Michael E Brinkman

US Patent:

7259585, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Sep 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/237434

Inventors:

Michael G. Brinkman - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew A. Eckl - Raleigh NC, US
Kwok Hon Yu - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H03K 19/003

US Classification:

326 30, 326 32, 326 33

Abstract:

A system, method and device for managing power distribution on a shared bus system that interconnects multiple devices each containing a signal termination component are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method of the invention includes detecting and communicating thermal indicia of one or more of the devices in the shared bus system to a memory controller device. The memory controller includes an on-die termination control circuit for setting and resetting the enablement of the signal termination components of the one or more devices. In a preferred embodiment, the on-die termination control circuit sets and resets the enablement of the signal termination components in accordance with the determined thermal indicia.

US Patent:

7549034, Jun 16, 2009

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/164125

Inventors:

Michael Gerard Brinkman - Raleigh NC, US
Matthew A. Eckl - Raleigh NC, US
Kwok Hon Yu - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 12/00
G06F 1/32

US Classification:

711170, 711105, 713320

Abstract:

A method, apparatus and system are disclosed for redistributing memory allocation to portions of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and dual in-line memory module (DIMM) devices that are underutilized, in order to balance memory usage more evenly amongst active devices so as to limit the amount of power and the thermal load consumed by an individual memory component. The disclosed method, apparatus and system are capable of identifying and tracking memory usage to minimize power consumption in a way that lessens the detrimental effects of “throttling” or reduced power modes for memory devices.

US Patent:

8185780, May 22, 2012

Filed:

May 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/773438

Inventors:

Michael G. Brinkman - Durham NC, US
Nathan C. Skalsky - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 25, 738658, 32475902, 714 48

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and products for visually marking computing components within a computing system are disclosed that include: detecting that a particular computing component has failed, wherein the particular computing component has a physical surface that may be altered with the application of some physical stimulus; and applying a requisite physical stimulus to the physical surface such that the appearance of the physical service is altered, thereby visually identifying that the component has failed.

US Patent:

20040257763, Dec 23, 2004

Filed:

Jun 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/462913

Inventors:

Mark Andresen - Cary NC, US
Michael Brinkman - Raleigh NC, US
Robert Christopher - Chapel Hill NC, US
John Gundlach - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F001/20

US Classification:

361/687000

Abstract:

A split backplane is used in a network server, thereby permitting the use of more than one channel to connect a server motherboard to one or more hard disc drives. A master card ‘A’ is plugged into each backplane. In turn, one or more additional cards may be stacked parallel to the master card, being joined thereto by a mezzanine connector. The additional card can be another master card ‘A’ or a slave card ‘B’ that performs subordinate functions. Each card is coupled to one or more hard disc drives through a multiple pin connector to transmit SCSI, or similar signals. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ cards are arranged generally parallel with the planar surfaces of the disc drives so as to improve the flow of cooling air as it is drawn through the enclosure or mounting rack past the disc drives.

US Patent:

20080148104, Jun 19, 2008

Filed:

Sep 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/469635

Inventors:

Michael G. Brinkman - Raleigh NC, US
Timothy J. Schlude - Cary NC, US
Gregory D. Sellman - Morrisville NC, US

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 43

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for detecting an agent generating a parity error on a PCI-compatible bus that include detecting, by an administrative agent on the bus, a parity error that occurred during a transaction on a PCI-compatible bus that connects a plurality of agents for data communications, retrieving, by the administrative agent, a value for a grant signal associated with each agent on the bus for the transaction, retrieving, by the administrative agent, values for an address signal and a command signal for the transaction, and identifying, by the administrative agent, the agent generating the parity error in dependence upon the values for the grant signals, the address signal, and the command signal.

US Patent:

20120192019, Jul 26, 2012

Filed:

Mar 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/425466

Inventors:

Michael G. Brinkman - RALEIGH NC, US
NATHAN C. SKALSKY - DURHAM NC, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - ARMONK NY

International Classification:

G06F 11/07

US Classification:

714 57, 714 48, 714E11024, 714E11025

Abstract:

Methods, apparatus, and products for visually marking computing components within a computing system are disclosed that include: detecting that a particular computing component has failed, wherein the particular computing component has a physical surface that may be altered with the application of some physical stimulus; and applying a requisite physical stimulus to the physical surface such that the appearance of the physical service is altered, thereby visually identifying that the component has failed.

US Patent:

58360972, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Apr 10, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/630833

Inventors:

Kirk Lewis - Lee's Summit MO
John Gebka - Coral Springs FL
Michael Brinkman - Coral Springs FL
Neil Speed - Nottingham, GB

Assignee:

FEMC Ltd. - Ft. Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

G09F 320

US Classification:

40658

Abstract:

A shelf divider, label and sign holder system comprising an elongated universal support element formed with a relatively rigid channel-shaped shell adapted to be adhesively mounted on a vertically or horizontally extending surface. The support element includes an extended cover portion with flexible fingers co-extruded therewith and adapted to engage the mounting surface itself to removably capture therebetween portions of an item to be supported by the support element. When used as a vertical surface sign holder system, the support element is generally horizontally secured to the vertical surface, with the channel opening downwardly and a paper, cardboard or plastic indicia-containing label or sign securely held at its upper edges between the flexible fingers and the vertical mounting surface. The same support element may be adhesively secured to the undersurface of a shelf juxtapositioned to the front edge thereof, for reception of a perpendicular mounting flange of an adhesive or non-adhesive label holder. Additionally, a pair of the universal support elements may be adhesively secured in spaced parallel relation to the upper surface of a shelf generally parallel to the elongated front and back edges thereof with their channels facing each other, for reception of mounting elements formed at the end of a flat flange, between which a perpendicularly extending divider member is supported.

US Patent:

54887933, Feb 6, 1996

Filed:

Dec 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/364274

Inventors:

John Gebka - Chicago Heights IL
Michael E. Brinkman - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

FEMC Ltd. - Ft. Lauderdale FL

International Classification:

G09F 1300

US Classification:

40642

Abstract:

An extruded plastic price channel can be fitted in a C-channel at the front of a merchandise shelf to provide a mounting for merchandise labelling. The price channel includes a label panel and a leg extending from the back of the label panel. A top edge of the label panel and a free end of the leg snap behind upper and lower lips of the C-channel to retain the price channel in place with the label panel angled to the vertical. The top edge of the label panel has an improved design to enhance its grip in the C-channel. The price channel may also include a transparent co-extruded cover for the front of the label panel to retain non-adhesive labels.