Patents by Inventor William F. Gray

William F. Gray 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).

  • Apparatus and method for predicting failure of a disk drive
    Patent number: 6980381
    Abstract: A system for predicting failure of a disk is provided. A test string of performance sensitive reads is built and calibrated. That is, the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read is logged. The test string is then applied to a disk and the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read, as applied, is measured. The calibrated positioning times and spindle speeds are then compared with the measured positioning times and spindle speeds. The comparison result is used as a reliable predictor for disk failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: William F. Gray, Ralf Brown
  • Apparatus and method for predicting failure of a disk drive
    Publication number: 20020053046
    Abstract: A system for predicting failure of a disk is provided. A test string of performance sensitive reads is built and calibrated. That is, the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read is logged. The test string is then applied to a disk and the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read, as applied, is measured. The calibrated positioning times and spindle speeds are then compared with the measured positioning times and spindle speeds. The comparison result is used as a reliable predictor for disk failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: William F. Gray, Ralf Brown
  • Apparatus and method for predicting failure of a disk drive
    Patent number: 6249887
    Abstract: A system for predicting failure of a disk is provided. A test string of performance sensitive reads is built and calibrated. That is, the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read is logged. The test string is then applied to a disk and the positioning time and spindle speed for each performance sensitive read, as applied, is measured. The calibrated positioning times and spindle speeds are then compared with the measured positioning times and spindle speeds. The comparison result is used as a reliable predictor for disk failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventors: William F. Gray, Ralf Brown
  • Method of automatically managing a network or remote function-excecuting apparatus from a programable network control center
    Patent number: 5426421
    Abstract: A network includes a network control center which stores network management software capable of supporting user-composed programs for automatically managing apparatus at remote sites, each apparatus including a microprocessor, memory and input/output devices interconnected by a bus, connected to remote site equipment. The network control center includes a single partitioned memory device, or various memory devices. A master site memory section stores a master site listing of all of the remote sites. A master function memory section stores a master function listing of all possible functions to be executed by the apparatus at each site. In managing the network of apparatus, a user composes a listing of plural sites selected from the master site listing and a listing of functions for each site from the master function listing, which are stored in a correlated listing memory section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: William F. Gray
  • Remote supervisory monitoring and control apparatus connected to monitored equipment
    Patent number: 5200987
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system has a programmable apparatus connected to equipment to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: William F. Gray
  • Remote supervisory monitoring and control apparatus connected to monitored equipment
    Patent number: 4996703
    Abstract: A monitoring and control system has a programmable apparatus connected to equipment to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: William F. Gray
  • Light responsive device for monitoring on-line indicator lights
    Patent number: 4990896
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device is provided that is adapted to monitor an "on-line" light source and respond to on/off changes of the source while at the same time being adapted for visual inspection of the light. The device is adapted for incorporation into a remote warning system which may also be able to activate remedial measures to correct deviations signalled by a change in the "on-line" light status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: William F. Gray