Patents by Inventor James M. Ferris

James M. Ferris 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: 9547407
    Abstract: A system and method of assisting a user include displaying a status of a configuration. A point of progress is detected before completion of a web based configuration. Data associated with the point of progress is sent to a server to perform a query of a knowledgebase with the data to identify information associated with the point of progress. Information is received from the server in response to the server performing the query of the knowledgebase and provided to a user to assist the user with completing the web based configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Patent number: 8656384
    Abstract: A system and method of providing a user with a post installation configuration file include providing a user with a list of software applications that are available for installation. At least one software application selection from the list of applications is received by the system. At least one post installation configuration script associated with the use selected software application is retrieved, the at least one post installation configuration script using a common user interface for a plurality of software application from the list of software applications. The at least one post installation configuration script associated with the use selected software application and the at least one user selected software application are packaged into a user package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Patent number: 8612966
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a method of generating a post-installation configuration for a software application offering. The method includes receiving a request for a post-installation configuration for a software application and determining a software distribution in which the software application will operate. The method also includes determining a set of inter-dependencies between the software application and the software distribution and retrieving a set of templates for post-installation configuration of the software application. The method further includes generating a post-installation configuration file that customizes the software application for operation with the software distribution and packaging the software application into an offering that comprises the post-installation configuration file and the software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Huff, James M. Ferris
  • Publication number: 20130275870
    Abstract: A system and method of assisting a user include displaying a status of a configuration. A point of progress is detected before completion of a web based configuration. Data associated with the point of progress is sent to a server to perform a query of a knowledgebase with the data to identify information associated with the point of progress. Information is received from the server in response to the server performing the query of the knowledgebase and provided to a user to assist the user with completing the web based configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Patent number: 8464239
    Abstract: A system and method of assisting a user include displaying a status of at least one of an installation and configuration within a first of a plurality of windows. A point of progress of at least one of the installation and configuration is monitored. Knowledgebase information is retrieved related to the point of progress. The knowledgebase information is displayed within a second of the plurality of windows to assist the user with the at least one of the installation and configuration. An instant messaging chat session can be displayed within a third of the plurality of windows to assist a user with the at least one of the installation and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Patent number: 8370829
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present teachings provide for standardized post installation configuration of a software application. For Linux-based applications, a portal service provides a Red Hat Packet Manager (“RPM”) package that includes selected software to be installed on a user's computing device, and a post install configuration file (“PIC”). A post-install configurator accesses the PIC file and performs post-installation configuration based on the contents of the PIC file. The PIC file thus provides a standardized mechanism in which software vendors can specify post-installation configuration of their applications, without having to develop their own tools or applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Publication number: 20090144700
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a method of generating a post-installation configuration for a software application offering. The method includes receiving a request for a post-installation configuration for a software application and determining a software distribution in which the software application will operate. The method also includes determining a set of inter-dependencies between the software application and the software distribution and retrieving a set of templates for post-installation configuration of the software application. The method further includes generating a post-installation configuration file that customizes the software application for operation with the software distribution and packaging the software application into an offering that comprises the post-installation configuration file and the software application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: David P. HUFF, James M. Ferris
  • Publication number: 20090064131
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present teachings provide for standardized post installation configuration of a software application. For Linux-based applications, a portal service provides a Red Hat Packet Manager (“RPM”) package that includes selected software to be installed on a user's computing device, and a post install configuration file (“PIC”). A post-install configurator accesses the PIC file and performs post-installation configuration based on the contents of the PIC file. The PIC file thus provides a standardized mechanism in which software vendors can specify post-installation configuration of their applications, without having to develop their own tools or applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Publication number: 20080320468
    Abstract: A system and method of providing a user with a post installation configuration file include providing a user with a list of software applications that are available for installation. At least one software application selection from the list of applications is received by the system. At least one post installation configuration script associated with the use selected software application is retrieved, the at least one post installation configuration script using a common user interface for a plurality of software application from the list of software applications. The at least one post installation configuration script associated with the use selected software application and the at least one user selected software application are packaged into a user package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff
  • Publication number: 20080307413
    Abstract: A system and method of assisting a user include displaying a status of at least one of an installation and configuration within a first of a plurality of windows. A point of progress of at least one of the installation and configuration is monitored. Knowledgebase information is retrieved related to the point of progress. The knowledgebase information is displayed within a second of the plurality of windows to assist the user with the at least one of the installation and configuration. An instant messaging chat session can be displayed within a third of the plurality of windows to assist a user with the at least one of the installation and configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Ferris, David P. Huff