Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Ward

Matthew J. Ward 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: 10394455
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining tracks to release in a target volume mirroring tracks from a source volume. Tracks received from the source volume are written to the target volume to form a consistency group of tracks in the source volume at the target volume. A determination is made of tracks available to release from a volume table providing a state of the tracks in the target volume and space allocated to the determined tracks is released. A point-in-time copy of the target volume is crated and complete is returned to forming the consistency group in response to releasing the space and creating the point-in-time copy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Joshua J. Crawford, Gregory E. McBride
  • Publication number: 20190235765
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining requirements of a storage system by a planning module. The method also includes calculating, by the planning module, an initial configuration for the storage system, the initial configuration specifying a plurality of components that are interoperable to satisfy the requirements of the storage system. In addition, the method includes outputting a purchase file that describes all components that are specified by the initial configuration of the storage system. Moreover, the method includes outputting a configuration file that is interoperable with at least one of the components specified in the purchase file and is configured to automatically initialize the storage system in response to the components of the storage system being installed. In another embodiment, the method includes a management module receiving the configuration file and monitoring performance metrics of a plurality of workloads of the storage system during operation of the storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Matthew J. Ward, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman
  • Publication number: 20190212924
    Abstract: Remote copy operations are performed to copy data from a primary storage controller to a secondary storage controller, wherein input/output (I/O) requests are received at the primary storage controller from a host both via a bus interface and a network interface while the remote copy operations are in progress, and wherein consistency groups are formed during the remote copy operations to copy the data consistently. A relocation is performed of data written via the bus interface for a current consistency group from a cache to a sidefile, and subsequently data written via the bus interface for a next consistency group is stored in the cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Matthew J. Kalos, Joshua J. Crawford, Carol S. Mellgren
  • Publication number: 20190212925
    Abstract: Remote copy operations are performed to copy data from a primary storage controller to a secondary storage controller, wherein input/output (I/O) requests are received at the primary storage controller from a host both via a bus interface and a network interface while the remote copy operations are in progress, and wherein consistency groups are formed during the remote copy operations to copy the data consistently. Quiescing of I/O operations performed via the bus interface are performed while a current consistency group is being replaced by a next consistency group during the remote copy operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, Matthew J. Kalos, Joshua J. Crawford, Carol S. Mellgren, Matthew R. Craig
  • Patent number: 10339757
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to pair a mobile device with a secondary content controller that is communicatively coupled to a wagering game machine. In some examples the secondary content controller is independent of a primary content controller for the wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining, by the secondary content controller, that primary wagering game content of the wagering game machine is in a state that would permit secondary wagering on the primary wagering game content. Further, the operations can include pairing the mobile device with the secondary content controller after determining that the primary wagering game content is in the state that would permit the secondary wagering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10339759
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising receiving, over one or more networks from a mobile device, a check-in message indicating a physical location external to a wagering game establishment and an identification of a wagering game player account. The method can also include detecting log-in of the wagering game player account on a wagering game machine in the casino, wherein the wagering game machine is configured to present a wagering game and establish a credit balance upon detection of a physical item associated with value. The method can also include in response to detecting the log-in, determining modified game content that includes an attribute associated with the physical location, and transmitting the modified game content over the one or more networks to the wagering game machine to replace wagering game content of the wagering game machine for use in presenting the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Dicillo, Dave Savage, Jamie W. Vann, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190187906
    Abstract: A method for reducing coordination times in asynchronous data replication environments is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing multiple primary storage devices in an asynchronous data replication environment. A command is issued, to each of the primary storage devices, to begin queuing I/O in order to coordinate a consistency group. Each primary storage device receives the command. The method further calculates, for each of the primary storage devices, an amount of time to wait before executing the command with the objective that each primary storage device executes the command at substantially the same time. Each primary storage device is configured to execute the command after receiving and waiting its corresponding amount of time. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Gregory E. McBride, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190188310
    Abstract: A method for converting from one asynchronous data replication technology to another is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes utilizing a first asynchronous data replication technology to asynchronously replicate data from a primary volume to a secondary volume. The method initiates, at time T1, tracking of post-T1 changes to the primary volume and waits for all pre-T1 changes to the primary volume to be propagated to the secondary volume. When all pre-T1 changes have been propagated to the secondary volume, the method suspends operation of the first asynchronous data replication technology and replicates all post-T1 changes from the primary volume to the secondary volume. The method further sets up and initiates a second asynchronous data replication technology to asynchronously replicate data from the primary volume to the secondary volume. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Gregory E. McBride, Warren K. Stanley, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190179539
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining tracks to release in a target volume mirroring tracks from a source volume. Tracks received from the source volume are written to the target volume to form a consistency group of tracks in the source volume at the target volume. A determination is made of tracks available to release from a volume table providing a state of the tracks in the target volume and space allocated to the determined tracks is released. A point-in-time copy of the target volume is crated and complete is returned to forming the consistency group in response to releasing the space and creating the point-in-time copy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew J.. WARD, Joshua J. CRAWFORD, Gregory E. MCBRIDE
  • Publication number: 20190179771
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining space to release in a target volume to which tracks from a source volume are mirrored. A copy of a source volume table for the source volume providing a state of the tracks in the source volume for a consistency group is received. Tracks received from the source volume are written to the target volume to form the consistency group of tracks in the source volume at the target volume. A determination is made of tracks available to release from the copy of the source volume table and space allocated to the determined tracks is replaced. A point-in-time copy is created of the target volume for the consistency group. Complete is returned to forming the consistency group in response to releasing the space and creating the point-in-time copy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew J. WARD, Joshua J. CRAWFORD, Gregory E. MCBRIDE
  • Publication number: 20190179546
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining tracks to release in a source volume being copied to a target volume. A consistency group is formed of tracks in the source volume to copy to the target volume. A volume table providing information on the tracks allocated to the source volume is copied to a volume table copy in a memory providing a state of the tracks in the source volume as of a consistency group time. A determination is made of tracks in the source volume to release for tracks that are indicated in the volume table copy as available to release excluding tracks in the source volume that are written after the consistency group time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew J. WARD, Gregory E. MCBRIDE, Joshua J. CRAWFORD
  • Publication number: 20190179545
    Abstract: A synchronization of data is performed via remote copy operations from a primary storage controller to a secondary storage controller, wherein input/output (I/O) requests are received at the primary storage controller from a host both via a bus interface and a network interface while the remote copy operations are in progress. A first data structure stores identification of tracks written via the network interface that are to be copied from the primary storage controller to the secondary storage controller for the synchronization of data. A second data structure stores identification of tracks written via the bus interface that are to be copied from the primary storage controller to the secondary storage controller for the synchronization of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua J. CRAWFORD, David B. SCHREIBER, Matthew J. WARD
  • Patent number: 10319185
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations include, for instance providing, for presentation via one or more electronic display devices associated with the gaming system, first digital content for a first application that is independent from a second application that concurrently presents second digital content via the one or more electronic display devices; intercepting, by the first application, data associated with the second digital content; determining, via one or more electronic processing units of the gaming system and based on the data, a relationship between the first digital content and the second digital content; and causing the second application to automatically modify presentation of the second digital content in response to determining the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Mark B Gagner, Siva Kumar Krishnan, Larry J Pacey, Alfred Thomas, Matthew J Ward
  • Publication number: 20190171528
    Abstract: One general aspect of asynchronous local and remote generation of consistent point-in-time snap copies in consistency groups in accordance with the present description, is directed to receiving a local-remote pair point-in-time snap copy establish command to establish a local point-in-time snap copy in a local data storage system, and a remote point-in-time snap copy in a remote data storage system. In one aspect, establishment of the remote point-in-time snap copy relationship may be delayed as a function of the state of a consistency group formation process upon receipt of the local-remote pair point-in-time snap copy establish command. As a result, consistency of the local-remote pair of point-in-time snap copies may be realized, notwithstanding an asynchronous relationship between the local and remote storage systems. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Nicolas M. Clayton, Joshua J. Crawford, Nedlaya Y. Francisco, Theodore T. Harris, JR., Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Damian Trujillo, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190155820
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for delayed consistent point-in-time copy from a secondary device in an asynchronous mirror relationship. A consistent asynchronous mirror copy that includes an asynchronous mirror copy from a primary volume to a secondary volume and a point-in-time copy from the secondary volume to a tertiary volume is performed. A point-in-time copy is created from the secondary volume to an accessible consistent copy volume. In response to receiving a request to access a track of the accessible consistent copy volume, it is determined whether to access the track of one of the secondary volume, the tertiary volume, and the accessible consistent copy volume. A response to the request is provided with data accessed from the determined one of the secondary volume, the tertiary volume, and the accessible consistent copy volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Joshua J. Crawford, Gregory E. McBride, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10290183
    Abstract: In at least some aspects, a method includes the acts of operating a wagering game with a player on a first game platform, suspending the wagering game operating on the first game platform at a game state, automatically authenticating the player at a second game platform different than the first game platform, resuming the wagering game from the game state on the second game platform, and operating the resumed wagering game with the player differently on the second game platform than on the first game platform, the second game platform having one or more different components than the first game platform to cause the wagering game to be operated differently on the second game platform than the first game platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Anderson, Vincent P. Chan, Mark B. Gagner, Daniel Murphy, Larry Pacey, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10289322
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for delayed consistent point-in-time copy from a secondary device in an asynchronous mirror relationship. A consistent asynchronous mirror copy is performed that includes an asynchronous mirror copy from a primary volume to a secondary volume and a point-in-time copy from the secondary volume to a tertiary volume. An initiation of a point-in-time establish from the secondary volume to an accessible consistent copy volume is received. A point-in-time reservation is created by storing metadata for a point-in-time relationship from the secondary volume to the accessible consistent copy volume. In response to a commit of the point-in-time copy from the secondary volume to the tertiary volume, a point-in-time copy from the secondary volume to the accessible consistent copy volume to store a consistency group is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Joshua J. Crawford, Gregory E. McBride, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20190138404
    Abstract: A method, system, and program product are provided for undoing a point-in-time copy restore. Provided are swapping corresponding tracks between a source volume and a target volume using cache of a storage subsystem to which the source and the target volumes are attached, based on an indicator being set that a track on the source volume is changed since a point-in-time copy. Tracks are moved from the source volume to the target volume based on the indicator being unset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10282941
    Abstract: A gaming system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling a first casino wagering game. The first casino wagering game has a first credit meter balance. The operations can further include intercepting an electronic request sent from a second device to cash out a second credit meter balance for a second casino wagering game controlled by the second device. In some examples, the gaming system is independent from the second device. The operations can further include, after intercepting the electronic request, cashing out a combined total of the first credit meter balance and the second credit meter balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ward, John McCormack, Joseph A. Sharpe, Craig J. Sylla
  • Publication number: 20190108113
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for collecting performance data on a consistency group boundary is provided. The present invention may include positioning a plurality of software applications into idle mode. The present invention may also include starting a consistency group based on a command from a Global Mirror Master. The present invention may then include collecting a plurality of performance data associated with the started consistency group. The present invention may then include removing a plurality of remaining data associated with the collected plurality of performance data. The present invention may further include ending the collection of the collected plurality of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward