Robert T Nicholson

US Patent:

62532405, Jun 26, 2001

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183647

Inventors:

Gary Thomas Axberg - Minneapolis MN
Duane Mark Baldwin - Kasson MN
Allen Robert Heitman - Rochester MN
Uma Devi Immaneni - Huntington Beach CA
Greg Knight - Rochester MN
David Lynn Merbach - Rochester MN
Robert Bruce Nicholson - San Jose CA
William Roy Yonker - Rochester MN

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15173
G06F 300

US Classification:

709223

Abstract:

A distributed storage management program manages a network comprising multiple data storage devices attached to multiple host computer systems. The management program includes a separate agent in each host, and a central manager. The agents gather data and communicate with the manager across a communications path which is independent of the storage network. The manager collates the data from different agents to produce a coherent view of the network. Preferably, each local agent actively builds an internal topological view of the network as seen by its host and collects data such as error events, which it stores in internal data structures. The manager is able to resolve gaps in the information of each agent from information provided by other agents. Preferably, the manager represents the network as a collection of objects of different classes in an object-oriented class library. This collection is graphically displayed in a logical and understandable manner to a user on a display device.

US Patent:

62893750, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183716

Inventors:

Greg Knight - Rochester MN
Robert Bruce Nicholson - San Jose CA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1516
G06F 1314
G06F 1730

US Classification:

709217

Abstract:

An agent receives requests containing multiple parameters over an information processing network. The process of obtaining information responsive to the request varies depending on the values of the parameters. The agent constructs a hash key using the parameter values, and uses the hash key to index an entry in a hash function table, the entry having a set of parameter values and a pointer corresponding to the function used to service a request for the indicated parameter values. The agent uses the pointer to call the function to service the request Preferably, the parameters may include wild cards, which are expanded into multiple requests, from which multiple hash keys are derived and multiple functions are called. The agent is preferably part of a larger distributed storage management program, comprising a central manager and a separate agent in each of multiple host computer systems. Each agent independently collects data from the network(s) attached to its host, analyzes the network(s), builds data structures representing the network(s), and uses the data structures to service information requests from the central manager.

US Patent:

63144603, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183711

Inventors:

Greg Knight - Rochester MN
Robert Bruce Nicholson - San Jose CA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15177
G06F 15167

US Classification:

709220

Abstract:

An analyzer for a storage network attached to a host computer system through multiple controllers receives information from each controller concerning a shared storage network bus, and resolves incomplete information received from one controller using information received by another controller. Unknown devices are resolved by selecting devices known to multiple controllers as cross-reference objects, determining sets of possible placements for an unresolved device, and finding one possible placement common to each set. Preferably, the network analyzer is part of a larger distributed storage management program which supports management of storage networks connected to multiple host computer systems through one or more controllers in each respective host, the distributed management program comprising a central manager and a separate agent in each host, the analyzer being part of the agent. Each agent independently collects data from the network(s) attached to its host, analyzes the network(s), builds data structures representing the network(s), and uses the data structures to service information requests from the central manager.

US Patent:

20160110744, Apr 21, 2016

Filed:

Oct 15, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/514720

Inventors:

- Sunnyvale CA, US
Robert Nicholson - Sunnyvale CA, US

International Classification:

G06Q 30/02
H04W 4/02
H04W 4/14

Abstract:

A method and system for acquiring ratings of local businesses accepts a rating submitted by an individual who is associated with a location near a physical presence of a rated business. Ratings are acquired by receiving from a rater a proposal to submit a rating of a business, identifying a location of the rater, verifying the location of the rater, defining a locality encompassing the location of the rater, determining that the business's local presence is contained in the locality, accepting the rating from the rater, and storing the rating to a database. Several techniques are disclosed for verifying the location of the rater.