Patents by Inventor John Ruff

John Ruff 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).

  • Method of executing a background task and an array controller
    Patent number: 8140752
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of executing a background task on an array of data storage devices, the method comprising recording information about where in an array data is stored and executing a background task only on those regions of the array in which data is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Paul Hart, Phil John Ruff
  • Displaying user operation data
    Patent number: 7653897
    Abstract: A computer system includes a processing unit that processes data in response to instructions read from memory. Before being ready for a user to make use of a loaded application, the system initially loads executable instructions from permanent storage (such as a magnetic disc drive) during a loading process. In order to make better use of this time, operation related data (that is data for assisting a user to operate the system) is displayed during the loading process. The operation related data is stored in a user accessible file. Furthermore, the application itself facilitates the user re-configuration of the user accessible file under the control of the processing unit when the processing unit is executing the instructions; it not being necessary to use a third party text editor and navigate through the file structure. Then, during a subsequent instruction loading process, the user re-configured data is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: AUTODESK, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick John Ruff
  • METHOD OF EXECUTING A BACKGROUND TASK AND AN ARRAY CONTROLLER
    Publication number: 20090083319
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of executing a background task on an array of data storage devices, the method comprising recording information about where in an array data is stored and executing a background task only on those regions of the array in which data is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: XYRATEX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel Paul HART, Phil John Ruff
  • Silica gel-lipid composition
    Patent number: 4652458
    Abstract: An irreversible gel composition which comprises silica gel and a lipid. A non-waxy, no melt chocolate may be prepared using the silica gel-lipid composition of the present invention by combining silica gel with cocoa butter wherein the cocoa butter serves as the lipid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Frost, Nancy J. Sarich, John Ruff, John E. Hammond
  • Honey containing dessert composition
    Patent number: 4036998
    Abstract: Free-flowing powder dessert compositions containing up to as much as 15% by weight of natural liquid honey uniformly distributed throughout the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: General Foods Limited
    Inventor: John Ruff