Patents by Inventor R. Kern

R. Kern 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: 7350112
    Abstract: A method of providing diagnostic service for a data processing system includes retrieving product data identifying a data processing element in response to an alert generated by the element. The retrieved product data is forwarded to a networked diagnostic site. A diagnostic package is retrieved, the diagnostic package including diagnostic code appropriate for the alerting element. The diagnostic package is forwarded to the data processing system. The diagnostic code is then installed and executed to perform diagnostic testing of the element. Results generated during execution of the diagnostic code may then be used to take machine initiated corrective action. After the results have been generated, the diagnostic software is uninstalled from the data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas James Fox, Eric R. Kern, Charles Christian Queen, Celia Anne Schreiber
  • Patent number: 7330965
    Abstract: An aggregated server blade system includes a plurality of individual server blades and a management module which can be designated as a bootable device. A boot list maintained and executed in each server blade includes a management module entry in its list of bootable devices. In response to the management module entry being selected or otherwise made active as the bootable device for a particular blade, an alternative bootable-devices list maintained on the management module is referenced and the boot process proceeds according to the alternative list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon C. Chu, Richard A. Dayan, Eric R. Kern, William J. Piazza
  • Patent number: 7316925
    Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is an optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid (e.g. pAV0201). This new plasmid comprise a therapeutic element, and a replication element. The therapeutic element of the new plasmid comprises a eukaryotic promoter; a 5? untranslated region (“UTR”); a codon-optimized-eukaryotic therapeutic gene sequence; and a poly adenylation signal. The therapeutic elements of this plasmid are operatively linked and located in a first operatively-linked arrangement. Additionally, the optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid comprises replication elements, wherein the replication elements are operatively linked and located in a second operatively-linked arrangement. The replication elements comprise a selectable marker gene promoter, a ribosomal binding site, and an origin of replication. The first-operatively-linked arrangement and the second-operatively-linked arrangement comprise a circular structure of the codon optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Ronald V. Abruzzese, Douglas R. Kern
  • Publication number: 20080005370
    Abstract: Identifying an operating system running on a computer system. In one aspect of the invention, an enumeration pattern is collected, the enumeration pattern describing an enumeration of a device that has been performed between the device and the operating system running on a host computer system. The type of the operating system running on the host computer system is identified based on the collected enumeration pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. BOLAN, Robert K. CHRISTNER, Simon C. CHU, Peter T. DONOVAN, Eric R. KERN
  • Publication number: 20070294498
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for managing allocation of storage in a switch utilizing flow control are provided. The switch includes a plurality of ports and an internal storage divided into a plurality of storage units. The method, computer program product, and system provide for monitoring an average number of storage units used by each of the plurality of ports over a predetermined time period, setting a threshold for the average number of storage units used by each of the plurality of ports, and allocating one or more available storage units assigned to a first port to a second port in response to storage allocation management being enabled for the second port and the average number of storage units used by the second port exceeding the threshold for the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Atherton, Marcus A. Baker, Eric R. Kern
  • Publication number: 20070276981
    Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program products for dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors are disclosed that include identifying whether a PCI Express device is installed into each PCI Express connector, and assigning a portion of the lanes to each PCI Express connector having a PCI Express device installed into the PCI Express connector. Dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors may also include identifying a device type for each PCI Express device installed into the plurality of PCI Express connectors. Dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors may also include creating allocation rules that specify the allocation of lanes to the plurality of PCI Express connectors. Dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors may also include receiving user allocation preferences that specify the allocation of lanes to the plurality of PCI Express connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: William E. Atherton, Marcus A. Baker, Eric R. Kern
  • Patent number: 7296179
    Abstract: A method and system for method of removing a node from a multi-node computer. The node receives a system management interrupt (SMI), resulting in a quiescenting of only that node. The SMI receiving node then polls other nodes in the multi-node computer to determine if the SMI affects an operation of any of the other nodes, and quiescents any other node affected by the SMI. Each quiescent node then transfers all of the contents of its system memory to a backup memory in an unaffected remote node in the multi-node computer. The remote node than assumes the function of the removed node that had received the SMI. The method and system thus allows node removal in the event of a hot-swap request or a predicted failure of a node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Simon C. Chu, Richard A. Dayan, Brandon J. Ellison, Eric R. Kern, William B. Schwartz, Adam L. Soderlund
  • Patent number: 7251746
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically replacing a failing processor in a server system configured with IA-32 architecture without requiring hardware changes to the IA-32 architecture or administrative effort. At least one processor of the multiprocessor system (MP) is initially provided as a reserve (or hot-spare) processor that remains in an idle, off, or low-power mode. While in that mode, the OS is prevented from initially utilizing the hot-spare processor. When a processor failure is detected, SMI code running on a good processor instructs the OS to hold off allocating processes to the failing processor. Contemporaneously, the SMI (and OS) activates and completes an initialization of the hot-spare processor to prepare it to begin receiving the held-off processes. Control is then returned to the OS, which updates the “active” processor list and allocates the threads that were running on the failing processor to the hot-spare processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas James Fox, Eric R. Kern, Michael Scott Rollins
  • Patent number: 7245963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ADViSYS, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Robert H. Carpenter, Douglas R. Kern, Allan Westersten, William R. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7241744
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for plasmid-mediated supplementation. The compositions and method are useful for retarding the growth of the tumor, and retarding cachexia, wasting, anemia and other effects that are commonly associated in cancer bearing animals. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into a tissue of an animal and allowing expression of the encoded. gene in the animal. For example, when such a nucleic acid sequence is delivered into the specific cells of the tissue specific constitutive expression is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignees: Baylor College of Medicine, ADViSYS, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Robert H. Carpenter, Douglas R. Kern, Robert J. Schwartz, Glen King, Kevin Hahn, Malcolm K. Brenner
  • Patent number: 7216265
    Abstract: An improved method and system for determining the state of an operating system includes an operating system, a USB host controller that is driven by the operating system to send a polling signal to a USB device, and a management module that monitors the polling signal. If the polling signal has stopped, then the management module takes corrective action to restore the operating system. No specialized software or specialized hardware is required to determine the state of the operating system. The state of the operating system can be determined quickly and efficiently without adding to the costs of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Hughes, Eric R. Kern, Thomas D. Pahel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7165380
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a housing (34) and an arm (43) pivotally connected to the housing (34). A hook (48) is formed on one end of the arm (43) and a spring (49) is positioned between the arm (43) and the housing (34). The connector (10) can be used to attach two items of many configurations together, but it is particularly suited to attach strap ends of an item such as a halter (11) having a strap (12) and a strap (13) interconnected by a plurality of tab straps (20, 21, 22). The strap (12) is interrupted to form a portion (32) carrying the connector (10) and another portion (31) carrying an o-ring (29) which can be engaged between the hook (48) and the housing (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Coastal Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Oyster, David R. Kerns, Robert C. Holt, Jr., James G. Stout
  • Patent number: 7146497
    Abstract: A method, system, and program product supporting dynamic configuring of a multi-node computer. The system includes a scalability management module directly coupled to each node in the multi-node computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Almeida, Scott N. Dunham, Eric R. Kern, William B. Schwartz, Adam L. Soderlund, Edward Zorek
  • Patent number: 6954147
    Abstract: Aspects for providing protection against theft and loss of a portable computer system are described. The aspects include establishing boundary conditions within which the portable computer system is authorized for use and tracking a position of the portable computer system with a global position system (GPS) unit in the portable computer system. The position is compared to the boundary conditions to identify whether the portable computer system has violated the boundary conditions, and anti-theft routines are performed when the position has violated the boundary conditions. The anti-theft routines include calling a preset phone number with a cellular calling facility of the portable computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Lenovo Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Daryl C. Cromer, David B. Rhoades, Howard J. Locker, James P. Ward, Eric R. Kern, Brandon J. Ellison, Richard A. Dayan
  • Publication number: 20050167693
    Abstract: P-type layers of a GaN based light-emitting device are optimized for formation of Ohmic contact with metal. In a first embodiment, a p-type GaN transition layer with a resistivity greater than or equal to about 7 ? cm is formed between a p-type conductivity layer and a metal contact. In a second embodiment, the p-type transition layer is any III-V semiconductor. In a third embodiment, the p-type transition layer is a superlattice. In a fourth embodiment, a single p-type layer of varying composition and varying concentration of dopant is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Werner Goetz, Michael Camras, Changhua Chen, Xiaoping Chen, Gina Christenson, R. Kern, Chihping Kuo, Paul Martin, Daniel Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 6854203
    Abstract: A combination advertising and warning sign for mounting in a retail store to display promotional materials and warn of spills and other hazardous conditions includes a housing and a movable warning arm. The housing has a front cover removably hinged to a horizontal edge of a base member. The housing can take a closed position in which the cover and base form a closed cavity concealing the warning arm. When the housing is closed, a display region for mounting the promotional material is visible at a front exterior of the cover. The housing can be opened by pivoting the cover about the hinges. When the housing is open, warning indicia are revealed and the warning arm can be pivoted horizontally to an extended position substantially perpendicular to the housing. A switch-activated audio alarm disposed within the housing cavity can also be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Aisle Sentry, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Kern, Don Ladson, Lewis G. Libby
  • Publication number: 20040267919
    Abstract: A method and system for managing a computer system including a plurality of servers and at least one shared peripheral device is disclosed. The method and system include performing communications between the plurality of servers and the at least one shared peripheral device using a shared bus. The communications include providing data for a first server of the plurality of servers from the shared peripheral device(s). The data is provided to the servers over the shared bus. The method and system also include caching the data in the plurality of servers and utilizing the data only in the first server in response to receipt of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Dake, James A. Day, Brandon J. Ellison, Eric R. Kern, Shane M. Lardinois, Howard J. Locker
  • Publication number: 20040255191
    Abstract: A method of providing diagnostic service for a data processing system includes retrieving product data identifying a data processing element in response to an alert generated by the element. The retrieved product data is forwarded to a networked diagnostic site. A diagnostic package is retrieved, the diagnostic package including diagnostic code appropriate for the alerting element. The diagnostic package is forwarded to the data processing system. The diagnostic code is then installed and executed to perform diagnostic testing of the element. Results generated during execution of the diagnostic code may then be used to take machine initiated corrective action. After the results have been generated, the diagnostic software is uninstalled from the data processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas James Fox, Eric R. Kern, Charles Christian Queen, Celia Anne Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6806972
    Abstract: A method of determining the configuration of a plurality of resources in an image processing apparatus by running turn around tests to determine the interconnection of the resources and comparing the interconnection to a reference interconnection indicator stored in memory. The difference of interconnections between the reference indicator and the determined interconnections is then displayed to an operator for confirmation. An indication of the new configuration, if confirmed, is then loaded into memory and the machine is set up based upon the new configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth B. Daddis, C. Michael Ray, Robert G. Hamer, Susan B. Layer, Rex B. Murphy, Gary R. Kern, Everett W. Jenkins, Anne E. Dewitte, Robert W. Rassler, David S. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20040196566
    Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy R. BEYSTRUM, Michael J. IOSUE, Lynn R. KERN