William H Rich

US Patent:

20080086683, Apr 10, 2008

Filed:

Oct 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/906618

Inventors:

William Rich - Harrisburg NC, US
Stephen Rickus - Mooresville NC, US
Subramaniam Narayanasamy - Charlotte NC, US
James Resio - Blacksburg VA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715239

Abstract:

A reporting engine for searching data in relational databases enables data retrieval through simple user input objects while respecting the business logic and security logic of the relational database. The reporting engine includes a template that expands user-input objects to search an exposed object network that is located in an application layer of the relational database. The reporting engine also displays the search results in output report format.

US Patent:

53136292, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Oct 23, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/425607

Inventors:

Robert L. Abraham - Marietta GA
Richard E. Moore - Marietta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Buford GA
John R. Tiller - Peachtree GA
Cynthia A. Ross - Boynton Beach FL
Richard S. Briggs - Bloomingdale IL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1540

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A Unit of Work object class for an object oriented database management system provides concurrent processing through Unit of Work levels and instances while maintaining the integrity of the data in the database. Each new Unit of Work assigned to a task is an instance of the Unit of Work object class. A Unit of Work manager controls each step such that manipulation of the data occurs to the copies at that particular level for that particular instance. Only after all levels have been completed satisfactorily will a "Commit" occur to the data in the database. If completion is not satisfactory, Rollback of the levels occur, thus preserving data integrity. The Unit of Work manager can also switch control between Unit of Work instances, thus permitting simultaneous performance of tasks.

US Patent:

54887216, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

May 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/444654

Inventors:

William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Beauford GA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

Boundary control of units of work in an object oriented computing environment is provided by a visitor locking system and method and a persistent object locking system and method. The object management table includes a visitor lock flag and a persistent lock flag for each unit of work. The object manager prevents copying of an object from a first unit of work to a second unit of work in response to the visitor lock flag associated with the first unit of work being in a first state, and allows copying of the object from the first unit of work to the second unit of work in response to the visitor lock flag being in a second state. The object manager also locks an object from a first unit of work in response to the persistent lock flag associated therewith being in a first state, and unlocks the object from the first unit of work in response to the persistent lock flag being in a second state. Copying and locking may apply to persistent objects only. Locking may prevent addition of objects to, and deletion of objects from, the unit of work.

US Patent:

58965319, Apr 20, 1999

Filed:

Feb 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/023994

Inventors:

Donald E. Curtis - Kennesaw GA
W. Pettus Gewin - Marietta GA
Thomas F. Mitchell - Alpharetta GA
Michael P. Priven - Marietta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Kathleen K. Tubbs - Marietta GA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

395674

Abstract:

A method and system of increasing efficiency within a data processing system having multiple applications executing within the data processing system. Each of the applications requires a specific environment. A collection of parameters which specify an environment is stored within the data processing system in response to an initialization of the environment for utilization by a first application. Next, the minimal requirements of an second application requesting an environment are determined in response to an attempted initialization of the second application. An existing environment is then utilized if the collection of parameters specifying the environment meets the minimal requirements of the second application, wherein data processing efficiency is increased.

US Patent:

54107024, Apr 25, 1995

Filed:

Jan 22, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/010441

Inventors:

Robert L. Abraham - Marietta GA
Richard E. Moore - Marietta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Buford GA
John R. Tiller - Peachtree City GA
Richard S. Briggs - Bloomingdale IL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1540

US Classification:

395700

Abstract:

Data may be manipulated directly in an object oriented programming system by providing a slot object which contains data within its frame. In contrast with conventional objects, the frames of which only contain attributes of the associated instances, the slot object contains actual data therein. Since this data is not contained in a separate object, a unique object identified need not be provided, thus simplifying object management. Unique messages also need not be provided so that message overhead is simplified. Memory fragmentation is also reduced because simple and tightly bound data may be encapsulated within a larger slot object. The data area in the slot object may be of fixed or variable size.

US Patent:

52476693, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Jan 6, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/001210

Inventors:

Robert L. Abraham - Marietta GA
Richard E. Moore - Marietta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Buford GA
John R. Tiller - Peachtree City GA
Richard S. Briggs - Bloomingdale IL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A persistent data interface for an object oriented programming system provides a persistent class object. Any object which must survive a run time session is arranged to inherit from the persistent class object. Any object which inherits from the persistent class automatically becomes a persistent object. The persistent class includes a "materialize" method for automatically retrieving a persistent object from nonvolatile memory and placing it in volatile memory if the persistent object cannot be located in volatile memory. A "dematerialize" method is also included for removing an object from volatile memory and storing it in nonvolatile memory. Data integrity of the system is thereby preserved.

US Patent:

54370256, Jul 25, 1995

Filed:

Jan 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/009297

Inventors:

Richard C. Bale - Alpharetta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Beauford GA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1202

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A system and method for run time configuration of objects within an object oriented computing environment permits class substitution, instance redirection and class redirection at run time. Class redirection permits class message calls to be redirected from a first class to a second class at run time. In class redirection, the second class uses all new instances of the first class. Instance redirection enables both class messages and instance messages to be redirected from the first class to the second class of run time. In instance redirection, the second class uses all new and existing instances of the first class. Class substitution enables both class messages and instance messages to be redirected and also enables insertion of a new class into the class hierarchy at run time. In class substitution, the second class uses all new instances and existing instances of the first class and all new instances and existing instances of the descendants of the first class. Class substitution, instance redirection, and class redirection can be used individually or in combination.

US Patent:

52915930, Mar 1, 1994

Filed:

Oct 24, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/602575

Inventors:

Robert L. Abraham - Marietta GA
Cynthia A. Ross - Boynton Beach FL
Richard E. Moore - Marietta GA
William L. Rich - Stone Mountain GA
Floyd W. Shackelford - Buford GA
John R. Tiller - Peachtree City GA
Richard S. Briggs - Bloomingdale IL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corp. - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1540
G06F 710

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A data structure and method for uniquely identifying, and optimizing access to, object instances in an object oriented programming environment on a data processor containing a memory. Objects are categorized into one or more classes which define the method of the categorized objects, and messages are sent by the data processor to objects to perform actions. The data structure consists of a persistent portion containing a unique object identifier and a non-persistent portion containing the access address of an instance data frame in memory. The access address is set to the address of the instance data frame control block when the message is sent in order to optimize subsequent messages to the same object instance. The instance data frame control blocks are not allocated in memory until a first message is sent to an instance.