Steven C Erickson

US Patent:

7370806, May 13, 2008

Filed:

Sep 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/532971

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Jeffrey George Komatsu - Kasson MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06K 19/00
G06K 19/06
H04Q 5/22
G08B 13/14

US Classification:

235487, 235492, 235385, 340 101, 3405721

Abstract:

A label on an electronic product may be written electronically and maintains the last display state when power is removed from the label. There are many different types of digital paper and electronic paper known in the art that would be suitable for use as such labels. The label includes multiple defined regions that may be independently written, with one of the regions defined to display failure information for the electronic product. In one implementation, the failure information is available on the electronic product itself. In another implementation, the failure information includes information received from a source external to the electronic product. The display of failure information on the label may be in human-readable and/or machine-readable form. The result is a label on an electronic product that provides reliable information regarding a failure of the electronic product.

US Patent:

7380726, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Dec 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/953026

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Jeffrey George Komatsu - Kasson MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06K 19/00
G06K 19/06
H04Q 5/22
G08B 13/14
G06F 19/00
G06Q 30/00
G06Q 90/00

US Classification:

235487, 235492, 235385, 340 101, 3405721

Abstract:

A label on an electronic product may be written electronically and maintains the last display state when power is removed from the label. There are many different types of digital paper and electronic paper known in the art that would be suitable for use as such labels. The label includes multiple defined regions that may be independently written, with one of the regions defined to display failure information for the electronic product. In one implementation, the failure information is available on the electronic product itself. In another implementation, the failure information includes information received from a source external to the electronic product. The display of failure information on the label may be in human-readable and/or machine-readable form. The result is a label on an electronic product that provides reliable information regarding a failure of the electronic product.

US Patent:

7450008, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/272592

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Jeffrey George Komatsu - Kasson MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G08B 13/14

US Classification:

3405721, 3405722

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system. In this way, in an embodiment, service data associated with a computer system, such as vital product service data and log information may be accessed and updated even while the computer system is powered off.

US Patent:

7467295, Dec 16, 2008

Filed:

Oct 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/246832

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
David Joseph Gimpl - Rochester MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 9/00
G06F 9/24
G06F 15/177

US Classification:

713 2, 713 1, 713100

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive a command that requests a name of a boot image and a network address of a boot server that contains the boot image, invoke a plug-in to determine the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server based on an address of a client that sent the command, and send the name of the boot image and the network address of the boot server to a client that sent the command. In various embodiments, the address of the client may be a network address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address. The client retrieves the boot image via the name and the network address of the boot server, and the boot image initializes the client when executed at the client. In various embodiments, the name of the boot image or the network address of the boot server are changed to second names or addresses and sent to the client in response to another command.

US Patent:

7493181, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Feb 23, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/360348

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Jeffrey George Komatsu - Kasson MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700 95, 700115, 3405721

Abstract:

A method and apparatus dynamically store data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly to enhance lifecycle management of the assembly. The supply chain events for the manufactured assembly are stored on an RFID tag attached to the assembly as it travels through the supply chain to insure the data concerning the assembly is readily available and not separated from the assembly. The supply chain events or characteristic data may be stored on the RFID tag in a hierarchical structure beginning with the original state of the assembly and with additional entries for each step in the assembly process. In addition, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalization, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. Other information that may be stored on the RFID tag includes country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status parameter.

US Patent:

7680554, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Dec 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/612981

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Robert Noble Strong - San Jose CA, US
Matthew H. Zemke - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G06F 9/45

US Classification:

700115, 700 90, 700 95, 700117

Abstract:

A method for associating objects in a manufacturing process. In response to an occurrence of an event for an object, a time is recorded of the event for the object. Entries for parts and assemblies associated with the object are located within a database. An entry of the event for the object is created within the database. The entry includes the event for the object, the time of the event for the object, and the entries for the parts and the assemblies associated with the object.

US Patent:

7818561, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Oct 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/977848

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Jeffrey George Komatsu - Kasson MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1/24
G06F 9/00
G08B 13/14

US Classification:

713100, 3405721

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, receive service data at a computer system from an RFID tag, where the service data was sent to the RFID tag from an RF transmitter while the computer system was powered off. The RFID tag includes tag memory and an antenna, and the RFID tag is attached to the computer system. In another embodiment, the computer system sends the service data to the RFID tag, and the service data is received by an RF scanner from the RFID tag via the antenna while the computer system is powered off. In various embodiments, the service data identifies the computer system or a product within the computer system. In another embodiment, the service data includes log information associated with the computer system. In this way, in an embodiment, service data associated with a computer system, such as vital product service data and log information may be accessed and updated even while the computer system is powered off.

US Patent:

7840441, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/425833

Inventors:

Steven C. Erickson - Rochester MN, US
Ivory Wellman Knipfer - Rochester MN, US
Fraser Allan Syme - Rochester MN, US
William Robert Taylor - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06Q 30/00
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

705 26, 705 27, 705 28, 700 95, 700115

Abstract:

A method for managing customer order alterations in a manufacturing environment is provided. A new order that comprises a new product configuration is received. The new product configuration is a modified version of an original product configuration in an existing order. A first score for a first option for building the new product configuration from scratch is determined. A second score for a second option for modifying the existing product configuration to satisfy the new product configuration is determined. A best option is determined by comparing the first and second scores and selecting an option with a lower score. The best option is presented to a user. In another exemplary embodiment additional scores for additional options for building the new product configuration from other products in existing inventory are determined. The best option is then determined by comparing all scores and selecting an option with a lower score.