Lawrence J Dickson

US Patent:

6557123, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Aug 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/366222

Inventors:

Kris Land - Poway CA
Lawrence J. Dickson - Boulevard CA

Assignee:

Inostor Corporation - Poway CA

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

714701, 711114

Abstract:

A data storage apparatus has a plurality of n disks and data comprising a plurality of data groupings stored respectively across the plurality of n disks. Each one of the n data groupings comprises a data portion and a data redundancy portion. Advantageously, the n data portions are recoverable from any and all combinations of n-m data grouping(s) on n-m disk(s) when the other m data grouping(s) are unavailable, where 1mn. The disk storage apparatus may be configured for a parameter m which is selectable.

US Patent:

7093182, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Feb 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/371628

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - Boulevard CA, US

Assignee:

Inostor Corporation - Poway CA

International Classification:

G11C 29/00

US Classification:

714770, 714746, 714 6, 711114, 719325

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for providing data recovery in a one or multiple disk loss situation in a RAID5 like system. A data storage apparatus has a plurality of n disks storing data comprising a plurality of n data groupings stored across the plurality of n disks. Each one of the n data groupings comprises a data portion and a redundancy portion. The size of the data portion relative to the redundancy portion is as H to Q, where H/Q

US Patent:

7219289, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Mar 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/080093

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - National City CA, US

Assignee:

Tandberg Data Corporation - DE

International Classification:

G06F 11/10
H03M 13/13

US Classification:

714752, 714759, 714770

Abstract:

An improved and extended Reed-Solomon-like method for providing a redundancy of m≧3 is disclosed. A general expression of the codes is described, as well as a systematic criterion for proving correctness and finding decoding algorithms for values of m≧3. Examples of codes are given for m=3, 4, 5, based on primitive elements of a finite field of dimension N where N is 8, 16 or 32. A Horner's method and accumulator apparatus are described for XOR-efficient evaluation of polynomials with variable vector coefficients and constant sparse square matrix abscissa. A power balancing technique is described to further improve the XOR efficiency of the algorithms. XOR-efficient decoding methods are also described. A tower coordinate technique to efficiently carry out finite field multiplication or inversion for large dimension N forms a basis for one decoding method. Another decoding method uses a stored one-dimensional table of powers of α and Schur expressions to efficiently calculate the inverse of the square submatrices of the encoding matrix.

US Patent:

7334156, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Feb 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/779378

Inventors:

Kris Land - Poway CA, US
Lawrence John Dickson - National City CA, US

Assignee:

Tandberg Data Corp. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714 7, 714 6

Abstract:

A general RAID conversion method is described for converting between different RAID configurations. The method includes reading a unit of user data from the source devices according to the source RAID algorithm, writing the user data together with redundant data (if any) to the target devices according to the target RAID algorithm, and from time to time releasing portions of the source devices containing data that has been converted. The conversion may be used to expand or contract the array, to increase or decrease usable capacity, and to increase or decrease the device-loss insurance level. Conversion may be performed on line (dynamically) or off line. The flexibility of the method allows the implementation of manual and/or rule-based RAID reconfiguration that automatically adjusts system parameters based on user request and/or a set of rules and conditions respectively. It may also be used to perform self-healing after one or more devices in the array have failed.

US Patent:

7389507, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

Feb 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/361446

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - La Jolla CA, US

Assignee:

Tandberg Data Corporation - Boulder CO

International Classification:

G06F 9/46
G06F 12/00

US Classification:

718102, 711114, 719325

Abstract:

An operating-system-independent modular programming method is disclosed, which includes providing one or more tasks, one or more task queues, and zero or more condition queues. Each task is a program that is run in sequence. Each task queue includes a task queue program and a queue containing zero or more tasks. Each condition queue includes a condition queue program and a queue containing zero or more tasks and associated conditions. Each task includes task ending code that refers to zero, one, or more than one successor task, and the task queue program or the condition queue program handles each such successor task by either running it or placing it in a task queue or a condition queue. The programming method further includes providing a fan and an end fan construct to enable a parent task to generate a plurality of child sequences. These program constructs may be used to form pseudothreads, each pseudothread being a single sequence of control, with interruptions allowed but no concurrency of execution, implemented in an operating system independent way. Also disclosed is an application of this programming method to accomplish robust just-in-time response to multiple asynchronous data streams in a RAID control program.

US Patent:

7512718, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

Apr 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/111147

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - National City CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

710 2, 710 15, 710 18

Abstract:

A computing device having a unique form factor and adapted for connecting to an external device is described. The computing device includes external connector(s), computing node(s), a power unit, and a flexible enclosure structure encasing them. The enclosure structure is made of flexible materials so that the computing device forms a physically integrated unit free of a rigid frame and can be mechanically supported by its external connectors without a chassis. At least one computing node has a computing state machine and programs that controls the behavior of the computing nodes at least during a connection event and a disconnection event. The computing device can be hot-swapped and function properly between these events. Also described is a reconfigurable computing system that includes one or more computing devices described above and one or more host computers, as well as programming techniques for accomplishing hot swapping of the computing devices.

US Patent:

7822882, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Feb 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/371621

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - La Jolla CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06F 13/00

US Classification:

710 8, 710 13, 710 14, 710302, 710304

Abstract:

A computing device having a unique form factor and adapted for connecting to an external device is described. The computing device includes external connector(s), computing node(s), a power unit, and a flexible enclosure structure encasing them. The enclosure structure is made of flexible materials so that the computing device forms a physically integrated unit free of a rigid frame and can be mechanically supported by its external connectors without a chassis. At least one computing node has a computing state machine and programs that controls the behavior of the computing nodes at least during a connection event and a disconnection event. The computing device can be hot-swapped and function properly between these events. Also described is a reconfigurable computing system that includes one or more computing devices described above and one or more host computers, as well as programming techniques for accomplishing hot swapping of the computing devices.

US Patent:

8627130, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Oct 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/900771

Inventors:

Lawrence John Dickson - National City CA, US

Assignee:

Bridgette, Inc. - El Cajon CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/00
G06F 1/32
G06F 13/00

US Classification:

713324, 713320, 711122, 711130, 711142, 711161

Abstract:

A power saving archive system includes a front storage system accessible by clients and one or more back storage systems connected to the front storage system. A client file received by the front storage system is written to one of the back storage systems, while the front storage system stores a reference to the file and deletes the file from the front storage system after a certain time period. Each back storage system enters an inactive state (e. g. a powered off state) after a period of unuse, and can become active again in response to a wakeup command (e. g. a Wake-on-LAN signal) from the front storage system. Upon receiving a file read request from a client, the front storage system wakes up the appropriate back storage system, restores the file from the back storage system, and provides the file to the client.