Patents by Inventor Colin Scott Dawson

Colin Scott Dawson 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: 8302202
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed that provides a user-specific transportable computing environment. The apparatus, system, and method facilitate users configuring their own personal computing environment on a properly configured computing host. Users can insert a personal environment key into the computing host and automatically activate and configure any software they are licensed to use. The personal environment key may include all the data, licenses, and keys necessary to activate software that the user has rights to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Scott Dawson
  • Patent number: 8140485
    Abstract: A data recovery method that uses a minimum number of recovery streams is provided. The method comprises defining a minimum number of recovery streams to be read from during restoration of data from one or more storage volumes in a communication network, wherein the minimum number is determined according to one or more parameters defining availability of one or more resources in the communication network; restoring the data using at least the minimum number of recovery streams to optimize the rate at which the data is restored; and dynamically changing the minimum number of recovery streams, in response to determining that the availability of the one or more resources has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Howard Newton Martin
  • Patent number: 8131669
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, Jr., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Publication number: 20110196845
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a data structure corresponding to a set of client nodes selected from a plurality of client nodes is generated. Objects from the selected set of client nodes are stored in the data structure. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node of the selected set of client nodes has to be stored. An additional determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes. The object is stored in the data structure, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, JR.
  • Patent number: 7958152
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a data structure corresponding to a set of client nodes selected from a plurality of client nodes is generated. Objects from the selected set of client nodes are stored in the data structure. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node of the selected set of client nodes has to be stored. An additional determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes. The object is stored in the data structure, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110113015
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, JR., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Patent number: 7899189
    Abstract: The present invention includes one or more clients in communication with a server. The client desires to send a storage construct to the server for storage. The client negotiates a transmission key with the server. The client generates a storage key associated specifically with the storage construct. The client encrypts the storage construct using the storage key and encrypts the storage key using the transmission key. The encrypted storage construct and encrypted storage key are sent to the server. The server decrypts the storage key using the transmission key. The server stores the storage construct on a storage device separate from a storage device storing the storage key. Preferably, any changes to the storage construct location, the storage key location, or the storage construct name are tracked and proper modifications are made to an association relating the location of the storage construct and the location for the corresponding storage key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Kenneth Eugene Hannigan, Glen Hattrup, Avishai Haim Hochberg, Donald Warren, Christopher Zaremba
  • Patent number: 7895165
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, Jr., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Publication number: 20100263030
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for establishing an agency relationship to perform delegated computing tasks. The method provides for initiation of the agency relationship, establishment of credentials to perform a delegated computing task, and performance of the delegated computing task. Benefits of establishing an agency relationship in a computing environment include improved security, efficiency, and reliability in performing delegated computing tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Glen Hattrup, Avishai Haim Hochberg, Michael Kaczmarski, Thomas Franklin Ramke, JR., James Patrick Smith
  • Publication number: 20100223233
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, JR., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Patent number: 7774462
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for establishing an agency relationship to perform delegated computing tasks. The apparatus system and method provide for initiation of the agency relationship, establishment of credentials to perform a delegated computing task, and performance of the delegated computing task. Benefits of establishing an agency relationship in a computing environment include improved security, efficiency, and reliability in performing delegated computing tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Glen Hattrup, Avishai Haim Hochberg, Michael Kaczmarski, Thomas Franklin Ramke, Jr., James Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 7747577
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture wherein one client node is selected from a plurality of client nodes. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node has to be stored. A determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node. The object is stored at the server node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the one selected client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards, Jr., Michael Allen Kaczmarski, Christopher Zaremba
  • Patent number: 7707138
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for, under control of a backup application, identifying one or more columns to be used by a row based operation. A row map is created that includes indicators which indicate the identified one or more columns. The row based operation is generated, wherein the row map is input as an argument to the row based operation, and the row based operation is forwarded to a database abstraction component. Under control of the database abstraction component, the row based operation is used to generate a database statement, wherein the row map is used to generate a portion of the database statement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Scott Dawson
  • Patent number: 7698519
    Abstract: Provided are a system, method, and computer readable storage medium wherein at least two primary storage pools are configured, wherein a first primary storage pool is configured to indicate a second primary storage pool as a next storage pool in a storage hierarchy that comprises the first primary storage pool and the second primary storage pool. The first primary storage pool of the storage hierarchy is copied to a copy storage pool, wherein the first primary storage pool and the copy storage pool are included as parameters of a single command. The second primary storage pool is copied to the copy storage pool, in response to determining that the second primary storage pool is the next storage pool for the first primary storage pool in the storage hierarchy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Howard Newton Martin
  • Publication number: 20100030822
    Abstract: A data recovery method that uses a minimum number of recovery streams is provided. The method comprises defining a minimum number of recovery streams to be read from during restoration of data from one or more storage volumes in a communication network, wherein the minimum number is determined according to one or more parameters defining availability of one or more resources in the communication network; restoring the data using at least the minimum number of recovery streams to optimize the rate at which the data is restored; and dynamically changing the minimum number of recovery streams, in response to determining that the availability of the one or more resources has changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Howard Newton Martin
  • Patent number: 7610291
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a determination is made that an object corresponding to a first client node has to be stored. A further determination is made as to whether the object has already been sent to a server node by a second client node, wherein the sent object is stored in the server node and is represented by a first entry, and wherein objects and representations of objects stored in the server node form a plurality of groups. The server node receives the object from the first client node, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the server node by the second client node. A second entry representing the object is stored at the server node, wherein the second entry references the first entry, in response to determining that the object has already been stored in the server node by the second client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson
  • Publication number: 20090125751
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for determining the recovery readiness of a data asset. A set of metrics are identified for a current recovery operation performed for the data asset and a current recovery objective is identified for the data asset. The current recovery operation is applied to the data asset using the set of metrics. A determination is made as to whether the current recovery operation meets the recovery objective for the data asset. Responsive to a failure of the current recovery operation to meet the recovery objective, an error is presented indicating the failure and a determination is made as to whether a different recovery policy may be implemented to meet the recovery objective for the data asset. If a different recovery policy exists that meets the recovery objective for the data asset, the different recovery policy is implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Gregory John Tevis, David Gregory Van Hise
  • Patent number: 7533181
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for data access management on a storage device connected to a storage area network. A client includes network connections to a first and second network, where the second network comprises a storage area network (SAN). The client also includes a storage management client and a storage agent. The storage agent is configured to minimize the amount of metadata processing that occurs on the client by sending the metadata or a copy thereof to a storage server to be stored in a centralized metadata database. The storage server also includes a storage manager that is configured to manage data access by the storage agent to the requested storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Scott Dawson, Erick Christian Kissel, David Michael Morton, William J. Scheid, III
  • Patent number: 7487322
    Abstract: An article of manufacture and system are provided for allocating storage space to a storage pool. A request for storage space for the storage pool is received. A list of locations associated with the storage pool is obtained, wherein the locations are capable of spanning multiple file systems or multiple directories within a single file system. One or more allocation techniques are applied to select one or more locations at which storage space is to be allocated. The storage space is allocated at the selected one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Barry Fruchtman, Charles Alan Nichols
  • Publication number: 20080243942
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein a data structure corresponding to a set of client nodes selected from a plurality of client nodes is generated. Objects from the selected set of client nodes are stored in the data structure. A determination is made that an object corresponding to a client node of the selected set of client nodes has to be stored. An additional determination is made as to whether the object has already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes. The object is stored in the data structure, in response to determining that the object has not already been stored in the data structure by any client node of the selected set of client nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Maxwell Cannon, Colin Scott Dawson, Robert Clair Edwards