Patents by Inventor John V. McLain, Jr.

John V. McLain, Jr. 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: 7013467
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing multiple tasks using a single copy of a data object employs command control vectors (CCVs) for representing tasks. A CCV includes pointers to method objects that store instructions for processing tasks and pointers to data objects that store temporary data generated by execution of the method objects. A command response manager manages a queue of CCVs. A separate CCV is generated for each session thread. Multiple CCVs can point to the same method object so that only a single copy of a method object needs to be provided. In one embodiment, CCVs are used in a telecommunication network emulator, where each CCV points to a command response table method object that includes a variety of responses for a variety of inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: John V. McLain, Jr., Damon Curnell
  • Patent number: 6256659
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system executes a number n of logical units of work before interrupting a task. A logical unit of work is defined as a set of one or more computer instructions, the completion of which is a logical stopping point with few or no temporary variable to store. A logical unit of work can be, for example, one or more instructions in a stream of instructions, where each instruction requires a number of individual computer code instructions to execute. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented as a controller application which operates under an existing operating system. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an integral part of an operating system. In operation, the present invention performs a number n of logical units of work for a first task or process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: John V. McLain, Jr., Damon Curnell
  • Patent number: 5956513
    Abstract: An automated computer program application, called an Automated Build Control (ABC) application, provides an improved tool for managing the software build process. ABC uses the specification of a programmer's original program files as input, and automatically identifies all header, include, and other shared library files, which eliminates coding of dependencies. ABC identifies embedded header files, such as those which are referenced in other header files. ABC identifies duplicate headers so future builds can be expedited. ABC ensures all necessary source modules are located and available for compilation, prior to compilation. ABC performs comparisons of date/time stamps and identifies what source modules require recompilation. Essentially, ABC evaluates the compiling and linking processes prior to performing them, thus detecting any potential errors or conflicts before any time and effort is wasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5954829
    Abstract: A computer testing system, method, and computer program product is provided for testing one or more digital cross connect devices (DXCs) with one or more test and monitoring units (TMUs). A DXC test tool is coupled to each DXC and to each TMU. The DXC test tool sends a logical command or query to a DXC. A TMU tests the physical presence of the logical command directed to the DXC. The TMU sends a response to the DXC test tool indicating the state of the physical component. In this way, the DXC test tool tests each DXC in physical and logical dimensions. The DXC test tool can communicate over a plurality of communication links including fast channel links, human readable links, and remote control links. Routers are used to expand capacity. A single message display option for selecting between sending ASCII messages and sending binary messages. By connecting the DXC test tool to multiple DXCs, end-to-end path testing in physical and logical dimensions is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: John V. McLain, Jr., Dale W. Harris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5943495
    Abstract: A copy utility for non-stop database applications allows users to continuously access a database which is undergoing back-up operations. The system includes a lock manager which controls the access of requesters to the files of the database. The back-up storage device is treated in the same manner as other requesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communication Corp.
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5867689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores flexible topology data identifying trunks through adjacent DXC nodes. Changes to trunk connections can be made without knowledge of intermediate site and equipment topology details to test many network scenarios. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5854930
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for script processing. A new script language and script processing is used to significantly reduce the number of lines required for a script. A script includes a global script segment associated with a script data segment. The global script segment includes global directives (automatic directives and script repeating directives). The script data segment includes command records. Automatic directives are interpreted and repeatedly executed until script processing is complete. Automatic directives can be selectively activated and de-activated by a user. Script repeating directives repeat processing of the script data segment until the script repeating directive is satisfied. A command record includes an operation name field identifying a particular command and one or more operand fields. The operand fields can include single values, a range of values, or substitution codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporations
    Inventors: John V. McLain, Jr., Dale W. Harris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5850536
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for servicing multiple external interfaces in a pseudo-parallel fashion which simulates multi-tasking. An application program is programmed to switch control during the servicing of multiple external units and/or time-consuming CPU steps to optimize overall application execution time. An application services each of these external interface units through calls to respective program modules. Relatively long program modules contain calls to transfer system control to shorter program modules which await servicing. These calls are strategically inserted in a long program module after one or more partial logic of units of work have been completed. At the time of each call, a check is first made to determine whether servicing of another external interface unit with a short program module is required. If servicing is required, then control is transferred to execute the short program module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5812826
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a change-of-state (COS) report network fully tests a monitor and/or control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a COS report network are emulated for selected report network configurations, events, and/or COS indications. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated report network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current status of the report network of state monitoring devices. In response to MCS polling, an emulator message generator generates intelligent responses based on the configuration data which emulate communications from a report network of state monitoring devices to the MCS in response to such MCS polling. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5809286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network, such as a DXC 1/0 network, fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network at the channel level are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. Configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. Topology data traces logical trunks or channels through adjacent DXC nodes. The topology data further includes port provision data identifying the allocation of channels for cross-connected ports at DXC nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: John V. McLain, Jr., James D. Dellinger
  • Patent number: 5748617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a digital cross-connect switching network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores topology data representative of the topology of the emulated DXC network. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS. An emulator link selector further selects an enabled emulator control link depending upon whether respective emulated network control links are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: MCI Corporation
    Inventor: John V. McLain, Jr.