Ralph E Sipple

US Patent:

6405327, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Aug 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/136447

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN
Bruce T. Kunz - Eagan MN
Lee B. Hansen - Forest Lake MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714 39

Abstract:

The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an automated, real time performance monitoring facility which runs periodically as a background process in a computer system. This invention preferably uses performance data collection sites already present in the hardware of the computer system, microcode and/or operating system software. At a user selectable period of time, a sampling of key performance factors is taken from the performance data collection sites. The performance monitor then analyzes the, sampled results by comparing the collected results against two or more performance threshold levels (such as early warning or actual performance limiters) for each performance criteria. If either an actual or early warning performance limiter is detected, an easy-to-understand color coded informational message is provided to a computer operator identifying subsystems that are performance inhibitors along with suggestions of specific upgrade solutions that will address the identified performance problems.

US Patent:

6662307, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/076587

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN
Michael J. Hill - Vadnais Heights MN
Dennis R. Konrad - Welch MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation

International Classification:

G06F 1134

US Classification:

714 2, 714 6

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of efficiently recovering from physical disk drive (or logical file) failures in transaction based digital data processing systems. As transactions are sequentially processed, compacted audit trail records are prepared to indicate modifications resulting from each transaction. The audit trail records are stored in storage areas on a disk drive in accordance with the physical data base disk drive(s) or logical file(s) to which the corresponding transaction refers. A physical disk drive or logical file is dumped to magnetic tape whenever the associated audit trail storage area is full, thus clearing the audit trail storage area for further use. When a physical disk drive or logical file fails, the most recent dump is read. Modifications to each file of the dump are made as compacted audit trail data is processed. The modified files are destaged to a spare disk drive.

US Patent:

6810464, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Aug 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/925384

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN
Wayne D. Ward - New Brighton MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711122, 711119, 711152, 707 8, 710200

Abstract:

Multi-processor computer systems with multiple levels of cache memories are given an alternate pathway for handling highly contended-for locks. These are called communal locks. The alternate pathway allows for alternate processing schemas that do not impede the performance of the overall system as is otherwise the case in such computer systems where contended-for locks bounce back and forth between contending caches, crimping storage bus bandwidth and system performance. The alternative pathway is not used for ordinary (non communal software lock) data and instruction transfers.

US Patent:

6922744, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Aug 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/925592

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN, US
Wayne D. Ward - New Brighton MN, US

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F012/14

US Classification:

710200, 711152

Abstract:

In order to implement alternative pathways and procedures for handling a separate set of software locks, an arrangement of circuits is described. These circuits allow for generating and handling specific requests for communal software locks without additional software development through pathways and procedures separate from ordinary lock handling operations. A side door communications pathway is set up to handle the communal locks separately from the ordinary data transfer pathways through which ordinary software locks get handled. Supporting and controller circuits handle the locking and unlocking process as well as communicating results of lock requests back to requesters.

US Patent:

6986003, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Aug 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/927069

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN, US
Wayne D. Ward - New Brighton MN, US

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 12/08
G06F 12/14

US Classification:

711145, 711122, 711150, 711152, 711163

Abstract:

Multi-processor computer systems with multiple levels of cache memories are slowed down in trying to process software locks for common functions. This invention obviates the problem for the vast majority of transactions by providing an alternate procedure for handling so-called communal locks differently from ordinary software locks. The alternative procedure is not used for ordinary (non communal software lock) data and instruction transfers. The function of the CSWL (Communal SoftWare Lock) is actually accomplished at a specific cache to which an individual CSWL is mapped to, rather than sending the lock to the requesting process, which also enhances efficiency.

US Patent:

7784079, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

May 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/304406

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN, US
James R. McBreen - Shoreview MN, US
Michael F. Stanton - Lino Lakes MN, US

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725 93, 725 91, 725 92, 725115, 725116

Abstract:

A method of and apparatus for efficiently providing video on demand services to a cable television subscriber. The provider system consists of two major subsystems. The first subsystem, called a video server, streams video to video on demand subscribers through the cable television network. The second subsystem, called the transaction server, performs virtually all remaining provider functions including, security, accounting, storage and spooling of video data, etc. The transaction server preferably uses a large scale mainframe computer. The video server subsystem may be a partitioned portion of same large scale mainframe computer.

US Patent:

8245260, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

May 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/304906

Inventors:

Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN, US
James R. McBreen - Shoreview MN, US
Michael F. Stanton - Lino Lakes MN, US

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/73

US Classification:

725 93, 725 91

Abstract:

A method of and apparatus for efficiently providing video on demand services to a cable television subscriber. The provider system consists of two major subsystems. The first subsystem, called a video server, streams video to video on demand subscribers through the cable television network. The second subsystem, called the transaction server, performs virtually all remaining provider functions including, security, accounting, storage and spooling of video data, etc. The video server is preferably uses a Unisys CMP memory platform into which the transaction server spools requested video programs. One or more industry standard processors operating under a standard operating system stream the video data from the memory platform to the subscriber.

US Patent:

57459150, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

May 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/856026

Inventors:

Thomas P. Cooper - New Brighton MN
James A. Elke - Thornton CO
John R. Jordan - St. Paul MN
Lester Y. Lee - Arden Hills MN
James R. Mettling - Forest Lake MN
Ralph E. Sipple - Shoreview MN
Ronald Q. Smith - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Unisys Corporation - Blue Bell PA

International Classification:

G06F 1200

US Classification:

711114

Abstract:

A system for parallel reading and processing of a file. The system includes multiple disks for storing the file. The disks are coupled to a data processing system via multiple input-output channels. A file buffer is established in the memory of the data processing system, wherein the file buffer is shared by an instruction processor that initiates a parallel read request and manipulates the file data once it is read, and multiple input-output processors that are coupled to the input-output channels. Multiple input requests are issued to the multiple disks to be processed in parallel. The input-output processors write file data to a first portion of the file buffer in parallel with the reading of a second portion of the file buffer by the instruction processor. Control structures provide a means for control over the input processing demands that the parallel read request is allowed to place on the system.