Patents Assigned to International Business Machine Corporations
  • Patent number: 9946285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy allocation system for operating at least an energy storage device to substantially balance the energy consumed by the energy storage device with the energy supplied thereto, comprising the steps of: determining a power flexibility of the energy storage device by generating an upper time-varying power function; predicting energy consumption data per discrete time-slots over a given time-window for the device; predicting a demand for energy by the device in a given planning time-period; generating a time-varying upper energy function for the demand prediction that defines an uppermost limit for the supply of energy to the device; generating a time-varying lower energy function for the demand prediction that defines a lowermost limit for the supply of energy to the device, and supplying energy to the device in a range defined by the limits specified by the upper energy function and the lower energy function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Binding, Olle L. Sundstroem
  • Patent number: 9946808
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method to determine whether to perform entity resolution on vertices in an entity graph. A determination is made of pairs of records in a database having a relationship value satisfying a threshold. An entity relationship graph has a vertex for each of the records of the pairs and an edge between two vertices. Each vertex has a self-information score based on content in the record, an initial unique entity identifier, and an entity information score. For each subject vertex of the vertices, a determination is made of a target vertex directly connected to the subject vertex that has a highest entity information score and whether to set the subject vertex entity identifier and entity information score to the entity identifier and entity information score of the target vertex based on the target vertex self-information score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig W. Muchinsky, Scott Schumacher, Edward B. Thorne
  • Patent number: 9947689
    Abstract: A FinFET comprises a hybrid substrate having a top wafer of (100) silicon, a handle wafer of (110) silicon, and a buried oxide layer between the top wafer and the handle wafer; a first set of fins disposed in the top wafer and oriented in a <110> direction of the (100) silicon; and a second set of fins disposed in the handle wafer and oriented in a <112> direction of the (110) silicon. The first set of fins and the second set of fins are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Shogo Mochizuki, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9947113
    Abstract: A detection learning module is used for enabling and/or disabling real-time compression detection by maintaining a history of real-time compression detection success for sampled data. The enabling or disabling of the real-time compression detection is based on a detection benefit function derived from a set of calculated heuristics indicating the real-time compression detection success on input streams. The detection benefit function is calculated based on at least one heuristic score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Amit, Lilia Demidov, Yakov Gerlovin, Nir Halowani, Sergey Marenkov
  • Patent number: 9947660
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure, such as a microchip that includes a finFET, includes fins that have a 2D material, such as Graphene, upon at least the fin sidewalls. The thickness of the 2D material sidewall may be tuned to achieve desired finFET band gap control. Neighboring fins of the semiconductor structure form fin wells. The semiconductor structure may include a fin cap upon each fin and the 2D material is formed upon the sidewalls of the fin and the bottom surface of the fin wells. The semiconductor structure may include a well-plug at the bottom of the fin wells and the 2D material is formed upon the sidewalls and upper surface of the fins. The semiconductor structure may include both fin caps and well-plugs such that the 2D material is formed only upon the sidewalls of the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sami Rosenblatt, Rasit O. Topaloglu
  • Patent number: 9947740
    Abstract: A method for forming an on-chip capacitor with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices includes forming a first capacitor electrode between gate structures in a capacitor region while forming contacts to source and drain (S/D) regions in a CMOS region. Gate structures are cut in the CMOS region and the capacitor region by etching a trench across the gate structures and filling the trench with a dielectric material. The gate structures and the dielectric material in the trench in the capacitor region are removed to form a position for an insulator and a second electrode. The insulator is deposited in the position. Gate metal is deposited to form gate conductors in the CMOS region and the second electrode in the capacitor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 9947204
    Abstract: A connection validation apparatus includes a connector engagement mechanism configured to physically engage a connector to connect the connector to a connector interface. The apparatus further includes a connection indication detector located on the connector engagement mechanism and configured to detect at least one of a sound and a vibration corresponding to a secure connection of the connector with the connector interface. The apparatus also includes a connection indicator output unit configured to provide an indication to a user that the connector is securely connected with the connector interface based on the detection of the at least one of the sound and the vibration by the connection indication detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan F. Benner, Benjamin V. Fasano
  • Patent number: 9944517
    Abstract: An approach includes a method of fabricating a switch. The approach includes forming a first fixed electrode and a second fixed electrode, forming a first cantilevered electrode aligned vertically over the first fixed electrode, forming a second cantilevered electrode aligned vertically over the second fixed electrode, and which has an end that overlaps and is operable to directly contact an end of the first cantilevered electrode upon an application of a voltage to at least one of the first fixed electrode and the second fixed electrode, and forming a hermetically sealed volume encapsulating the first fixed electrode, the second fixed electrode, the first cantilevered electrode, and the second cantilevered electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen E. Luce, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 9948494
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a network connection device capable of forming a communication connection to a cellular network and to a wi-fi network and communicating with an application server and an application capable of communicating through the both cellular and wi-fi networks device to a remote device. The mobile device also includes a context module that records and analyzes information about a user's interactions with data provide to the device by the remote device. The context module modifies an API call between the application and the application server based on analysis of prior usage of the application and a current communication connection of the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Judith H. Bank, Lisa M. Bradley, Aaron J. Quirk, Lin Sun
  • Patent number: 9948746
    Abstract: In an approach for adjusting an order of actions to process a request, a processor receives a request that includes a set of actions to be performed in a first order. A processor receives monitored information of a service utilized to perform at least one action of the set of actions. A processor compares the monitored information to previously stored information. A processor determines that at least one aspect of the service is experiencing decreased performance based on the comparison. A processor identifies a first action of the set of actions corresponding to the at least one aspect of the service experiencing decreased performance. A processor adjusts the request, such that the request includes the set of actions to be performed in a second order, wherein the second order includes the first action is in a different position. A processor causes the adjusted request to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Chefalas, David M. Egle, Daniel L. Hiebert, Dennis D. Jurgensen, Arthur J. Meyer, III, Peter A. Singh, David M. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9946633
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for assessing risk of a software program and software updates to a program to prioritize verification resources, which includes receiving code for a software product for a testing assessment. The code is analyzed according to a risk assessment criteria, and the risk assessment criteria includes risk assessment factors. The risk assessment factors for the code are weighted as part of the criteria. A risk assessment score of the code is determined based on the criteria. Testing resources are allocated in response to the risk assessment score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Balaji V. Atyam, Nicholas E. Bofferding, Andrew Geissler, Michael C. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 9946786
    Abstract: An approach is provided to ingest software source code files into a question/answering (QA) system. During ingestion, source code blocks are classified to identify one or more constructs in the blocks as being domain-specific. Relationships between the blocks are then mapped. Software compliance regulations are ingested into the QA system. Using the QA system, a source code file is analyzed for compliance to the software compliance regulations. The analysis identifies code sections within the source code file as being domain-specific and subject to the ingested set of software compliance regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Andrew R. Freed, Dana L. Price
  • Patent number: 9947229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method for adjusting a flight path of an aircraft. The method begins with computing a flight path of an aircraft from a starting point to an ending point which incorporates predicted weather effects at different points in space and time. An iterative loop is entered for the flight path. Each of the following steps are performed in the iterative loop. First lift data is accessed from a fine-grain weather model associated with a geographic region of interest. The lift data is data to calculate a force that directly opposes a weight of the aircraft. In addition, lift data is accessed from sensors coupled to the aircraft. The lift data is one or more of 1) thermal data, 2) ridge lift data, 3) wave lift data, 3) convergence lift data, and 4) a dynamic soaring lift data. Numerous embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Lynar, Olivia J. Smith, John M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9949073
    Abstract: A wireless provider system can manage services provided to a plurality of electronic wireless devices based upon geo-fenced spaces defined by respective sets of points in space. A wireless provider system can provide wireless access service to the plurality of electronic wireless devices. The wireless provider system can detect that a particular electronic wireless device of the plurality of electronic wireless devices is within a particular geo-fenced space. In response to this detecting, the system can identify at least one service associated with the particular geo-fenced space. The wireless provider system can, in response to the identifying, modify the wireless access service provided to the wireless device by attaching the at least one service to the particular electronic wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Franck Barillaud, Insoo Cho, Daniel M. Christiani, Mark R. Thill, David S. Zhang
  • Patent number: 9948458
    Abstract: In response to at least one message received by a processor of a gateway server from a user device wherein each message requests that an encryption key be downloaded to the user device, the processor generates at least one unique encryption key for each message and sends the at least one generated encryption key to the user device, but does not store any of the generated encryption keys in the cloud. For each encryption key having been sent to the user device, the processor receives each encryption key returned from the user device. For each encryption key received from the user device, the processor stores each received encryption key in the cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Barney, Cataldo Mega, Edmond Plattier, Daniel Suski
  • Patent number: 9947348
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one embodiment, includes: a transducer structure having: a lower shield, an upper shield above the lower shield, a current-perpendicular-to-plane sensor between the upper and lower shields, an electrical lead layer between the sensor and one of the shields, and a spacer layer between the electrical lead layer and the one of the shields. The upper and lower shields provide magnetic shielding. The electrical lead layer is in electrical communication with the sensor. A conductivity of the electrical lead layer is higher than a conductivity of the spacer layer. A width of the electrical lead layer in a cross-track direction is greater than the width of a free layer of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Robert E. Fontana, Jr., Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 9947603
    Abstract: An electronic package includes a carrier and a semiconductor chip. In a first aspect a lid is attached to the chip and subsequently the gap between the lid and the carrier is filled by a seal band that includes seal band material and a plurality of shim members. In another aspect, an interleaved seal band includes a pattern of a first type of seal band material and a second type of seal band material. In another aspect, the lid includes a plurality of surfaces at different topographies to reduce the thickness of the seal band between the topographic lid and the carrier. In yet another aspect the electronic package further includes a frame concentric with the chip. The lid is attached to the frame with a solder, epoxy or elastomer and placed on the chip with a thermal interface material. The seal band material is dispensed on the chip carrier and the frame is then moved towards the chip carrier allowing a minimum seal band thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sushumna Iruvanti, Shidong Li, Kamal K. Sikka, Hilton T. Toy, Jeffrey A. Zitz
  • Patent number: 9947778
    Abstract: A method of forming a lateral bipolar junction transistor (LBJT) that includes providing a germanium containing layer on a crystalline oxide layer, and patterning the germanium containing layer stopping on the crystalline oxide layer to form a base region. The method may further include forming emitter and collector extension regions on opposing sides of the base region using ion implantation, and epitaxially forming an emitter region and collector region on the crystalline oxide layer into contact with the emitter and collector extension regions. The crystalline oxide layer provides a seed layer for the epitaxial formation of the emitter and collector regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Pouya Hashemi, Tak H. Ning, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9948256
    Abstract: Audio information of audio content being listened to by a user is received. An aspect of a listening environment of the user is identified. A volume preset, based on the audio information and the aspect of the listening environment, is determined to be available. A first volume of the audio content being listened to by the user is determined to be different from the volume preset. The first volume of the audio content is adjusted to a second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eli M. Dow, Thomas D. Fitzsimmons, Maurice M. Materise, Jessie Yu
  • Patent number: 9945681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for verification of a generated route in computer assisted navigation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for verification of a generated route in computer assisted navigation is provided. The method includes receiving an origin and a destination in a mapping application executing in memory by a processor of a computer and generating a first route in the mapping application from the origin to the destination. The method also includes receiving a waypoint for the first route and determining whether or not the waypoint is proximate to the first route. Finally, the method includes validating the first route only if it is determined that the waypoint is proximate to the first route. In one aspect of the embodiment, the method also can include generating an alternative route to include the waypoint if it is determined that the waypoint is not proximate to the first route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Judith Helen Bank, Lisa Marie Wood Bradley, Lin Sun, ChunHui Yang