Patents by Inventor Fraser Syme

Fraser Syme 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: 10223235
    Abstract: A program operating to test a computer has a limit to the number of certain components that it can utilize, less than the number of those components included in the computer. A resource allocator program receives a signal to modify allocation of resources to the programs executing in the computer. The resource allocator detects that the computer is operating in a mode for testing and selects a subset of the components not allocated to the program to swap for those presently allocated. The resource allocator can receive the signal repeatedly to complete testing the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salim A. Agha, Peter J. Heyrman, Fraser A. Syme
  • Patent number: 10216599
    Abstract: A program operating to test a computer has a limit to the number of certain components that it can utilize, less than the number of those components included in the computer. A resource allocator program receives a signal to modify allocation of resources to the programs executing in the computer. The resource allocator detects that the computer is operating in a mode for testing and selects a subset of the components not allocated to the program to swap for those presently allocated. The resource allocator can receive the signal repeatedly to complete testing the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salim A. Agha, Peter J. Heyrman, David A. Larson Stanton, Fraser A. Syme
  • Patent number: 10169737
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for reuse of cancelled products that are partially manufactured. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for reusing a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of defined target configurations. The method can further include executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with a target configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Ivory W. Knipfer, Jason S. Lee, Fraser A. Syme, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Publication number: 20170344448
    Abstract: A program operating to test a computer has a limit to the number of certain components that it can utilize, less than the number of those components included in the computer. A resource allocator program receives a signal to modify allocation of resources to the programs executing in the computer. The resource allocator detects that the computer is operating in a mode for testing and selects a subset of the components not allocated to the program to swap for those presently allocated. The resource allocator can receive the signal repeatedly to complete testing the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Salim A. Agha, Peter J. Heyrman, David A. Larson Stanton, Fraser A. Syme
  • Publication number: 20170344452
    Abstract: A program operating to test a computer has a limit to the number of certain components that it can utilize, less than the number of those components included in the computer. A resource allocator program receives a signal to modify allocation of resources to the programs executing in the computer. The resource allocator detects that the computer is operating in a mode for testing and selects a subset of the components not allocated to the program to swap for those presently allocated. The resource allocator can receive the signal repeatedly to complete testing the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Salim A. Agha, Peter J. Heyrman, Fraser A. Syme
  • Patent number: 8779903
    Abstract: Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments the supply chain events for the manufactured assembly are stored on an RFID tag attached to the assembly as it travels through the supply chain to insure the data concerning the assembly is readily available and not separated from the assembly. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is stored on the RFID tag in a hierarchical structure beginning with the original state of the assembly and with additional entries for each step in the assembly process. In other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Ivory W. Knipfer, Jeffrey G. Komatsu, Fraser A. Syme
  • Patent number: 8145336
    Abstract: Real-time assembly and part validation (or “containment”) and auto-disposition in a manufacturing environment. Validation and auto-disposition are performed in a real-time, proactive manner where the validation and auto-disposition processing are not coupled to the installation process. Validation problems or issues may therefore be identified and resolved before an assembly or part is needed for installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ivory W. Knipfer, Fraser A. Syme, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Patent number: 7987064
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining dynamic test coverage for a product. The method may comprise: receiving a customer order, the customer order comprising at least one product configuration; receiving a rule set associated with the at least one product configuration; analyzing the rule set to determine a proxy part to add to the at least one product configuration; providing the proxy part an indicator; adding the proxy part to the at least one product configuration; iteratively comparing the product configuration to the rule set until the product configuration meets the rule set; providing a test associated with the at least one product configuration; receiving at least one signal from at least one indicator; and removing at least one proxy part from the at least one product configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Fraser A. Syme, William Robert Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100036515
    Abstract: Real-time assembly and part validation (or “containment”) and auto-disposition in a manufacturing environment. Validation and auto-disposition are performed in a real-time, proactive manner where the validation and auto-disposition processing are not coupled to the installation process. Validation problems or issues may therefore be identified and resolved before an assembly or part is needed for installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ivory W. Knipfer, Fraser A. Syme, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Publication number: 20100030507
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining dynamic test coverage for a product. The method may comprise: receiving a customer order, the customer order comprising at least one product configuration; receiving a rule set associated with the at least one product configuration; analyzing the rule set to determine a proxy part to add to the at least one product configuration; providing the proxy part an indicator; adding the proxy part to the at least one product configuration; iteratively comparing the product configuration to the rule set until the product configuration meets the rule set; providing a test associated with the at least one product configuration; receiving at least one signal from at least one indicator; and removing at least one proxy part from the at least one product configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Fraser A. Syme, William Robert Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090299882
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to manufacturing production and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for reuse of cancelled products that are partially manufactured. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for reusing a partially manufactured product during a manufacturing process can be provided. The method can include reading a configuration of the partially manufactured product and reading a set of rules that match a given configuration with one of a set of defined target configurations. The method can further include executing the set of rules upon the configuration of the partially manufactured product so as to match the configuration of the partially manufactured product with a target configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Ivory W. Knipfer, Jason S. Lee, Fraser A. Syme, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Patent number: 7610112
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for processing orders. A request for delivery by a requested delivery date is received for an order having an original delivery date. The ordered product is broken down into one or more materials required for manufacturing the ordered product. For at least one material required for manufacturing the ordered product, a date when an engineering change becomes effective for the material is specified. An alternate bill of materials is created based on the specified date when the engineering change becomes effective for the material. An alternate manufacturing plan based on the alternate bill of materials is created. Manufacturing is initiated based on the alternate manufacturing plan. If manufacturing can be completed in time for delivery by the requested delivery date, the original delivery date of the order is replaced with the requested delivery date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ivory W. Knipfer, Fraser A. Syme, Matthew H. Zemke
  • Patent number: 7512299
    Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of retraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jessica R. Berens, Lad W. Freitag, Joseph Kuczynski, Fraser A. Syme
  • Publication number: 20080170221
    Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of retraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jessica R. Berens, Ladd W. Freitag, Joseph Kuczynski, Fraser A. Syme
  • Publication number: 20080100455
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus is an identification device (ID) tag that includes (1) a semiconductor chip; (2) an antenna coupled to the semiconductor chip; (3) a layer of material, coupled to the semiconductor chip, and adapted to provide a persistent visual or audible signal that is observable by a human being; and (4) a controller coupled to the layer of material and adapted to cause the material to provide the signal. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Steven C. Erickson, Ivory W. Knipfer, Jeffrey G. Komatsu, Fraser A. Syme, William R. Taylor, Manivannan Thavasi
  • Publication number: 20080084322
    Abstract: A label on an electronic product may be written electronically and maintains the last display state when power is removed from the label. There are many different types of digital paper and electronic paper known in the art that would be suitable for use as such labels. The label includes multiple defined regions that may be independently written, with one of the regions defined to display failure information for the electronic product. In one implementation, the failure information is available on the electronic product itself. In another implementation, the failure information includes information received from a source external to the electronic product. The display of failure information on the label may be in human-readable and/or machine-readable form. The result is a label on an electronic product that provides reliable information regarding a failure of the electronic product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Erickson, Ivory Knipfer, Jeffrey Komatsu, Fraser Syme
  • Patent number: 7356228
    Abstract: Fiber optic cable systems and methods incorporating a luminescent compound-containing layer to identify cracks. Exemplary embodiments include a fiber optic cable apparatus including a core for receiving laser light emitted from a VCSEL for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having an index of refraction differential with the core thereby allowing containment of light within the core by total internal reflection within the core, a buffer disposed around the cladding, the buffer capable of receiving LED emitted light for the detection of faults in the fiber optic cable, a braiding layer disposed around the buffer and configured to allow LED light to transmit from the buffer, and a jacket disposed around the braiding layer, the jacket having optical properties to receive LED light transmitted down the buffer in response to VCSEL, light having been unsuccessfully transmitted down the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jessica R. Berens, Lad W. Freitag, Joseph Kuczynski, Fraser A. Syme
  • Publication number: 20080067260
    Abstract: A label that can display information that is electronically written to the label is used instead of a traditional printed paper label on an electronic product. The label itself is made from any suitable material that can be electronically written that will maintain the last display state when power is removed from the label. The preferred embodiments include a memory that includes product information on the electronic product, along with a label interface that reads the product information from the memory and displays corresponding information on the label. The label interface monitors the product information in the memory, and anytime the product information changes, the label interface automatically writes the changed product information to the label. The result is a label for an electronic product that is automatically updated each time the electronic product changes to reflect the current state of the electronic product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Erickson, Ivory Knipfer, Jeffrey Komatsu, Fraser Syme
  • Publication number: 20080055090
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system. In this way, in an embodiment, service data associated with a computer system, such as vital product service data and log information may be accessed and updated even while the computer system is powered off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Erickson, Ivory Knipfer, Jeffrey Komatsu, Fraser Syme
  • Publication number: 20070198113
    Abstract: A method and apparatus dynamically store data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly to enhance lifecycle management of the assembly. The supply chain events for the manufactured assembly are stored on an RFID tag attached to the assembly as it travels through the supply chain to insure the data concerning the assembly is readily available and not separated from the assembly. The supply chain events or characteristic data may be stored on the RFID tag in a hierarchical structure beginning with the original state of the assembly and with additional entries for each step in the assembly process. In addition, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalization, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. Other information that may be stored on the RFID tag includes country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Erickson, Ivory Knipfer, Jeffrey Komatsu, Fraser Syme