Patents by Inventor David F. Champion

David F. Champion 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: 9141154
    Abstract: Methods and computer equipment racks configured for data communications and power distribution are disclosed that include a plurality of servers mounted horizontally, each server having a power distribution connection and one or more switch connections; one or more power distribution units (‘PDUs’) mounted vertically; and one or more network switches mounted vertically, each network switch comprising one or more rows of switch connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Karl K. Dittus, John G. Gundlach, Michael S. Miller
  • Patent number: 8543930
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which humans interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20130067573
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which humans interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8316310
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which users interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 7791893
    Abstract: Charging or recharging a capacitor powers a USB key. The capacitor is connected to the USB plug. Inserting the key in a powered device charges or recharges the capacitor. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to the USB plug and a rotatable generator electrically is connected to the capacitor. A sliding gear having teeth engages with complimentary teeth of the generator. A spring disposed at each end of the sliding gear to restrain the sliding movement of the gear. Movement of the sliding gear kinetically charges or recharges the capacitor. The USB key can include the capacitor alone or the kinetic arrangement or the combination of the capacitor and the kinetic arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, William R. Duffy, III
  • Publication number: 20100037147
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which users may interact through avatars, representing each one or more users visually, and wherein users, interact through their the representing avatars, via client devices in network communication with a server device. The method includes receiving a request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). Then, in response to the challenging, a user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a HIP message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at a user client device. The HIP message requires an response from the corresponding user. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 7600154
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-usable medium for computing a serviceability assessment, calculating a preventative maintenance assessment, and in response to computing the serviceability and preventative maintenance assessments, computing a projected service cost assessment. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a processor, a data bus, and a computer-readable medium including a serviceability assessment tool. The serviceability assessment tool further includes a serviceability assessment module, a hardware installation assessment module, a preventative maintenance assessment module, and a projected service cost assessment module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Appleman, David F. Champion, Cary Frederick De Van, Walter C. Metz, Jr., David A. Sawin, Hoyt C. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20090204900
    Abstract: A method and system to aid in the navigation of a website or computer program having a plurality of resources by displaying a single navigation window having a visual display of all of the resources of the website or program and their hierarchal structure in which at least some of the resources are linked and can be directly accessed from within the window. The window also shows a history of the resources accessed and the paths taken to obtain access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: David F. Champion, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20090116178
    Abstract: Methods and computer equipment racks configured for data communications and power distribution are disclosed that include a plurality of servers mounted horizontally, each server having a power distribution connection and one or more switch connections; one or more power distribution units (‘PDUs’) mounted vertically; and one or more network switches mounted vertically, each network switch comprising one or more rows of switch connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Karl K. Dittus, John G. Gundlach, Michael S. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080220636
    Abstract: Charging or recharging a capacitor powers a USB key. The capacitor is connected to the USB plug. Inserting the key in a powered device charges or recharges the capacitor. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to the USB plug and a rotatable generator electrically is connected to the capacitor. A sliding gear having teeth engages with complimentary teeth of the generator. A spring disposed at each end of the sliding gear to restrain the sliding movement of the gear. Movement of the sliding gear kinetically charges or recharges the capacitor. The USB key can include the capacitor alone or the kinetic arrangement or the combination of the capacitor and the kinetic arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David F. Champion, William R. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7382632
    Abstract: A sound dampening system for a computer including a bracket and a plurality of acoustic shield members. The bracket is adapted to be fixedly connected to a housing of the computer. The bracket is adapted to extend rearward from the computer. The bracket comprises support surfaces adapted to support wires extending from the computer. The acoustic shield members are connected to the bracket. A first one of the acoustic shield members is removably connected to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roland K. Alo, David F. Champion, Gerard F. Muenkel
  • Patent number: D569379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Aaron R. Cox, Gerard F. Muenkel, Edward J. Vitek, Jr.