IBM Patent Applications

IBM patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140320514
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting text from images rendered on a display screen, the method comprising capturing a color image rendered on a display screen; and transforming the color image to binary color image, preserving text-like graphic components and filtering out non-text-like graphical components. The transforming comprises scanning one or more areas of the color image; and detecting continuous bi-tonal regions in the scanned one or more areas, wherein the continuous bi-tonal regions have large variances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Geva, Mattias Marder
  • Publication number: 20140319206
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system accesses transaction documents. A unique code is generated for each transaction for one or more products, wherein the unique code is associated with a transaction document including transaction information and each product is associated with a product code. The system stores the unique code and corresponding one or more product codes associated with each transaction, and accesses one or more transaction documents based on an identifier of at least one product associated with a corresponding transaction of the one or more transaction documents. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for accessing transaction documents in substantially the same manners described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: International Business Machines Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140324546
    Abstract: A request for a simultaneous retail and transfer price optimization is received. The request includes a mutual optimization goal of each of at least two participants of a supply chain. Simultaneous optimization input constraints are selected based upon the mutual optimization goal. The requested simultaneous retail and transfer price optimization is performed using the selected simultaneous optimization input constraints. A set of optimized values of the mutual optimization goal is determined, based upon the simultaneous retail and transfer price optimization, using the selected simultaneous optimization input constraints. Each value of the set of optimized values is associated with one of the at least two participants of the supply chain. Output is generated that identifies the determined set of optimized values of the mutual optimization goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: International Business Machines Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140324498
    Abstract: A real-time monitoring sub-system may monitor resources, work requests, and work progress in an on-going manner in information technology global service delivery provisioning. An integrated management and planning subsystem may simultaneously operate on a plurality of timescales to optimize a service delivery objective under a constraint of schedule risk. The integrated management and planning subsystem may continuously update a work plan based on solving in the on-going manner, the optimized service delivery objective using the monitored resources, work requests and work progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shivali Agarwal, Yi-Min Chee, Juhnyoung Lee, Renuka R. Sindhgatta, Lav R. Varshney
  • Publication number: 20140325425
    Abstract: A computing device displays a set of graphical user interface (GUI) elements each having a respective transparent portion positioned over all or part of an underlying GUI element, which displays underlying content. Each set of GUI elements includes a respective set of peripherally located menu tabs and each menu tab includes a respective set of icons including a first icon corresponding to the first menu tab of a first GUI element. Each selected icon affects content that is displayed in a corresponding transparent portion, including the underlying content displayed within the underlying GUI element that is within the corresponding transparent portion. The computing device receives input selecting the first icon and in response applies a first modification to the content displayed within a first transparent portion which corresponds to the first GUI element and includes the underlying content that is within the first transparent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Milam, Sarah C. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140325519
    Abstract: A method includes a workload management (WLM) server that receives a first CHECK WORKLOAD command for a workload in a queue of the WLM server. It may be determined whether the workload is ready to run on a WLM client. If the workload is not ready to run, a wait time for the workload with the WLM server is dynamically estimated. The wait time is sent to the WLM client. If the workload is ready to run, then a response is sent to the WLM client that workload is ready to run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Li, Hanson Lieu, Ron Liu, Xiaoyan Pu
  • Publication number: 20140320515
    Abstract: Routing information processing method, computer program, and system. A method for processing routes in a graph, the method including coloring vertices in the graph in such a manner that a condition NP>NC is satisfied, wherein a number of vertices in the graph is represented by NP and a number of colors assigned to the vertices is represented by NC, and wherein a series of colors assigned to the vertices is identified uniquely, the series of colors representing a series of vertices corresponding to each of the routes; and storing a series of vertices corresponding to a route as a series of colors assigned to the vertices into the storing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Yanagisawa
  • Publication number: 20140319600
    Abstract: A through-the silicon via (TSV) structure providing a built-in TSV U-shaped FET that includes an annular gate shaped as a TSV partially embedded in a substrate, the annular gate having an inner and an outer surface bound by an oxide layer; a drain formed on an isolated epitaxial layer on top of the substrate conformally connecting the gate oxide layer surrounding the inner annular surface of the TSV; a source partially contacting said gate oxide layer conformally contacting gate oxide layer surrounding the outer surface of the TSV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman, Sami Rosenblatt, Geng Wang
  • Publication number: 20140324511
    Abstract: A document tracking module is associated with a physical document utilized within a business organization. Physical movement of the document is monitored through different departments of the business organization using information derived from the document tracking module. A business process flow within the business organization is discovered from the monitored physical movement of the document through the different departments of the business organization. A business process model, including details of the discovered business process flow within the business organization, is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salil Ahuja, Amod V. Bhise, Pankuj Chachra
  • Publication number: 20140320946
    Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for dynamically changing transparency of portions of a vehicle transparent material including determining a location of a bright light with respect to a vehicle; determining a driver location within the vehicle; selectively changing a transparency of a selected portion of the vehicle transparent material to obscure the bright light from the driver's eyes, while allowing a majority of the vehicle transparent material to remain normally transparent; and repeating the above steps continually to adjust a location of the selected portion of the vehicle transparent material as the vehicle changes orientation with respect to the bright light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Tomkins, Corville O. Allen, Joel Duquene, Henri F. Meli, Gerald G. Tomkins
  • Publication number: 20140324541
    Abstract: A method and associated systems for using real-time online text analytics and real-time online semantic analytics to automatically generate an appropriate measurement scale for a questionnaire, survey, interview, or other information-gathering instrument. The method uses known techniques, procedures, and models of real-time online analytics to infer meaning from a subject's unstructured response to a questioner's solicitation of information. It next uses these results to select one or more measurement scales from a repository of measurement scales and to customize those selected scales into forms appropriate to the researcher's solicitation. The processor then delivers the customized scale or scales to the researcher quickly enough to allow the researcher to use the delivered scales to immediately quantize or otherwise characterize the unstructured response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nadeem Malik, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Mithkal M. Smadi
  • Publication number: 20140325513
    Abstract: A solution is proposed for deploying a virtual appliance onto a data processing system. A corresponding, method comprises instantiating the virtual appliance with a basic configuration onto the data processing system, determining a value of each one of a set of environmental features at a virtual data processing environment associated with the virtual appliance, and downloading a set of local software programs corresponding to the values of at least part of the environmental features onto the virtual appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giuseppe Ciano, Marco De Santis, Maurizio Simeoni
  • Publication number: 20140325212
    Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product stores information in a distributed data-processing environment. The method comprises: encrypting, by one or more processors, a piece of information; splitting, by one or more processors, the encrypted piece of information into at least one first encrypted block and at least one second encrypted block, at least part of said at least one first encrypted block being required for decrypting said at least one second encrypted block; distributing, by one or more processors, said at least one first encrypted block for storing in at least one first location; and distributing, by one or more processors, said at least one second encrypted block for storing in at least one second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: GIANLUCA DELLA CORTE, ALESSANDRO DONATELLI, ANTONIO M. SGRO
  • Publication number: 20140325124
    Abstract: A memory system for storing data in a plurality N of memory chips. The memory system includes a number K of sets of memory chips, wherein each set of the K sets includes a number M of the memory chips, with N=K·M; and one signal processing unit having a number L of signal processing engines for signal processing data of the N memory chips and having a data link interface for interfacing each of the K sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodore Antonakopoulos, Nikolaos Papandreou, Charalampos Pozidis
  • Publication number: 20140324932
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a decoder and an actuator. The decoder is configured to receive a signal comprising a target olfactory pleasantness, to determine one or more combinations of odors which produce the target olfactory pleasantness, and to select a given one of the combinations of odors. The actuator is coupled to the decoder and configured to utilize the given combination of odors to produce an odor with the target olfactory pleasantness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Min Chee, Angela Schoergendorfer, Lav R. Varshney
  • Publication number: 20140324876
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to manage a database is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product may include structuring the database to have a first table having an index and a second table. A first key of the first table may be related to a second key of the second table. The method, system, and computer program product may include creating an entry locator in the index. The method, system, and computer program product may include maintaining an association between the second key of the second table and the entry locator of the index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rafal P. Konik, Roger A. Mittelstadt, Brian R. Muras, Mark W. Theuer
  • Publication number: 20140319694
    Abstract: A method including implanting a region of a substrate with a dopant, and forming a through-substrate via in the substrate adjacent to a device, the through-substrate via passing through the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy L. Graves-Abe, Brian J. Greene, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman
  • Publication number: 20140324617
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to multi-dimensional surface-based bid matching. An aspect includes receiving a bid from a first user, the bid comprising a plurality of ranges, wherein each range of the plurality of ranges corresponds to a respective dimension of a plurality of dimensions. Another aspect includes determining a first bid surface in the plurality of dimensions based on the plurality of ranges of the bid of the first user. Another aspect includes modifying the first bid surface based on a match to the bid of the first user, the match comprising a point on a second bid surface corresponding to a bid from a second user. Another aspect includes wherein, if the first user comprises a work requester, the second user comprises a work producer, and if the first user comprises a work producer, the second user comprises a work requester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa Cefkin, Tobin J. Lehman, Yolanda A. Rankin, H. Raymond Strong, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140324406
    Abstract: A monitoring and alert methodology ascertains conditions that may result in a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event. The method employs a semantic model of a combined sewer system that includes specification information describing the components of the combined sewer system. Sensors distributed throughout the components of the combined sewer system sense operating parameter information for those components. A monitoring and alerting (MA) information handling system (IHS) receives operating parameter information from the sensors. The MA IHS analyzes the operating parameter information received from the sensors together with the specification information in the semantic model of the combined sewer system to determine if a combined sewer overflow (CSO) event is possible. The MA IHS generates an alert to provide notification of a possible CSO event if the MA IHS determines that a CSO event is possible. In this manner, an operator may take early corrective action before a CSO event occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pamela A. Nesbitt, Jake Palmer, Donnie Smith, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140324515
    Abstract: A document tracking module is associated with a physical document utilized within a business organization. Physical movement of the document is monitored through different departments of the business organization using information derived from the document tracking module. A business process flow within the business organization is discovered from the monitored physical movement of the document through the different departments of the business organization. A business process model, including details of the discovered business process flow within the business organization, is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salil Ahuja, Amod V. Bhise, Pankuj Chachra
  • Publication number: 20140325158
    Abstract: Systems. Methods, and Computer Program Products are provided for managing a global cache coherency in a distributed shared caching for a clustered file systems (CFS). The CFS manages access permissions to an entire space of data segments by using the DSM module. In response to receiving a request to access one of the data segments, a calculation operation is performed for obtaining most recent contents of one of the data segments. The calculation operation performs one of providing the most recent contents via communication with a remote DSM module which obtains the one of the data segments from an associated external cache memory, instructing by the DSM module to read from storage the one of the data segments, and determining that any existing contents of the one of the data segments in the local external cache are the most recent contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lior ARONOVICH, Yair TOAFF, Gil PAZ, Ron ASHER
  • Publication number: 20140325140
    Abstract: A computer installs an operating system. The computer receives, in a logical partition (LPAR) via a management network, a deploy program configured to download a disk image from an image repository and to write the disk image to a first direct access storage device (DASD) of the LPAR. The disk image includes an operating system, applications, and management components including an upgrade program. The computer receives, in the LPAR via a data network, the disk image, and writes, to the first DASD of the LPAR, the disk image. The computer boots the LPAR into the operating system of the disk image written to the first DASD, and determines whether the installed operating system is a deployment or an upgrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Haug, Steffen Hees, Roland Seiffert, Stefan Letz, Jan-Bernd Themann
  • Publication number: 20140324512
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for creating a business service flow using automated business function implementation analysis and adaptive transaction integration are provided. An implementation of a business service is analyzed to identify a set of transactions used. A set of relationships between transactions is identified, a relationship relates a subset of transactions according to a condition. A set of generic flows is created using a subset of transactions from the set of transactions. A set of adaptive flows is created using a subset of the set of generic flows and a subset of relationships from the set of relationships, an adaptive flow in the set of adaptive flows provides the business service as was provided by the implementation, and the adaptive flow includes program code for responding to the condition by invoking a related transaction based on a relationship used in the adaptive flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORARION
  • Publication number: 20140324329
    Abstract: A method includes, a first computer determining a stopping distance information for a first vehicle; broadcasting the stopping distance information for the first vehicle to at least one other vehicle; a second computer, in the at least one other vehicle, receiving the stopping distance information for the first vehicle determines a first distance between the at least one other vehicle and the first vehicle; and the second computer determining a proper distance for the at least one other vehicle based on the received stopping distance information of the first vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tamer E. Abuelsaad, John Elbert Moore, JR., Rajeshkumar N. Singi, Robert Richard Wentworth
  • Publication number: 20140319522
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for metallization during semiconductor wafer processing and the resulting structures. In this method, a passivation layer is patterned with first openings aligned above and extending vertically to metal structures below. A mask layer is formed and patterned with second openings aligned above the first openings, thereby forming two-tier openings extending vertically through the mask layer and passivation layer to the metal structures below. An electrodeposition process forms, in the two-tier openings, both under-bump pad(s) and additional metal feature(s), which are different from the under-bump pad(s) (e.g., a wirebond pad; a final vertical section of a crackstop structure; and/or a probe pad). Each under-bump pad and additional metal feature initially comprises copper with metal cap layers thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Karen P. McLaughlin, Ekta Misra, Christopher D. Muzzy, Eric D. Perfecto, Wolfgang Sauter
  • Publication number: 20140325663
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to manage license key information in a system including a feature requiring the license key information are described. The method includes storing, automatically, a backup copy of the license key information from a primary copy of the license key information after installation of a feature requiring the license key information on the system. The method also includes recovering, automatically, the license key information whenever the license key information is required to be installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yamilka F. Cranford, Tu T. Dang, Michael C. Elles, Loc X. Nguyen, Mark G. Noll
  • Publication number: 20140321802
    Abstract: An optical waveguide structure may include an optical waveguide structure located within a semiconductor structure and an optical coupler. The optical coupler may include a metallic structure located within an electrical interconnection region of the semiconductor structure, whereby the metallic structure extends downward in a substantially curved shape from a top surface of the electrical interconnection region and couples to the optical waveguide structure. The optical coupler may further include an optical signal guiding region bounded within the metallic structure, whereby the optical coupler receives an optical signal from the top surface and couples the optical signal to the optical waveguide structure such that the optical signal propagation is substantially vertical at the top surface and substantially horizontal at the optical waveguide structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Mark D. Jaffe, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin
  • Publication number: 20140325188
    Abstract: A method for reducing a pipeline stall in a multi-pipelined processor includes finding a store instruction having a same target address as a load instruction and having a store value of the store instruction not yet written according to the store instruction, when the store instruction is being concurrently processed in a different pipeline than the load instruction and the store instruction occurs before the load instruction in a program order. The method also includes associating a target rename register of the load instruction as well as the load instruction with the store instruction, responsive to the finding step. The method further includes writing the store value of the store instruction to the target rename register of the load instruction and finishing the load instruction without reissuing the load instruction, responsive to writing the store value of the store instruction according to the store instruction to finish the store instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: TAKESHI OGASAWARA
  • Publication number: 20140324890
    Abstract: A data driven parallel sorting method includes distributing input data records to n partitions one by one in a circular manner. Each partition corresponds to a parallel sorting process with an allocated memory chunk sized to store m data records. The method also includes sorting, in parallel, current data records in respective memory chunks in respective partitions. The method also includes in response to distribution of data records of ?m/n? rounds, circularly controlling one of the n partitions, and writing data records that have been sorted in the memory chunk of the partition into a mass storage as an ordered data chunk, and emptying the memory chunk. The method also includes in response to all data records being distributed, writing data chunks that have been sorted in respective memory chunks into the mass storage, and performing a merge sort on all ordered data chunks in the mass storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Caufield, Ron E. Liu, Dong J. Wei, Xin Y. Yang
  • Publication number: 20140321582
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for parallel data processing. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for parallel data processing, comprising: receiving baseband data corresponding to multiple antennas from uplink data; converting the baseband data from time-domain signals to frequency-domain signals; processing the frequency-domain signals at least partially in parallel by multiple processing units in a general-purpose processor so as to restore transmitted code blocks; and constructing transmission block (TB) based on the transmitted code blocks. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for parallel data processing. By means of the method and apparatus of the present invention, the parallel data processing capacity of a general-purpose data processor may be used to process, in parallel as much as possible, data in uplink data transmission and further improve the receiver operation efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xinhao Cheng, Yonghua Lin, Chao Xue, Rong Yan, Chao Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140324552
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of obtaining interactions from network traffic for storage in a playback device, analyzing the obtained interactions to determine correlations between the obtained interactions and a knowledge base and annotating the obtained interactions based at least in part on the analysis of the obtained interactions. The obtaining, analyzing, and annotating steps are performed by at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yuan-Chi Chang, Jih-Shyr Yih
  • Publication number: 20140324516
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to determining a process outcome based on a computed probability and altering the path of a process instance based on an expediting rule. An aspect includes executing, by a processing device, a process instance in a process diagram, which includes a plurality of process steps. A condition associated with a first process step is identified. An outcome for the first process step is then determined based on a computed probability. Accordingly, the first process step is bypassed and the process instance is branched to a second process step based on an expediting rule. The expediting rule includes the condition and a branching action according to a selected outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Bonnard, Steven J. Demuth, Rania Y. Khalaf, Geetika T. Lakshmanan
  • Publication number: 20140321801
    Abstract: An optical waveguide structure may include a dielectric layer having a top surface, an optical waveguide structure, and an optical coupler embedded within the dielectric layer. The optical coupler may have both a substantially vertical portion that couples to the top surface of the dielectric layer and a substantially horizontal portion that couples to the optical waveguide structure. The substantially vertical portion and the substantially horizontal portion are separated by a curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machnes Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Mark D. Jaffe, Kirk D. Peterson, Jed H. Rankin
  • Publication number: 20140325483
    Abstract: This claimed subject matter relates to techniques for generating a test script from a pre-existing script for testing a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising: parsing a pre-existing test script; parsing the model associated with the GUI; identifying GUI actions that are identified by keywords and associated parameters that exist in the pre-existing test script; and generating a new test script by adding the identified actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Pilot, Graham Richards
  • Publication number: 20140321080
    Abstract: An electrical socket comprises a body. A sleeve having a longitudinal axis is mounted in the body for receiving an electrical plug. At least one electrical contact is located in the sleeve for completing an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical contact of the plug when inserted in the sleeve. The sleeve is mounted to pivot about a point on the longitudinal axis thereof for movement relative to the body in response to a force applied to the sleeve in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin I. Holyoake, James S. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140319685
    Abstract: Hybrid metal-graphene interconnect structures and methods of forming the same. The structure may include a first end metal, a second end metal, a conductive line including one or more graphene portions extending from the first end metal to the second end metal, and one or more line barrier layers partially surrounding each of the one or more graphene portions. The conductive line may further include one or more intermediate metals separating each of the one or more graphene portions. Methods of forming said interconnect structures may include forming a plurality of metals including a first end metal and a second end metal in a dielectric layer, forming one or more line trenches between each of the plurality of metals, forming a line barrier layer in each of the one or more line trenches, and filling the one or more line trenches with graphene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junjing Bao, Griselda Bonilla, Samuel S. Choi, Ronald G. Filippi, Naftali E. Lustig, Andrew H. Simon
  • Publication number: 20140325492
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and/or computer program product performs selective speculative class-based optimization through the use of a type propagation analysis of class. Responsive to a determination that the type of class is not a fixed type, a determination is made as to whether the class is sub-classed. Responsive to a determination the class is not sub-classed, a virtual synthetic property method is created. The virtual synthetic property method is accommodated in an enhanced java virtual machine using a stack frame type. The stack frame type has associated metadata for throwing an exception and an invisibility property. The virtual synthetic property method, along with a virtual guard, is inlined, and a slow path is created. The slow path handles executions of the virtual synthetic property method when sub-classes of the class, which override an implementation of the virtual synthetic property method, are loaded in the future.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20140323085
    Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of user devices and a conference call bridge connected to the plurality of end user devices via one or more networks. The conference call bridge is configured to connect to a given one of the plurality of user devices, receive a passcode from the given user device, and authenticate the given user device using the passcode. The passcode is personal to the given user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Y. Wu
  • Publication number: 20140325666
    Abstract: A system and computer program product for transforming a Linked Data graph into a corresponding anonymous Linked Data graph, in which semantics is preserved and links can be followed to expand the anonymous graph up to r times without breaching anonymity (i.e., anonymity under r-dereferenceability). Anonymizing a Linked Data graph under r-dereferenceability provides privacy guarantees of k-anonymity or l-diversity variants, while taking into account and preserving the rich semantics of the graph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aris Gkoulalas-Divanis, Spyros Kotoulas, Vanessa Lopez, Marco Luca Sbodio
  • Publication number: 20140315520
    Abstract: Approaches for recording and playing back a portion of a telephone call are provided. An approach includes establishing a subscriber of a recording and play back service. The approach includes recording, by a computing device, a portion of a conversation of the subscriber that occurs in a call between a first telephone and a second telephone. The approach additionally includes storing, by the computing device, the portion of the conversation when the call ends. The approach further includes analyzing, by the computing device, the stored portion of the conversation to detect predefined keywords. The approach also includes automatically providing the subscriber with an option to play back the stored portion of the conversation when at least one of the predefined keywords is detected during the analyzing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peeyush JAISWAL, Kiran MUTUKURU, Gregory TOON, Aleksas J. VITENAS
  • Publication number: 20140312986
    Abstract: Tunable interconnect structures, integrated circuits containing the tunable interconnect structures and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The interconnect transmission line structure includes a signal conductor and a plurality of conductors in proximity to the signal conductor. The structure further includes one or more switchable conductors in proximity to at least the signal conductor. The one or more switchable conductors has a programmable wiring switch with a terminal connected to the one or more switchable conductors and another terminal connected to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20140317237
    Abstract: Machines, systems and methods for dynamic content filtering are provided. The method comprises receiving an indication for a preference for an approximate number of content to be delivered during an indicated time period; assigning a first score to the first content according to one or more factors, in response to receiving a first content at a first point in time during the first time period; delivering the first content, in response to determining that the first score is above a first dynamically calculated threshold, wherein the first dynamically calculated threshold is calculated based on: t: time of arrival of the first content, k(t): number of contents that has been delivered until the first point in time, K: the approximate number of events to be delivered during the indicated time period, and F: a distribution function calculated based on prior history of the content delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gilad Barkai, David Carmel, Ido Guy, Gilad Kutiel, Tal Steier
  • Publication number: 20140315379
    Abstract: After formation of a replacement gate structure, a template dielectric layer employed to pattern the replacement gate structure is removed. After deposition of a dielectric liner, a first dielectric material layer is deposited by an anisotropic deposition and an isotropic etchback. A second dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized employing the first dielectric material portion as a stopping structure. The first dielectric material portion is removed selective to the second dielectric material layer, and is replaced with gate cap dielectric material portion including at least one dielectric material different from the materials of the dielectric material layers. A contact via hole extending to a source/drain region is formed employing the gate cap dielectric material portion as an etch stop structure. A contact via structure is spaced from the replacement gate structure at least by remaining portions of the gate cap dielectric material portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong He, Chiahsun Tseng, Chun-chen Yeh, Yunpeng Yin
  • Publication number: 20140317730
    Abstract: An approach is provided to verify a network address. In the approach, a network address is received from a domain name service (DNS) based on a requested uniform resource locator (URL) that corresponds to a requested domain. A set of one or more network addresses previously established as corresponding to the requested domain is retrieved from a data store accessible from the information handling system. The information handling system is automatically connected to the network address in response to the received network address matching one of the set of one or more retrieved network addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Ashley, Carsten Hagemann
  • Publication number: 20140312433
    Abstract: After formation of a replacement gate structure, a template dielectric layer employed to pattern the replacement gate structure is removed. After deposition of a dielectric liner, a first dielectric material layer is deposited by an anisotropic deposition and an isotropic etchback. A second dielectric material layer is deposited and planarized employing the first dielectric material portion as a stopping structure. The first dielectric material portion is removed selective to the second dielectric material layer, and is replaced with gate cap dielectric material portion including at least one dielectric material different from the materials of the dielectric material layers. A contact via hole extending to a source/drain region is formed employing the gate cap dielectric material portion as an etch stop structure. A contact via structure is spaced from the replacement gate structure at least by remaining portions of the gate cap dielectric material portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hong HE, Chiahsun TSENG, Chun-chen YEH, Yunpeng YIN
  • Publication number: 20140317598
    Abstract: A computer analyzes application lifecycle management data to calculate waste and inefficiency. The computer receives application lifecycle management (ALM) data that includes workflow artifacts, workflow artifact states, and linkage between the workflow artifacts. The ALM data also includes time stamps associated with the workflow artifacts and linkages. The computer calculates lag time between the time stamps of the ALM data. The lag times measure the timeliness of collaboration and communication within a software development project, and based on the calculated lag times or averages, the computer generates visualizations including value steam maps, lag time visualizations or waste reduction visualizations. These visualizations can monitor the performance of a team or can be used to compare the performance of multiple teams throughout a software development project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Monica Luke, Carolyn Pampino
  • Publication number: 20140315500
    Abstract: Tunable phase shifters and methods for using the same include a signal line; one or more grounding lines; one or more crossing lines below the signal line in proximity to the signal line and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the signal line, where the crossing lines conform to the shape of the signal line along at least three surfaces of the signal line and where the crossing lines have a tunable capacitance; and an inductance return line below the crossing lines substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the signal line, where the inductance return line provides a tunable inductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: HANYI DING, ALBERTO VALDES GARCIA, WAYNE H. WOODS, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140317305
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for initializing a stream computing application are disclosed. The method may include, during a compiling of code, determining whether an attribute of a tuple to be processed at a first stream operator is to be next processed at a second stream operator. The first stream operator may be configured to transmit the tuple along an execution path to the second stream operator. The execution path includes one or more intervening stream operators between the first and second stream operators. The method may invoke a compression condition when the first attribute of the tuple to be processed at the first stream operator is to be next processed at the second stream operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Branson, John M. Santosuosso
  • Publication number: 20140312154
    Abstract: A control device for controlling the transport of a tape within a tape transport system, the tape transport system having a head being operable to read data from and/or write data to the tape, an outboard reel and an inboard reel, wherein the tape is moveable from the outboard reel to the inboard reel in forward direction or from the inboard reel to the outboard reel in reverse direction, wherein the control device is adapted to generate control signals to control the velocity of the outboard reel and the velocity of the inboard reel as a function of a primary velocity of the tape at the head and a secondary velocity of the tape at the inboard reel and/or a secondary velocity of the tape at the outboard reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni Cherubini, Jens Jelitto, Eiji Ogura, Angeliki Pantazi
  • Publication number: 20140316702
    Abstract: Managing routes to meet one or more predetermined conditions, in one aspect, may comprise receiving user information associated with a user via a user's device. Based on the user information, at least a target location to where the user is traveling may be determined. Path information associated with one or more intermediary locations leading to the target location may be received. The path information may be received automatically from one or more sensors installed at the respective intermediary locations for detecting the path information. A route strategy that meets one or more conditions may be estimated by analyzing the user information and the path information. The user information may be obtained automatically from one or more of social network profile data associated with the user, electronic calendar data associated with the user, or historical data associated with the user stored in a user profile database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Henrique Cardonha, Dimitri Kanevsky, Peter K. Malkin, Seetharami R. Seelam