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).
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Patent number: 11677440Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Simon Salter
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Patent number: 11150708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sarah Michelle Drewery, Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite
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Publication number: 20210157375Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Sarah Michelle Drewery, Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite
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Publication number: 20210083722Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Colin Ian Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Simon Salter
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Patent number: 10601187Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10582772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10587117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20190328137Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10390619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20190090637Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 10178911Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180366885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20180241206Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 9758988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Abdul Baki, Colin I. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
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Patent number: 9739075Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Abdul Baki, Colin J. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
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Patent number: 9686884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Publication number: 20170145712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Abdul Baki, Colin I. Holyoake, Matthew J. Kockott, John A. Owen, Richard Postlethwaite, Joanne E. Woods
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Publication number: 20170127548Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
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Patent number: 9594722Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stewart Addison, David A. Barnes, Edwin P. J. Moffatt, Richard Postlethwaite
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Publication number: 20170070869Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas