Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Timothy J. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6185185
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which control message storms in a network by classifying multiple destination messages into a plurality of broadcast message classes based upon characteristics of the broadcast messages. The number of multiple destination messages for each class of broadcast messages of the plurality of classes of broadcast messages are then counted so as to provide a plurality of broadcast message class counts. Multiple destination messages of a class of broadcast messages are then selectively transmitted based upon the broadcast message class count for the class of broadcast messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Mitchell Bass, Michael Steven Siegel, Norman Clark Strole
  • Patent number: 6181316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inline scrolling of related objects in a computer desktop environment. This scrolling is accomplished by utilizing a pointing device to activate an indicator actually imbedded into the relational information for the data being presented. The inline scrolling is designed to reduce the amount of space required on a display device to convey information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Dudley Little, Anthony Edward Martinez
  • Patent number: 6012092
    Abstract: The overall management task required to determine data dissemination in multi-user applications is reduced herein. The management task required at any one host in the multi-user application is also limited. In addition, the number of simultaneous connections that any one participating host must support in a large multi-user application is reduced. Each user is assigned to a single management partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Gennaro A. Cuomo, Sandeep Kishan Singhal
  • Patent number: 6006334
    Abstract: No more than one user at any one time is allowed to access a distributed service for each User ID and password. A user is allowed initial access to the distributed service with a password. The use of the distributed service is then restricted to the user upon entering the password plus a random factor created by the user. A user record is created as a unique recorded registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Binh Q. Nguyen, Richard J. Redpath, Sandeep Kishan Singhal
  • Patent number: 5933833
    Abstract: A table structure for table calculation software is employed to prepare an aggregate table and a numeric table by displaying ruled lines. A table structure is provided with which the degree of freedom for the designing of a table can be increased and table calculations can be easily performed. A data table structure, for a table having an irregular shape wherein a plurality of cells having different sizes are formed. Cell data areas store input data in the plurality of cells. Coordinate data areas, in addition to the cell data areas, store coordinate data for defining locations and sizes of input areas of the plurality of cells in the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Musashi
  • Patent number: 5911045
    Abstract: A plurality of users in a virtual reality environment are registered over a network to share information. A three dimensional representation of information to be shared over the network is placed into a shared area of the virtual reality environment. The information is then transferred to all of the registered users. The registered users may be listed on a whiteboard visible to all in the environment. The information to be shared may be placed onto a conference table metaphor to indicate it is available for all registered users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Todd Leyba, David Allen Schell
  • Patent number: 5907845
    Abstract: On-line electronic books are stored in remote storage devices and accessible through a server or other type of interface device. A bookcase is created and stored in a local storage device. Appropriate electronic links are supplied in order to access an electronic book from the bookcase. The bookcase provides a library metaphor that allows a user to organize the online books in a manner that has meaning and utility to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paula J. Cox, Dana L. Gillihan, Donald Ray Hyatt, Paul T. Leone, Kenneth M. Nordby, Victor Edward Pullizzi, Thyra Lynne Rauch, Robert W. Rinda
  • Patent number: 5862353
    Abstract: Bus performance in a computer system having multiple devices accessing a common shared bus may be improved by increasing throughput and decreasing latency while accounting for dynamic changes in bus usage. Devices submit a priority level along with a bus request to a bus controller. Upon receiving multiple requests, an arbiter of the bus controller compares the priority levels associated with the different bus requests and grants control of the bus to the device having the highest priority level. During each cycle that a device has control of the bus, a feedback logic circuit of the bus controller determines whether other bus requests are pending, and if so, determines the highest pending request priority level. Signals corresponding to the results of these determinations are fed back to each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Guillermo Revilla, Thomas Andrew Sartorius, Mark Michael Schaffer