Patents by Inventor Donald Crabtree

Donald Crabtree 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).

  • Publication number: 20230113968
    Abstract: An internal time of a data server is compared against respective times of each of a plurality of devices of a network. The network may require tight time synchronization. The data server utilizes a plurality of high-performance oscillators to maintain the internal time. The data server analyzes the compared times to detect that a time maintained by another device of the network has drifted more than a threshold. An ameliorative action is executed in response to detecting that the time maintained by the another device has drifted more than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: John Houston, Stephen Robert Guendert, Donald Crabtree
  • Patent number: 11323322
    Abstract: Coordinated timing networks are dynamically merged into a single coordinated timing network. This merge occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each server of the merged coordinated timing network has the same coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and the merged coordinated timing network has one selected primary time server. Optionally, the merged coordinated timing network may include a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Patent number: 11271838
    Abstract: Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for timing synchronization. Aspects include sending to a remote system a first base packet, the first base packet is sent at a first send event time and then recording the first send event time in a memory. Aspects also include sending to the remote system a second base packet, wherein the payload comprises instructions for the remote computing system and receiving a first remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a first received time indicating a time the first base packet was received. Aspects then include recording the first received time and recording a second received time, wherein the second received time indicates a time the first remote packet was received by the base system. Aspects include receiving a second remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a second sent time indicating a time the first remote packet was sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, Richard K. Errickson, John S. Houston, Peter K. Szwed
  • Patent number: 10958727
    Abstract: A time server of a server time protocol (STP) facility of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a primary-reference-time (PRT) update, with the primary-reference-time update having been determined with reference to a time source, which includes a precision-time-protocol (PTP) source. The time server sets a primary reference time correction steering rate for the coordinated timing network based on receiving the primary-reference-time update, and broadcasts to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network a PRT-correction-steering information block (PCSIB). The PRT-correction-steering information block includes a precision-time-protocol identifier for the time source used in determining the primary-reference-time update, and the primary-reference-time correction steering rate set by the time server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen R. Guendert, John S. Houston, Donald Crabtree, Stephen P. Cherniak, Paul Wojciak
  • Patent number: 10903924
    Abstract: A time server of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a command, including a primary-reference-time (PRT) source identifier identifying a time source in use for the server time protocol (STP) facility as a precision-time-protocol (PTP) time server. The time server obtains the primary-reference-time source identifier from the command, and distributes the primary-reference-time source identifier obtained from the command to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network to facilitate processing within the coordinated timing network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen R. Guendert, John S. Houston, Donald Crabtree, Stephen P. Cherniak, Paul Wojciak
  • Publication number: 20200259897
    Abstract: A time server of a server time protocol (STP) facility of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a primary-reference-time (PRT) update, with the primary-reference-time update having been determined with reference to a time source, which includes a precision-time-protocol (PTP) source. The time server sets a primary reference time correction steering rate for the coordinated timing network based on receiving the primary-reference-time update, and broadcasts to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network a PRT-correction-steering information block (PCSIB). The PRT-correction-steering information block includes a precision-time-protocol identifier for the time source used in determining the primary-reference-time update, and the primary-reference-time correction steering rate set by the time server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen R. GUENDERT, John S. HOUSTON, Donald CRABTREE, Stephen P. CHERNIAK, Paul WOJCIAK
  • Publication number: 20200259577
    Abstract: A time server of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a command, including a primary-reference-time (PRT) source identifier identifying a time source in use for the server time protocol (STP) facility as a precision-time-protocol (PTP) time server. The time server obtains the primary-reference-time source identifier from the command, and distributes the primary-reference-time source identifier obtained from the command to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network to facilitate processing within the coordinated timing network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen R. GUENDERT, John S. HOUSTON, Donald CRABTREE, Stephen P. CHERNIAK, Paul WOJCIAK
  • Patent number: 10680890
    Abstract: A coordinated timing network is dynamically split into a plurality of coordinated timing networks. This split occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each coordinated timing network has its own coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and its own primary time server. Optionally, each coordinated timing network includes a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20190363936
    Abstract: Coordinated timing networks are dynamically merged into a single coordinated timing network. This merge occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each server of the merged coordinated timing network has the same coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and the merged coordinated timing network has one selected primary time server. Optionally, the merged coordinated timing network may include a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Patent number: 10447532
    Abstract: Coordinated timing networks are dynamically merged into a single coordinated timing network. This merge occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each server of the merged coordinated timing network has the same coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and the merged coordinated timing network has one selected primary time server. Optionally, the merged coordinated timing network may include a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20190109763
    Abstract: A coordinated timing network is dynamically split into a plurality of coordinated timing networks. This split occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each coordinated timing network has its own coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and its own primary time server. Optionally, each coordinated timing network includes a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Patent number: 10177979
    Abstract: A coordinated timing network is dynamically split into a plurality of coordinated timing networks. This split occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each coordinated timing network has its own coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and its own primary time server. Optionally, each coordinated timing network includes a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20180205479
    Abstract: Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for timing synchronization. Aspects include sending to a remote system a first base packet, the first base packet is sent at a first send event time and then recording the first send event time in a memory. Aspects also include sending to the remote system a second base packet, wherein the payload comprises instructions for the remote computing system and receiving a first remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a first received time indicating a time the first base packet was received. Aspects then include recording the first received time and recording a second received time, wherein the second received time indicates a time the first remote packet was received by the base system. Aspects include receiving a second remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a second sent time indicating a time the first remote packet was sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, Richard K. Errickson, John S. Houston, Peter K. Szwed
  • Patent number: 9934113
    Abstract: An enhanced console assisted recovery capability provides an efficient technique for communicating the failure of a primary time server to the backup time server in order to provide fast failure recovery of a synchronized timing network with the intent of avoiding a complete network outage. The primary time server efficiently notifies the backup time server that the primary time server is about to become unavailable. The backup time server can then begin an immediate takeover of time serving to the synchronized network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen P. Cherniak, Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20170118005
    Abstract: A coordinated timing network is dynamically split into a plurality of coordinated timing networks. This split occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each coordinated timing network has its own coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and its own primary time server. Optionally, each coordinated timing network includes a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20170118006
    Abstract: Coordinated timing networks are dynamically merged into a single coordinated timing network. This merge occurs without taking down any of the servers. Each server of the merged coordinated timing network has the same coordinated timing network identifier (CTN ID), and the merged coordinated timing network has one selected primary time server. Optionally, the merged coordinated timing network may include a backup time server and an arbiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Publication number: 20170097874
    Abstract: An enhanced console assisted recovery capability provides an efficient technique for communicating the failure of a primary time server to the backup time server in order to provide fast failure recovery of a synchronized timing network with the intent of avoiding a complete network outage. The primary time server efficiently notifies the backup time server that the primary time server is about to become unavailable. The backup time server can then begin an immediate takeover of time serving to the synchronized network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen P. Cherniak, Donald Crabtree, John S. Houston
  • Patent number: 9164699
    Abstract: A protocol for communicating with the timing facility used in a data processing network to provide synchronization is provided via the execution of a machine instruction that accepts a plurality of commands. The interaction is provided through the use of message request blocks and their associated message response blocks. In this way timing parameters may be determined, modified and communicated. This makes it much easier for multiple servers or nodes in a data processing network to exist as a coordinated timing network and to thus more cooperatively operate on the larger yet identical data files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Donald Crabtree, Dennis J. Dahlen, Beth A. Glendening, Michel H. T. Hack, Denise M. Sevigny, Ronald M. Smith, Sr., David E. Whitney
  • Patent number: 9112626
    Abstract: A stratum-1 configuration for a timing network is defined. The stratum-1 configuration includes a single active stratum-1 server usable in ensuring that the servers in the network use the same primary reference time to synchronize their clocks. The servers in the network are synchronizing to the same root primary reference time and synchronization accuracy is not dependent on the quality of an external time source or of the existence of an external time source at the stratum-1 server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Donald Crabtree, Dennis J. Dahlen, Denise M. Sevigny, Judith A. Wierbowski
  • Patent number: 8972606
    Abstract: A protocol for communicating with the timing facility used in a data processing network to provide synchronization is provided via the execution of a machine instruction that accepts a plurality of commands. The interaction is provided through the use of message request blocks and their associated message response blocks. In this way timing parameters may be determined, modified and communicated. This makes it much easier for multiple servers or nodes in a data processing network to exist as a coordinated timing network and to thus more cooperatively operate on the larger yet identical data files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Carlson, Donald Crabtree, Dennis J. Dahlen, Beth A. Glendening, Michel H. T. Hack, Denise M. Sevigny, Ronald M. Smith, Sr., David E. Whitney