| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080263310 | PARALLEL INSTALLATION OF LOGICAL PARTITIONS - An apparatus and method provide parallel installation of logical partitions on a computer system. The function of a hardware maintenance console is built into a logical partition configuration mechanism that resides in the system firmware. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is used by the logical partition configuration mechanism to define an I/O bridge that allows installing multiple logical partitions in parallel. Because multiple logical partitions may be installed in parallel, the time required to install logical partitions is greatly reduced. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263311 | PARALLEL INSTALLATION OF LOGICAL PARTITIONS - An apparatus and method provide parallel installation of logical partitions on a computer system. The function of a hardware maintenance console is built into a logical partition configuration mechanism that resides in the system firmware. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is used by the logical partition configuration mechanism to define an I/O bridge that allows installing multiple logical partitions in parallel. Because multiple logical partitions may be installed in parallel, the time required to install logical partitions is greatly reduced. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263312 | PARALLEL INSTALLATION OF LOGICAL PARTITIONS - An apparatus and method provide parallel installation of logical partitions on a computer system. The function of a hardware maintenance console is built into a logical partition configuration mechanism that resides in the system firmware. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is used by the logical partition configuration mechanism to define an I/O bridge that allows installing multiple logical partitions in parallel. Because multiple logical partitions may be installed in parallel, the time required to install logical partitions is greatly reduced. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080266057 | UTILIZING AN RFID TAG IN MANUFACTURING FOR ENHANCED LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT - Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments 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. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is 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 other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080266058 | UTILIZING AN RFID TAG IN MANUFACTURING FOR ENHANCED LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT - Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments 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. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is 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 other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080275583 | Method for Manufacturing With Engineering Change Override - The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for processing orders. A request for delivery by a requested delivery date is received for an order having an original delivery date. The ordered product is broken down into one or more materials required for manufacturing the ordered product. For at least one material required for manufacturing the ordered product, a date when an engineering change becomes effective for the material is specified. An alternate bill of materials is created based on the specified date when the engineering change becomes effective for the material. An alternate manufacturing plan based on the alternate bill of materials is created. Manufacturing is initiated based on the alternate manufacturing plan. If manufacturing can be completed in time for delivery by the requested delivery date, the original delivery date of the order is replaced with the requested delivery date. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080284603 | Sending service data to an RFID tag while an attached computer system is powered off - An apparatus, system, and storage 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. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090049295 | Determining a boot image based on a requesting client address - A method, computer-readable storage medium, and boot server 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 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 boot image initializes the client when executed at the client. The name of the boot image is changed to a second name and sent to the client in response to another command. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090184803 | UTILIZING AN RFID TAG IN MANUFACTURING FOR ENHANCED LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT - Data associated with supply chain events for a manufactured assembly is automatically stored. In preferred embodiments 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. In other embodiments, the supply chain events or characteristic data is 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 other embodiments, as the product undergoes rework, conversion to a different assembly, or personalizations, the new state of the assembly is stored in the RFID tag. In other preferred embodiments, other information is also stored on the RFID tag such as country of origin, failure data, cycle times and a quality status indicator. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20100004962 | PROVIDING REAL-TIME TEST AHEAD WORK DIRECTION FOR MANUFACTURING OPTIMIZATION - A system for generating a work unit test ahead candidate list. A list is generated of all potential candidate systems for test ahead operations. A system in the potential candidate list is selected. It is determined whether any work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts. Determining that no work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts, a complexity score is calculated for each work unit in the selected system. The calculated complexity scores are added to a total system complexity score. It is then determined whether an override exists for a work unit in the selected system. Determining that an override does exist, the selected system is removed from the potential candidate list. A candidate list is generated from remaining systems in the potential candidate list. Then, the candidate list is outputted to provide recommendations for optimizing work unit test ahead operations. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100042516 | Part Number Set Substitution - An improved manufacturing system for controlling the interchangeability of sets of parts during product installation. In response to receiving a request for an order, a parts list is created for the order. The illustrative embodiments determine whether each part in the parts list is present in current inventory stock. If any of a first group of parts in the parts list is not present in current inventory stock, the illustrative embodiments allow for determining that a second group of parts in the current inventory stock is a valid substitution group for replacing the first group of parts, wherein the number of parts in the first group of parts is not equal to the number of parts in the second group of parts. The illustrative embodiments then update the order by replacing the first group of parts in the parts list with the identified second group of parts. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100057594 | AUTOMATIC LOANER PART REPLACEMENT TO PREVENT SYSTEM CALLBACK - A system for automatically replacing loaner parts within a loaner system to prevent loaner system callback. In response to selecting a loaner system within loaner inventory data, it is determined whether the selected loaner system is required to be returned based on a target return date for the selected loaner system. In response to determining that the selected loaner system is not required to be returned, a notification is automatically generated and sent to a customer to return expiring loaner parts within the selected loaner system based on loaner part rules. A part replacement order is automatically generated for replacement loaner parts for each of the expiring loaner parts. Then, the replacement loaner parts are automatically shipped to the customer to replace the expiring loaner parts to prevent callback of the selected loaner system. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100251029 | IMPLEMENTING SELF-OPTIMIZING IPL DIAGNOSTIC MODE - A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing self-optimizing initial program load (IPL) diagnostics. A control flag is set to identify a self-optimizing IPL diagnostics mode. The self-optimizing IPL diagnostics mode includes collecting a list of new parts and collecting a list of identified failed parts. Hardware is identified and initialized for running diagnostics on the collected list of flagged parts. Diagnostics are run only on the initialized flagged hardware. | 09-30-2010 |