Patents Assigned to Electronics Data Systems Corporation
  • Patent number: 5848425
    Abstract: A display system (10) displays alphanumeric data in a three dimensional grid (58). The grid (58) may include data entries (72), planes (72, 74, 76), labels (90, 92, 94), and various graphics (102, 106, 110) that visually represent the data entries (70). A user of display system (10) can modify, orient, or otherwise manipulate the grid (58) to visualize alphanumeric data in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Davidson Lowry, Robert M. Lowry, III
  • Patent number: 5842176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for interacting with a computer reservation system. The invention allows multiple sessions to be established with a computer reservation system simultaneously. When a command is received that requires multiple requests to a computer reservation system, a determination is made whether those requests can be processed simultaneously. If so, two sessions are established with a computer reservation system and a first request is made using one session while a second request is made using the other session. Datasets received in response to the requests are returned to the source of the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hunt, George A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5838911
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for obtaining network information in a computer network. The invention allows application programs to obtain computer network information using programming language independent dynamic link library functions. The method of the invention comprises generating a call to a dynamic link library function from an application program running on a client computer in a computer network. The call requests some information about the computer network and that information is resident on a server computer. A dynamic link library function interprets the call and generates a network application program interface call. After receiving network information in response to the network application program interface call, the dynamic link library function processes the network information and returns the processed information to the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Rosenhauer, Paul S. Pruett, Joel R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5839114
    Abstract: An automated system (10) is provided for selecting an initial computer reservation system. The system (10) includes a database (12) which stores data relating to each computer reservation system (30) utilized by a travel agency. The database (12) also contains one or more informational portfolios that can be used to determine the computer reservation system preferences of various parties, such as, for example, an individual traveler, a business entity employing the traveler, and the travel agency. In response to travel request information received from a customer, the system (10) automatically retrieves data/information from the database (12) and determines a target computer reservation system which most likely will be used to book travel arrangements. Consequently, the system (10) optimizes the hits-to-bookings ratio for each computer reservation system (30) utilized by the travel agency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Lynch, Jonathan A. Turner
  • Patent number: 5835899
    Abstract: A system and method (10) for deriving access codes for billing customers includes a load process (12) receiving a set of system attributes (20) and using at least one of the system attributes (20) for looking up in at least one lookup table (16, 18, 22, 24) for an access code and at least one formula value, and further storing the access code and at least one formula value in an access code lookup table (26, 28). The system (10) further includes a derivation process (14) which receives a specification of values for the set of system attributes from a billing record (30), uses the specification of values for looking up in the at least one lookup table (16, 18, 22, 24) for a derivation formula, uses the derivation formula for looking up in the billing record (30) for an attribute value, and further uses the attribute value for comparing with the formula value stored in the access code lookup table (26, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sandra T. Rose, John Elstrod, Patricia C. Andrews, Charles G. Forbes, Joseph M. Donovan, Lynn M. Klinger
  • Patent number: 5835724
    Abstract: In a system (10) for communicating information using the Internet, a client (12) establishes a first connection with a session server (24) using the Internet (18) to initiate a communications session. The session server (24) receives information from a data source (26) in response to the first connection, generates session data (32) using the received information, and conveys the session data (32) to the client (12). The session server (24) maintains the session data (32) after termination of the first connection to convey the session data (32) to the client (12) in response to the client (12) establishing a second connection with the session server (24) during the communications session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Smith
  • Patent number: 5832451
    Abstract: A method (1000) of automatically managing travel service information is provided. The method generates a business entity profile and individual profile for customers (1004, 1006), and stores the information in a relational database. Customer reservation services information retrieved from all available sources is also stored in the same database (1010). Consequently, the customer reservation services information and the profile information is made available, simultaneously, for use by an agent in processing a customer's travel request (1013).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne L. Flake, Krishna Kambhampaty, Stephen B. Molsberry, Gregory B. Clem
  • Patent number: 5832452
    Abstract: A method of using a computer to select hotels described in a database. A special user interface permits entry of criteria in one or more categories that describe the hotel. The computer searches the database and displays a list of hotels that satisfy the criteria. The computer then permits the user to identify any hotel on the list and, in response, displays detailed information about that hotel. The selection categories and the detailed information are designed to provide two levels of information, thereby separating objective evaluation from subjective browsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Schneider, Kent D. Turner, Karen L. Stavnes
  • Patent number: 5832463
    Abstract: The automated improved check processing system and method includes a data entry device (200, 202) for receiving checking account information (304, 306, 308) and a check amount (302) of a check (210, 300) provided in a transaction. The transaction may take place at a bank teller window or a point-of-sale. The checking account information and check amount are electronically transmitted to the institution or servicer (208) drawn on for electronic presentment and posting to the proper checking account. Additionally, an image capturer (204) may be used at the time of the transaction to obtain a digitized image of the face of the check. The captured image may then be forwarded electronically to a database, which is readily accessible for research purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Wade L. Funk
  • Patent number: 5832458
    Abstract: An automated system and method for electronically auditing point-of-sale transactions is provided. Each retail store outfitted with the present invention has at least partially automated point-of-sale system for processing a retail sales transaction in the normal operation of the retail store. A non-invasive automated electronic auditing system is disposed in each store for monitoring the point-of-sale system in a substantially totally passive manner and for collecting a copy of each retail sales transactions on the point-of-sale system. The electronic auditing system preferably includes a sensor assembly for detecting the processed retail sales transactions and a computer processor coupled to the sensor assembly for processing the detected retail sales transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Jones
  • Patent number: 5828833
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for allowing remote procedure calls through a network firewall. In accordance with an embodiment of the method of the invention, a request is received from an application server to allow remote procedure calls to pass through a firewall. The request is processed to determine whether the application server is authorized to receive remote procedure calls that have passed through the firewall. If the application server was authorized, then an identification of the application server is placed in a filter table associated with the firewall and remote procedure calls are allowed to pass through the firewall to the application server if the identification of that application server appears in the filter table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Belville, George R. Goble
  • Patent number: 5828887
    Abstract: A method for loading a software application for use at a client node (24, 30) of a network (12, 14) includes activating a program loader system (48) at the client node (24, 30). A user-specific software application setup file (56) is then transmitted from a file server (22, 28) to the client node (24, 30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Yeager, Aaron W. Marshall, Joel R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5825364
    Abstract: A system that obtains thin slices of an object for which a three dimensional model is to be constructed. Each slice is photographed and the photographic image data input to a computer system and placed in a three dimensional array, wherein the X-Y pixel data is placed into two dimensions of the array, with each slice occupying one position of the third dimension. The data stored for each slice is called a reference plane. The array data is then processed to create at least one estimated plane between each pair of reference planes. Each estimated plane is created by determining the poisson distribution of data over a range of planes on either side of the estimated plane. Once the estimated places have been created, a z-axis plane can be created using a columnar slice at each X position within the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald D. Redmer
  • Patent number: 5819231
    Abstract: Compensation planning tool (24) for use in connection with a computing device (12). A compensation planner (25) may receive and store compensation information for a plurality of employees. The compensation information preferably includes an identifier (100), a current salary (112), a current bonus (130), a current salary guideline (78), a current total compensation guideline (80), a planned salary action (122), a planned bonus action (132) and a ranking (108). The compensation planner (25) may sort the employees by rank and display a compensation plan. The compensation plan may include a current total compensation (103), a planned salary (108) and a planned total compensation (105) for each employee. A report (210) may be generated from the compensation plan. The report (210) may include a representation (214) of the planned total compensation for each employee arranged by rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Tremaine
  • Patent number: 5819281
    Abstract: An object-oriented programming language includes support for encapsulation of aspects and for change notification for aspect values. These features are then used to implement various change notification mechanisms. In general, a notification request for change in an aspect value in a target object is forwarded to any object (which may be the same object or another object) having aspects from which the aspect value is computed, derived, or replicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Fred A. Cummins
  • Patent number: 5819066
    Abstract: A benchmarking application for testing the performance of a database server (14) includes a plurality of execution parameters (82) and a program (78) operable to read the execution parameters (82). Processes (56, 58, 60) are generated by the program (78) in accordance with the execution parameters (82). Each process (56, 58, 60) represents a user (16, 18, 20) of the database server (14) and generates benchmark transactions (108) for submission to the database server (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard N. Bromberg, Richard W. Kupcunas
  • Patent number: 5808615
    Abstract: A process is provided for mapping the relationship of the content of a collection of documents (14). The process includes providing a collection (12) of documents (14) where each document (14) includes text. Relevance measures are determined that represent a relevance between each pair of documents (14) based upon the text of the documents (14). A graph (22) is then generated that has nodes (30) and edges (32) with each edge (32) connecting two nodes (30). The graph (22) has a node (30) associated with each document (14) and has an edge (32) connecting nodes (30) for which the relevance measure between associated documents (14) is greater than a specified threshold. In this manner, the graph (22) maps the relationship of the content of the collection (12) of documents (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Joe R. Hill, Gregory J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5805893
    Abstract: A converter and method (10) for converting an assembly language computer program (12) into a high-level language computer program (20, 22) includes the steps of reading and storing the assembler listing (18) into an array in memory (102), logically tracing said assembler listing (112), determining which lines are reachable logically, and marking reachable and unreachable lines accordingly, and further determining an instruction type for each reachable line and identifying each line by type accordingly (114). A data table having a hierarchy of data elements in said assembler listing is built (118), a data division from said data table is generated (134), and an hierarchy of sections of code caused by perform instructions in said assembler listing are identified and labeled (122, 124). The assembler listing is converted into a source program in said high-level language and unloaded as the high-level language source program from memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Sproul, John A. Wedel
  • Patent number: 5805812
    Abstract: A communication system (10) has a first computer (20), central controller (16) and controlled equipment (18). An operator may enter a desired performance by equipment (18) on first computer (20) which is placed in a communications packet with a device number, channel number, and one or more parameters and then sent to central controller (16) for processing. Central controller (16) loads the parameters into memory (270) and calls an appropriate function that uses the parameters to carry out the desired performance of the equipment (18). The receipt and processing of the communication packet may be acknowledged by the central controller (16) to computer (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan S. Fish, Andrew J. Berner, Sarah V. Denney
  • Patent number: 5805798
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide a fail-safe event driven transaction processing for electronic commerce applications. The system includes at least one system node having multiple entities and processes for communicating with outside devices, such as ATMs and financial institutions. Multiple links are provided between the system nodes to provide flexible routing in case of down nodes. A configuration database accessible by the processes provides a backup entity or process for each entity and process. A system monitor resides at each system node monitors the operational status of each node and communicates the status to other nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Kearns, Teresa R. Jahanian, Raymond E. Jeffery