Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mark S. Walker
  • Patent number: 7627858
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for preparing a plurality of stream oriented locale files for verification is provided. In an embodiment there is a method comprising obtaining at least one of the plurality of stream oriented locale files as input, determining more than one of a plurality of stream oriented locale files, merging the plurality of stream oriented locale files into a stream oriented locale file, otherwise; locating a respective portion of the stream oriented locale file, creating an output portion from the respective portion by selectively invoking a process based on the respective portion, storing the output portion in a memory and formatting the output portion, stored in the memory, into a formatted string. The formatted string may then be viewed by a user verifier or programmatically verified using reference strings. This form of verification is performed using typical system utilities and scripting services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Alan Rose, Baldev Singh Soor
  • Patent number: 7496838
    Abstract: The invention provides for the separation of formatting and content data in a first markup file (e.g., an HTML file) so that a second markup language file (e.g., an XML file) containing the content data and formatting or presentation data file (e.g., an XSL file) can be created. Content data in the first file that is to be converted is tagged. The tagged data may be included in an HTML file. The invention processes the tagged data so that content data is identified and used to generate a file in the second format (e.g., an XML file). The presentation or formatting data is also identified and used to generate the presentation data file (e.g., an XSL file). The invention can be employed to convert the existing data files (e.g., HTML files) into files which are separated into content data files (e.g., XML files) and presentation data files (e.g., XSL files).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Salter, Christina P. Lau
  • Patent number: 7289624
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing use of experts by callers waiting within a hold queue are provided. First, a call on hold in a hold queue is transferred to an expert system responsive to a request by the caller to speak with an expert. Then, responsive to detecting an answer by a party at the expert system, an authentication of the identity of the answering party is required. If the authenticated identity of the answering party matches an expected expert identity, then the call is connected to the expert, such that the expert is required to authenticate an identity before providing service to a call from the hold queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7257199
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for telephony based remote location monitoring are provided. A telephone network receives the caller request to listen only to a remote location telephony device. The telephone network allocates a listen only channel between the caller telephony device and the remote location telephony device. The telephone network activates a microphone at the remote location telephony device via the listen only channel. Then, audio detected at the microphone is streamed via the listen only channel to the caller telephony device, such that the telephone network enables a caller to monitor a remote location through the remote location telephony device with minimized allocation of telephone network resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Pierre Carlson, Herman Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7245716
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for allowing callers to adjust in position within a hold queue are provided. An advancement token earned by a caller while waiting in a hold queue is detected. The advancement token is stored for redemption in a future call by the caller according to an authenticated identifier for the caller, wherein future redemption of the advancement token will cause adjustment of a waiting position. In particular, a caller in the call hold queue may earn advancement tokens by answering questions posed by other callers in the call hold queue, where the questions are answered in a manner such that the other callers do not need additional aid from a representative. In addition, a caller may redeem advancement tokens earned in a previous hold queue while waiting in current hold queue, where the redeemable advancement tokens are accessible across multiple call centers according to the caller identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7215759
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for estimating hold queue wait times are provided. Call times are individually estimated for multiple calls within a call center. In particular, call times may be estimated according to representative profiles, caller profiles, and current caller activity of the multiple calls within the call center. The identity of each caller may be authenticated and a caller profile accessed from a central server according to authenticated caller identities. The central server may be accessible to multiple call centers, where each call centers accesses and updates caller profiles according to a single caller identifier for each caller. In addition, call times estimates and factors utilized to calculate call time estimates may be output to a caller, preferably according to an output interface specified by the caller in the caller profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7200215
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for time based regulation of access to callees are provided. An authenticated identity of a caller placing a call is preferably detected. Then, a communication link from the caller to a callee is only attempted if the authenticated identity of the caller is allowed access to the callee according to a schedule associated with an identity of the callee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7155412
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing a caller for use of an origin device are provided. Usage, of at least one measurable element of a telephony device by an identified individual, is tracked, where the identified individual is distinct from an owner of the origin telephony device. A tariff for the tracked usage is transferred to an intermediary device. The intermediary device charges the tariff according to a billing plan for the identified individual, such that the owner is compensated for use of at least one measurable element of the owner's telephony device. Measurable elements may include the time the telephony device is in the identified individual's possession, the battery usage, and usage of the address book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7149296
    Abstract: A method, system, and program providing identification usage fraud protection are provided. A context for a use of an identification via a communication line is detected at a fraud protection service. The context for use of the identification is analyzed in view of multiple previous uses of the identification. A level of suspicion of fraudulent use of the identification is specified according to the analysis of the context. Depending on the level of suspicion, further use of the identification may require additional authentication or may be barred. The identification may include a user name, an account number, a password, or other identifier that may be utilized to represent an individual in accessing products and services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7139390
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for promoting use of experts to callers waiting within a hold queue are provided. First, use of experts by callers waiting in a hold queue is promoted by offering callers an incentive to speak to an expert while waiting to speak with an official representative. The caller continues to progress in the hold queue while speaking with an expert. In addition, the caller may receive an additional adjustment in the hold queue, a financial incentive, and a rewards points incentive, for interacting with an expert while holding. Second, use of experts by callers waiting in a hold queue is promoted by authenticating the identity of third party experts, in order to verify that an expert has the skills needed to help a caller and to provide the caller with the identity of the expert for accountability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7130411
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for publishing hold queue characteristics are provided. Characteristics of an on hold system are monitored. Then, responsive to a selection by a caller of a format and interface for publishing the characteristics, the characteristics are transferred to the selected interface in the selected format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, David R. Cheng, Wing-Ying Stephanie Leung, Folu Okunseinde, Michael A. Paolini, Seema Sheth-Voss, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7103172
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing caller profiles across multiple hold queues according to authenticated caller identifiers are provided. An identity of a caller of a call received at an on hold system is authenticated. The call is then placed in a hold queue. A caller profile associated with the identity of the caller is retrieved, such that services available to the caller while on hold are specified according to the caller profile. In particular, the caller profile is preferably retrieved from at least one caller profile server according to the caller identifier, where the at least one caller profile server is accessible to multiple on hold systems. Further, the identity of a caller may be authenticated by authenticating a voice sample received from the caller, such that a single identity for the caller may be authenticated at multiple call centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7099652
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and program for originating a billed transaction at an origin telephony device are provided. A request to originate a billed transaction is received from an origin device. The identity of a callee answering a call originated by the origin device is authenticated. Responsive to receiving an acceptance of the call by the callee, an account accessed by the authenticated identity of said callee is billed to complete said billed transaction, such that the origin device is enabled to initiate the billed transaction charged to the callee. In particular, a service associated with the billed transaction may only available for a particular callee or selection of callees. In addition, the callee may elect which account to charge for the billed transaction. Further, the identity of the caller originating the call at the origin device is forwarded to the callee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7095835
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for time based regulation of use of a telephone line are provided. An identity of a first caller requesting use of a telephone line is detected. Use of the telephone line by the caller is allowed only if a schedule for the telephone line indicates that the identity is currently allowed for the telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7095842
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for allowing callers to adjust in position within a call hold queue are provided. An advancement token earned by a caller is detected at a calling queue. The position of the caller within the calling queue is adjusted, in response to redemption of the advancement token, such that the caller is allowed control over the position within the calling queue by earning advancement tokens. In particular, a caller may earn advancement tokens by participation in competitions or surveys or by redemption of membership points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, David R. Cheng, Wing-Ying Stephanie Leung, Folu Okunseinde, Michael A. Paolini, Seema Sheth-Voss, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7092508
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for rating parties according to party identities are provided. A second party to a call may rate the first party to the call. For subsequent calls by the first party, the rating by the second party of the first party may be displayed to subsequent called parties. In addition, the ratings by subsequent called parties may be accumulated for the first party. Ratings may be stored according to the identity of the individual representing the first party, according to the identity of the business representing the first party, or according to the context of a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7085939
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling power consumption of a bus-controlled component such that the power requirements of the bus-controlled component are met without drawing excessive power from the computer bus. The apparatus of the present invention includes two embodiment of a bus power handling device that enables power to be obtained directly from a power supply and from a bus slot. In a first embodiment, the bus power handling device fits between the bus slot and the bus-controlled component and enable the component to obtain power directly from a power supply and from the bus slot. In a second embodiment, the bus power handling device is located on the bus-controlled component and allows connection to the power supply and the bus slot. The method of the present invention includes a technique to draw additional power required for the bus-controlled component directly from a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael G. Cabezas, Daniel J. Knabenbauer
  • Patent number: 7076051
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for promoting caller voice browsing while a caller is waiting in a hold queue are provided. At least one web page is selected for voice browsing by a particular caller waiting in a hold queue. The particular caller may be offered an incentive to voice browse the at least one web page, such that an on hold system housing the hold queue may promote voice browsing of specific web pages. Incentives may be in the form of points that are redeemable by the caller, for example, for adjustments in position within the call queue. In addition, the identity of the caller is preferably authenticated and a caller profile accessed according to the authenticated caller identity. Voice browsing web page selections may be tailored for the caller according to the caller profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7076041
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for third party regulation of calls through a line based on a call context are provided. Third party regulation criteria identify individuals who are regulated for calling into or receiving calls from a particular line. For each call received at the line, the identity of the caller is detected. For each call placed from the line, the identity of the callee is detected. Then, the call is regulated according to the relevant third party regulation criteria, such that a third party is enabled to regulate all calls from or to a particular line without being a direct party to the calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 7024630
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are designed to manage web content displayed at a client device during one or more browser sessions. Responsive to a request for a first web page, the first web page is displayed at the client device through the browser session. A timeout condition at the browser is detected and a second predetermined web page is displayed at the client device, replacing the first web page, and optionally also clearing cache memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac