Patents by Inventor Colin I. Holyoake
Colin I. Holyoake 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: 10883279Abstract: A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams
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Patent number: 10771311Abstract: A method and system. A first computer device sends to a second computer device, via a broadcast or multicast communication, an event notification of a notifiable management event, The first computer device may connect to a management network via only a first network switch, wherein the first computer device is unable to notify a management device of the notifiable management event via the management network because the first computer device is unable to connect to the management network via the first network switch. The first computer device receives, from the second computer device via a first unicast communication, an acknowledgment of the event notification, wherein the second computer device is able to connect to the management network via the second network switch. The broadcast or multicast communication and the first unicast communication each use a short-range wireless communications technology comprising visible light communication or data-over-audio communication.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew S. Feltham, Colin I. Holyoake, Elizabeth J. Maple
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Publication number: 20200232228Abstract: A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Sarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams
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Patent number: 10689861Abstract: A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams
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Patent number: 10601187Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 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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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: 10579782Abstract: A method and related electronic apparatus for providing a user access to a computer system, the method comprising: determining at least one object in contact with a surface; generating at least one pulse sequence; actuating the surface based on the at least one pulse sequence; determining an absence of the at least one object from the surface; determining at least one character of a password input based on the at least one pulse sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Colin I. Holyoake, James S. Taylor
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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: 20190147146Abstract: A method and related electronic apparatus for providing a user access to a computer system, the method comprising: determining at least one object in contact with a surface; generating at least one pulse sequence; actuating the surface based on the at least one pulse sequence; determining an absence of the at least one object from the surface; determining at least one character of a password input based on the at least one pulse sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Colin I. Holyoake, James S. Taylor
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Publication number: 20190149395Abstract: A method and system. A first computer device sends to a second computer device, via a broadcast or multicast communication, an event notification of a notifiable management event. The first computer device may connect to a management network via only a first network switch, wherein the first computer device is unable to notify a management device of the notifiable management event via the management network because the first computer device is unable to connect to the management network via the first network switch. The first computer device receives, from the second computer device via a first unicast communication, an acknowledgment of the event notification, wherein the second computer device is able to connect to the management network via the second network switch. The broadcast or multicast communication and the first unicast communication each use a short-range wireless communications technology comprising visible light communication or data-over-audio communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Andrew S. Feltham, Colin I. Holyoake, Elizabeth J. Maple
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Patent number: 10263831Abstract: A method, system and computer program product. A first computer device identifies a notifiable management event relating to the first computer device, wherein the first computer device is unable to notify a management device of the notifiable management event via a management network because the first computer device is unable to connect to the management network. The first computer device sends, to a second computer device via a broadcast or multicast communication, an event notification of the notifiable management event. The first computer device receives, from the second computer device via a first unicast communication, an acknowledgement of the event notification, wherein the second computer device is able to connect to the management network. The broadcast or multicast communication and the first unicast communication each use a short-range wireless communications technology.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew S. Feltham, Colin I. Holyoake, Elizabeth J. Maple
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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: 10229254Abstract: A method and related electronic apparatus for providing a user access to a computer system, the method comprising: determining at least one object in contact with a surface; generating at least one pulse sequence; actuating the surface based on the at least one pulse sequence; determining an absence of the at least one object from the surface; determining at least one character of a password input based on the at least one pulse sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Colin I. Holyoake, James S. Taylor
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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: 20180320387Abstract: A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Sarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams
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Patent number: 10106990Abstract: A flooring element is provided for a raised floor including removable flooring panels and a supporting structure with a load bearing surface. The flooring element includes a warning element operable for moving between an inactive position in which the warning element is substantially concealed by the surface and an active position in which the warning element projects beyond the surface to form a visual hazard warning indicator. The flooring element may be for example a flooring panel, a stringer, a pedestal, an insert for a pedestal or an insert for inserting between a sub-floor void and a flooring panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sarah M. Drewery, Colin I. Holyoake, David J. Tolley, Julian D. Williams