Patents by Inventor James G. McLean

James G. McLean 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: 9665543
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting the use of hypertext links in documents such as word processor documents. A given word processor document is scanned for link representations to sources that are external to the word processor document. These identified link representations are then checked for validity and functionality, and the external sources are also checked for content and accessibility. In order to facilitate checking the content of the external sources, the word processor document is appended to include all or part of the content of each linked external source. The appended information is then used for subsequent content comparisons. Checking of the link representations and external sources is used to produce a current validity status for each link representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shirley S. Ackerman, Sheila E Allen, Mike D. Hocker, James G McLean, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 9641507
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method for determining a controlling entity of a first avatar in a virtual world includes: receiving a request for access to a resource via a first avatar; providing a challenge to the first avatar in response to receiving the request; receiving a challenge response via the first avatar in response to the challenge; determining an identity confidence level based on the challenge response; making an identity determination for a controlling entity of the first avatar based on the identity confidence level; and providing or denying access to the resource based on the identity determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory T. Kishi, James G. McLean, Clifford A. Pickover, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20170097677
    Abstract: Systems and computer program products to perform an operation comprising outputting a first content on a first device and a second content on a second device, wherein the first and second devices are communicably coupled as part of a multi-device platform, wherein the first and second content are related content, monitoring, by a gaze detection module, a gaze of a first user holding the first device, and upon determining that the gaze of the first user is focused on one of the first device and the second device, performing a predefined operation to modify the first and second contents outputted on the first and second devices based on the gaze of the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: James G. MCLEAN
  • Publication number: 20170097678
    Abstract: Methods comprising outputting a first content on a first device and a second content on a second device, wherein the first and second devices are communicably coupled as part of a multi-device platform, wherein the first and second content are related content, monitoring, by a gaze detection module, a gaze of a first user holding the first device, and upon determining that the gaze of the first user is focused on one of the first device and the second device, performing a predefined operation to modify the first and second contents outputted on the first and second devices based on the gaze of the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: James G. MCLEAN
  • Patent number: 9600641
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys is provided. The method includes pooling one or more authorization codes for access by different end users in activating different features of a set of hardware components using FoD. The method also includes responding to an FoD request to activate one of the features by a particular one of the end users by determining whether or not a pre-defined code usage policy permits the particular one of the end users to use a pooled one of the authorization codes and if permitted according to the pre-defined code usage policy, generating an FoD activation key with the pooled one of the authorization codes and activating the one of the features with the FoD activation key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fred Bower, David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton
  • Patent number: 9576113
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for user permissions based control of pooled FoD activation keys is provided. The method includes pooling one or more authorization codes for access by different end users in activating different features of a set of hardware components using FoD. The method also includes responding to an FoD request to activate one of the features by a particular one of the end users by determining whether or not a pre-defined code usage policy permits the particular one of the end users to use a pooled one of the authorization codes and if permitted according to the pre-defined code usage policy, generating an FoD activation key with the pooled one of the authorization codes and activating the one of the features with the FoD activation key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fred Bower, David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton
  • Patent number: 9515879
    Abstract: Establishing an action list for reconfiguration of a remote hardware system includes: receiving, by an action list generator via a graphical user interface (‘GUI’) presenting a graphical representation of the remote hardware system, a command to record subsequent actions; while recording: receiving, by the action list generator via the GUI, a series of user operations; identifying, for each user operation in the series, an action associated with the user operation; recording, by the action list generator, each identified action in an action list ordered in accordance with the series of user operations; and receiving a command to cease recording of subsequent actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160352662
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request from an IM user to queue an unattended status and time-based message, retrieving a recovery trigger for the unattended status and time-based message, and assigning the unattended status and time-based message to a message queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: James G. McLean, William G. Pagan
  • Patent number: 9443221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for physical location tagging via image recognition of physical components in a data center. The method includes acquiring an image scan of a field of view of a camera at a known location in a data center and matching an image of a device in the image scan to a pre-stored image of a similar device to determine a device type of the device in the image scan. The method also includes transmitting a directive to a known device in inventory of the determined device type to activate a visual indicator disposed on an exterior portion of the known device. Finally, the method includes re-acquiring the image scan to detect an activated visual indicator on the device in the image scan and, in response, mapping the known location in the data center to the known device in inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton
  • Patent number: 9438611
    Abstract: Managing a blocked-originator list for a messaging application, including: detecting, by a list management module, a list management initiation event for a blocked-originator list, the blocked-originator list including a plurality of originators from which incoming messages are blocked; determining a number of entries in a blocked-originator list; determining a maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list; determining whether the number of entries in the blocked-originator list is equal to the maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list; and responsive to determining that the number of entries in the blocked-originator list is equal to the maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list: deleting an entry from the blocked-originator list in dependence upon entry removal rules; and adding the new entry to the blocked-originator list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Glass, James G. McLean, Clifford A. Pickover, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20160249496
    Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Keith M. Campbell, James G. McLean, William M. Megarity, Luke D. Remis, Gregory D. Sellman, Christopher L. Wood
  • Patent number: 9412095
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request from an IM user to queue an unattended status and time-based message, retrieving a recovery trigger for the unattended status and time-based message, and assigning the unattended status and time-based message to a message queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James G. McLean, William G. Pagan
  • Patent number: 9363934
    Abstract: A method includes sensing ambient conditions in a datacenter containing a server, and determining whether the ambient conditions exceed predetermined threshold conditions representing risk of electrostatic discharge. A lid to the server is locked in a closed position in response to the ambient conditions exceeding the predetermined threshold conditions. However, the lid to the server is unlocked in response to a grounding strap being connected to the server. Optionally, the grounding strap may be identified and the server lid will only unlock if the identified grounding strap is associated with authorization to unlock the server lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith M. Campbell, James G. McLean, William M. Megarity, Luke D. Remis, Gregory D. Sellman, Christopher L. Wood
  • Patent number: 9304860
    Abstract: Various embodiments for arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system comprising a plurality of existing physical entities include assigning at least one reliability rating to various said existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and using the assigned reliability ratings in accordance with reverse predictive failure analysis, to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating, the designated cumulative reliability rating being determined in accordance with the following equation: 1?[PAF(f+?f, n+?n)]=1?[PAF(f, n)+(?PAF/?f)*?f+(?PAF/?n)*?n], where PAF is a probability of failure of the computer-implemented system, f is a probability of failure of a physical entity, and n is a number of drives in the computer-implemented system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. McLean, Clifford A. Pickover, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20150317206
    Abstract: Various embodiments for arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system comprising a plurality of existing physical entities include assigning at least one reliability rating to various said existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and using the assigned reliability ratings in accordance with reverse predictive failure analysis, to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating, the designated cumulative reliability rating being determined in accordance with the following equation: 1?[PAF(f+?f, n+?n)]=1?[PAF(f, n)+(?PAF/?f)*?f+(?PAF/?n)*?n], where PAF is a probability of failure of the computer-implemented system, f is a probability of failure of a physical entity, and n is a number of drives in the computer-implemented system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. McLEAN, Clifford A. PICKOVER, Daniel J. WINARSKI
  • Publication number: 20150264066
    Abstract: Managing a blocked-originator list for a messaging application, including: detecting, by a list management module, a list management initiation event for a blocked-originator list, the blocked-originator list including a plurality of originators from which incoming messages are blocked; determining a number of entries in a blocked-originator list; determining a maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list; determining whether the number of entries in the blocked-originator list is equal to the maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list; and responsive to determining that the number of entries in the blocked-originator list is equal to the maximum number of entries in the blocked-originator list: deleting an entry from the blocked-originator list in dependence upon entry removal rules; and adding the new entry to the blocked-originator list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: DAVID W. GLASS, JAMES G. MCLEAN, CLIFFORD A. PICKOVER, DANIEL J. WINARSKI
  • Patent number: 9104790
    Abstract: Re-arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system that comprises a plurality of existing physical entities. At least one reliability rating is assigned to each of various existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and in response to change. Reverse predictive failure analysis uses the assigned reliability ratings to determine cumulative reliability rating(s) for at least one arrangement of the system. Data handling is re-arranged with respect to at least a portion of the existing computer-implemented system to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. McLean, Clifford A. Pickover, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Patent number: 9092865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for map generation for an environment based on captured images are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes capturing a first image of an environment. The method also includes identifying a reference in the first image. Further, the method includes generating, based on the identified reference, a map of the environment to use for physically orienting a computing device within the environment based on a second image including the reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150200929
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method for determining a controlling entity of a first avatar in a virtual world includes: receiving a request for access to a resource via a first avatar; providing a challenge to the first avatar in response to receiving the request; receiving a challenge response via the first avatar in response to the challenge; determining an identity confidence level based on the challenge response; making an identity determination for a controlling entity of the first avatar based on the identity confidence level; and providing or denying access to the resource based on the identity determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory T. Kishi, James G. McLean, Clifford A. Pickover, Daniel J. Winarski
  • Publication number: 20150195135
    Abstract: Establishing an action list for reconfiguration of a remote hardware system includes: receiving, by an action list generator via a graphical user interface (‘GUI’) presenting a graphical representation of the remote hardware system, a command to record subsequent actions; while recording: receiving, by the action list generator via the GUI, a series of user operations; identifying, for each user operation in the series, an action associated with the user operation; recording, by the action list generator, each identified action in an action list ordered in accordance with the series of user operations; and receiving a command to cease recording of subsequent actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: David D. Chudy, James G. McLean, Cristian Medina, Michael T. Shelton, JR.