Patents by Inventor James E. Hughes
James E. Hughes 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).
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Patent number: 9040933Abstract: Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Milton Cobo, James E. Hughes, Thomas D. Pahel, Jr., Pravin S. Patel, Challis L. Purrington, Jack P. Wong
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Patent number: 8948000Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Pravin S. Patel, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8880937Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, Bradley D. McCredie, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8880938Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Hollan, James E. Hughes, Bradley D. McCredie, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8874955Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards and one or more switch cards. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards may be coupled with the midplane, where each server card is hot-swappable from the midplane. The one or more switch cards may also be coupled with the midplane, where each switch card is also hot-swappable from the midplane. Each switch card includes one or more switch modules, and each switch module is configured to switch network traffic for at least one server card.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
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Publication number: 20140191141Abstract: Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: MILTON COBO, JAMES E. HUGHES, THOMAS D. PAHEL, JR., PRAVIN S. PATEL, CHALLIS L. PURRINGTON, JACK P. WONG
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Patent number: 8745437Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure and/or a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card. The server system may further include an interconnect between the first interposer card and a second interposer card.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8745438Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards and one or more switch cards. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards may be coupled with the midplane, where each server card is hot-swappable from the midplane. The one or more switch cards may also be coupled with the midplane, where each switch card is also hot-swappable from the midplane. Each switch card includes one or more switch modules, and each switch module is configured to switch network traffic for at least one server card.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connoor, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8717031Abstract: Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Milton Cobo, James E. Hughes, Thomas D. Pahel, Jr., Pravin S. Patel, Challis L. Purrington, Jack P. Wong
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Patent number: 8717030Abstract: Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Milton Cobo, James E. Hughes, Thomas D. Pahel, Jr., Pravin S. Patel, Challis L. Purrington, Jack P. Wong
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Patent number: 8677175Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure and/or a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card. The server system may further include an interconnect between the first interposer card and a second interposer card.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Steven M. Tri
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Patent number: 8635488Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced availability personality card for a chassis computer system, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The personality card includes a first erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and a second EPROM, each EPROM storing Vital Product Data (VPD) and a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature. A primary bidirectional bus and a redundant bidirectional bus are respectively connected between the first EPROM and the first temperature sensor and the second EPROM and the second temperature sensor, and a pair of chassis management modules. Each chassis management module includes a switch connected to both the primary bidirectional bus and the redundant bidirectional bus providing redundant paths, enabling continued function with failure of any critical personality card component.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jerry D. Ackaret, Justin P. Bandholz, Brian E. Bigelow, Joseph E. Bolan, Kevin M. Cash, David L. Cowell, Martin J. Crippen, Christopher L. Durham, Jeffery M. Franke, James E. Hughes, David J. Jensen, John K. Langgood, Bay Van Nguyen, James A. O'Connor, Derek Robertson, John M. Sheplock, Wilson E. Smith
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Patent number: 8554974Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and product are disclosed for expanding functionality of hard drive bays in a computing system that include: providing, by a connector in a hard drive bay, access to two or more data communication busses of different type; receiving, by the connector of the hard drive bay, a device mounted within the hard drive bay; and communicately coupling, by the connector of the hard drive bay, the device to one of the data communication busses.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Warren D. Bailey, James E. Hughes, Thomas D. Pahel, Jr., Pravin S. Patel, Challis L. Purrington, Jack P. Wong
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Patent number: 8547825Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William J. Armstrong, John M. Borkenhagen, Martin J. Crippen, Dhruv M. Desai, David R. Engebretsen, Philip R. Hillier, III, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, James A. O'Connor, Pravin S. Patel, Steven M. Tri
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Publication number: 20130117601Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced availability personality card for a chassis computer system, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The personality card includes a first erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and a second EPROM, each EPROM storing Vital Product Data (VPD) and a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature. A primary bidirectional bus and a redundant bidirectional bus are respectively connected between the first EPROM and the first temperature sensor and the second EPROM and the second temperature sensor, and a pair of chassis management modules. Each chassis management module includes a switch connected to both the primary bidirectional bus and the redundant bidirectional bus providing redundant paths, enabling continued function with failure of any critical personality card component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Jerry D. Ackaret, Justin P. Bandholz, Brian E. Bigelow, Joseph E. Bolan, Kevin M. Cash, David L. Cowell, Martin J. Crippen, Christopher L. Durham, Jeffery M. Franke, James E. Hughes, David J. Jensen, John K. Langgood, Bay Van Nguyen, James A. O'Connor, Derek Robertson, John M. Sheplock, Wilson E. Smith
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Publication number: 20130010419Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure and/or a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card. The server system may further include an interconnect between the first interposer card and a second interposer card.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG, JOHN M. BORKENHAGEN, MARTIN J. CRIPPEN, DHRUV M. DESAI, DAVID R. ENGEBRETSEN, PHILIP R. HILLIER, III, WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, JAMES E. HUGHES, JAMES A. O'CONNOR, STEVEN M. TRI
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Publication number: 20130013957Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards and one or more switch cards. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards may be coupled with the midplane, where each server card is hot-swappable from the midplane. The one or more switch cards may also be coupled with the midplane, where each switch card is also hot-swappable from the midplane. Each switch card includes one or more switch modules, and each switch module is configured to switch network traffic for at least one server card.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG, JOHN M. BORKENHAGEN, MARTIN J. CRIPPEN, DHRUV M. DESAI, DAVID R. ENGEBRETSEN, PHILIP R. HILLIER, III, WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, JAMES E. HUGHES, JAMES A. O'CONNOR, STEVEN M. TRI
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Publication number: 20130010639Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a midplane, one or more server cards, switch modules and a management controller. The midplane may include a fabric interconnect for a switch fabric. The one or more server cards and the switch modules may be operatively connected to the midplane. The switch modules may be configured to switch network traffic for the one or more server cards. The management controller may be configured to manage the switch modules via the fabric interconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: WILLIAM J. ARMSTRONG, JOHN M. BORKENHAGEN, MARTIN J. CRIPPEN, DHRUV M. DESAI, DAVID R. ENGEBRETSEN, PHILIP R. HILLIER, III, WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, JAMES E. HUGHES, JAMES A. O'CONNOR, PRAVIN S. PATEL, STEVEN M. TRI
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Patent number: 8339778Abstract: A system comprises a server chassis and first and second hard disk drive carriers, wherein each carrier supports a hard disk drive. A first hinge rotatably connects a distal end of the first hard disk drive carrier to a first side of the chassis, wherein the first hinge allows the carrier to rotate about a first hinge axis between an open position and a closed position. The first hard disk drive carrier rotates in a first plane between an open position extending beyond the front of the chassis and a closed position within the chassis. A second hinge rotatably connects a distal end of the second hard disk drive carrier to a second side of the chassis that opposite the first side of the chassis, wherein the hinge allows the carrier to rotate about a second hinge axis between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James E. Hughes, David J. Jensen, Pravin S. Patel, Brian A. Trumbo
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Publication number: 20120235068Abstract: Controlling electromagnetic (‘EM’) radiation in a data center having a number EM sections, including: receiving, by an EM controller, a specification of preferred EM radiation characteristics for the data center; and setting, by the EM controller, a state of each EM section in accordance with the specification, where the state of each EM section may be one of: an absorption state in which the EM section absorbs EM radiation or a reflection state in which the EM section reflects EM radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Milton COBO, James E. HUGHES, Thomas D. PAHEL, JR., Pravin S. PATEL, Challis L. PURRINGTON, Jack P. WONG