the user device, an anchor point of the virtual object visually displayed on the display based on the first touch gesture; receiving, by the user device, a second touch gesture at the display; determining, by the user device, an anchor area and a scrolling area based on the anchor point and the second touch gesture; defining, by the user device, a first layer corresponding to the anchor area and a second layer corresponding to the scrolling area; and stacking, by the user device, the first layer over the second layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Mark J. Lawrence, Martin A. Ross, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10003163Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) having a connector to connect to an input power supply and a plurality of power outlet sockets for receiving plugs having a number of pins. Each power outlet socket has a mechanical locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position when a plug is inserted into the power outlet socket to lock and unlock a plug pin in the power outlet socket. Absent actuation the locked position is adopted. Each power outlet socket includes an externally, manually actuatable, first release element, and an internally, electrically actuatable, second release element. A power sensor detects whether or not power is being drawn and, for power outlet sockets which currently host a plug and are not drawing power, the second release element is actuated by the PDU so as to unlock the mechanical locking mechanism, thereby freeing up the associated plugs for removal.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Mark J. Lawrence, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180054030Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) having a connector to connect to an input power supply and a plurality of power outlet sockets for receiving plugs having a number of pins. Each power outlet socket has a mechanical locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an unlocked position when a plug is inserted into the power outlet socket to lock and unlock a plug pin in the power outlet socket. Absent actuation the locked position is adopted. Each power outlet socket includes an externally, manually actuatable, first release element, and an internally, electrically actuatable, second release element. A power sensor detects whether or not power is being drawn and, for power outlet sockets which currently host a plug and are not drawing power, the second release element is actuated by the PDU so as to unlock the mechanical locking mechanism, thereby freeing up the associated plugs for removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Mark J. Lawrence, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 9686884Abstract: A safety mechanism is provided for an electrical equipment rack. The rack has a frame with a vertical frame element including vertically spaced at intervals mounting points which are apertures for accepting mounting pegs of a frame mountable portion of an electrical equipment unit mounting rail. The safety mechanism has a vertical strip member mounted for vertical movement adjacent the vertical frame element, and the vertical strip member includes spaced apertures corresponding to the apertures on the vertical frame element. The vertical strip member is movable between a fully raised position and a lowered position. The safety mechanism further includes a raising mechanism for raising the vertical strip member from a lowered position to the fully raised position.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20170127548Abstract: A safety mechanism is provided for an electrical equipment rack. The rack has a frame with a vertical frame element including vertically spaced at intervals mounting points which are apertures for accepting mounting pegs of a frame mountable portion of an electrical equipment unit mounting rail. The safety mechanism has a vertical strip member mounted for vertical movement adjacent the vertical frame element, and the vertical strip member includes spaced apertures corresponding to the apertures on the vertical frame element. The vertical strip member is movable between a fully raised position and a lowered position. The safety mechanism further includes a raising mechanism for raising the vertical strip member from a lowered position to the fully raised position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20170070869Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for priority message management. In one embodiment, users are associated with one or more identified networks, wherein the users connect to the one or more identified networks using one or more mobile devices. Embodiments of the present invention can detect the presence or absence of an associated user, and responsive to detecting a user's absence, can increase an amount of priority of a user's communications to a mobile device of a different user having an enabled screening feature. Increasing the amount of priority of users that have been identified as absent from the identified network can ensure important messages are delivered.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 9571992Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for priority message management. In one embodiment, users are associated with one or more identified networks, wherein the users connect to the one or more identified networks using one or more mobile devices. Embodiments of the present invention can detect the presence or absence of an associated user, and responsive to detecting a user's absence, can increase an amount of priority of a user's communications to a mobile device of a different user having an enabled screening feature. Increasing the amount of priority of users that have been identified as absent from the identified network can ensure important messages are delivered.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20160360638Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas