IBM Patents

The International Business Machines Corporation provides IT infrastructure and services to enterprise customers.

IBM Patents by Type
  • IBM Patents Granted: IBM patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • IBM Patent Applications: IBM patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Publication number: 20080249971
    Abstract: Method, system, and article of manufacture for selecting prospects for a product promotion though data mining. An initial set of prospects in a customer database is identified, by data mining, as initially identified prospects based on predetermined selection criteria. The number of initially identified prospects is compared to a target number of prospects. When the number of initially identified prospects matches the target number of prospects, the initially identified prospects are utilized as the final selection of prospects. When the number of initially identified prospects mismatches the target number of prospects, the final selection of prospects is determined by performing a culling process or an augmenting process to reduce or increase, respectively, the initial set of prospects using a heuristic measure H, until the number of prospects in the initial set of prospects matches the target number of prospects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis Richard Hale, John Baxter Rollins
  • Publication number: 20080248616
    Abstract: A structure and method of fabrication for PFET devices in a compressively strained Ge layer is disclosed. The fabrication method of such devices is compatible with standard CMOS technology and it is fully scalable. The processing includes selective epitaxial depositions of an over 50% Ge content buffer layer, a pure Ge layer, and a SiGe top layer. Fabricated buried channel PMOS devices hosted in the compressively strained Ge layer show superior device characteristics relative to similar Si devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huiling Shang, Meikei Ieong, Jack Oon Chu, Kathryn W. Guarini
  • Publication number: 20080246524
    Abstract: A Duty Cycle Correction (DCC) circuit is provide in which pairs of field effect transistors (FETs) in known DCC circuit topologies are replaced with linear resistors coupled to switches of the DCC circuit such that when the switch is open, the input signal is routed through the linear resistors. The linear resistors are more tolerant of process, voltage and temperature (PVT) fluctuations than FETs and thus, the resulting DCC circuit provides a relatively smaller change in DCC correction range with PVT fluctuations than the known DCC circuit topology that employs FETs. The linear resistors may be provided in parallel with the switches and in series with a pair of FETs having relatively large resistance values. The linear resistors provide resistance that pulls-up or pulls-down the pulse width of the input signal so as to provide correction to the duty cycle of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Boerstler, Eskinder Hailu, Jieming Qi
  • Publication number: 20080250214
    Abstract: A preparation of a storage system of a pending disaster at an onsite location of the storage system involves the storage system receiving a disaster preparation initiation from an offsite client. In response to receiving the disaster preparation initiation from the offsite client, the storage system to executes disaster preparation of onsite data including managing a temporary storage of onsite data volumes to at least one peer site, managing a storage of onsite cached data to a first onsite removable media, and/or managing a storage of onsite management information to a second onsite removable media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Brettell, Joseph M. Swingler
  • Publication number: 20080250473
    Abstract: A solution (A1-A16) is proposed for distributing a software product to a set of data processing entities (such as endpoints) in a data processing system; the system includes a set of security applications (such as firewalls), which are adapted to control communications of the entities. A corresponding method starts with the step of determining a target configuration of the security applications for allowing execution of the software product on the entities. A software package (or more), being adapted to enforce the software product and the target configuration, is then built (A11). The method continues by distributing (A12-A16) the software package in the system, so as to cause the application of the software package for enforcing the software product on each entity and the target configuration of each security application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Celli Massimiliano, Antonio Gallo, Luigi Pichetti, Marco Secchi
  • Publication number: 20080246732
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent C. Conzola, Vincent R. Lanzolla, Timothy A. Meserth, Gerard F. Muenkel, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20080250137
    Abstract: A system and method for intrusion prevention high availability fail over. The system includes a network infrastructure which comprises a first sensor and at least one back-up sensor. The first sensor and the at least one back-up sensor are in line with a network path. The first sensor and the at least one back-up sensor are configured to share connection and session information via a communication link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy ZUFELT
  • Publication number: 20080247496
    Abstract: In a method for reading data from a serial data source in a parallel format, data from the serial data source is deserialized by placing a plurality of predefined units of data onto a parallel bus and asserting a deserialization clock when each of the plurality of predefined units is valid on the parallel bus. A delayed clock pulse is generated a predetermined amount of time after each assertion of the deserialization clock. Each delayed pulse is repeated so as to generate an end point repeated clock pulse corresponding to each delayed pulse wherein the predetermined amount of time is an amount of time that ensures that each predefined unit of data on the parallel bus is valid when each end point repeated clock pulse is asserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne M. Barrett, Todd A. Greenfield
  • Publication number: 20080250135
    Abstract: Managing application performance on a network. A network graph is generated from a set of application endpoints on the network. The network graph is annotated by associating one or more of the application endpoints with at least one of a corresponding latency annotation or a corresponding available bandwidth annotation. An end to end plan is formulated from the annotated network graph, wherein the plan maps one or more application requirements onto the plurality of paths in accordance with one or more end to end control adjustments including at least one of a server selection adjustment, an internet service provider (ISP) selector, or an overlay routing adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prashant Pradhan, Debanjan Saha, Sambit Sahu, Manpreet Singh
  • Publication number: 20080250089
    Abstract: Disclosed is a garbage collection algorithm that achieves hierarchical copy order with parallel garbage collection threads. More specifically, the present invention provides a garbage collection method and system for copying objects from a from-space to a to-space. The method comprises the steps of (a) having multiple threads that simultaneously perform work for garbage collection (GC), (b) examining the placement of objects on blocks, and (c) changing the placement of objects on blocks based on step (b). Preferably, the method includes the additional step of calculating a placement of object(s) based on step (b), and using the result of the calculation for step (c). For example, the calculation may be used to increase the frequency of intra-block pointers and/or to increase the frequency of siblings on the same block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David K. Siegwart, Martin Hirzel
  • Publication number: 20080250355
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for generating three-dimensional objects to represent files in a three-dimensional environment. A primary classifier classifies stored files into groups based on a first set of properties and generates three-dimensional mesh objects to represent each file. The mesh objects are the same within each group and distinguish the files from group to group. A secondary classifier further classifies each group of files into sub-groups based on a second set of properties and deforms the mesh objects in each sub-group in a particular manner to distinguish files from sub-group to sub-group. Additional classifiers modify the deformed mesh objects to further distinguish files within each sub-group (e.g., by varying the shape, texture, animation, etc.). Each three-dimensional object can then be embedded into a three-dimensional graphical user interface as a selection tool that provides visual cues regarding the contents of a particular file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Sullivan, Sharad C. Sundararajan
  • Publication number: 20080246059
    Abstract: A method of fabrication and a field effect device structure are presented that reduce source/drain capacitance and allow for device body contact. A Si based material pedestal is produced, the top surface and the sidewalls of which are oriented in a way to be substantially parallel with selected crystallographic planes of the pedestal and of a supporting member. The pedestal is wet etched with an anisotropic solution containing ammonium hydroxide. The sidewalls of the pedestal become faceted forming a segment in the pedestal with a reduced cross section. The dopant concentration in the reduced cross section segment is chosen to be sufficiently high for it to provide for electrical continuity through the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yujun Li, Kenneth T. Settlemyer, Jochen Beintner
  • Publication number: 20080250072
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for restoring a source file referenced by multiple file names to a restore file. An operation is processed to restore a source file having a first file name to a restore file, wherein the source file is in a state of being accessed by a process. A determination is made as to whether a second file name references the source file. A first temporary file name and a second temporary file name are created that both reference the restore file in response to determining that the second file name references the source file. The first temporary file name is renamed to the first file name and the second temporary file name is renamed to the second file name. After the renaming of the first and second temporary file names, the first and second file names reference the restore file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanne T. Nguyen, James Patrick Smith
  • Publication number: 20080250289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing a logic built-in self-test (LBIST) on an electronic circuit with a plurality of logic circuits (18, 20, 22, 24) and storage elements (14, 16) connected serially to a number of LBIST stumps (10, 12) between a pseudo-random-pattern generator (26) and a multiple-input-signature register (28), wherein at least one constrained logic circuit (18) requires constrained values as input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tilman Gloekler, Michael Kugel, Thuyen Le, Matthias Woehrle
  • Publication number: 20080249746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining a metric of capacity in computing systems and computer applications. Capacity in this sense refers to the ability of computer systems and computer applications to perform work. Many applications and multi-hop system strategies could benefit from understanding the amount of work a particular system or application is capable of performing. A metric such as this can be very difficult to calculate due to widely varying system hardware, operating system architectures, and application behavior/performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Bivens, Peter Yocom
  • Publication number: 20080250112
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to analyze an email message using a policy to form a result in response to detecting a request to send an email message. A determination is made as to whether the result indicates that the email message is complete. An alert is generated if a determination is present that indicates that the email message is incomplete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John Hans Handy-Bosma, Mei Yang Selvage, Alan Richard Tannenbaum, Keith Raymond Walker
  • Publication number: 20080247419
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to receive a user input defining settings at an application layer to form a set of received settings. An adaptive bandwidth control process is executed using the received settings to identify a transmission rate for transmitting data packets across a network. The data packets are transmitted across the network using the identified transmission rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Elliot, Gregory James Kudamik, Christopher Victor Lazzaro, Tranh K. Tran
  • Publication number: 20080250398
    Abstract: An assigning unit included in a device assigns an ID to a verification-target character string. A mapping file creating unit creates a mapping file in which the ID is associated with location data that indicates a location of the verification-target character string. In addition, an encoding unit included in the device encodes the ID into a zero-width character string. A character-string concatenating unit concatenates the zero-width character string to the verification-target character string. Furthermore, a decoding unit included in the device decodes the zero-width character string to the ID in response to selection of the verification-target character string displayed by a verification-target character string output unit. An extracting unit extracts the location data from the mapping file on the basis of the decoded ID. A mapping data output unit included in the device displays the mapping data including the extracted location data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHIKO TAKAHASHI, TADAYUKI YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20080249844
    Abstract: A system and method for sequential decision-making for customer relationship management includes providing customer data including stimulus-response history data, and automatically generating actionable rules based on the customer data. Further, automatically generating actionable rules may include estimating a value function using reinforcement learning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Abe, Edwin P.D. Pednault
  • Publication number: 20080248643
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a far back end of the line solder connector and a method of forming the connector that eliminates the use aluminum, protects the integrity of the ball limiting metallurgy (BLM) layers and promotes adhesion of the BLM layers by incorporating a thin conformal conductive liner into the solder connector structure. This conductive liner coats the top of the via filling in any divots in order to create a uniform surface for BLM deposition and to, thereby, protect the integrity of the BLM layers. The liner further coats the dielectric sidewalls of the well in which the BLM layers are formed in order to enhance adhesion of the BLM layers to the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Laertis Economikos, Ian D. Melville, Kevin S. Petrarca, Richard P. Volant
  • Publication number: 20080246090
    Abstract: A double-gate transistor having front (upper) and back gates that are aligned laterally is provided. The double-gate transistor includes a back gate thermal oxide layer below a device layer; a back gate electrode below a back gate thermal oxide layer; a front gate thermal oxide above the device layer; a front gate electrode layer above the front gate thermal oxide and vertically aligned with the back gate electrode; and a transistor body disposed above the back gate thermal oxide layer, symmetric with the first gate. The back gate electrode has a layer of oxide formed below the transistor body and on either side of a central portion of the back gate electrode, thereby positioning the back gate self-aligned with the front gate. The transistor also includes source and drain electrodes on opposite sides of said transistor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Omer H. Dokumaci, Bruce B. Doris, Kathryn W. Guarini, Suryanarayan G. Hegde, MeiKei Ieong, Erin Catherine Jones
  • Publication number: 20080250242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for selective encryption of a data transmission. A data transmission is received. When the data transmission is received, the data transmission is unmarshaled. When the transmission is unmarshaled, objects and a set of sensitive fields within the data transmission are identified by referencing a metadata database. Only the set of sensitive fields within the data transmission are encrypted to form a partially encrypted data transmission. The partially encrypted data transmission is marshaled to form a marshaled data transmission. The marshaled data transmission is transmitted to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kulvir Singh Bhogal, Johnston Jewell Clark, Jonathan G. Hall, Rick Allen Hamilton, John Dale Perkins, Alexandre Polozoff, Gioacchino J. Pullara, Hadi S. Qadri, Ryan Patrick Zombo, Peggy Catherine Zych
  • Publication number: 20080250396
    Abstract: An improved system and computer programming product for acquisition and release of locks within a software program is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a lock within a loop is transformed by relocating acquisition and release instructions from within the loop to positions outside the loop. This may significantly decrease unnecessarily lock acquisition and release during execution of the software program. In order to avoid contention problems which may arise from acquiring and keeping a lock on an object over a relatively long period of time, a contention test may be inserted into the loop. Such a contention test may temporarily release the lock if another thread in the software program requires access to the locked object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nikola Grcevski, Kevin Alexander Stoodley, Mark Graham Stoodley, Vijay Sundaresan
  • Publication number: 20080250310
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing a web page comprising components and steps for analyzing a template of the web page to obtain block elements constituting the web page template, selecting a block element to be customized, and setting an optimization and/or differentiating policy for the selected block element, thus customizing the selected block element, and storing the customized policy correlated to a selector. The invention also provides an apparatus for optimizing and/or differentiating a web page based on customized policies, which are stored correlated to selectors and web page templates, comprising a web page object selector for comparing the visited original web page and the selectors associated with the customized policies to determine the portion in the web page matched with a selector; and a policy enforcer for enforcing a corresponding policy on said matched portion, thus displaying an optimized and differentiated web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Long Cheng, Dong Jun Lan, Hai Ping Li, Meng Ye
  • Publication number: 20080249650
    Abstract: Measurement of the extinction coefficient k is employed for effective and prompt in-line monitoring and/or controlling of the metal film composition. The dependency of the extinction coefficient on the composition of a metal compound is characterized by measuring the extinction coefficients of a series of the metal compound with different compositions. A monitor metal film is then deposited on a wafer. The extinction coefficient k of the film on the wafer is measured and a film compositional parameter is extracted. The wafer processing may continue if k is in specification or the needed compositional change in the film may be extracted from the measured value of the k and the established dependence of k on the composition of the film for out-of-spec k values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell D. Allen, Stephen L. Brown, Alessandro C. Callegari, Michael P. Chudzik, Vijay Narayanan, Vamsi K. Paruchuri
  • Publication number: 20080247218
    Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a circuit for implementing a write operation for a programmable resistive random access memory array, the circuit including a current source coupled to a bit line associated with a programmable resistive memory element; a dummy path configured for selective coupling to the bit line prior to activation of a word line associated with the memory element, wherein the passage of current through the bit line and dummy path precharges the bit line; and control circuitry for decoupling the dummy path from the bit line and for activating the word line associated with the memory element upon achieving a desired operating point of bit line current and bit line voltage, so as to cause current from the bit line to flow for a period of time selected to program the memory element to one of a low resistance state and a high resistance state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark C. H. Lamorey, Thomas Nirschl
  • Publication number: 20080250268
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product in a logical partitioned data processing system are disclosed for providing a host bridge that implements extended error handling (EEH). If all devices coupled to the host bridge implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in EEH mode. In EEH mode, the devices handle any error that occurs within the devices without reporting the error to the host bridge. All partitions that share the host bridge continue to operate without being terminated while the devices are handling the error. If at least one device does not implement EEH, the host bridge is initialized to operate in non-EEH mode. In non-EEH mode, a machine check is generated by the host bridge when an error occurs within one of the devices resulting in the termination of all partitions that share the host bridge in response to a receipt of the machine check.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashwini Kulkarni, Douglas Wayne Oliver, Steven Vongvibool, David R. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20080246120
    Abstract: A method that solves the increased nucleation temperature that is exhibited during the formation of cobalt disilicides in the presence of Ge atoms is provided. The reduction in silicide formation temperature is achieved by first providing a structure including a Co layer including at least Ni, as an additive element, on top of a SiGe containing substrate. Next, the structure is subjected to a self-aligned silicide process which includes a first anneal, a selective etching step and a second anneal to form a solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate. The Co layer including at least Ni can comprise an alloy layer of Co and Ni, a stack of Ni/Co or a stack of Co/Ni. A semiconductor structure including the solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy A. Carruthers, Jia Chen, Christophe Detavernier, James M. Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20080250113
    Abstract: A method, system and program for specifying message outputs in a messaging session are provided. A message entry is received in association with a particular topic from among multiple available topics from a particular user from among multiple users participating in a messaging session. Output attributes are assigned to the message entry according to receiving user specified output preferences for the particular topic individually specified by each of the receiving users participating in the messaging session, such that output of the message entry is uniquely specified for each of the receiving users participating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL WAYNE BROWN, RABINDRANATH DUTTA, MICHAEL A PAOLINI
  • Publication number: 20080246093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a field effect transistor. In the method, a gate stack on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate is formed, and then a first spacer is formed on a sidewall of the gate stack. Next, a silicide self-aligned to the first spacer is deposited in/or on the semiconductor substrate. Subsequently a second spacer covering the surface of the first spacer, and a contact liner over at least the gate stack, the second spacer and the silicide, are formed. Then an interlayer dielectric over the contact liner is deposited. Next, a metal contact opening is formed to expose the contact liner over the silicide. Finally, the opening is extended through the contact liner to expose the silicide without exposing the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haining S. Yang
  • Publication number: 20080244904
    Abstract: An integrated circuit has a wiring layer below an insulator layer. A pad comprises a conductive material that is on the insulator layer. The pad has a wirebond connection region and a probe pad region. An inspection mark is between the wirebond connection region and the probe pad region. The inspection mark comprises an opening in the insulator layer that is filled with the conductive material. In addition, a contact that is through the insulator layer is adapted to electrically connect the conductor wire in the wiring layer to the pad. The contact is formed of the same conductive material used for the pad and the inspection mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Christopher D. Muzzy, Wolfgang Sauter
  • Publication number: 20080250336
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl Phillip Gusler, Rick Allen Hamilton, Harry Schatz, James Wesley Seaman
  • Publication number: 20080247650
    Abstract: A computer program product includes machine readable instructions for providing enhanced video output by: receiving footage including likeness information in a plurality of modalities; demultiplexing the plurality of modalities to provide information for each modality; comparing information from at least two of the modalities for determining a correlation in the likeness information; using the correlation, obtaining semantic information for association with the likeness; and combining the semantic information with the likeness information for providing the enhanced video output. A system for implementing the computer program product includes resources for receiving the footage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Giridharan Iyengar, Ran D. Zilca
  • Publication number: 20080247333
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for configuring routing devices in a network data processing system. A routing change is identified in the network data processing system. In response to the routing change being identified, a node topology is generated for a set of routing devices present in the network data processing system. A master network configuration table is built at a routing device within the set of routing devices. The network configuration table contains configuration data from the routing devices in the node topology. The master network configuration table is broadcast to the routing devices in the network data processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Oliver Keren Ban
  • Publication number: 20080246112
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a related method for fabrication thereof include an isolation region located within an isolation trench within a semiconductor substrate. The isolation region comprises; (1) a lower lying dielectric plug layer recessed within the isolation trench; (2) a U shaped dielectric liner layer located upon the lower lying dielectric plug layer and partially filling the recess; and (3) an upper lying dielectric plug layer located upon the U shaped dielectric liner layer and completely filling the recess. The isolation region provides for sidewall coverage of the isolation trench, thus eliminating some types of leakage paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhijiong Luo, Huilong Zhu
  • Publication number: 20080250130
    Abstract: A system for playing SMIL based multimedia contents, comprising: a plurality of SMIL engines for analyzing and interpreting SMIL documents, as well as communicating with and controlling SMIL sub engines, remote media proxies, or local media playing devices; a plurality of remote media proxies for receiving instructions from the upper level SMIL engines, starting or stopping providing media objects to the remote media playing devices, sending back events, and providing basic user interaction capabilities, wherein said a plurality of SMIL engines, a plurality of remote media proxies, and local and remote media playing devices construct a tree-link structure, of which the root node is a SMIL engine, the branch nodes are SMIL engines and remote media proxies, and the leaf nodes are local and remote media playing devices. The corresponding SMIL engines and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Li, Rong Sheng Zhang, Yu Chen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20080250125
    Abstract: A system for supervisor partitioning of client resources in a subnet communications environment includes a plurality of client nodes, each receiving an allocated set of resources determined by a central authority, which assigns resources to a supervisor key associated with each supervisor of the plurality of client nodes. At each of the client nodes, the allocated set of resources are partitioned using a local supervisor associated therewith, with each supervisor associating one or more resource keys with one or more resources allocated to the corresponding client node, and assigning the one or more resource keys to the one or more applications. The supervisor keys are configured so as to prevent a given supervisor from partitioning resources not allocated to the client node associated therewith. Following the partitioning, communication packets are issued from the one or more applications to a resource provider node without inspection by the corresponding supervisor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Giles R. Frazier, Gregory F. Pfister, William J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20080250230
    Abstract: The present invention allows a microprocessor to identify and speculatively execute future instructions during a stall condition. This allows forward progress to be made through the instruction stream during the stall condition which would otherwise cause the microprocessor or thread of execution to be idle. The execution of such future instructions can initiate a prefetch of data or instructions from a distant cache or main memory, or otherwise make forward progress through the instruction stream. In this manner, when the instructions are re-executed (non speculatively executed) after the stall condition expires, they will execute with a reduced execution latency; e.g. by accessing data prefetched into the L1 cache, or enroute to the processor, or by executing the target instructions following a speculatively resolved mispredicted branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard James Eickemeyer, Hung Qui Le, Dung Quoc Nguyen, Benjamin Walter Stolt, Brian William Thompto
  • Publication number: 20080246545
    Abstract: Disclosed are a digital phase-frequency detector and a method of operating a digital phase-frequency detector. The detector includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a reset circuit. In use, the input circuit receives first and second input signals during a plurality of cycles, and during a given one of the cycles, generates a first intermediate signal or a second intermediate signal depending on which of the first and second input signals was received first during that given one of said cycles. The output circuit receives these intermediate signals, and outputs, during said one cycle, a first output signal or a second output signal depending on which one of intermediate signals was received by the output circuit during said one cycle. The reset circuit applies a reset signal to the input circuit under defined conditions to begin a new one of said plurality of cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander V. Rylyakov, Jose A. Tierno
  • Publication number: 20080250169
    Abstract: Real-time notification is provided of an event which has occurred in a computer-related device. Upon the occurrence of an event, a record of the event is stored in a buffer, such as a Really Simple Syndication buffer, associated with the device. The buffer is updated based on indications and other events noted by a CIM agent in the device. One of a series of regular requests is received from an open browser window on a user computer, the request inquiring about any record of the event stored in the buffer. In response to the request, the record of the event is transmitted to an HTML event element in a page of the browser window whereby the record of the event is inserted into the HTML element and displayed in the browser window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: IBM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Coca, James B. Engle, Melissa J. Garcia, Kevan D. Holdaway, Andrew G. Hourselt, Ashaki A. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20080245506
    Abstract: Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided for cooling an assembly including a planar support structure supporting multiple electronics components. The cooling apparatus includes: multiple discrete cold plates, each having a coolant inlet, coolant outlet and at least one coolant carrying channel disposed therebetween; and a manifold for distributing coolant to and exhausting coolant from the cold plates. The cooling apparatus also includes multiple flexible hoses connecting the coolant inlets of the cold plates to the manifold, as well as the coolant outlets to the manifold, with each hose segment being disposed between a respective cold plate and the manifold. A biasing mechanism biases the cold plates away from the manifold and towards the electronics components, and at least one fastener secures the manifold to the support structure, compressing the biasing mechanism, and thereby forcing the parallel coupled cold plates towards their respective electronics components to ensure good thermal interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Publication number: 20080250002
    Abstract: Classification of objects using the best boolean expression that represents the most optimal combination of the underlying features is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Laxmi P. Parida, Ajay K. Royyuru
  • Publication number: 20080249888
    Abstract: There is provided a system which enables human-like automatic bidding by combining a plurality of processing functions with a bidding logic of absentee agents for absent participants of an auction system. Absentee agents, present in an auction server, receive price distribution and perform bidding similarly to on-site human participants. Absentee information is given to the absentee agent at the start of an auction, and absentee agents make bids autonomously and in cooperation with one another. In order to perform the human-like bidding, each agent makes a bid by combining (1) bidding possibility determination processing, (2) final bidding determination processing, (3) repeat bidding determination processing, (4) repeat bidding prohibition determination processing, (5) right acquisition bidding determination processing, and (6) character bidding determination processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Hayashi, Yoshinobu Honda, Yoshiaki Sawano
  • Publication number: 20080247165
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the visibility in the visible spectrum of a laser pointer on a target. The laser pointer provides a laser source or sources of at least two distinct visible colors. The visibility of at least one of the laser source colors on the target is determined. The laser source color is selected from the given colors based on the determined visibility. The selected laser source color is directed to the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark D. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20080248615
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconducting structure including a substrate having an UTSOI region and a bulk-Si region, wherein the UTSOI region and the bulk-Si region have a same crystallographic orientation; an isolation region separating the UTSOI region from the bulk-Si region; and at least one first device located in the UTSOI region and at least one second device located in the bulk-Si region. The UTSOI region has an SOI layer atop an insulating layer, wherein the SOI layer has a thickness of less than about 40 nm. The bulk-Si region further comprises a well region underlying the second device and a contact to the well region, wherein the contact stabilizes floating body effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Publication number: 20080247074
    Abstract: A tape library system includes a plurality of conductive track assemblies including at least one linear conductive strip, and at least one guide track. The system further includes a first fiber brush assembly and a second fiber brush assembly separated from each other by a predetermined separation distance, each of the first and second fiber brush assemblies comprising a spring biasing a track wheel, and a fiber brush attached to the fiber brush assembly and in electrical contact with the conductive strip. The fiber brush assembly linearly translates along the conductive track assembly on an axis parallel to the conductive strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Nave, George G. Zamora, Lee C. Randall
  • Publication number: 20080248635
    Abstract: A structure and method of fabrication for MOSFET devices with a polycrystalline SiGe junction is disclosed. Ge is selectively grown on Si while Si is selectively grown on Ge. Alternating depositions of Ge and Si layers yield the SiGe junction. The deposited layers are doped, and subsequently the dopants outdiffused into the device body. A thin porous oxide layer between the polycrystalline Ge and Si layers enhances the isotropy of the SiGe junctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Kok Chan, Rober J. Miller, Erin C. Jones, Atul Ajmera
  • Publication number: 20080250015
    Abstract: A system and method for expanding new sample seeds to automatically expand corpora, in which sample seeds are used to collect corpus is provided. The new sample seeds are generated based on the already existed sample seeds and collected corpora; The corpus expansion strategy is determined based on all the sample seeds having been used and new sample seeds: The new sample seeds are refined based on the corpus expansion strategy, and the refined new sample seeds are used to further collect corpus. The above steps are repeatedly executed until predefined condition is satisfied. According to the invention, corpus may be automatically expanded from the web or other resources with low cost and in convenient way to improve the coverage of corpora.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong Lei Guo, Li Zhang, Zhao Ming Qiu, Li Qin Shen, Zhi Li Guo
  • Publication number: 20080249970
    Abstract: A computer implemented method and a computer program product provide a provisioning system for automated provisioning of a computing infrastructure by providing relationship factories with resources of the computing infrastructure. The relationship factories include information necessary for establishing relationships within the computing infrastructure. The provisioning system ranks relationship factories according to suitability to provide for appropriate provisioning of new resources added to the computing infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael M. Behrendt, Tamar Eilam, Michael H. Kalantar, Alexander V. Konstantinou, John A. Pershing
  • Publication number: 20080250224
    Abstract: A system for creating a dynamic client side service proxy framework using meta-data and introspection capabilities of Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) service data is disclosed. The system includes defining an Open Grid Service Invocation Factory configured to create a service proxy and introspecting an Open Grid Service Infrastructure (OGSI) service based on information exposed by the service. An OGSI Service Invocation Proxy is created defining a set of dynamic interfaces based on service introspection and a meta-data inspection interface of the Service Invocation Proxy. The Service Invocation Proxy exposes both static port type interfaces and dynamic interfaces to support more flexibility of the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joshy Joseph