Patents by Inventor Donald W. Black

Donald W. Black 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).

  • Database reorganization technique
    Patent number: 8239343
    Abstract: A database reorganization technique uses multiple-coordinated read, sort and write tasks to substantially reduce the overall time to reorganize a database object. Coordination between the different functional tasks (e.g., read, sort and write tasks) is facilitated through the logical partitioning of the key values associated with the object to be reorganized. Object key values are determined by interrogating the object's associated database prior to initiating reorganization processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Y. Blaicher, Donald W. Black, Mary D. Black, legal representative
  • Outage-less database change operation
    Patent number: 7809762
    Abstract: Techniques to update/change a database without incurring a user outage include receiving a user-specified change command which is then evaluated to determine which portion(s) of the target database will change as a result of the command. Shadow copies of those portions are then created and updated in accordance with the change command. The change command is next applied against the target database and any portion(s) placed in a restricted status because of this action are reset to an un-restricted state. The updated shadow portion(s) are then swapped for the corresponding portion(s) of the target database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Parker, Donald W. Black, Mary D. Black, legal representative
  • Database reorganization technique
    Publication number: 20040236743
    Abstract: A database reorganization technique uses multiple-coordinated read, sort and write tasks to substantially reduce the overall time to reorganize a database object. Coordination between the different functional tasks (e.g., read, sort and write tasks) is facilitated through the logical partitioning of the key values associated with the object to be reorganized. Object key values are determined by interrogating the object's associated database prior to initiating reorganization processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: BMC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Y. Blaicher, Donald W. Black, Mary D. Black
  • Method and apparatus for freezing a food product in a predetermined shape
    Patent number: 5623830
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for changing or maintaining the shape of a food product during freezing using a roller assembly containing at least two rollers forming a sinusoidal pathway in which the food product is submerged in a liquid cryogen as the shape-forming operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: The BOC group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Knight, Simon J. Shamoun, Jay R. Amber, Donald W. Black