Patents by Inventor Jack A. Alford

Jack A. Alford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9760557
    Abstract: In a method for utilizing metadata for autofill fields, a computer causes a first form input field to be displayed, the first form input field having two or more form input field entries associated with the first form input field. The computer determines that the two or more form input field entries are similar. The computer determines data describing each form input field entry of the two or more form input field entries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Alford, Jr., Scott H. Isensee, James L. Lentz, Kelly L. Lisai, Jorge R. Nogueras
  • Publication number: 20140195888
    Abstract: In a method for utilizing metadata for autofill fields, a computer causes a first form input field to be displayed, the first form input field having two or more form input field entries associated with the first form input field. The computer determines that the two or more form input field entries are similar. The computer determines data describing each form input field entry of the two or more form input field entries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Alford, JR., Scott H. Isensee, James L. Lentz, Kelly L. Lisai, Jorge R. Nogueras
  • Publication number: 20130080950
    Abstract: A user interface organizing system and method are provided. The system includes an analyzer configured to evaluate object properties of each of a plurality of graphical elements displayed on a display device, compare the object properties of each of the plurality of graphical elements with every other graphical element, generate a degree of similarity for every possible pairing of graphical elements. The system also includes an aggregator configured to incrementally move each of the plurality of graphical elements towards at least one other graphical element based upon the degree of similarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Alford, JR., Scott H. Isensee, James L. Lentz, Kelly L. Lisai
  • Patent number: 7703048
    Abstract: A method, system, and program are provided for managing flexible events within an electronic calendar. A calendaring controller schedules fixed events requiring a fixed time slots and flexible events that are flexible for scheduling over a particular time period for a particular duration, wherein the particular time period is greater than the particular duration. The calendaring controller sets each flexible event at a particular time slot within the particular time period for the particular duration. Responsive to the calendaring controller detecting a request for a new event for an additional time slot overlapping the particular time slot, the calendaring controller repositions the flexible event to at least one other time slot of the particular duration during the particular time period to allow for scheduling the new event during the additional time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Alford, Jr., Paul T. Arellanes, Jeffrey D. George, Mark E. Molander
  • Publication number: 20070300163
    Abstract: A method, system, and program are provided for managing flexible events within an electronic calendar. A calendaring controller schedules fixed events requiring a fixed time slots and flexible events that are flexible for scheduling over a particular time period for a particular duration, wherein the particular time period is greater than the particular duration. The calendaring controller sets each flexible event at a particular time slot within the particular time period for the particular duration. Responsive to the calendaring controller detecting a request for a new event for an additional time slot overlapping the particular time slot, the calendaring controller repositions the flexible event to at least one other time slot of the particular duration during the particular time period to allow for scheduling the new event during the additional time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: JACK A. ALFORD, PAUL T. ARELLANES, JEFFREY D. GEORGE, MARK E. MOLANDER
  • Publication number: 20030112269
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a configurable graphical element for tracking and monitoring dynamic properties of resources and events coupled to a computing environment. In general, the present invention includes an interactive configurable graphical element with a software control that monitors resources and events. The graphical element interactivity provides the monitored information to a user with a status display area having configurable threshold trigger points and can also include one or more rearm trigger points. The user configurable trigger points are located within one end of the status display area and include at least one user configurable threshold point and at least one rearm set point. The monitoring display and configuration functions are combined in a single graphical element for reducing complexity and easing the use of monitoring applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Lentz, Jack A. Alford, Kenneth R. Banning
  • Publication number: 20020147027
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for configuring computers using an electronic mobile handheld device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). Specifically, the electronic mobile handheld device is used as a data transfer mechanism and special handwriting codes, popup software keyboards, or other methods that are not intuitive to users that are error-prone are not required. In general, the present invention includes an electronic mobile handheld device, a first computer system containing a configuration profile or configuration parameters and N computer systems that requires configuration with the profile or configuration parameters. The electronic mobile handheld device can be any suitable portable electronic device, such as a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, portable notebook computer or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack A. Alford, Kenneth R. Banning, James L. Lentz