Patents by Inventor Charles A. Elliott

Charles A. Elliott 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).

  • Patent number: 7958263
    Abstract: A data storage enclosure management system of a plurality of service processors is configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops. Lead and subsidiary service processors are defined and lead service processors connect to ones of the FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and the lead and subsidiary service processors are connected by a secondary communication link. The lead service processor(s) employ an identifier unassociated with the FC-AL address to differentiate communications of the lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, the lead service processor serving as a proxy for the associated subsidiary service processor with respect to the FC-AL address and communicating with the associated subsidiary service processor via the secondary communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7937602
    Abstract: Mechanisms for thresholding system power loss notifications in a data processing system are provided. Power loss detection modules are provided in a data processing system having one or more data processing devices, such as blades in an IBM BladeCenter® chassis. The power loss detection modules detect the type of infrastructure of the data processing system, a position of a corresponding data processing device within the data processing system, and a capability of the data processing system to provide power during a power loss scenario. The detection module detects various inputs identifying these types of data processing system and power system characteristics and provides logic for defining a set of behaviors during a power loss scenario, e.g., behaviors for sending system notifications of imminent power loss. The detection of the various inputs and the defining of a set of behaviors may be performed statically and/or dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7917660
    Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system, and at least one zoneable switch whose zoning is disabled at power on. A management module operates the blade system to power on all slots. The storage system, in accordance with a “golden” configuration file, transfers port enablement sequencing to the switch, and the switch enables and zones ports in sequence to allow the server blades to see the storage system in accordance with the port enablement sequence. The storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the port enablement sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Linda Van Patten Benhase, John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7877590
    Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. A management module operates the blade system to first power on the storage system, and subsequently to power on the plurality of server blades in a sequential order that matches a blade system natural boot sequence order, skipping the storage system, and the storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the power on sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Linda Van Patten Benhase, John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7870374
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for validating a connection of powered elements within a data processing system. A request for data is issued to a set of powered elements using a set of communication channels. The set of communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines. The request is sent as a set of instructions injected onto the communication channels to the set of powered elements. Data received from the set of powered elements using the set of communication channels includes physical connection information for the set of powered elements. A determination is made as to whether each powered element in the set of powered elements is connected in a predetermined configuration. A notification is presented to a user identifying each powered element in the set of powered elements that is not connected in the predetermined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian James Cagno, John Charles Elliott, Kenny Nian Gan Qiu, Donald Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 7865708
    Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. A management module operates the blade system to first power on the storage system. In accordance with a “golden” configuration file, the storage system passes sequence information to the management module. The management module powers on the plurality of server blades in accordance with the sequence information. The storage system is configured with the “golden” configuration file to log on the server blades in accordance with the power on sequence to logically configure the server blades in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Linda Van Patten Benhase, John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Publication number: 20100174676
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for determining modified data in cache for use during a recovery operation. An event is detected during which processing of writes to a storage device is suspended. A cache including modified data not destaged to the storage device is scanned to determine the data units having modified data in response to detecting the event. The data units having the modified data is indicated in a backup storage. The indication of the data units having the modified data in the backup storage is used during a recovery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin John Ash, John Charles Elliott, Carl Evan Jones, Brian Anthony Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 7747900
    Abstract: Mechanisms for thresholding system power loss notifications in a data processing system are provided. Power loss detection modules are provided in a data processing system having one or more data processing devices, such as blades in an IBM BladeCenter® chassis. The power loss detection modules detect the type of infrastructure of the data processing system, a position of a corresponding data processing device within the data processing system, and a capability of the data processing system to provide power during a power loss scenario. The detection module detects various inputs identifying these types of data processing system and power system characteristics and provides logic for defining a set of behaviors during a power loss scenario, e.g., behaviors for sending system notifications of imminent power loss. The detection of the various inputs and the defining of a set of behaviors may be performed statically and/or dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7716309
    Abstract: Consistency for replicating data storage subsystem configurations in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. A data storage subsystem comprises a blade system with a plurality of slots, the blade system configured to support a plurality of blades and a storage system, each arranged in a predetermined slot of the blade system. The storage system arranges a logical configuration of the server blades in accordance with a “golden” configuration file. The server blade slot versus WWN information is collected and provided to the storage system. The storage system converts the “golden” configuration file slot information to WWNs. The server blades are enabled for access to said storage system as they log on with WWNs in accordance with the “golden” configuration file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Linda Van Patten Benhase, John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7627788
    Abstract: A radio frequency identifier (RFID) active/passive tag is provided to identify failed sub-CRU and location within a higher level CRU. When an error occurs on the base blade or within one of the sub-CRUs, the embedded processor writes failure information to the RFID. RFID tags may also contain data identifying the locations, of the sub-CRUs of the blade. Thus, when there is a failure, the RFID may report the failed component as well as the location of a failed sub-CRU. Sub-CRUs may also include an embedded processor and RFID tag. When a service action is initiated to repair or replace a blade, the RFID tag may be read by a RFID reader. The RFID reader device may then present failure information, including the identification of the failed sub-CRU and other associated information to the operator. The RFID reader device may also request associated information from a server computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas, Andrew Ellis Seidel
  • Patent number: 7596723
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selective cross communications between autonomous storage modules. A RAID controller communicates through a first cascading communications loop comprising a first storage module. The first storage module includes a plurality of storage devices and is disposed in an enclosure. The RAID controller also communicates through a second cascading communications loop comprising a second storage module. The second storage module also includes a plurality of storage devices and is disposed in the enclosure. An interface module transmits messages of the first loop through the second storage module. In one embodiment, the RAID controller communicates a cross communications command to the interface module through the second storage module to enable the interface module to transmit the messages of the first loop through the second storage module in response to a failure of the first loop upstream of the first storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Patent number: 7590712
    Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU), a backplane electrically coupled to the ACM CPU, and a web system embedded within the ACM and electrically coupled to the ACM CPU and backplane. The web system includes a secure web server and is configured to process hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests from a network to program and configure the ACM through the network. The HTTP requests are received by the secure web server and transmitted by the secure web server directly the ACM CPU without using the backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Baxter Chambers, II, David Scott Collier, Ferrell Louis Mercer, Jason Daniel Kadingo, Robert Francis Newman, David Charles Elliott, David J. Hietanen
  • Publication number: 20090207921
    Abstract: A method to communicate information within a data storage system comprising a plurality of enclosures, wherein the method defines and stores a first waveform comprising a frequency FB, a second waveform comprising a frequency F0 wherein that second waveform is decoded to mean a bit comprising a first value, and a third waveform comprising a frequency F1, wherein that third waveform is decoded to mean a bit comprising a second value. The method transmits by an initiating enclosure a byte of data encoded as eight data waveforms, wherein each of those data waveforms comprises the frequency FB in combination with either the frequency F1 or the frequency F0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN JAMES CAGNO, JOHN CHARLES ELLIOTT, D. SCOTT SMITH, KENNY NIAN GAN QIU
  • Patent number: 7542974
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to store, retrieve, and search both analog data and digital data. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of analog datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and further encodes digital data abstracted from the plurality of analog datasets to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects an analog dataset, wherein digital data abstracted from that analog dataset is written to a digital storage address on the one or more non-holographic data storage media, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with an analog dataset beam comprising the analog dataset. The encoded holographic data storage medium emits a dataset reference beam that strikes the second optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the analog dataset with the dataset reference beam coordinate and with the digital storage address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Gregg Steven Lucas, Andrew Ellis Seidel
  • Patent number: 7536475
    Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) is provided that includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU), a backplane and a SOAP/XML and web server system electrically coupled to the backplane and to the ACM CPU. The SOAP/XML and web server system is embedded within the automation control module (ACM) and is configured to process simple object access protocol (SOAP)/extensible markup language (XML) requests from a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Scott Collier, Daniel H. Miller, Robert Baxter Chambers, II, Ferrell Louis Mercer, Jason Daniel Kadingo, Brad J. Bolfing, David Charles Elliott
  • Patent number: 7529747
    Abstract: A method to store, retrieve, and search information is disclosed. The method encodes information comprising a plurality of datasets in a holographic data storage medium to form an encoded holographic data storage medium, and encodes that same information to one or more of a plurality of non-holographic data storage media. The method then selects a dataset comprising a portion of the information, where that dataset is written to a dataset storage address on the non-holographic data storage medium, and illuminates the encoded holographic data storage medium with a dataset beam comprising that dataset to produce a dataset reference beam, such that the dataset reference beam strikes the optical detector at one or more dataset reference beam coordinates. The method then associates the dataset with the one or more dataset reference beam coordinates and with the dataset storage address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Charles Elliott, Gregg Steven Lucas, Andrew Ellis Seidel
  • Publication number: 20090097470
    Abstract: A method for communicating data is provided. The method includes transmitting a first request from a first device to an embedded device via a first network using a first protocol, wherein the first request includes a second request formatted according to a second protocol. The method also includes transmitting the second request from the embedded device to a second device via a second network using the second protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: David S. Collier, Catherine Mary Hewlett Elliott, David Charles Elliott, Carson Ward Lankford, JR., Roy Noyes, Dean Talley
  • Patent number: 7519693
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for integrating an enclosure. An initialization module initializes a second enclosure. A discovery module discovers a connection of the second enclosure to a first enclosure. An address module creates a valid address for the second enclosure. An assignment module assigns the address to the second enclosure. A power control module cycles power to the second enclosure to reinitialize the second enclosure and set the address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew David Bomhoff, Brian James Cagno, John Charles Elliott, Robert Akira Kubo, Gregg Steven Lucas
  • Publication number: 20090089594
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for validating a connection of powered elements within a data processing system. A request for data is issued to a set of powered elements using a set of communication channels. The set of communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines. The request is sent as a set of instructions injected onto the communication channels to the set of powered elements. Data received from the set of powered elements using the set of communication channels includes physical connection information for the set of powered elements. A determination is made as to whether each powered element in the set of powered elements is connected in a predetermined configuration. A notification is presented to a user identifying each powered element in the set of powered elements that is not connected in the predetermined configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Brian James Cagno, John Charles Elliott, Kenny Nian Gan Qiu, Donald Scott Smith
  • Publication number: 20090072953
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for providing reliable redundant data communications. A programming unit issues a request for data to a set of powered elements using a set of secondary communication channels in response to a reduction in a level of communications being detected. The set of secondary communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines and the request is sent as data injected onto the alternating current power lines to the set of powered elements. The programming unit receives the data using the set of secondary communication channels from the set of powered elements, analyzes the data to determine a set of recovery actions to restore the level of communications, and issues the set of recovery actions to the set of powered elements using the set of secondary communication channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Brian James Cagno, John Charles Elliott, Kenny Nian Gan Qiu, Donald Scott Smith