Patents by Inventor Richard Postlethwaite

Richard Postlethwaite 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: 11677440
    Abstract: Method and system are provided for power path identification in a power distribution system. The method transmits a data signal through a power line infrastructure including adding an identifier value at multiple points of the infrastructure to the data signal to form a concatenated path identifier formed of the identifier values. The method reads the path identifier at a reading point of the infrastructure to obtain power path information to or from the reading point in the power line infrastructure. A system may include a plurality of path identification devices each provided at a connection point of the power distribution system to transmit connection point identifiers to form a concatenated path identifier with identifier values of other connection points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Simon Salter
  • Patent number: 11150708
    Abstract: A system for a cooling control component for a computing device is provided. A computing device monitors weight distribution from data received from one or more sensors distributed on a base of the housing of the computing device. A computing device determines that the weight distribution is uneven for a defined period of time. A computing device executes a first overheating prevention measure that uses a hardware operation profile to reduce heat generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah Michelle Drewery, Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite
  • Publication number: 20210157375
    Abstract: A system for a cooling control component for a computing device is provided. A computing device monitors weight distribution from data received from one or more sensors distributed on a base of the housing of the computing device. A computing device determines that the weight distribution is uneven for a defined period of time. A computing device executes a first overheating prevention measure that uses a hardware operation profile to reduce heat generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Sarah Michelle Drewery, Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite
  • Publication number: 20210083722
    Abstract: Method and system are provided for power path identification in a power distribution system. The method transmits a data signal through a power line infrastructure including adding an identifier value at multiple points of the infrastructure to the data signal to form a concatenated path identifier formed of the identifier values. The method reads the path identifier at a reading point of the infrastructure to obtain power path information to or from the reading point in the power line infrastructure. A system may include a plurality of path identification devices each provided at a connection point of the power distribution system to transmit connection point identifiers to form a concatenated path identifier with identifier values of other connection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Simon Salter
  • Patent number: 10601187
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention is provided. The power distribution unit has a plurality of electrical power outlet sockets each for receiving a power plug and a power distribution system for supplying electrical power to each of the sockets. The power distribution unit includes an excess power detector for detecting an aggregate power drawn from the plurality of sockets and for actuating a disabling mechanism for disabling power supply for a subset of the sockets in response to the detected aggregate power exceeding a predetermined first threshold, wherein the subset of the sockets are sockets that are detected as currently not drawing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10582772
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10587117
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190328137
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10390619
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20190090637
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10178911
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for an electrical equipment rack includes a retractable safety device for preventing, when in an operational position, the extending of an extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon from a position internal to the rack to a position external to the rack, and for allowing the same when in a non-operational position. The position of the retractable safety device is linked to the position of a retractable rack support such that when the retractable rack support is lowered in its operative position the retractable safety device is in a non-operational position, and when it is raised in a raised inoperative position the retractable safety device is in an operational position preventing the extending of the extendable rail and an electrical equipment unit mounted thereon to a position external to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180366885
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention is provided. The power distribution unit has a plurality of electrical power outlet sockets each for receiving a power plug and a power distribution system for supplying electrical power to each of the sockets. The power distribution unit includes an excess power detector for detecting an aggregate power drawn from the plurality of sockets and for actuating a disabling mechanism for disabling power supply for a subset of the sockets in response to the detected aggregate power exceeding a predetermined first threshold, wherein the subset of the sockets are sockets that are detected as currently not drawing power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20180241206
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Key
    Patent number: 9758988
    Abstract: A key for operating a mechanical lock, which key includes a head portion for holding by a user, a lock-engaging portion for inserting into the lock for operating the lock by the application of a turning force, and a joining portion between the head portion and the lock-engaging portion and fixing the head portion to the lock-engaging portion. The joining portion includes a shape memory material, which reversibly deforms without breakage when a first turning force on the key is exceeded, where the first turning force is lower than a second turning force. The second turning force being a turning force which if exceeded causes breakage of the lock-engaging portion or the head portion. The shape memory material may exhibit a superelastic effect in which the shape is restored when the turning force ceases, or shape memory effect in which the shape is restored on heating above a state-transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Abdul Baki, Colin I. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
  • Key
    Patent number: 9739075
    Abstract: A key for operating a mechanical lock, which key includes a head portion for holding by a user, a lock-engaging portion for inserting into the lock for operating the lock by the application of a turning force, and a joining portion between the head portion and the lock-engaging portion and fixing the head portion to the lock-engaging portion. The joining portion includes a shape memory material, which reversibly deforms without breakage when a first turning force on the key is exceeded, where the first turning force is lower than a second turning force. The second turning force being a turning force which if exceeded causes breakage of the lock-engaging portion or the head portion. The shape memory material may exhibit a superelastic effect in which the shape is restored when the turning force ceases, or shape memory effect in which the shape is restored on heating above a state-transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Abdul Baki, Colin J. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
  • Patent number: 9686884
    Abstract: A safety mechanism is provided for an electrical equipment rack. The rack has a frame with a vertical frame element including vertically spaced at intervals mounting points which are apertures for accepting mounting pegs of a frame mountable portion of an electrical equipment unit mounting rail. The safety mechanism has a vertical strip member mounted for vertical movement adjacent the vertical frame element, and the vertical strip member includes spaced apertures corresponding to the apertures on the vertical frame element. The vertical strip member is movable between a fully raised position and a lowered position. The safety mechanism further includes a raising mechanism for raising the vertical strip member from a lowered position to the fully raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • KEY
    Publication number: 20170145712
    Abstract: A key for operating a mechanical lock, which key includes a head portion for holding by a user, a lock-engaging portion for inserting into the lock for operating the lock by the application of a turning force, and a joining portion between the head portion and the lock-engaging portion and fixing the head portion to the lock-engaging portion. The joining portion includes a shape memory material, which reversibly deforms without breakage when a first turning force on the key is exceeded, where the first turning force is lower than a second turning force. The second turning force being a turning force which if exceeded causes breakage of the lock-engaging portion or the head portion. The shape memory material may exhibit a superelastic effect in which the shape is restored when the turning force ceases, or shape memory effect in which the shape is restored on heating above a state-transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Abdul Baki, Colin I. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
  • Publication number: 20170127548
    Abstract: A safety mechanism is provided for an electrical equipment rack. The rack has a frame with a vertical frame element including vertically spaced at intervals mounting points which are apertures for accepting mounting pegs of a frame mountable portion of an electrical equipment unit mounting rail. The safety mechanism has a vertical strip member mounted for vertical movement adjacent the vertical frame element, and the vertical strip member includes spaced apertures corresponding to the apertures on the vertical frame element. The vertical strip member is movable between a fully raised position and a lowered position. The safety mechanism further includes a raising mechanism for raising the vertical strip member from a lowered position to the fully raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9594722
    Abstract: A method, system and program product for optimizing of the provisioning of systems. The method, system, computer program product for provisioning a system comprises steps of intercepting a request to provision a named system; calculating a number of named systems needed to give an overall provisioning success rate higher than a threshold success rate; and requesting parallel provisioning of the calculated number of named systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stewart Addison, David A. Barnes, Edwin P. J. Moffatt, Richard Postlethwaite
  • Publication number: 20170070869
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for priority message management. In one embodiment, users are associated with one or more identified networks, wherein the users connect to the one or more identified networks using one or more mobile devices. Embodiments of the present invention can detect the presence or absence of an associated user, and responsive to detecting a user's absence, can increase an amount of priority of a user's communications to a mobile device of a different user having an enabled screening feature. Increasing the amount of priority of users that have been identified as absent from the identified network can ensure important messages are delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas