Patents by Inventor Douglas Smith

Douglas Smith 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: 7996365
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for performing a backup operation in a computing environment is provided. A list of keys identifying a plurality of locked records is created at a start of the backup operation. If a first locked record of the plurality of locked records is obtained during the backup operation, a first key identifying the first locked record is added to the list of keys. At a completion of the backup operation, if a second locked record of the plurality of locked records was not moved during the backup operation, a second key identifying the second locked record from the list of keys is dropped. The list of keys is written to a log file as in-flight updates. The in-flight updates are reprocessed through the backup operation using the log file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Lee Lehr, Franklin Emmert McCune, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7996686
    Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing a branch trace operation on a computer system of an end user are provided. An encrypted mapping macro is provided to the end user to be made operational on the computer system. A trace program is provided to the end user. The end user executes the trace program on the computer system as a diagnostic tool. The trace program is adapted for decrypting the encrypted mapping macro, determining a storage offset location of a branch instruction; checking the storage offset location for an identifying constant, cross referencing the identifying constant with an entry in the decrypted mapping macro to identify a branch triggering bit and diagnostic information associated with the branch instruction, and returning the branch triggering bit and diagnostic information, the branch triggering bit and diagnostic information provided to a coder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Bruce LeGendre, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7996408
    Abstract: A plurality of data sets is maintained, wherein each data set comprises an index block and a plurality of data blocks. An index block size is determined for redefining the plurality of data sets, based on an amount of space left unused in index blocks of the plurality of data sets, wherein for determining the index block size greater weight is provided to those index blocks with lesser unused space in comparison to those index blocks with greater unused space. A data block size is determined based on whether the plurality of data blocks is used more frequently for direct processing or used more frequently for sequential processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philip R. Chauvet, David Charles Reed, Michael Robert Scott, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20110178821
    Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed including a unified format medical information and teleconferencing service (UFMITS) and client devices that communicate with such service, the UFMITS configured to obtain and view different format medical data, such as high resolution medical imaging data, convert the different formats to a unified format, and make such data available to the client devices via a single user interface. In operation, a medical agent, such as a surgeon, connects to the UFMITS, via a network, and requests medical data for a particular patient. The UFMITS sends medical information available about the particular patient to the medical agent in the unified format, enabling the medical agent to view all pertinent medical data using a single software interface. Furthermore, the medical agent may teleconference with other medical agents, via the UFMITS, to discuss such downloaded medical data, which are simultaneously downloaded to the other medical agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7973652
    Abstract: A personal safety system is designed for a user of a vehicle. The system includes body-protective gear adapted for wear by the user of the vehicle. A sensor determines a positive or negative functional state of the body-protective gear. In the positive functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be properly applied to a body part of the user; and in the negative functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be improperly applied to the body part of the user. A transceiver is operatively connected to the sensor, and communicates the functional state of the body-protective gear to the vehicle. When the body-protective gear is in the negative functional state, operation of the vehicle is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Geared-Up Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Smith, Mike Moore, Paul Ray Martin
  • Patent number: 7962803
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for multi-address space tracing. A trigger module establishes a trigger event with a trace level. The trigger event occurs in at least a first address space of a plurality of address spaces. The trace level defines trace data to be stored from the plurality of address spaces. A monitor monitors messages communicated within and between the plurality of address spaces. A detection module detects the trigger event. A log module logs the trace data from the plurality of address spaces defined by the trace level in response to detecting the trigger event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Steven Huber, Miguel Angel Perez, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20110120340
    Abstract: An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: John Douglas Smith, Katherine Kelly, L. Keith Forbis
  • Patent number: 7904812
    Abstract: A browseable narrative having an architecture that enables browsing, so that a user may progress from a point to any other point in the narrative in a manner determined by the user. The browseable narrative includes a scene or scenes without any predefined beginning, middle, or end which can be displayed in a non-linear manner. The narrative also includes links which interrupt the display of one scene and initiate the display of another. Maps may also exist in the narrative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Web River Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Atlas, Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7890675
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamically allocating buffers during the execution of a job. A plan module sets a buffer allocation plan for the job using data access history that contains information about the number and nature of data access events in past executions of the same job. A buffer module allocates buffers during the execution of the job, and alters the buffer allocation to improve performance for direct access events for those portions of the job that the buffer allocation plan indicates have historically included predominantly direct access events. The buffer module alters the buffer allocation to improve performance for sequential access events for those portions of the job that the buffer allocation plan indicates have historically included predominantly sequential access events. A history module then collects data access information about the current execution and adds that information to the data access history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Herman Aranguren, David Bruce LeGendre, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7844057
    Abstract: A method and system for handling roaming mobile nodes in a wireless network. The system uses a Subnet Context Manager to store current Network session keys, security policy and duration of the session (e.g. session timeout) for mobile nodes, which is established when the mobile node is initially authenticated. Pairwise transit keys are derived from the network session key. The Subnet Context Manager handles subsequent reassociation requests. When a mobile node roams to a new access point, the access point obtains the network session key from the Subnet Context Manager and validates the mobile node by computing a new pairwise transient key from the network session key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Meier, Richard D. Rebo, Victor J. Griswold, Douglas Smith, Nancy Cam Winget
  • Patent number: 7837566
    Abstract: A passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt and each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Smith, James Burgess, Joel Fritsche, Chris Hellsten, Tim Kelley, Michael Mathaisel, Mario Scarabino, Dave Wiedman
  • Publication number: 20100293354
    Abstract: A method of minimizing data storage medium fragmentation, wherein the method provides a data storage library comprising (N) data storage media, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 1. The method establishes a threshold fragmentation index, and determines, for each value of (i), an actual fragmentation index for an (i)th data storage medium, wherein (i) is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to (N). The method receives a data set from a host computer in communication with the data storage library, and writes the data set to an (i)th data storage medium based upon an (i)th actual fragmentation index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MIGUEL ANGEL PEREZ, DAVID CHARLES REED, MAX DOUGLAS SMITH
  • Publication number: 20100281000
    Abstract: A method for data recovery of a data set migrated from a first storage media to a second storage media, where the data set includes a header record and multiple control records interleaved with corresponding data blocks. The header record is examined to identify a number of control records and data blocks comprising the data set. Next, the control records and data blocks are examined in order, starting with an initial data block, until a first data block is identified due to its failure to match the attribute included in the associated control record. Then the control records and data blocks are examined in reverse order, starting with a last data block, until a second data block is identified due to its failure to match an attribute included in the associated control record. Lastly, each data block from the first data block to the second data block are set to a lost data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS LEE LEHR, FRANKLIN EMMERT MCCUNE, DAVID CHARLES REED, MAX DOUGLAS SMITH
  • Publication number: 20100251214
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for analyzing code paths. In one embodiment, a starting point for one or more code paths within a listing of code is specified. The starting point may include code from which one or more code paths flow. An ending point is also specified for one or more code paths within the code, wherein the ending point includes code that is reachable via one or more of the code paths flowing from the starting point. Each code path flowing from the starting point to the ending point is determined by analyzing the listing of code without execution of the code. Information about the determined code paths is provided to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Neal Everett Bohling, Douglas Lee Lehr, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Patent number: 7796418
    Abstract: A disclosed embodiment is a programmable memory cell comprising an elevated ground node having a voltage greater than a common ground node by an amount substantially equal to a voltage drop across a trigger point adjustment element. In one embodiment, the trigger point adjustment element can be a diode. The trigger voltage of the programmable memory cell is raised closer to a supply voltage when current passes through the trigger point adjustment element during a write operation. The programmable memory cell can comprise a pair of cross-coupled inverters, and first and second programmable antifuses that can be coupled to each inverter in the pair of cross-coupled inverters. Since the trigger voltage of the programmable memory cell is raised closer to the supply voltage, a programmed antifuse can easily reach below the trigger voltage and result in a successful write operation even when the supply voltage is a low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Schmitt, Joseph Glenn, Douglas Smith, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20100228898
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamically allocating buffers during the execution of a job. A plan module sets a buffer allocation plan for the job using data access history that contains information about the number and nature of data access events in past executions of the same job. A buffer module allocates buffers during the execution of the job, and alters the buffer allocation to improve performance for direct access events for those portions of the job that the buffer allocation plan indicates have historically included predominantly direct access events. The buffer module alters the buffer allocation to improve performance for sequential access events for those portions of the job that the buffer allocation plan indicates have historically included predominantly sequential access events. A history module then collects data access information about the current execution and adds that information to the data access history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herman Aranguren, David Bruce LeGendre, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20100228708
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for allocating data sets to a container data set. A container data set is allocated in a storage system. An entry is included in a file allocation catalog for the allocated container data set indicating an address range of data allocated to the container data set, wherein the file allocation catalog maps data sets to address ranges in the storage system. A virtual file allocation catalog for the container data set is generated. A request is received to allocate a data set. A determination is made as to whether the data set to allocate has a size less than a threshold size. An entry is included in the virtual file allocation catalog to allocate the data set in the address range of the container data set in response to determining that the data set to allocate size is less than the threshold size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Lee Lehr, Franklin Emmert McCune, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20100217930
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture to manage storage resources in a storage system. Requests by processing systems are received for access to a control block providing information on an address assigned to one of the storage resources to access. A token is generated for each processing system requesting the control block uniquely identifying the processing system and the control block. The processing systems are provided copies of the requested control blocks to use to access the storage resource. A request is received to modify one of the control blocks for one of the storage resources. A determination is made as to whether at least one of the tokens was generated for the control block to modify. At least one processing system associated with the determined at least one token is provided a copy of the modified control block to use to access the storage resource associated with the control block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregg Leonard Liguori, David Charles Reed, Michael Robert Scott, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20100191738
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for modifying data set names. A communication module receives a data set name as an index of a catalog entry for a catalog. The data set name comprises at least two qualifiers. A modification module modifies at least one data set name qualifier using a naming algorithm, wherein an alias qualifier is not modified. A store module stores the catalog entry indexed with the modified data set name in order to optimize the location of that entry within the catalog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Lee Lehr, Franklin Emmert McCune, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith
  • Publication number: 20100185697
    Abstract: A plurality of catalogs are maintained, and wherein each catalog of the plurality of catalogs includes data sets and attributes of the data sets. An indication that a new data set is to be defined is received. A selected catalog is determined from the plurality of catalogs, wherein the selected catalog is suitable for including the new data set and attributes of the new data set. An entry that indicates a data set name corresponding to the new data set and an index to the selected catalog is inserted in a group table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Lee Lehr, Franklin Emmert Mccune, David Charles Reed, Max Douglas Smith