Patents by Inventor Robert B. Nicholson

Robert B. Nicholson 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: 20130198313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a program for validating a web cache independent of an origin server. A computer in between a client computer and the origin server computer receives a request for a resource and an entity tag (ETag) corresponding to the request. The computer forwards the request to the origin server and subsequently receives the resource. The computer generates an ETag for the received resource and compares the generated ETag to the ETag corresponding to the request. If the ETags match, the computer sends an indication toward the client computer that the resource has not been modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart J. Hayton, David R. Jones, Alwyn R. Lobo, Robert B. Nicholson, Graeme P. Vetterlein
  • Patent number: 8417973
    Abstract: Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair Cooper, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20130070619
    Abstract: A mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation. When data is broken out by the first service mechanism, the data is delivered at the edge, which means the true activity of the channel is not visible to the core network. The reduction of data in the core network due to serving data at the edge risks causing a switch from a high-speed channel to a low-speed channel by the mechanism in the core network that monitors and assigns channel speeds. In order to maintain the high-speed channel, the on-going data rate for a subscriber session is monitored and channel maintenance traffic is injected towards and from the radio network controller (in both directions). The amount of channel maintenance traffic depends on thresholds that determine a desired data rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce O. Anthony, JR., Ronald L. Billau, Canio Cillis, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20130070618
    Abstract: Mobile network services are performed in a mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation, and performs one or more mobile network services based on the broken out data. A second service mechanism in the core network performs one or more mobile network services based on the network traffic remaining after the first service mechanism performs its breakout. An optional third service mechanism coupled to the core network provides one or more mobile network services in the mobile data network. An overlay network allows the first, second and third service mechanisms to communicate with each other. The overlay network is preferably a private virtual network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce O. Anthony, JR., Ronald L. Billau, Canio Cillis, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20130054691
    Abstract: Flexible rule based multi-protocol peer-to-peer caching in a wireless environment. A request is received from a requestor for a file from one of a plurality of peer-to-peer networks. The peer-to-peer network the request is directed to is determined in response to receiving the request. Using a generic rule structure, the file that is requested from the peer-to-peer network is identified. The generic rule structure is compatible with all of the plurality of peer-to-peer networks. If the file is stored in a cache it is retrieved from the cache and is transmitted to the requestor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seraphin B. Calo, Robert B. Nicholson, Maroun Touma, Dinesh C. Verma
  • Publication number: 20120233476
    Abstract: Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alastair Cooper, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8253275
    Abstract: According to one general embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product for reducing incidence of errors in connections between a power consumer apparatus operable to draw a load and a power supply apparatus capable of varying the power supplied, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to generate at the power consumer apparatus an identifiable pattern in a load to be drawn from a power supply connection to a power supply apparatus; and computer readable program code configured to monitor at the power consumer apparatus for a change in the load corresponding to the pattern, the monitoring being performed across a signal connection to the power supply apparatus; wherein a positive result of the monitoring indicates a correct configuration. Additional embodiments are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Hyatt, Ian D. Judd, Robert B. Nicholson, Paul J. Quelch, Stephen A. Randle, William J. Scales
  • Patent number: 8250329
    Abstract: Write requests from host computers are processed in relation to a thin provisioning storage subsystem. A write request is received from a host computer. The write request identifies a first virtual disk that has been previously assigned to the host computer. It is determined whether the first virtual disk has to be allocated additional physical storage locations of the thin provisioning storage subsystem for storing data associated with the write request. In response to determining that the virtual disk has to be allocated additional physical storage locations, the following is performed. First, a quantity of free space remaining unallocated within physical storage locations of the thin provisioning storage subsystem is determined. Second, where the quantity of free space remaining unallocated within the physical storage locations satisfies a policy threshold associated with a second virtual disk, the second virtual disk is write-inhibited. The first and second virtual disks can be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Nicholson, William James Scales, Stephen P. Legg, Carlos Francisco Fuente
  • Patent number: 8214661
    Abstract: Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair Cooper, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20110246064
    Abstract: A method for guiding a shopper in a store, including: receiving one or more recommended products identified for the shopper based on a set of one or more sought products; calculating a route through the store to a location of each of the sought products based on the store product map; and including a waypoint in the route corresponding to a location of each of the one or more recommended products. The route is then sent to an augmented reality device for presenting the route to the shopper in conjunction with a representation of a current view of the shopper in the store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. NICHOLSON
  • Patent number: 7987330
    Abstract: A method for migrating data between heterogeneous data storage devices within a storage area network is disclosed. A first virtualizer presents stored data as a first virtual disk, and then communicates a managed disk representation of the first virtual disk to a second virtualizer. After receiving the managed disk representation, the second virtualizer virtualizes the stored data from the managed disk representation as a second virtual disk. At such point, the stored data can be progressively migrated from the first virtualizer to the second virtualizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Dalton, Geoff Lane, Stephen P. Legg, Robert B. Nicholson, William J. Scales, Barry D. Whyte
  • Patent number: 7930505
    Abstract: A storage network control apparatus is operable to present virtualized storage to a host system and includes a monitoring component, an analysis component, a detection component, and a migration component. The monitoring component is for monitoring input/output (I/O) activity for virtual storage logical units over time. The analysis component is for identifying a repeating instance of peak I/O activity for a virtual storage logical unit over time and for generating a predictive signature therefrom. The detecting component is for identifying an instance of such a predictive signature. The migration component is responsive to the detecting component, and is for migrating data mapped by the virtual storage logical unit across additional real storage units to improve the I/O performance of the virtual storage logical unit prior to a recurrence of the repeating instance of peak I/O activity. A corresponding logic arrangement may be incorporated in hardware, software or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Nicholson, Carlos Francisco Fuente, Stephen P. Legg
  • Publication number: 20100017632
    Abstract: Managing power-consumption, for use in a storage system comprising first data stored on one or more storage devices is provided. A receiver receives a policy comprising a power-management parameter, a first parameter and a rule associated with the policy. An analyser, responsive to receipt of a policy, analyzes second data associated with the rule. A determiner, responsive to the analysis, determines third data in accordance with the second data. The third data is associated with migration of the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alastair Cooper, Robert B. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20090144499
    Abstract: Write requests from host computers are processed in relation to a thin provisioning storage subsystem. A write request is received from a host computer. The write request identifies a first virtual disk that has been previously assigned to the host computer. It is determined whether the first virtual disk has to be allocated additional physical storage locations of the thin provisioning storage subsystem for storing data associated with the write request. In response to determining that the virtual disk has to be allocated additional physical storage locations, the following is performed. First, a quantity of free space remaining unallocated within physical storage locations of the thin provisioning storage subsystem is determined. Second, where the quantity of free space remaining unallocated within the physical storage locations satisfies a policy threshold associated with a second virtual disk, the second virtual disk is write-inhibited. The first and second virtual disks can be different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Robert B. Nicholson, William James Scales, Stephen P. Legg, Carlos Francisco Fuente
  • Publication number: 20090138522
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a storage system having a data replication function, comprises: a storage array component being operable to send notification to a replication engine that a write of data to a primary storage location by a host is subject to data replication; the replication engine being operable to receive the notification and in response to instruct the storage array to copy the data to a secondary storage location; wherein the data is copied to the secondary storage location unmediated by the replication engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Day, III, Robert B. Nicholson, Lee J. Sanders, Bill J. Seales
  • Patent number: 7512766
    Abstract: A storage network control apparatus is operable to present virtualized storage to a host system and includes a monitoring component, an analysis component, a detection component, and a migration component. The monitoring component is for monitoring input/output (I/O) activity for virtual storage logical units over time. The analysis component is for identifying a repeating instance of peak I/O activity for a virtual storage logical unit over time and for generating a predictive signature therefrom. The detecting component is for identifying an instance of such a predictive signature. The migration component is responsive to the detecting component, and is for migrating data mapped by the virtual storage logical unit across additional real storage units to improve the I/O performance of the virtual storage logical unit prior to a recurrence of the repeating instance of peak I/O activity. A corresponding logic arrangement may be incorporated in hardware, software or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Nicholson, Carlos F. Fuente, Stephen P. Legg
  • Publication number: 20080256145
    Abstract: A method for migrating data between heterogeneous data storage devices within a storage area network is disclosed. A first virtualizer presents stored data as a first virtual disk, and then communicates a managed disk representation of the first virtual disk to a second virtualizer. After receiving the managed disk representation, the second virtualizer virtualizes the stored data from the managed disk representation as a second virtual disk. At such point, the stored data can be progressively migrated from the first virtualizer to the second virtualizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Dalton, Geoff Lane, Stephen P. Legg, Robert B. Nicholson, William J. Scales, Barry D. Whyte
  • Patent number: 7421556
    Abstract: A method for migrating data between heterogeneous data storage devices within a storage area network is disclosed. A first virtualizer presents stored data as a first virtual disk, and then communicates a managed disk representation of the first virtual disk to a second virtualizer. After receiving the managed disk representation, the second virtualizer virtualizes the stored data from the managed disk representation as a second virtual disk. At such point, the stored data can be progressively migrated from the first virtualizer to the second virtualizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Dalton, Geoff Lane, Stephen P. Legg, Robert B. Nicholson, William J. Scales, Barry D. Whyte
  • Publication number: 20080168211
    Abstract: A storage network control apparatus is operable to present virtualized storage to a host system and includes a monitoring component, an analysis component, a detection component, and a migration component. The monitoring component is for monitoring input/output (I/O) activity for virtual storage logical units over time. The analysis component is for identifying a repeating instance of peak I/O activity for a virtual storage logical unit over time and for generating a predictive signature therefrom. The detecting component is for identifying an instance of such a predictive signature. The migration component is responsive to the detecting component, and is for migrating data mapped by the virtual storage logical unit across additional real storage units to improve the I/O performance of the virtual storage logical unit prior to a recurrence of the repeating instance of peak I/O activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert B. Nicholson, Carlos F. Fuente, Stephen P. Legg
  • Patent number: 5088518
    Abstract: A steam restricter device of the present invention is designed for retrofit to an existing steam trap of the type including a bowl-shaped chamber-defining member having an opening in it for admitting steam and condensate, and a drain for passage of condensate from the chamber to a condensate return. The device includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion of smaller outer diameter than the upper portion. The lower portion may be slidingly received in the drain without rotation. The body has a nozzle formed in it which is sized to permit passage of condensate, but to inhibit passage of steam. The upper portion has an intake in it which provides communication from the chamber to the nozzle, and the lower portion has an opening in it which provides communication from the nozzle to the condensate return. A generally tubular bushing fits around the lower portion of the body and sealingly engages a wall in the drain for sealing between the lower portion and the wall of the drainage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Steam Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: E. M. Stamatakis, Robert B. Nicholson