Patents by Inventor Robert Drury
Robert Drury 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: 12019528Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications interface and a management server. The management server is configured to access servers through the interface, determine that additional resources are needed for execution by a system, and determine that one of the servers is in a standby mode. In the standby mode, the server is powered down and a baseboard management controller (BMC) therein is only powered through a connection from the apparatus or another server of the network. The management server is configured to determine that additional resources for execution by the system from the server are to be activated and cause a wake-up signal to be sent to the BMC, wherein the wake-up signal is configured to cause the BMC to wake and provision the operating environment of the server.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson, Stephen Hardwick, Phillip Edward Straw, Alan Ott
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Patent number: 11934241Abstract: A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, David Patrick Anders, Alan Ott, Bryan Keith Larmore
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Patent number: 11899549Abstract: A merged infrastructure for manufacturing and lifecycle management of both hardware and software is disclosed. In various embodiments, a library comprising a superset of device drivers is stored, the superset including for each of a plurality of supported systems a corresponding set of device drivers for devices comprising that supported system. A context in which a processor is deployed is determined, the context being associated with a specific corresponding one of the plurality of supported systems. The library is used to provision based on the determined context at least a subset of devices accessible by the processor in the context in which the processor is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Inventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, Alan Ott, Bryan Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick
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Patent number: 11755729Abstract: A system includes a server interface and a management server. The management server includes instructions for execution by a processor. The instructions, when loaded and executed by the processor, cause the processor to access a server through the remote interface and, through the interface, monitor current usage by an electronic device communicatively coupled to the server. The instructions further cause the processor to determine a security status of the electronic device based upon the current usage, and to take a corrective action based upon the security status.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Bryan Keith Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick, Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson
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Patent number: 11748478Abstract: An apparatus includes an interface for an electronic device and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes circuitry configured to, through the interface, monitor current usage by the electronic device, determine a security status of the electronic device based upon the current usage, and take a corrective action based upon the security status.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Bryan Keith Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick, Robert Drury
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Patent number: 11751332Abstract: A baseboard includes a first connection configured to electrically interface with a motherboard, a second connection configured to electrically interface with a module, and a switch circuit configured to route data channels and power channels between the motherboard and the module. The first connection is configured to interface with more than one connection protocol or standard. The second connection is configured to interface with the more than one connection protocol or standard. The baseboard allows for cableless connections to allow unobstructed airflow over the components.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Sean Michael Robin
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Publication number: 20230108213Abstract: A media failure server includes a processor, and a non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions. The instructions, when loaded and executed by the processor, cause the processor to aggregate software defined storage (SDS) performance data from a plurality of media servers, process the aggregated SDS performance data, and determine whether the aggregate SDS performance data indicates that a first media server includes a potentially failing storage medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Stephen Hardwick
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Publication number: 20220284091Abstract: A system includes a server interface and a management server. The management server includes instructions for execution by a processor. The instructions, when loaded and executed by the processor, cause the processor to access a server through the remote interface and, through the interface, monitor current usage by an electronic device communicatively coupled to the server. The instructions further cause the processor to determine a security status of the electronic device based upon the current usage, and to take a corrective action based upon the security status.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Bryan Keith Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick, Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson
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Publication number: 20220276876Abstract: A system includes servers, each server including a baseboard management controller (BMC) and operating environments including motherboards and processors. One of the BMCs includes circuitry to determine that the other server is in a standby mode. In a standby mode, the operating environment including the motherboard and processor is powered down and the BMC is powered only through a connection between the BMCs. The first BMC determines that additional resources for execution by the system from the other server are to be activated, and send a wake-up signal to the other BMC. The other BMC includes circuitry configured to receive the wake-up signal, wake the operating environment, and provision the operating environment, without power from the operating environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson, Stephen Hardwick
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Publication number: 20220229478Abstract: A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward STRAW, Robert DRURY, David Patrick ANDERS, Alan OTT, Bryan Keith LARMORE
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Publication number: 20220206914Abstract: A merged infrastructure for manufacturing and lifecycle management of both hardware and software is disclosed. In various embodiments, a library comprising a superset of device drivers is stored, the superset including for each of a plurality of supported systems a corresponding set of device drivers for devices comprising that supported system. A context in which a processor is deployed is determined, the context being associated with a specific corresponding one of the plurality of supported systems. The library is used to provision based on the determined context at least a subset of devices accessible by the processor in the context in which the processor is deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, Alan Ott, Bryan Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick
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Patent number: 11321203Abstract: A merged infrastructure for manufacturing and lifecycle management of both hardware and software is disclosed. In various embodiments, a library comprising a superset of device drivers is stored, the superset including for each of a plurality of supported systems a corresponding set of device drivers for devices comprising that supported system. A context in which a processor is deployed is determined, the context being associated with a specific corresponding one of the plurality of supported systems. The library is used to provision based on the determined context at least a subset of devices accessible by the processor in the context in which the processor is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, Alan Ott, Bryan Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick
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Publication number: 20220114068Abstract: A merged infrastructure for manufacturing and lifecycle management of both hardware and software is disclosed. In various embodiments, a library comprising a superset of device drivers is stored, the superset including for each of a plurality of supported systems a corresponding set of device drivers for devices comprising that supported system. A context in which a processor is deployed is determined, the context being associated with a specific corresponding one of the plurality of supported systems. The library is used to provision based on the determined context at least a subset of devices accessible by the processor in the context in which the processor is deployed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, Alan Ott, Bryan Larmore, David Patrick Anders, Stephen Hardwick
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Patent number: 11301009Abstract: A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, David Patrick Anders, Alan Ott, Bryan Keith Larmore
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Publication number: 20220104361Abstract: A system includes a top printed circuit (PCB) including an array of contact pads, a bottom PCB including an array of contact pads, at least one interposer positioned between the top and bottom PCBs, including: an array of top connectors configured to contact the array of contact pads of the top PCB; an array of bottom connectors configured to contact the array of contact pads of the bottom PCB; and interconnections configured to electrically connect the top connectors and the bottom connectors, at least one spacer element positioned between the top PCB and the bottom PCB and configured to contribute to maintaining a specified distance between the top PCB and the bottom PCB; and at least one fastener of the top PCB and the bottom PCB. The system further includes fasteners configured to press the top PCB, the interposer, the bottom PCB, and the spacer layer together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Sean Michael Burdick
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Publication number: 20220104357Abstract: A baseboard includes a first connection configured to electrically interface with a motherboard, a second connection configured to electrically interface with a module, and a switch circuit configured to route data channels and power channels between the motherboard and the module. The first connection is configured to interface with more than one connection protocol or standard. The second connection is configured to interface with the more than one connection protocol or standard. The baseboard allows for cableless connections to allow unobstructed airflow over the components.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Sean Michael Burdick
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Publication number: 20220066791Abstract: An apparatus includes an operating environment including a motherboard and a processor, and a baseboard management controller (BMC) including circuitry configured to determine that another server is in a standby mode. The other server includes its own BMC and operating environment, and, in the standby mode, the second operating environment is powered down and the second BMC is powered only through a connection to the BMC of the apparatus. The BMC of the apparatus is further configured to determine that additional resources for execution by a system including the apparatus are to be activated. The BMC is further configured to send a control signal to the other BMC, wherein the control signal is configured to issue a wake-up signal to the other BMC to wake at least a portion of the other BMC's operating environment, and to provision the other BMC's operating environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson, Stephen Hardwick, Phillip Edward Straw, Alan Ott
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Publication number: 20220066890Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications interface and a management server. The management server is configured to access servers through the interface, determine that additional resources are needed for execution by a system, and determine that one of the servers is in a standby mode. In the standby mode, the server is powered down and a baseboard management controller (BMC) therein is only powered through a connection from the apparatus or another server of the network. The management server is configured to determine that additional resources for execution by the system from the server are to be activated and cause a wake-up signal to be sent to the BMC, wherein the wake-up signal is configured to cause the BMC to wake and provision the operating environment of the server.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: SOFTIRON LIMITEDInventors: Robert Drury, Andrew McNeil, Harry Richardson, Stephen Hardwick, Phillip Edward Straw, Alan Ott
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Publication number: 20210089096Abstract: A fan device used with respect to a computing device. The fan device includes at least two fans that provide airflow for the computing device and a controller that adjusts the fans' speeds in an attempt to avoid harmonic vibrations of the at least two fans. The fan device may include at least one sensor, and the controller may adjust the fans' speeds based at least on information from the sensor(s) in the attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations. The attempt to avoid the harmonic vibrations may also attempt to mitigate one or more of turbulence, pressure, over-heating, power consumption, or noise in, by, or around the computing device. Reversal of airflow may also be used. A fan bar that enables isolation of ground return noise may also be used. The controller may use sums of primes calculations, phase analysis, common divisor calculations, and the like. Also, associated methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: SoftIron LimitedInventors: Phillip Edward Straw, Robert Drury, David Patrick Anders, Alan Ott, Bryan Keith Larmore
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Patent number: 10684928Abstract: A storage server receives a control signal indicating that a specific storage device of a plurality of storage devices housed by a specific storage media tray has failed. The storage media tray is in turn housed by the specific storage server, which can house many such trays. In responsive to receiving the control signal, the server activates a visual fault indicator on an external display panel, indicating that the storage server contains a storage media tray housing a failed storage device. An external visual indicator on the specific storage media tray is activated to indicate that the specific storage media tray houses a failed storage device. The specific storage media tray activates an internal visual indicator identifying the specific storage device which has failed in the specific storage media tray. When the specific failed storage device has been replaced with a working storage device, the indicators are deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Inventors: Phillip Straw, Harry Richardson, Robert Drury, Martin Raumann, David Anders