Patents Represented by Attorney Patents On Demand, P.A.
  • Patent number: 8171399
    Abstract: A user interface for repositioning Web page components that includes an HTML table. Each cell of the table can represents a Web page component that is able to be repositioned. Each cell can include an identifier and a user selectable position control. The identifier can identify the Web page component. The user selectable position control can accept user input designating a position of the component within the Web page. An activation control can accept input entered within the user selectable position control when selected. Activation of the activation control can result in the Web page being reconfigured so that the position of the Web page components corresponds to positions specified by the position controls. In one embodiment, the user interface can be an accessibility option for users having difficulty with a drag and drop interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Coppedge, III, Becky J. Gibson, Kevin E. Hicks, Andrew J. Lahart, David Salinas, Michael A. Squillace
  • Patent number: 8162209
    Abstract: Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds within a vender storefront physically proximate and distinctly independent of the entity, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases within the storefront, wherein the vender does not honor the non-negotiable credits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Brian K. Buchheit, Sean I. McGhie
  • Patent number: 8166002
    Abstract: A reconciliation event can be detected. A controlling element of a database can be determined for the reconciliation event. The controlling element can include a preexisting database value for that element that is different from an update value for that element provided within update data. The update data can be provided by an update data source. A last data source that provided the preexisting database value can be ascertained. A priority array associated with the controlling element can be retrieved from a data store. It can be determined from the priority array whether the update data source has reconciliation priority over the last data source. A value of the controlling element in the database can be changed from the preexisting database value to the update value only when the update data source has reconciliation priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Robinson, Byron E. Todd, III
  • Patent number: 8161403
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for a surface based computing device to return passed objects. That is, software of the surface based computing device can permit software objects appearing within a display of a surface based computing device to be passed among users positioned about the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can also include software maintaining linkages between passed software objects and return positions defined for each of the passed software objects. Further software can be configured to automatically return at least one of the passed software objects from a current position on the display to an associated return position responsive to an occurrence of a return object event relating to that passed software object. Visual representation of the linkages can be optionally shown on the surface based computing device and the passing objects can be optionally animated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Ulysses Lamont Cannon, Al Chakra
  • Patent number: 8156320
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable computing device (200) including a processor (202), non-volatile memory (206), and a volatile memory (208). An execute in place (XIP) kernel (210) stored in the non-volatile memory is executed immediately upon powering up the device. As the XIP kernel is executed, the processor maintain state and context information (212) in the volatile memory. The XIP kernel includes user interface and application segments, allow the user to perform some functions immediately upon powering up the device. While executing the XIP kernel and full code instantiation (214) is loaded into the volatile memory. The full code instantiation includes identical code as is in the XIP kernel, in addition to other code. Once loaded, execution is switched (412) from the XIP kernel to the full code instantiation, providing full functionality of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Wireless Silicon Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jaime A. Borras, Jose M. Fernandez, Zaffer S. Merchant
  • Patent number: 8150717
    Abstract: An automated method, system, device, and/or computer program for performing risk assessment for an information system. A risk assessment tool can receive a scenario for which to perform a risk assessment. A contextual data model and a set of data instances for the information system can be accessed. The contextual data model can define relationships between physical and logical assets of the information system. The contextual data model and set of data instances can be analyzed in relation to the scenario. An action plan can be generated that addresses the scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8139730
    Abstract: A method for providing Interactive Voice Response functionality within a multi-tiered telephony environment can identify an enterprise archive file that contains an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) application. The enterprise archive file can contain multiple interpreters for different markup languages. The enterprise archive file can also include a servlet that maps the interpreters to telephony sessions. The enterprise archive file can be deployed within a J2EE compliant application server having a SIP interface. The deployed IVR application can be utilized to provide IVR functions for SIP based telephony sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William V. Da Palma, Brett J. Gavagni, Baiju D. Mandalia, Brien H. Muschette, Wendi L. Nusbickel
  • Patent number: 8140591
    Abstract: Enabling workflow awareness within a business process management (BPM) system can utilize a workflow awareness controller that can receive an instantiation request for a workflow. The workflow can be comprised of multiple workflow steps to be performed by the BPM system. From workflow metadata, workflow redundancies, at the instance or step level, can be determined with other workflow instances initiated prior to the receipt of the instantiation request. The workflow metadata can include records that uniquely represent the operating parameter values of the prior workflow instances. When a workflow redundancy exists, persistent workflow data corresponding to the workflow redundancy can be utilized during the performance of a workflow instance of the requested workflow within the BPM system. The persistent workflow data can replace the performance of one or more workflow steps of the workflow instance, which can reduce the redundant performance of the workflow steps for the requested workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua L. Purcell, Nelson M. Sanchez, Tassanee K. Supakkul, Mathews Thomas, Julio Wong
  • Patent number: 8141103
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a queue manager that includes a smart alias function. The smart alias function can associate a queue name with two or more queues. The queues associated with the queue name for a given operation can be dependent upon programmatically determinable conditions. For example, the queue name (Queue A) can cause a message to be put in a Queue A1 when smart aliased. The same queue name (Queue A) can cause a message to be retrieved from Queue A2 when smart aliased. Additional processing can be performed against messages placed in Queue A1, and post processed messages can be placed in Queue A2. The queue manager can be a component that receives digitally encoded messages, that stores the received digitally encoded messages, and that provides the digitally encoded messages to authorized requesting software applications. The queue manager and the smart alias function can be software/firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Michael Harran, Stephen James Hobson, Peter Siddall
  • Patent number: 8139596
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program for communicating messages between a first messaging system and a second messaging system. The messaging system comprises a set of source queues with each source queue owning messages retrievable in priority order. It is determined that a message should be transferred from the first messaging system to the second messaging system. A source queue is selected which contains a message having at least an equal highest priority when compared with messages on the source queues. A message having the at least equal highest priority from the selected source queue of the first messaging system is then transferred to a target queue at the second messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Gale, David Locke
  • Patent number: 8135786
    Abstract: Prior to transmission, distribution list data associated with a user-defined distribution list can be embedded within an electronic message. The recipients of the electronic message should be members of an electronic communications system. The distribution list data can include a copy of the user-defined distribution list or a reference to a storage location containing the user-defined distribution list where access control policies can be applied. The electronic message can be conveyed to the recipients. In response to the user-selection of a user-defined distribution list during presentation of the electronic message, the recipient can be presented with distribution list options within a user interface. The distribution list options can represent actions to be performed upon the contents of the user-selected user-defined distribution list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tassanee K. Supakkul, Mathews Thomas, Janki Y. Vora, Julio Wong
  • Patent number: 8131808
    Abstract: The present invention enables accurate detection of risks from an electronic mail message. In a mail inspection unit, an information extraction section extracts text and a mail address from electronic mail accumulated in a journal DB, and a text normalization section normalizes the text. A sort-information saving section generates text sort information according to the score obtained from a sorting engine, and stores it in a mail-management-information storage section. A personal-information saving section extracts personal information from a personal-information storage section according to the mail address, and stores it in the mail-management-information storage section. Finally, a risk-level determination section compares the information stored in the mail-management-information storage section with the information stored in a category-information storage section to determine the risk level of the electronic mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Aoki, Masahiko Maedera, Nobumitsu Matoba
  • Patent number: 8130916
    Abstract: Problematic event data for problematic events that occur during interaction between an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system and a caller can be captured. The problematic event data can be analyzed for performance issues. A performance issue can represent an interactive segment of the IVR system operating at an unacceptable performance level. An IVR performance improvement action can then be determined to resolve the performance issue. The IVR performance improvement action can be conveyed to the IVR system. Execution of the IVR performance improvement action by the IVR system can reduce occurrences of the problematic events associated with the performance issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward M. Lynch, David D. Martin, Jared M. Michalec, Victor S. Moore, Wendi L. Nusbickel
  • Patent number: 8126975
    Abstract: Automatic conversion of an email thread (or another form of electronic communication, such as IM chat content) into a collaborative workspace can begin with the detection of the addition of a reply message to an existing email thread by an email conversion handler. The existing email thread can include a main message and one or more reply messages. Satisfaction of user-defined or administrator-defined conversion criteria can then be assessed for the existing email thread. When the conversion criteria are satisfied, the existing email thread can be automatically converted into an artifact of a collaborative workspace contained within a collaborative environment. The collaborative workspace can be specific to the existing email thread. The designated participants of the existing email thread can be members of both the email and collaboration systems, and can be provided access to the collaborative workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronan Hoyne, Declan Joyce, Ronan Redican, Carol S. Zimmet
  • Patent number: 8125314
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system, and computer program product for determining user interest in media. The invention can select one of a set of different activity profiles specified within a data store. Each activity profile can include biometric attributes and associated baseline attribute values specific to an activity state. A media stream can be manipulated (e.g., created from environmental inputs and/or played upon a presentation device). Biometric data can be received from a user in proximity to the media stream. The received biometric data can be compared values in the selected activity profile. An interest level in the media stream can be determined based on comparison differences. A programmatic action can be performed relating to the media stream based upon the determined interest level. For example, a bitrate of the media and/or a marker in the media can be modified based on interest level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel H. Fithian, Hugh E. Hockett
  • Patent number: 8126974
    Abstract: A meeting initialization request for a meeting can be identified. The meeting initialization request can specify a prompt time for attendance intentions. A programmatic trigger, referred to as a prompt trigger, can be established for the prompt time. A firing of this prompt trigger can occur when a current time equals the prompt time. At this time, at least one potential attendee for the meeting can be determined. A set of potential attendees is typically defined by the meeting initiator within the meeting initialization request. An intention message can be sent to the determined potential attendee responsive to a firing of the programmatic trigger. This intention message can be sent at a time close to the prompt time. The intention message can prompt the potential attendee to indicate whether the potential attendee intends to attend the meeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Ulysses Lamont Cannon
  • Patent number: 8122517
    Abstract: The present invention can include a method, computer program product, and system for mediating access to content of a software dump. The invention can identify an event occurring within a computing device, which causes data to be dumped to file. A dump file can be created responsive to the event, wherein the dump file includes data defining a state of the computing device. Using an analysis module to analyze the dump file to determine content to be placed in a tailored dump file. In one embodiment, custom analysis modules or custom modifications to existing analysis modules can be added to the computing device at any time, which permits a tailoring of dumps to cover circumstances not originally known in advance of a situation for which they are needed. The tailored dump file can include a subset of the content of the dump file for which access privileges have been granted in accordance with the analysis module. The output file can be created, which comprises the determined content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Julin, Alexandre Polozoff
  • Patent number: 8122088
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a personal note capability for a text exchange client. A personal note can be a note not transmitted in a dialog between text exchange participants. It can, however, be transmitted in a communication outside the text exchange dialog communication. The personal note can be created and presented within a text exchange window. In one implementation, a user can utilize a special symbol to denote that a personal note follows. For example, a user could enter “ subject globalization program,” into a text output field, where “” is the special symbol, “subject” denotes a category of the personal note, and “globalization program” defines the subject of the text exchange. Personal notes can be stored along with a log of the communication session and used for indexing, searching, and other log management functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mustansir Banatwala
  • Patent number: 8106890
    Abstract: A contact with a point of a touch input component of a computing device can be sensed. A continuous contact from the point to a different point on the touch input component can be detected that is caused by a first slide based motion of a contact instrument maintaining contact with the touch input component. A first input character associated with the slide based motion can be determining based at least in part upon a direction of the slide based motion. A second slide based motion of the contact instrument can be detected from the different point to another point, wherein the contact instrument remains in contact with the touch input component during the first slide based motion, during the second slide based motion, and between the first and second slide based motion. A second input character associated with the slide based motion can be determined based at least in part upon a direction of the second slide based motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lydia M. Do, Pamela A. Nesbitt, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Patent number: 8107100
    Abstract: A method for managing deployed electronic documents that can begin when the deployed electronic document is accessed. A data probe can be automatically conveyed to a remotely located document manager responsive to the access attempt. The data probe can include data specific to the deployed electronic document. A management command can be received from the document manager. At least one management action can be locally and automatically performed for the deployed electronic document in accordance with the received management command. The management action can alter the content of the deployed electronic document and/or access rights to existing content of the deployed electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Subil M. Abraham, Tsz S. Cheng, Daniel Hassell, Mathews Thomas