International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

John K Langgood

Kevin Michael Reinberg

Thomas Francis Lewis

Kevin S D Vernon

Kevin S Vernon

Kevin Shayne Dwayne Vernon

Chester A Heath

Sumanta Kumar Bahali

Ronald E Valli

Howard J Locker

Daryl Carvis Cromer

James Peter Ward

James A O'Connor

Justin Potok Bandholz

Sumeet Kochar

Martin Joseph Crippen

Joseph Michael Pennisi

James Joseph Parsonese

Alfredo Aldereguia

James Edward Hughes

Jeffery Michael Franke

Joseph Edward Bolan

David John Jensen

Ernest Nelson Mandese

Wan Lin Leung

Jan Michael Janick

Joseph Eric Maxwell

Jerry Don Ackaret

Wilson Earl Smith

Bay Van Nguyen

Derek Robertson

John M Sheplock

Brian E Bigelow

Christopher Lee Durham

Kevin M Cash

Kimberly Kibbe Sendlein

John Joseph Szarek

David L Cowell

Gerald George Isaac

Edward Yee

Alan Fontaine

Carol Machuca

Thomas Lewis

A computing system includes a processor that has a processor cache built-in, and a non-volatile memory, such as a non-volatile dual-inline memory module (NVDIMM), which is being used as system memory within the computing system. The processor processes a transaction. If the computing system is connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) (and the UPS is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is committed without first flushing the processor cache to the non-volatile memory. If the computing system is not connected to a UPS (and is connected to a mains power source that is currently providing power), the transaction is not committed until the processor cache has been flushed to the non-volatile memory.

Committing transaction without first flushing processor cache to non-volatile memory when connected to UPS

A memory module stores a computing device type-specific parameter for each of a number of different types of computing devices. When the memory module is installed within a computing device, the computing device reads the computing device type-specific parameter for the particular type of computing device, and configures itself to use the memory module according to this parameter. As different types of memory modules become available, they are tested against different types of computing devices to determine the computing device type-specific parameter with which they should be programmed for each type of computing device.

Computing device-specific memory module

A system, method and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The system includes a communication device installed in a vehicle, wherein the communication device is configured to receive a wireless network broadcast message including target criteria other than a network identifier, and output the broadcast message to a user if the communication device satisfies the target criteria. The method includes determining a current location of a first mobile communication device, and the first device sending a message containing target criteria associated with a target vehicle over a wireless data network, wherein the target criteria does not include a network identifier. The method further includes broadcasting the message containing the target criteria over a geographically-specific area including the current location of the first mobile communication device, wherein only a second mobile communication device satisfying the target criteria will receive and display the message.

Sending and receiving messages using target criteria other than a network identifier

Collision avoidance among vehicles that each include a management module coupled to other management modules and a central database manager, includes: establishing, by management modules of a set of traveling vehicles having a location within a predefined area, a collision zone including a network of the management modules of the traveling vehicles; and sharing, within the collision zone, dynamic information describing the traveling vehicles; retrieving, from the central database manager, static information describing the traveling vehicles; detecting, by a management module of a first vehicle in the collision zone, a potential collision with a second vehicle in the collision zone in dependence upon the dynamic and static information; and controlling, by the management module of the first traveling vehicle, the first traveling vehicle to take evasive action in dependence upon the dynamic and static information describing the first and second traveling vehicle.

Collision avoidance among vehicles

A fan brake for a fan system. The fan system may include a fan assembly configured for seating into a cassette housing. The fan assembly may include a fan having a plurality of blades connected with a fan hub. The fan brake may be connected to the fan assembly, wherein the fan brake engages the fan hub when the fan housing is not fully seated within the cassette housing, and the fan brake disengages the fan hub when the fan assembly is fully seated into the cassette housing.

Fan brake

A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced availability personality card for a chassis computer system, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The personality card includes a first erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and a second EPROM, each EPROM storing Vital Product Data (VPD) and a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature. A primary bidirectional bus and a redundant bidirectional bus are respectively connected between the first EPROM and the first temperature sensor and the second EPROM and the second temperature sensor, and a pair of chassis management modules. Each chassis management module includes a switch connected to both the primary bidirectional bus and the redundant bidirectional bus providing redundant paths, enabling continued function with failure of any critical personality card component.

Implementing ultra high availability personality card

According to one embodiment, a selectively-expandable speakerphone system allows one or more portable computers to automatically, wirelessly interface with a speakerphone console via an audio access point. A scheduling module initiates the conference call at a scheduled time, whereupon the wireless network interface of each portable computer is automatically switched to an SSID uniquely associated with the audio access point, for connecting to the speakerphone console. The audio signals generated by the laptop microphones are mixed with any audio signal generated by an optional microphone on the speakerphone console, and the mixed audio signals are transmitted over the telephone line. Incoming audio signals are passed to the speakerphone console and wirelessly transmitted to the portable computers for substantially simultaneous playback on the respective loudspeakers.

Selectively-expandable speakerphone system and method

An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.

Multi-capacity power supply for electronic devices

Administering power supplies in a data center including, upon connection of a first power supply through a power line to a circuit breaker in the data center, querying, by a power supply communications device of the first power supply through the power line, a circuit breaker communications device of the circuit breaker for a circuit breaker identification; querying, by the power supply communications device of the first power supply, for a maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker; sending the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker to a management module; and determining, by the management module in dependence upon the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker, whether to power on a computing device powered by the first power supply including determining whether the circuit breaker is shared by another power supply.

Administering power supplies in a data center

An arrangement for controlling a system generated noise level such that the same is adapted to an actual ambient noise level of the system environment. Internal noise generators will thus not run at a needlessly lowered rate than actually needed. For instance, by permitting a fan to run at a generally higher speed, the system will not needlessly undergo significant internal temperature increases. By the same token, CPU performance, to the extent that it represents a noise generator, will not be needlessly throttled.

External ambient noise monitoring to adapt control of internal system noise sources

Managing power consumption in a data center including reporting, by a circuit breaker communications device of one of the circuit breakers to the management module, a current power load of the circuit breaker, the report transmitted from the circuit breaker communications device through a power supply communications device of a power supply currently providing power to a particular computing device and through an out-of-band communications link to the management module, upon receiving the report of the current power load, determining, by the management module, whether the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than a predetermined threshold; and if the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than the predetermined threshold, reducing, by the management module, power consumption through the circuit breaker of the particular computing device.

Managing power consumption in a data center based on monitoring circuit breakers

A computer motherboard detects the form factor type of the chassis in which it is installed to permit tailoring functionality accordingly.

Motherboard detection of computer chassis type

A portable computer has a base supporting a keyboard and a cover with a display screen, with the cover being foldable away from the base to an open configuration to view the entire screen and operate the keyboard. The cover can also be folded flush against the base to a closed configuration. A portion of the screen remains viewable in the closed configuration, either by virtue of a window formed in the base or by virtue of the portion of the cover extending past the base.

Foldable computer with partially visible display when closed

An apparatus for automatic cleaning of a portable computing device, comprises at least one display surface of a portable device, a housing in the portable computing device adjacent to the display surface, an enclosed cavity located in the housing, a cleaning device located in the enclosed cavity, a mechanism for moving the cleaning device during cleaning, and a controller to initiate the cleaning.

Automatic cleaning of useable surfaces of a portable computer device

Component module insertion and removal protection in computer systems. In one aspect, a connector assembly for a component module includes a connector that receives the component module and receives power from a power selection circuit, and a module attachment mechanism operative to secure the component module to the connector when a movable member is in an engaged position. In a disengaged position, the movable member allows the component module to be removed from the connector. When the movable member is moved from the engaged position, the state of a switch of the power selection circuit is changed, causing the power selection circuit to remove power from the connector and from at least a portion of a circuit board to which the connector is electrically coupled.

Apparatus and method for component module insertion and removal protection

Growing community of inventors

Cary, NC, United States of America

John K Langgood