Patents by Inventor JEFFREY M. FRANKE

JEFFREY M. FRANKE 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: 9021076
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Austen, Thomas M. Brey, William M. Edmonds, Jeffrey M. Franke, Edward J. Klodnicki, James A. O'Connor, Nicholas M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8892714
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Austen, Thomas M. Brey, William M. Edmonds, Jeffrey M. Franke, Edward J. Klodnicki, James A. O'Connor, Nicholas M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8832343
    Abstract: An I2C system comprises an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) master device coupled to an I2C multiplexer via a master I2C bus. A plurality of slave I2C busses emanating from the I2C multiplexer couple the I2C multiplexer to a plurality of I2C slave devices. Each of the slave I2C busses comprises a serial data (SDA) line and serial clock (SCL) line. Each of the slave I2C busses, which is coupled to two I2C slave devices, has a first channel and a second channel. The first channel puts bidirectional serial data on the SDA line and clock signals on the SCL line, and the second channel puts bidirectional serial data on the SCL line and clock signals on the SDA line. A channel selector, associated with the I2C multiplexer, selectively couples the I2C master device to one of the two I2C slave devices via the first channel or the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Decesaris, Jeffrey M. Franke, Luke D. Remis, John K. Whetzel
  • Publication number: 20140025851
    Abstract: An I2C system comprises an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) master device coupled to an I2C multiplexer via a master I2C bus. A plurality of slave I2C busses emanating from the I2C multiplexer couple the I2C multiplexer to a plurality of I2C slave devices. Each of the slave I2C busses comprises a serial data (SDA) line and serial clock (SCL) line. Each of the slave I2C busses, which is coupled to two I2C slave devices, has a first channel and a second channel. The first channel puts bidirectional serial data on the SDA line and clock signals on the SCL line, and the second channel puts bidirectional serial data on the SCL line and clock signals on the SDA line. A channel selector, associated with the I2C multiplexer, selectively couples the I2C master device to one of the two I2C slave devices via the first channel or the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL DECESARIS, JEFFREY M. FRANKE, LUKE D. REMIS, JOHN K. WHETZEL
  • Publication number: 20130013759
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER H. AUSTEN, THOMAS M. BREY, WILLIAM M. EDMONDS, JEFFREY M. FRANKE, EDWARD J. KLODNICKI, JAMES A. O'CONNOR, NICHOLAS M. WILLIAMSON