James B Stafford

US Patent:

6415387, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/211371

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Sanjay Gupta - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1338

US Classification:

713320, 713323, 713340, 709203, 709224

Abstract:

A network computer including a motherboard powered by a power supply via a single power supply plane, a clock generator, a processor, a system memory, and a network interface. The network computer is configured to assume a low power state in response to a low power event and further configured to transition from the low power state to a full power state in response to a wake up event. The wake up event may comprise a LAN wake up in the form of a command issued by a server computer coupled to the network computer via a network. In one embodiment, the network computer lacks a disk based storage device, but includes local permanent storage comprising a compact flash card. Preferably, the network computers clock generator is configured to produce a clock signal for the processor when the network computer is in the full power mode, and further configured to produce no clock signal in the low power mode. In one embodiment, the network computer further includes at least one peripheral device coupled to the processor via a peripheral bus, such as a PCI bus. In this embodiment, the computer is preferably configured to transition each peripheral device on the peripheral bus to a power management mode when the network computer enters low power mode.

US Patent:

6430687, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Apr 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/292192

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Norbert M. Blam - Austin TX
Michael Edward Criscolo - Austin TX
Sanjay Gupta - Austin TX
Roy Moonseuk Kim - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 126

US Classification:

713 2, 713100, 713300, 710 15

Abstract:

A computer network that includes a network server and a network client. The network server includes a storage medium configured with boot code data preferably comprising operating system software for the network client. The network client includes a power status indicator and is configured to query the power status indicator as part of a boot code sequence that is initiated in response to a boot event. The network client is configured to schedule retrieval of boot code data from the network server based upon the power status indicator. Preferably, the power status indicator includes a power fail circuit that indicates whether power to the network client has failed since a previous boot event. In one embodiment, the power fail circuit includes a flip flop arranged such that the output of the flip flop is preset when power is restored to the network client after a power failure. Preferably the clear input of the flip flop is programmably assertable.

US Patent:

6446203, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

May 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/317552

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Norbert Blam - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9445

US Classification:

713 2, 713100, 710 10, 711170, 714 36

Abstract:

A computer system including a processor, a system memory, and a boot code storage device. The system memory is connected to the processor and is suitable for storing processor data and instructions. The boot code storage device includes an image selection indicator for indicating which of multiple boot code images are to be loaded. The computer system further includes means for initiating a boot sequence stored on the boot code storage device. The boot sequence selects from first and second boot images based upon the state of the image selection indicator and loads the selected image into the system memory in response to a boot event. In one embodiment, the image selection indicator is in an initial state until the boot code sequence successfully loads a boot image. The image selection indicator is set to a value indicative of the loaded image when one of the boot images is successfully loaded. The boot code storage sequence attempts, in the preferred embodiment, to load the previously load boot image when the system detects a setting of the image selection indicator indicative of a previously loaded boot image.

US Patent:

6463531, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/397608

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Norbert Blam - Austin TX
Mark Earl Plunkett - Oronoco MN
Raymond Francis Romon - Oronoco MN
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

713 2, 713100

Abstract:

A method and system for monitoring the boot process of a data processing system. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention, data detailing each operation performed during a boot process of a data processing system is stored within a memory of the data processing system. All the stored data is then displayed in response to a halting of the boot process, such that step-by-step details of the boot process are available to a user prior to operation of the data processing system by an operating system.

US Patent:

6490677, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/397609

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Norbert Blam - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15177

US Classification:

713 1, 710 8

Abstract:

A method and system for automatically configuring a boot process of a network computer initially connected within a network comprising at least one server. A request is broadcast from a network computer to a network for an available server, upon a first initiation of the network computer within the network. Responses from the broadcast are gathered which indicate whether a server is available. A selected boot program is then executed from among multiple boot programs available in the network computer. The selected boot program and the identity of an available server are stored as boot process configuration settings in a nonvolatile storage of the network computer, in response to successful execution of the boot program, such that a subsequent boot process of a network computer is automatically configured.

US Patent:

6490678, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/397607

Inventors:

Maximino Aquilar - Austin TX
Mark Earl Plunkett - Oronoco MN
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9445

US Classification:

713 2, 345966, 345969

Abstract:

A combination editable and fixed entry input menu field may be used to set up options and preferences for a computer system, such as in a menu for booting the computer system. The menu field provides flexibility in switching and/or selecting between various selections such as operating system(s). The menu field uses less non-volatile memory for storing strings that specify the boot path and filenames and also uses less space on the menu for displaying the strings that specify the boot path and filenames. Entry fields comprise various selections such as at least one editable selectable field and at least one fixed selectable field. The user is able to choose within the selected selectable field between various selections such as between an editable field with editable entries and a fixed field with fixed entries as being the selected entry field.

US Patent:

6625754, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/527397

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 15, 717174

Abstract:

A method and apparatus in a data processing system for automatically restoring an operating system on a local storage device. Prior to loading the operating system, a determination is made as to whether the operating system on the local storage device is corrupted in response to starting the data processing system. If the operating system is corrupted, the operating system is repaired using code from a source storage device without loading the operating system.

US Patent:

6636918, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Jun 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/606638

Inventors:

Maximino Aguilar - Austin TX
Sanjay Gupta - Austin TX
Roy Moonseuk Kim - Austin TX
James Michael Stafford - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

710303, 361683

Abstract:

A mobile computing device and associated base stations are disclosed. The mobile computing device includes a system-on-chip (SOC) device that includes a general purpose processor core and a plurality of peripheral cells suitable for controlling a plurality of peripheral units. The mobile computing device further includes a system memory and a base unit interface. The base unit interface is suitable for connecting the mobile computing device to a base unit that includes a display adapter suitable for controlling a video display. The SOC is connected to and enabled to control the display adapter when the mobile computing device is connected to the base unit. The base unit interface may comprise a PCI interface that connects the SOC device to the base unit via a PCI bus. The plurality of peripheral units may include an audio adapter, a flash device, a wireless suitable for transmitting and receiving wireless information, and a liquid crystal display suitable for displaying text messages. The mobile device preferably further includes a battery suitable for powering the mobile computing device.

Address:

2405 Bluffview Dr, Austin, TX 78704

VIN:

1FMYU02Z47KA85793

Make:

FORD

Model:

ESCAPE

Year:

2007