Patents Examined by Christopher P Nofal
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Patent number: 7774384Abstract: A content provider has an associated database. The database is indexed with a plurality of content items available in a domain. The database includes a field to indicate an availability of each of the content items from the content provider. The database is searched based on a search query entered by a user to generate a search result list. The search result list may include a content item that is identified as being unavailable from the content provider based on the field. If so, the search result list is provided to the user to indicate the content item and to indicate that the content item is unavailable from the content provider. A user feedback control associated with the content item is also provided to the user. The user feedback control is to provide feedback from the user if the user desires the content provider to make the content item available.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Philip Ted Kortum, Marc Andrew Sullivan
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Patent number: 7756861Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian Robert Muras, Robert Russell Nelson, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7734620Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Brian Robert Muras, Robert Russell Nelson, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7707232Abstract: A method and system for garbage collecting managed and unmanaged memory that is no longer referenced. The time between allocations is compared with a threshold to determine if the garbage collector needs to collect unused memory. Unmanaged memory referenced by objects in the unused managed memory may be freed during the collection.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Cedric Patrick Dussud, Yin Xie
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Patent number: 7702661Abstract: A system and method for managing at least one checked out file of a source control management repository are provided. The system includes a source control repository including at least one checked out file; a database including at least one parameter associated with the at least one checked out file; and a computing device for identifying the at least one checked out file, retrieving the at least one parameter associated with the at least one checked out file, and generating a report including the at least one parameter. The report may be presented to a user via a display or formatted as an XML file to be employed in other computing applications, e.g., automated backups.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.Inventor: Rishi Bhatia
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Patent number: 7685149Abstract: A system and method for identifying and removing potentially unwanted software. A mechanism is provided that identifies suspect programs to a user and allows the user to prevent the suspect programs from running without actually deleting them. In one embodiment, scanner data identifying potentially unwanted software is displayed in a GUI that allows the user to inhibit its continued execution. For example, any software not on a list of known, benign applications/processes may be identified as potentially unwanted. Similarly, software that displays one or more suspect behaviors may be so identified, allowing the user to distinguish between normal and suspect software without irreversibly altering the user's system.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Angela K. Butcher, Jason Garms, Kalid M. Azad, Marc E. Seinfeld, Paul J. Bryan, Sterling M. Reasor, Alvin Loh
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Patent number: 7685148Abstract: A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. The model includes four distinct levels: fabric, domains, tiers and nodes that provide for the logical abstraction and containment of the physical components as well as system and service application software of the enterprise. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control nodes are responsible for all levels of management in accordance with the model, including fabric management, domain creation, tier creation and node allocation and deployment.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.Inventors: James D. Engquist, Craig A. Vosburgh, Brian Berliner, Jerry R. Jackson, Craig A. Lindley, Doreen E. Collins, Johnathan D. Nordby, Dann M. Church, David L. Resch
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Patent number: 7676449Abstract: Techniques for accessing an events information repository are provided. An events repository contains event records defining real world events. A programmatic interface is exposed to third-party applications for accessing the event records within the repository. Specifically, the programmatic interface provides a set of routines that perform operations on the repository. Using the programmatic interface, third-party applications may call the set of routines to cause operations to be executed on the repository. Further, techniques are provided for creating and viewing private events within an events repository and also for associating user-defined tags with events using the events repository.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Andrew Baio, Gordon Luk, Leonard H. Lin
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Patent number: 7672968Abstract: Techniques for displaying information associated with a database are disclosed. A database-informer displays information (or additional information) about various database objects displayed for a user. The database-informer may be presented to user as a tool-tip. However, the database-informer can be customized and dynamically constructed based on various variables that are dynamically determined at runtime. As such, the information can be dynamically determined based on variables stored in different tables and provided on-demand when the database-informer is invoked by the user. As a result, database users can be provided with customized and up-to-date information without having to view different tables.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Vladimir Bradateanu, Toufic Milan, Lee McIntyre, Geraldine Vahey, John Lorin Welshofer
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Patent number: 7668838Abstract: Techniques for accessing an events repository are provided. An event information repository contains event records defining real world events. A programmatic interface is exposed to third-party applications for accessing the event records within the repository. Specifically, the programmatic interface provides a set of routines that perform operations on the repository. Using the programmatic interface, third-party applications may call the set of routines to cause operations to be executed on the repository. Further, techniques are provided for controlling the display of private events within a first-party event application and also for associating user-defined tags with events using the events repository.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: YAHOO! Inc.Inventors: Andrew Baio, Gordon Luk, Leonard H. Lin
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Patent number: 7668803Abstract: A method for estimating a runtime of a query of a data repository may abstract, extract, or otherwise generate one or more parameters of the query. Thereafter, the abstracted parameters may be associated with one or more statistical query records. From these statistical query records, a query runtime may be estimated. Related apparatuses, computer program products, and computer systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: SAP AGInventors: Thomas Zurek, Klaus Nagel, Stefan Dipper
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Patent number: 7657518Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignees: Northwestern University, Perfect Market, Inc.Inventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7644072Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignees: Perfect Market, Inc., Northwestern UniversityInventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7640233Abstract: Electronic messaging systems, a machine-accessible medium, and methods for text-based electronic communication. In one embodiment, a plurality of databases are provided. The databases each define shorthand terms with one or more longhand terms. A shorthand term is targeted within a text message, and the databases are searched for corresponding longhand terms. The longhand terms are selected for display according to factors such as user preferences, the identities of participants to the text communication, and the context of the text message. Abbreviations, shorthand, and other jargon sent by one user is thereby interpreted. For example, one of the longhand terms may be substituted in-line with the text message. Alternatively, all matches for the shorthand term found in the databases may be listed in descending order according to relevancy.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Randall Paul Baartman, James Edward Carey, Jason J. Illg, John Stephen Mysak
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Patent number: 7627565Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignees: Northwestern University, Perfect Market, Inc.Inventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7617199Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignees: Northwestern University, Perfect Market, Inc.Inventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7617200Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignees: Northwestern University, Perfect Market, Inc.Inventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7613747Abstract: A storage network comprising a production database configured to store a first production section on a first tier production storage system and a second production section on a second tier production storage system, a backup database configured to store a first backup section on a first tier backup storage system and a second backup section on a second tier production storage system, and a storage control system configured to replicate the first production section to the first backup session at a first frequency and replicate the second production section to the second backup section at a second frequency that is less than the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Brajendra Singh Thakur, Nasir Mahmood Mirza
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Patent number: 7610279Abstract: Methods and apparatus assessing, ranking, organizing, and presenting search results associated with a user's current work context are disclosed. The system disclosed assesses, ranks, organizes and presents search results against a user's current work context by comparing statistical and heuristic models of the search results to a statistical and heuristic model of the user's current work context. In this manner, search results are assessed, ranked, organized, and/or presented with the benefit of attributes of the user's current work context that are predictive of relevance, such as words in a user's document (e.g., web page or word processing document) that may not have been included in the search query. In addition, search results from multiple search engines are combined into an organization scheme that best reflects the user's current task. As a result, lists of search results from different search engines can be more usefully presented to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignees: Perfect Market, Inc., Northwestern UniversityInventors: Jerome Louis Budzik, Sanjay Chand Sood, Lawrence A. Birnbaum, Kristian J. Hammond, Andrew Joseph Crossen
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Patent number: 7590653Abstract: A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. The model includes four distinct levels: fabric, domains, tiers and nodes that provide for the logical abstraction and containment of the physical components as well as system and service application software of the enterprise. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control node detects the addition of a node added to the network and automatically identifies attributes for the detected node.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Cassatt CorporationInventor: Jonathan Sparks