Patents by Inventor Douglas William Steele

Douglas William Steele 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).

  • Method and system for comparing individual computers to cluster representations of their peers
    Patent number: 7380177
    Abstract: The present invention is a system or method for assisting in the maintenance and servicing of computers. The system, for example, comprises a cluster database containing information relating to one or more computer clusters, the information relating to each cluster comprising one or more cluster descriptions and one or more representations of configuration information values that characterize typical computer members of the cluster, and also a tracker database containing configuration information values gathered from and relating to one or more computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Todd Mitchell Goin, Randall Bruce Campbell, James Richard Stinger, Thomas Elliott Fawcett, Douglas William Steele, Nina Mishra, Henri Jacques Suermondt
  • Method and system for clustering computers into peer groups and comparing individual computers to their peers
    Patent number: 7203864
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers. The method, for example, comprises gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers. Next, at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers is analyzed along with the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways. Then, using the result of the analysis as a guide, logical expressions of configuration information values are selected for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing the number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Todd Mitchell Goin, Randall Bruce Campbell, James Richard Stinger, Thomas Elliott Fawcett, Douglas William Steele, Nina Mishra, Henri Jacques Suermondt
  • Method for tracking configuration changes in networks of computer systems through historical monitoring of configuration status of devices on the network.
    Patent number: 6282175
    Abstract: A tracking system that uses a revision control system and configuration status gathering to historically track and store configuration changes in computers and interconnect devices to aid in managing and troubleshooting networks of computer systems. Configuration data is gathered from devices on the network selected for monitoring on a periodic basis. The data collected each collection cycle is stored in a data storehouse on a computer within the network, called the remote support node. The data storehouse is comprised of a revision control system and data base. The data is accessed by computers on the network having web browsers. The user selects a first and second collection time, and any changes in configuration of any monitored devices in the network occurring between these two collection times is displayed in the browser window. By changing the collection times, configuration changes from different collection cycles may be viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Douglas William Steele, Craig William Bryant, Todd M. Goin, Thomas J. Moos