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).

  • Publication number: 20180284988
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a local copy target is also a local primary of an incomplete consistency group of an ongoing asynchronous mirror relationship. Completion of the consistency group is facilitated notwithstanding that the local copy operation was initiated after the consistency group was initiated. In one aspect, asynchronous data mirroring logic, prior to the overwriting of existing data of the target, reads the existing data of the target for purposes of mirroring the read data to a remote secondary target of the consistency group. As a result, existing data of the local copy target which is also a local primary source of the consistency group, may be safely overwritten. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Anthony J. Ciaravella, Nicolas M. Clayton, Michael S. Gagner, Theodore T. Harris, JR., Mark L. Lipets, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10082973
    Abstract: A method for accelerating recovery in a data replication environment includes maintaining a secondary out-of-sync bitmap for a secondary volume. The secondary out-of-sync bitmap indicates which storage elements on the secondary volume are not synchronized with storage elements on a primary volume. The method further generates, for the primary volume, a tracking bitmap indicating which storage elements on the primary volume need to be updated with data from the secondary volume. This tracking bitmap is initialized with values from the secondary out-of-sync bitmap. Upon receiving a write from the secondary volume to a storage element on the primary volume, the method resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. Upon receiving a write from a host system to a storage element on the primary volume, the method also resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10068417
    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: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: John Toohey, Anthony J. Baerlocher, Dale R. Buchholz, James S. Peterson, Craig J. Sylla, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10042727
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes receiving indication of a failure event at a primary location having a primary data storage volume. In response to receiving the indication of the failure event, data is restored in a secondary data storage volume located at a secondary location remote from the primary location. The restored data is copied to a supplemental data storage volume. A first set of data updates intended for the primary data storage volume are tracked using the supplemental data storage volume. A second set of data updates performed at the secondary data storage volume are tracked. The second set of tracked data updates is merged with the first set of tracked data updates and transitioned to the primary data storage volume in response to the primary data storage volume becoming available. An instruction is sent to resume data updates at the primary data storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Theresa M. Brown, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Warren K. Stanley, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10042570
    Abstract: Data is relocated, based on an intelligent data placement algorithm, from a first storage location to a second storage location in a disk storage system. A data placement record is generated including a virtual disk location associated with the data, the second storage location, and a first sequence value. The first sequence value indicates relative sequence when compared to other sequence values. The data placement record is written to a first record location on a first tape cartridge loaded in a tape drive. The data placement records are used with data records to restore data to disk storage from tape backup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10033810
    Abstract: Embodiments for an approach to resource optimization during consistency group formation associated with a global mirror environment is provided. The approach detects when a primary volume associated with the consistency group has completed transmitting its out-of-sync (OOS) data towards its associated secondary volume. A command is sent to create a next consistency group sidefile so further writes can be sent to the sidefile rather than queueing at the primary volume. The approach repeats this process for each primary volume associated with the global mirror environment until all primary volumes are complete. Commands are sent to disable writes to the associated sidefiles and to merge the data stored in the sidefiles into normal cache as the next consistency group becomes the current consistency group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10025681
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: using a supplemental data storage volume at a secondary location to track a first set of data updates to a primary data storage volume at a primary location in response to a failure event at the primary location; retrieving a second set of tracked data updates to the primary data storage volume stored in a secondary data storage volume at the secondary location; merging the second set of tracked data updates into the first set of tracked data updates in the supplemental data storage volume; and transitioning the merged data updates from the supplemental data storage volume at the secondary location to the primary data storage volume at the primary location. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Theresa M. Brown, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Warren K. Stanley, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10019202
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for autonomously obtaining configuration information and configuring a storage system for virtualization are disclosed. Configuring virtualization of a storage system may include: creating a storage pool for each array designated by an administrator for virtualization; creating one or more volumes for each storage pool; creating or selecting a volume controller designated by the administrator for hosting virtualization; identifying one or more ports of the volume controller; and mapping the one or more volumes to the one or more ports of the volume controller. Configuration information obtained may include designation of one or more arrays available to a storage system to which virtualization should be applied; designation of either an existing volume controller or a new volume controller and new volume controller name; and/or a confirmation, a negation, or a modification of one or more port identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, David M. Sedgwick, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 10013324
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes using a supplemental data storage volume at a secondary location to track a first set of data updates to a primary data storage volume at a primary location in response to a failure event at the primary location. A second set of tracked data updates, which are updates to the primary data storage volume stored in a secondary data storage volume at the secondary location, are retrieved. The second set of tracked data updates is merged into the first set of tracked data updates in the supplemental data storage volume. The merged data updates are transitioned from the supplemental data storage volume at the secondary location to the primary data storage volume at the primary location. The secondary data storage volume is used to track further data updates to the primary data storage volume made at the primary location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Theresa M. Brown, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Warren K. Stanley, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180157421
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, asynchronous local and remote generation of consistent first and second point-in-time snap copy volumes provides for generating in a primary system, a first point-in-time snap copy volume of a primary volume of the primary system, and generating in a secondary system, a second point-in-time snap copy volume utilizing a secondary volume in the secondary system. Synchronizing logic synchronizes the first and second point-in-time snap copy volumes to be consistent with each other as of a particular point-in-time notwithstanding an asynchronous mirror relationship between the primary volume of the primary system and the secondary volume of the secondary system. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Theresa M. Brown, Anthony J. Ciaravella, Nicolas M. Clayton, Michael S. Gagner, Theodore T. Harris, JR., Mark L. Lipets, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180143774
    Abstract: Event detection logic detects events which may be associated with a change in risk of potential data loss in a data replication system. Mode selection logic is responsive to detection of such an event to select a data replication mode such as a synchronous data replication mode, for example, as a function of a detected event for initiation of a switch to the selected mode. In one embodiment, upon detecting that the event which lead to initiation of a switch to the synchronous mode has been completed or otherwise resolved, the mode selection logic can initiation of a switch of the data replication mode of multi-mode data replication logic back to an asynchronous mode so that data is replicated in the asynchronous data replication mode. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew D. Carson, Joshua J. Crawford, David Fei, Larry Juarez, Jay T. Kirch, Sean P. Riley, Todd C. Sorenson, Maoyun Tang, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9965184
    Abstract: In one aspect, a storage management system of a storage controller having a set of processor nodes, in response to a request by a user to add a storage pool to the storage system, adds a set of subpools of storage, one for each processor node of the storage controller. The resultant storage capacity is the combination of the individual storage capacities of each subpool of the set of storage subpools. Accordingly, each subpool of the set is automatically assigned to a different processor node. In this manner, the user may be relieved of the task of manually assigning storage pools to processor nodes. In addition, load balancing between the processor nodes may be facilitated. Other aspects and features are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9952768
    Abstract: In one aspect, a multiple mode data structure can be utilized by a storage management system to provide a host representation role in one mode, and represent both a host and a host port in another mode. In one embodiment, in a first mode, the data structure has an undefined host port name attribute and a defined host name attribute to represent a host identified by the defined host name attribute. In the first mode, the data structure is restricted from representing a host port in the storage management system when the host port name attribute is undefined. In a second, unrestricted mode, the multiple mode data structure can represent both a host as well as a host port when a host port name attribute is defined. In one embodiment, the multiple mode data structure can also represent a host cluster. Other aspects are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180107573
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes receiving indication of a failure event at a primary location having a primary data storage volume. In response to receiving the indication of the failure event, data is restored in a secondary data storage volume located at a secondary location remote from the primary location. The restored data is copied to a supplemental data storage volume. A first set of data updates intended for the primary data storage volume are tracked using the supplemental data storage volume. A second set of data updates performed at the secondary data storage volume are tracked. The second set of tracked data updates is merged with the first set of tracked data updates and transitioned to the primary data storage volume in response to the primary data storage volume becoming available. An instruction is sent to resume data updates at the primary data storage volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: David R. Blea, Theresa M. Brown, Gregory E. McBride, Carol S. Mellgren, Warren K. Stanley, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180108208
    Abstract: A wagering game system configured to perform operations to transmit to a mobile device, via a wireless communication device of the gaming system, an offer for presentation via the mobile device in response to detecting that the mobile device is located at a casino. The offer is associated with a wagering game machine within the casino. The operations can further include detecting, via an electronic tracking device associated with the wagering game machine, an electronic identifier provided from the mobile device. For instance, the mobile device can provide the electronic identifier to the wagering game machine. The operations can further include associating, via an electronic processing unit of the gaming system, the offer with the wagering game machine in response to detecting the electronic identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. ALLEN, Scott A. MASSING, Brian P. MOYLES, Larry J. PACEY, Matthew J. WARD
  • Patent number: 9946617
    Abstract: A method for optimizing recovery in a data replication environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes directing I/O from a primary site to a secondary site in response to a failure at the primary site. After the primary site has recovered from the failure, the method initiates a recovery process wherein updated data elements at the secondary site are copied to the primary site. The method determines a recorded average I/O latency for a host system driving I/O to the secondary site, and calculates an expected average I/O latency for the host system driving I/O to the primary site. The method redirects I/O from the secondary site to the primary site when a difference between the expected average I/O latency and the recorded average I/O latency reaches a threshold value. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180082524
    Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael R. BYTNAR, Michael Vincent DICILLO, Patrick M. GUSTAFSON, Jeremy Michael HORNIK, Gary John OSWALD, Richard Barry ROBBINS, Nickey C. SHIN, Jesse M. SMITH, Simon Edward SUNBLADE, Jamie W. VANN, Muthu VELU, Matthew J. WARD, Steven J. ZOLOTO, Dale Robert BUCHHOLZ, Mark B. GAGNER, Craig Joe SYLLA
  • Publication number: 20180074731
    Abstract: Data is relocated, based on an intelligent data placement algorithm, from a first storage location to a second storage location in a disk storage system. A data placement record is generated including a virtual disk location associated with the data, the second storage location, and a first sequence value. The first sequence value indicates relative sequence when compared to other sequence values. The data placement record is written to a first record location on a first tape cartridge loaded in a tape drive. The data placement records are used with data records to restore data to disk storage from tape backup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Publication number: 20180067670
    Abstract: A method for accelerating recovery in a data replication environment includes maintaining a secondary out-of-sync bitmap for a secondary volume. The secondary out-of-sync bitmap indicates which storage elements on the secondary volume are not synchronized with storage elements on a primary volume. The method further generates, for the primary volume, a tracking bitmap indicating which storage elements on the primary volume need to be updated with data from the secondary volume. This tracking bitmap is initialized with values from the secondary out-of-sync bitmap. Upon receiving a write from the secondary volume to a storage element on the primary volume, the method resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. Upon receiving a write from a host system to a storage element on the primary volume, the method also resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9891849
    Abstract: A method for accelerating recovery in a data replication environment includes maintaining a secondary out-of-sync bitmap for a secondary volume. The secondary out-of-sync bitmap indicates which storage elements on the secondary volume are not synchronized with storage elements on a primary volume. The method further generates, for the primary volume, a tracking bitmap indicating which storage elements on the primary volume need to be updated with data from the secondary volume. This tracking bitmap is initialized with values from the secondary out-of-sync bitmap. Upon receiving a write from the secondary volume to a storage element on the primary volume, the method resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. Upon receiving a write from a host system to a storage element on the primary volume, the method also resets the corresponding bit in the tracking bitmap. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward