Patents by Inventor Michael Wayne Brown

Michael Wayne Brown 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: 8326214
    Abstract: A secondary player receives a wireless broadcast of an electronic work from a primary player. Responsive to a playback of the electronic work from the secondary player, the secondary player requires a recipient of the electronic work to rate the electronic work. Responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work or an automatic rating selection made based on the recipient's preferences, the options available to the recipient may be dynamically adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr., Cornell G. Wright, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8244170
    Abstract: A second player detects a first player locally broadcasting an electronic work. The second player accepts a distribution cookie from the first player at the second player with the broadcast of the electronic work. The second player updates the distribution cookie with tracking information about the broadcast of the electronic work to the second player. The second player updates the distribution cookie with a plurality of electronic work ratings of a plurality of electronic works by a recipient at the second player. The second player, responsive to detecting a network connection provides the distribution cookie to a tracking server enabled to analyze the distribution cookie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr., Cornell G. Wright, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120201365
    Abstract: A question of a first caller from among multiple callers waiting in a hold queue of a call center is published. Responsive to a second caller from among multiple callers indicating a readiness to answer to the question, the first caller is connected with the second caller. Responsive to the second caller answering the question, the second caller is awarded an advancement token for storage in association with an authenticated identifier for the second caller in a caller profile for redemption by the second caller for a value selected by the second caller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, JOSEPH HERBERT MCINTYRE, MICHAEL A. PAOLINI, JAMES MARK WEAVER, SCOTT LEE WINTERS
  • Patent number: 8234160
    Abstract: A particular consumable item, purchased by an individual for potential consumption, is detected. Separate health index values each associated with a separate one of multiple health index components are determined for consumption of the particular consumable item. At least one electronic incentive for the individual is selected based on the separate health index values matching at least one health index value requirement specified in a database of electronic incentives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8230391
    Abstract: The present invention improves correlation of events emitted by software components during a thread of execution. Each software component invoked during the thread registers with a correlation information manager associated with the thread of execution and then deregisters from said correlation information manager when it ceases to participate in the thread. The correlation information manager stores registered software components in a stack structure. Whenever an event is to be emitted by a software component, the associated correlation information manager provides explicit correlation information that identifies at least the software component that emitted the most recent event in the thread and all software components that registered with the correlation information manager after the software component that emitted the most recent event and that are still registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Friedemann Schwenkreis
  • Publication number: 20120185305
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, RABINDRANATH DUTTA, MICHAEL A. PAOLINI, NEWTON JAMES SMITH, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120134483
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 8160235
    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: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 8139736
    Abstract: A destination telephony device, responsive to detecting a call between a caller at an origin telephony device and a callee at the destination telephony device within a trusted telephone network, authenticates an identity of the callee with a callee voice authenticated identifier through a voice sample provided by the callee during the call. The destination telephony device receives an order form from the origin device for an order placed with the caller by the callee from the destination telephony device. The destination telephony device controls output of the order form from at least one output interface of the destination telephony device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 8102547
    Abstract: A text modification mechanism is provided for formatting data such that the information can be reasonably deciphered by a human, but cannot be easily recognized by computer recognition techniques. The text modification mechanism alters printed text so that computer recognition of characters becomes difficult. Modification of the text may be accomplished with manipulation of the fonts or the background. The mechanism may also modify the text based on user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Mark Joseph Hamzy, Scott Thomas Jones
  • Patent number: 8086246
    Abstract: Provided are a system, program, and data structures for providing user location information with a personal information manager program. Position coordinates of a wireless device associated with a user are generated, along with time information indicating a time when the position coordinates were generated. The position coordinates and time information are processed to determine geographic locations and associated time periods. For each determined geographical location and associated time period, the user of the wireless device was located at the geographical location for the associated time period. A request is received for information on the user for a selected time interval. A determination is then made of time periods associated with geographic locations that are within the selected time interval. Information is then generated on the geographic locations and associated time periods that are within the selected time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, Michael A. Paolini
  • Patent number: 8078492
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the individual health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110287709
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for responding to recipient ratings of wirelessly broadcast electronic works are provided. A secondary player receives a wireless broadcast of an electronic work from a primary player. Next, responsive to a playback of the electronic work from the secondary player, the secondary player requires a recipient of the electronic work to rate the electronic work. Then, responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work or an automatic rating selection made based on the recipient's preferences, the options available to the recipient may be dynamically adjusted. First, responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work with a favorable rating, the secondary player triggers a purchase offer for the electronic work when the secondary player is connected to a network providing access to a purchase server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, MICHAEL A. PAOLINI, NEWTON JAMES SMITH, JR., CORNELL G. WRIGHT, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110289213
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for tracking locally broadcast electronic works are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, a sending player locally broadcasts an electronic work. In particular, the local broadcast may be a wireless broadcast creating an ad-hoc radio system. At least one recipient player receives the localized broadcast of the electronic work and accepts a distribution cookie for tracking distribution of the electronic work. The at least one recipient player updates the distribution cookie with tracking information about the broadcast of the electronic work, including ratings by users at the second player and purchase of the broadcast electronic work. Each of the at least one recipient players may in turn become a sending player that broadcasts the electronic work to other recipient players and requires the other recipient players to accept a copy of the distribution cookie updated by the second player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, MICHAEL A. PAOLINI, NEWTON JAMES SMITH, JR., CORNELL G. WRIGHT, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110282726
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, RABINDRANATH DUTTA, MICHAEL A. PAOLINI, NEWTON JAMES SMITH, JR.
  • Patent number: 8054957
    Abstract: A trusted telephone network, including at least one service provider, receives a request for service from an origin device. The origin device is associated with a line number to be billed for according to a line subscriber billing plan. An identity of a caller requesting the service from the origin device is authenticated. Then, a billing plan associated with the authenticated caller identity is accessed and utilized to replace or supplement the line subscriber billing plan, such that billing for service provided at an origin device is specified according to the caller currently utilizing the origin device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: 8041293
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for responding to recipient ratings of wirelessly broadcast electronic works are provided. A secondary player receives a wireless broadcast of an electronic work from a primary player. Next, responsive to a playback of the electronic work from the secondary player, the secondary player requires a recipient of the electronic work to rate the electronic work. Then, responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work or an automatic rating selection made based on the recipient's preferences, the options available to the recipient may be dynamically adjusted. First, responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work with a favorable rating, the secondary player triggers a purchase offer for the electronic work when the secondary player is connected to a network providing access to a purchase server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr., Cornell G. Wright, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8041290
    Abstract: A method, system, and program for tracking locally broadcast electronic works are provided. According to one aspect of the invention, a sending player locally broadcasts an electronic work. In particular, the local broadcast may be a wireless broadcast creating an ad-hoc radio system. At least one recipient player receives the localized broadcast of the electronic work and accepts a distribution cookie for tracking distribution of the electronic work. The at least one recipient player updates the distribution cookie with tracking information about the broadcast of the electronic work, including ratings by users at the second player and purchase of the broadcast electronic work. Each of the at least one recipient players may in turn become a sending player that broadcasts the electronic work to other recipient players and requires the other recipient players to accept a copy of the distribution cookie updated by the second player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr., Cornell G. Wright, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7979489
    Abstract: A method, system and program for notifying users when messaging sessions are recorded are provided. In response to receiving a request to record a messaging session, a requested selection of multiple message entries associated with the messaging session are recorded. Then, multiple users participating in the messaging session are notified of the recording of the requested selection of the multiple message entries from the messaging session. In particular, the output of the messaging session is adjusted for each of the multiple users to distinguish a selection from among the multiple message entries being recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, Michael A. Paolini
  • Patent number: 7930221
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a storage area is provided within a particular home for storing food-related items. A database of intended food-related inventory items for the storage area is adjusted by a controller according to food-related inventory preferences received at the controller. The controller updates the database of intended food-related inventory items according to inputs from a monitoring device that monitors the addition and removal of food-related items within the storage area. A communication medium coupled to the controller transmits a selection of items from among the database of intended inventory items that are absent from the storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Kelvin Roderick Lawrence, Michael A. Paolini