Patents by Inventor John C. Elliott

John C. Elliott 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: 9861004
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a server rack is provided. The server rack includes a sidewall and an aperture in the sidewall. The server rack also includes a first fixed rail within the sidewall, and a second fixed rail within the sidewall. Moreover, the server rack includes a retractable terminal configured to extend through the aperture of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Angel E. Delgado, Eric A. Eckberg, John C. Elliott, Markus A. Navarro, Scott A. Shurson, Will A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9743543
    Abstract: An integrated anti-tip mechanism is provided for aiding prevention of an electronics rack from tipping. The anti-tip mechanism comprises a long portion with a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a base of the electronics rack and the second end coupled to a first end of a short portion. The first end of the short portion is coupled to the second end of the long portion and a second end of the short portion further coupled to a caster. When deployed, the caster rolls in a same direction as a set of casters beneath the electronics rack. The caster is a predetermined distance off the floor such that the weight of the electronics rack is carried by the set of casters beneath the electronics rack but contact the floor if the electronics rack tips thereby preventing the electronics rack from tipping past a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Angel E. Delgado, John C. Elliott, Grady A. Maass
  • Patent number: 9733691
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Patent number: 9733692
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Patent number: 9698614
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for adjusting an extended power line disruption time and end-of-life for at least one battery backup unit used in a system. A request is received to change from a first extended power line disruption time currently used in the system to a second extended power line disruption time. A first end-of-life and a second end-of-life correspond to the first extended power line disruption time and the second extended power line disruption time, respectively. A message is sent to a power distribution unit with information on the second extended power line disruption time to cause the power distribution unit to initiate a graceful shutdown of the system after power is supplied from the at least one battery backup unit for the second extended power line disruption time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Carson, Jiwu Duan, John C. Elliott, Mark E. Hack, Larry Juarez, Ronald D. Martens, Brian A. Rinaldi, Todd C. Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20170164506
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a server rack is provided. The server rack includes a sidewall and an aperture in the sidewall. The server rack also includes a first fixed rail within the sidewall, and a second fixed rail within the sidewall. Moreover, the server rack includes a retractable terminal configured to extend through the aperture of the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Angel E. Delgado, Eric A. Eckberg, John C. Elliott, Markus A. Navarro, Scott A. Shurson, Will A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20170147437
    Abstract: A method for intelligently rebuilding a RAID includes subjecting a storage drive in an existing RAID to a stress workload test by placing the storage drive in a RAID 1 configuration with a spare storage drive. In the event the storage drive fails the stress workload test but can still be read, the method uses the RAID 1 configuration to copy recoverable data from the failing storage drive to the spare storage drive. The method uses other storage drives in the existing RAID to reconstruct, on the spare storage drive, data that is not recoverable from the failing storage drive. Either before or after all non-recoverable data has been reconstructed on the spare storage drive, the method logically replaces, in the existing RAID, the failing storage drive with the spare storage drive. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Borlick, John C. Elliott, Lokesh M. Gupta, Clint A. Hardy, Karl A. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20170149242
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for adjusting an extended power line disruption time and end-of-life for at least one battery backup unit used in a system. A request is received to change from a first extended power line disruption time currently used in the system to a second extended power line disruption time. A first end-of-life and a second end-of-life correspond to the first extended power line disruption time and the second extended power line disruption time, respectively. A message is sent to a power distribution unit with information on the second extended power line disruption time to cause the power distribution unit to initiate a graceful shutdown of the system after power is supplied from the at least one battery backup unit for the second extended power line disruption time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew D. Carson, Jiwu Duan, John C. Elliott, Mark E. Hack, Larry Juarez, Ronald D. Martens, Brian A. Rinaldi, Todd C. Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20170139464
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Publication number: 20170139460
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Publication number: 20170139463
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Patent number: 9619426
    Abstract: An out-of-band to optical conversion component is provided that uses a transmit disable signal and a receive loss of signal (LOS) signal built into optical small form-factor pluggable transceiver and cable to pass the out-of-band protocol between serial attached SCSI enclosures. The transmit disable signal, when asserted, turns off the optical output, while the receive LOS signal detects the loss of signal. The out-of-band to optical conversion component sits in line on the serial attached SCSI data traffic and strips off the out-of-band signals from the serial attached SCSI expander so that only data flows over the optical cable. The out-of-band to optical conversion component sends the out-of-band signals to the other enclosure using the transmit disable pin on the small form-factor pluggable transceiver and cable. The other enclosure receives the message on the receive LOS signal and transmit it back onto the serial attached SCSI receive data pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Cagno, John C. Elliott
  • Patent number: 9608430
    Abstract: A power system which includes a battery (or string of batteries) as well as a preemptive fuse driver, PFD, system. The PFD protection system reliably protects circuits that could be damaged by long term fault currents. More specifically, the PFD protection system includes a sensor and a controller as well as a controlled switch. The controller includes a PFD control module which allows protection to be tuned specifically to the source and load characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jiwu Duan, John C. Elliott, Dennis W. Fried, Steven M. Groff, Trung Le
  • Publication number: 20170034947
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base unit configured to hold electronic equipment, a top panel, a first extension arm that is vertically extendable from a proximal position along a selected dimension of the base unit and a second extension arm that is vertically extendable from a distal position along the selected dimension of the base unit, the first extension arm slide-ably coupled to the top panel, and the second extension arm rotate-ably coupled to the top panel. A corresponding method includes providing the apparatus and raising one end of the top panel previous to raising the other end of the top panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Angel E. Delgado, John C. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20170034935
    Abstract: An integrated anti-tip mechanism is provided for aiding prevention of an electronics rack from tipping. The anti-tip mechanism comprises a long portion with a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a base of the electronics rack and the second end coupled to a first end of a short portion. The first end of the short portion is coupled to the second end of the long portion and a second end of the short portion further coupled to a caster. When deployed, the caster rolls in a same direction as a set of casters beneath the electronics rack. The caster is a predetermined distance off the floor such that the weight of the electronics rack is carried by the set of casters beneath the electronics rack but contact the floor if the electronics rack tips thereby preventing the electronics rack from tipping past a predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Angel E. Delgado, John C. Elliott, Grady A. Maass
  • Patent number: 9454205
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring power usage for a storage system that includes a set storage units at a first level of storage granularity and a set of storage sub-units at a second level of storage granularity, wherein the second level of storage granularity is finer than the first level of storage granularity. The method further includes assigning a non-uniform power budget to the set of storage units and adjusting a power budget for the storage sub-units according to the non-uniform power budget assigned to the storage units. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Shawn P. Authement, John C. Elliott, Charles R. Lefurgy, J. Carlos A. Pratt, Karthick Rajamani, David B. Whitworth
  • Publication number: 20160110247
    Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling access to storage volumes on the secondary storage system is provided. A determination is made as to whether a first site computing device has sent a notification of a failure condition of a first site. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has not been received, secondary workloads of a second site computing device are permitted to access storage volumes on the secondary storage system. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has been received, a mode of operation of the second site is modified from a normal mode of operation to a failure mode of operation. In the failure mode of operation, the storage system controller of the second site blocks at least a portion of access requests from secondary workloads of the second site computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Chiahong Chen, John C. Elliott, William G. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20160043938
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present description, a node of the distributed computing system has multiple communication paths to a data processing resource lock which controls access to shared resources, for example. In this manner, at least one redundant communication path is provided between a node and a data processing resource lock to facilitate reliable transmission of data processing resource lock signals between the node and the data processing resource lock. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Yolanda Colpo, John C. Elliott, Enrique Q. Garcia, Larry Juarez, Todd C. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9244787
    Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling access to storage volumes on the secondary storage system is provided. A determination is made as to whether a first site computing device has sent a notification of a failure condition of a first site. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has not been received, secondary workloads of a second site computing device are permitted to access storage volumes on the secondary storage system. In response to a determination that the notification of the failure condition of the first site has been received, a mode of operation of the second site is modified from a normal mode of operation to a failure mode of operation. In the failure mode of operation, the storage system controller of the second site blocks at least a portion of access requests from secondary workloads of the second site computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chiahong Chen, John C. Elliott, William G. Sherman
  • Patent number: D803225
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paula Besterman, Aaron R. Cox, Angel E. Delgado, John C. Elliott, Camillo Sassano, Kevin L. Schultz