Patents by Inventor Michael David Shepherd

Michael David Shepherd 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: 11275429
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a processing device configured to obtain first parameters characterizing an operating state of information technology (IT) resources of a data center and second parameters characterizing an operating state of cooling systems of the data center, to determine an overall operating state of the data center by aggregating the first and second parameters, to identify a power consumption profile based on the overall operating state, and to perform a joint training of first and second reinforcement learning agents based on the overall operating state and the power consumption profile. The processing device is also configured to generate first controls for the heterogeneous IT resources utilizing the first reinforcement learning agent and second controls for the cooling systems utilizing the second reinforcement learning agent, the first and second controls being configured to reduce power consumption while maintaining specified performance benchmarks for workloads executing in the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Singh, Michael David Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20210405727
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a processing device configured to obtain first parameters characterizing an operating state of information technology (IT) resources of a data center and second parameters characterizing an operating state of cooling systems of the data center, to determine an overall operating state of the data center by aggregating the first and second parameters, to identify a power consumption profile based on the overall operating state, and to perform a joint training of first and second reinforcement learning agents based on the overall operating state and the power consumption profile. The processing device is also configured to generate first controls for the heterogeneous IT resources utilizing the first reinforcement learning agent and second controls for the cooling systems utilizing the second reinforcement learning agent, the first and second controls being configured to reduce power consumption while maintaining specified performance benchmarks for workloads executing in the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ashutosh Singh, Michael David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 10726951
    Abstract: A method and a non-transitory computer readable medium for generating polygons within a geographic region that satisfy a query are disclosed. For example, the method extracts a plurality of nodes, a plurality of service providers and information associated with the plurality of nodes and the plurality of service providers of the geographic region from a geographic data source, creates a node table based on the information that was extracted, receives the query for one or more nodes having a predefined number of service providers within a travel budget, determines the one or more nodes from the node table that satisfy the query, and generates one or more generate polygons around the one or more nodes that satisfy the query within the geographic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLC
    Inventors: Xuejin Wen, Lina Fu, Jing Zhou, Faming Li, Jinhui Yao, Michael David Shepherd, Dennis F. Quebe, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170329907
    Abstract: A method and a non-transitory computer readable medium for generating polygons within a geographic region that satisfy a query are disclosed. For example, the method extracts a plurality of nodes, a plurality of service providers and information associated with the plurality of nodes and the plurality of service providers of the geographic region from a geographic data source, creates a node table based on the information that was extracted, receives the query for one or more nodes having a predefined number of service providers within a travel budget, determines the one or more nodes from the node table that satisfy the query, and generates one or more generate polygons around the one or more nodes that satisfy the query within the geographic region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Xuejin Wen, Lina Fu, Jing Zhou, Faming Li, Jinhui Yao, Michael David Shepherd, Dennis F. Quebe, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170206337
    Abstract: A system generates an automated survey and causes a user interface of an electronic device to present survey to a patient, so that the system can use the survey responses to identify and provide wellness or disease management content items that are tailored to the patient's behavioral needs. The system automatically generates an electronic survey document with data entry fields that each correspond to a question for a category of behavioral influence. The document includes fillable fields as presented on a user interface. When the system receives data via the fillable fields as presented on the user interface of the electronic device, it will assign a value to each response, construct a patient model, and it will use the patient model to extract intervention content items and provide the patient with those items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, William K. Stumbo, David R. Vandervort, Karen M. Braun, Jennie Echols
  • Patent number: 9606889
    Abstract: Defective memory may cause expensive and unnecessary replacements of the memory especially for higher density dynamic random access memory that has ever shrinking topologies. Running memory stress tests in the background for a period of time at set intervals while the operating system is idle may detect and identify memory problems in real-time without requiring a re-boot of the information handling system. The memory defects may be repaired in real-time so as not to cause loss of data by future read or write requests to the identified defective memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Dirie N. Herzi, Michael David Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20170068607
    Abstract: Defective memory may cause expensive and unnecessary replacements of the memory especially for higher density dynamic random access memory that has ever shrinking topologies. Running memory stress tests in the background for a period of time at set intervals while the operating system is idle may detect and identify memory problems in real-time without requiring a re-boot of the information handling system. The memory defects may be repaired in real-time so as not to cause loss of data by future read or write requests to the identified defective memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Dirie N. Herzi, Michael David Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20150100432
    Abstract: A system generates variable data documents, such as those that may be used in a marketing campaign, each of which contains content that is selected specifically for the document's recipient. The system uses a document template that includes dynamic element fields. Some of the dynamic element fields will be populated with personalized data such as the recipient's name, a geographic indicator, a date, or other information. Other data element fields will be populated with reference locators that dynamically identify and point to additional digital content that is semantically relevant to one or more of the personalized data elements. The reference locator may point to a repository of content such as audiovisual media assets, surveys, product reviews, wikis, recipes or other content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Michael David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9002896
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for creating data sources for a variable data publishing (VDP) marketing campaign pattern. The method and system can be utilized to generate a data source from external sources, such as Encyclopedic knowledge-bases, when desired data is not locally available. A user can specify a conceptual identity, and the method and system automatically map the conceptual identity to an appropriate database, generate semantic queries, and query the database to develop the data source for use in the campaign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke
  • Publication number: 20150025958
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for assessing a multi-media marketing campaign under development. The techniques presented assess, for example, whether pairs of touchpoints of the campaign are compatible in terms of best practices related to content and style and whether contributors to the touchpoints are effectively collaborating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke, Michael David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8874540
    Abstract: A system and method for semantically classifying numerical data includes using semantic classification techniques on ‘nearby’ non-numerical data to identify a context whereby opaque data sets of numbers can be semantically classified inside of that context. An Electronic Knowledge Base is used to query against the context and determine the semantics of the opaque numeric data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke
  • Patent number: 8848214
    Abstract: An improved automated planning method and system includes the use of an automated planner for validating a workflow plan with respect to device capabilities. As such, the present invention provides for an improved method and system for implementing and managing workflow plans utilized in printing environments such as, for example, print shops. A plurality of device capability descriptions can be converted into a data indicative of facts and operators for utilizing in a knowledge-based reasoning system. Next, a workflow plan can be converted into properties indicative of a goal state. The goal state and the data indicative of facts and operators can then be utilized in association with a domain-independent or domain-dependent planner to determine if said workflow plan is valid and executable in order to thereby validate said workflow plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk J. Ocke, Rong Zhou, Minh B. Do, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Michael David Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20140279057
    Abstract: A method of automatically visualizing the content and messaging of documents in a marketing campaign design environment are provided. The exemplary method includes receiving an identification of a specified Touchpoint of the plurality of Touchpoints in a campaign; instantiating the specified Touchpoint and its elements into a knowledge model; executing semantic inferencing engine to determine inferences based on the plurality of Touchpoints instantiated into the knowledge model; transforming inferences into implicit requirements about the contents for each of the Touchpoints; displaying a representation of the specified Touchpoint; and including within the representation of the specified Touchpoint the Touchpoint contents as described by the explicit and implicit requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke
  • Patent number: 8745487
    Abstract: Methods and systems herein receive a selection of at least one variable data printing (VDP) pattern from a first user to compose an initial sample design. The methods receive image, text, and graphics into the initial sample design from the first user and the user tags such image, text and graphics with VDP pattern elements. The processes of receiving the image, text, and graphics and tagging alter the initial sample design into the tagged sample design. Further, the methods and systems can automatically convert the tagged sample design into at least one different format file. The methods and systems can automatically provide the different format file to at least one second user. Additionally, the second user can include data components into the different format file to support the composition of a targeted marketing campaign sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke, Michael David Shepherd, Reuven J. Sherwin
  • Publication number: 20140122256
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for transforming marketing campaign designs into a format capable of importation into a content management system using domain ontologies. A computing device can receive a model flattened domain ontology and can create a vocabulary and content types for a CMS. Additionally, the computing device can receive a model-based marketing campaign design. Using the model-based marketing campaign design, the computing device can create an instance of a domain ontology and can transform the domain ontology into a flattened domain ontology using the model flattened domain ontology. The flattened domain ontology can be used to create instances of the content types in the CMS, and the CMS can facilitate the production, storage, and access of documents formatted to present the information from the model-based marketing campaign design in a user-friendly format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dale Ellen GAUCAS, Michael David Shepherd, Ranen GOREN
  • Patent number: 8705080
    Abstract: A print shop management method or system is used for a print shop. The method or system uses a knowledge base containing device data elements and service data elements. Each device data element represents a device in the print shop, and each service data element represents a service that may be implemented by one or more of the devices. A workflow management system implements an automated reasoner that, when a new device is added or one or more parameters of a device in the print shop are modified, uses semantic reasoning to select a service that may be implemented by the modified device, updates the knowledge base to include a new device element for the new or modified device; and automatically associates the new device element and the selected service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Barry Glynn Gombert
  • Patent number: 8649042
    Abstract: An improved automated planning method and system includes the use of an automated planner for generating a plan template and a final plan generator to produce a fully parameterized workflow plan. Such an approach provides for the generation of fully parameterized workflow plans utilized in rendering environments. A plurality of device capability descriptions can be converted into a data indicative of facts and operators for use with an automated planner, which can be either domain-independent or domain-dependent. Next, a formal product description can be converted into properties indicative of a goal state. The goal state and the data indicative of facts and operators can then be utilized with the automated planner to synthesize a plan template. The plan template is then provided to a final plan generator, along with a formal product description, to produce a fully parameterized workflow plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk J. Ocke, Rong Zhou, Minh B. Do, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Michael David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8612280
    Abstract: A method of monitoring workflow performance includes selecting a workflow for a job in a production process environment, wherein the job corresponds to a job category. The method also may include accessing a knowledge base to automatically select a set of performance indicators that correspond to the job category. Process parameters corresponding to the production process are displayed, and at least a portion of the displayed process parameters include the selected performance indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Barry Glynn Gombert, Neil Robert Sembower
  • Publication number: 20130232013
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure simplify the design process by drawing inferences based on data input by the user and making design suggestions to the user. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus are provided that assist users in the design of a personalized marketing campaign. A user interface is disclosed that allows the user to input data and receive information. A personalized marketing campaign knowledge database is disclosed that contains data encoding concepts extracted from complete personalized marketing campaigns and semantic definitions of those concepts. A semantic inference engine is also disclosed which draws inferences based on a comparison of the semantics of the data entered by the at least one user and the semantic definitions of the concepts encoded in the knowledge database, and communicates those inferences to the at least one user to assist the user in construction of the marketing campaign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Ranen Goren, Reuven J. Sherwin, Kirk J. Ocke
  • Publication number: 20130191212
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided that includes a data communications device configured to communicate one or more offers regarding a product or service to one or more target recipients. A data segmentation engine is configured to communicate with the data communication device and to process data regarding the target recipients interaction with the one or more offers. The data segmentation engine is configured to tag the target recipients with data associated with the offer and with data regarding the target recipients interaction with the offer. A graphing engine is configured to create one or more semantic representations of behavior of the one or more target recipients, and the resulting semantic representations can include information tagged to each target recipient by the data segmentation engine. The semantic representations are used to determine which set of target recipients will be communicated with subsequent semantically-related offers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael David Shepherd, Dale Ellen Gaucas, Kirk J. Ocke