Patents by Inventor Fred A. Bower

Fred A. Bower 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: 11196752
    Abstract: An apparatus for multifactor identification of a mobile device for access to data processing devices within a secured data center includes a processor of a secured server and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive from a mobile device a request for authorization to access a data processing device within a secured data center, verify that user credentials received from the mobile device in conjunction with the authorization request match credentials of an authorized user, where the authorized user is authorized to access the data processing device, verify that the mobile device is in proximity to the data processing device, and authorize the mobile device to access the data processing device in response to verifying the user credentials match credentials of an authorized user and verifying that the mobile device is in proximity to the data processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LENOVO Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Caihong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10866826
    Abstract: A controller for state-based system management migration includes state module configured to determine a state of a data center component, an event module configured to electronically communicate with the state module and to generate a focused management migration event in response to determining that the state of the data center component corresponds to a focused management category that differs from a general management category of data center components managed by a general system management instance, a run module configured to ensure, in response to detecting the focused management migration event, that a focused system management instance configured to manage data center components having the state corresponding to the focused management category is running, and a transfer module configured to transfer, in response to detecting the focused management migration event, system management ownership of the data center component to the focused system management instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Matthew R. Alcorn, James G. McLean, Antonio Abbondanzio, Fred A. Bower
  • Patent number: 10855659
    Abstract: An apparatus for securely configuring a tenant VLAN includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to detect connection of a new device to a computing system. The new device is designated for use by a new tenant and the new device in a default state prior to configuration for use by the new tenant. The computing system is a multi-tenant system. The code is executable by the processor to command the new device to enter a provisioning state in response to detecting connection of the new device. The new device in the provisioning state is unable to access operational equipment of the computing system and data stored by tenants of the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Fred A. Bower
  • Publication number: 20200310856
    Abstract: A controller for state-based system management migration includes state module configured to determine a state of a data center component, an event module configured to electronically communicate with the state module and to generate a focused management migration event in response to determining that the state of the data center component corresponds to a focused management category that differs from a general management category of data center components managed by a general system management instance, a run module configured to ensure, in response to detecting the focused management migration event, that a focused system management instance configured to manage data center components having the state corresponding to the focused management category is running, and a transfer module configured to transfer, in response to detecting the focused management migration event, system management ownership of the data center component to the focused system management instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew R. Alcorn, James G. McLean, Antonio Abbondanzio, Fred A. Bower
  • Patent number: 10728727
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing interference in wireless communication among computing devices are disclosed herein. In accordance with an aspect, a first wireless communication device is provided that is operably connected to a first server and configured to wirelessly communicate information associated with the first server. The method includes determining, at the first wireless communication device, presence of a second wireless communication device operably connected to a second server. The method also includes negotiating with the second wireless communication device to establish a plan for sharing wireless communication airspace between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. Further, the method includes controlling communication based on the plan for sharing wireless communication airspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Charles C. Queen
  • Publication number: 20200236116
    Abstract: An apparatus for multifactor identification of a mobile device for access to data processing devices within a secured data center includes a processor of a secured server and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive from a mobile device a request for authorization to access a data processing device within a secured data center, verify that user credentials received from the mobile device in conjunction with the authorization request match credentials of an authorized user, where the authorized user is authorized to access the data processing device, verify that the mobile device is in proximity to the data processing device, and authorize the mobile device to access the data processing device in response to verifying the user credentials match credentials of an authorized user and verifying that the mobile device is in proximity to the data processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Caihong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190081929
    Abstract: An apparatus for securely configuring a tenant VLAN includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to detect connection of a new device to a computing system. The new device is designated for use by a new tenant and the new device in a default state prior to configuration for use by the new tenant. The computing system is a multi-tenant system. The code is executable by the processor to command the new device to enter a provisioning state in response to detecting connection of the new device. The new device in the provisioning state is unable to access operational equipment of the computing system and data stored by tenants of the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: GARY D. CUDAK, FRED A. BOWER
  • Patent number: 10185379
    Abstract: Systems and methods for usage of secondary power supplies in computing environments based on risk and cost assessments are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a risk value to a primary power source of a need to utilize a secondary power source for powering a plurality of computing devices. The method includes using the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Artman, Fred A. Bower, Gary D. Cudak, Ajay Dholakia
  • Publication number: 20170285704
    Abstract: Systems and methods for usage of secondary power supplies in computing environments based on risk and cost assessments are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining a risk value to a primary power source of a need to utilize a secondary power source for powering a plurality of computing devices. The method includes using the secondary power source to power a portion of the computing devices based on the determined risk value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Artman, Fred A. Bower, Gary D. Cudak, Ajay Dholakia
  • Publication number: 20170257729
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing interference in wireless communication among computing devices are disclosed herein. In accordance with an aspect, a first wireless communication device is provided that is operably connected to a first server and configured to wirelessly communicate information associated with the first server. The method includes determining, at the first wireless communication device, presence of a second wireless communication device operably connected to a second server. The method also includes negotiating with the second wireless communication device to establish a plan for sharing wireless communication airspace between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. Further, the method includes controlling communication based on the plan for sharing wireless communication airspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Charles C. Queen
  • Patent number: 9124654
    Abstract: A method initializes a federated computer system from a fabric of nodes connected by a federated interface. Each node casts a vote to the federated interface for a candidate firmware version supported by the node casting the vote. The candidate firmware version having received the greatest number of votes is identified, and the computer system is initialized as a federated system of the nodes that support the firmware version identified as having received the greatest number of votes. A process of iterative voting may be used to identify a greater number of nodes supporting a compatible firmware version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Shunrong Hu, William G. Pagan
  • Publication number: 20140075173
    Abstract: A method initializes a federated computer system from a fabric of nodes connected by a federated interface. Each node casts a vote to the federated interface for a candidate firmware version supported by the node casting the vote. The candidate firmware version having received the greatest number of votes is identified, and the computer system is initialized as a federated system of the nodes that support the firmware version identified as having received the greatest number of votes. A process of iterative voting may be used to identify a greater number of nodes supporting a compatible firmware version.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fred A. Bower, Shunrong Hu, William G. Pagan
  • Publication number: 20080235694
    Abstract: A driver is provided to manage launching of tasks at different levels of priority and within the parameters of the firmware interface. The driver includes two anchors for managing the tasks, a dispatcher and an agent. The dispatcher operates at a medium priority level and manages communication from a remote administrator. The agent functions to receive communications from the dispatcher by way of a shared data structure and to launch lower priority level tasks in respond to the communication. The shared data structure stores communications received from the dispatcher. Upon placing the communication in the shared data structure, the dispatcher sends a signal to the agent indicating that a communication is in the data structure for reading by the agent. Following reading of the communication in the data structure, the agent launches the lower priority level task and sends a signal to the data structure indicating the status of the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Fred A. Bower
  • Publication number: 20040216100
    Abstract: Multitasking in a hardware interrupt free environment. Event indicators are employed to multitask between processes of the environment. Processes to be multitasked register with one another, and then during processing, one of the processes toggles an event indicator to allow another process to execute. The toggling allows the processes to share resources in an interrupt free environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Fred A. Bower
  • Publication number: 20030126302
    Abstract: The monitoring of a worker process by an executive process. A worker process periodically sends a signal to an executive process, such as via a call to a heartbeat interface, which receives the signal and determines whether the worker process is improperly functioning. If the worker process is improperly functioning, the executive process terminates the worker process. The executive process may also examine the worker process for diagnostic purposes before terminating, or returning control to, the worker process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Fred A. Bower
  • Publication number: 20030005026
    Abstract: A driver is provided to manage launching of tasks at different levels of priority and within the parameters of the firmware interface. The driver includes two anchors for managing the tasks, a dispatcher and an agent. The dispatcher operates at a medium priority level and manages communication from a remote administrator. The agent functions to receive communications from the dispatcher by way of a shared data structure and to launch lower priority level tasks in respond to the communication. The shared data structure stores communications received from the dispatcher. Upon placing the communication in the shared data structure, the dispatcher sends a signal to the agent indicating that a communication is in the data structure for reading by the agent. Following reading of the communication in the data structure, the agent launches the lower priority level task and sends a signal to the data structure indicating the status of the task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Fred A. Bower