Patents Examined by Jack M Choules
  • Patent number: 7013303
    Abstract: A system and method for adapters to provide nodes of a network access to a distributed search mechanism. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route messages in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive search requests and may generate results according to their own procedures in return. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Adapters may be implemented in the network to reformat messages exchanged in the network. Adapters may customize results. Adapters may enable nodes to function in a distributed search mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaroslav Faybishenko, Gene H. Kan, Thomas J. Camarda, David M. Doolin, Steve Waterhouse, John Beatty
  • Patent number: 7003515
    Abstract: A method of determining at least one match item corresponding to a source item. A database of multiple items such as songs is created. Each song is also represented by an n-dimensional database vector in which each element corresponding to one of n musical characteristics of the song. An n-dimensional source song vector that corresponds to the musical characteristics of a source song is determined. A Distance between the source song vector and each of database song vector is calculated, each distance being a function of the differences between the n musical characteristics of the source song vector and one of source database song vector. The calculation of the distances may include the application of a weighted factor to the musical characteristics of resulting vector. A match song is selected based on the magnitude of the distance between the source song and each database songs after applying any weighted factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Pandora Media, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Glaser, Timothy B. Westergren, Jeffrey P. Stearns, Jonathan M. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6999978
    Abstract: During backup of a database's data stored in individual files, it is not permissible for the data in the individual files to be altered, for reasons of consistency. For this reason, the files are blocked to altering access operations after a particular time during a backup operation. According to the invention, the backup operation is carried out in two parts. First, the files are transferred without there being any alteration block. A recording file is used to note files which are altered during transferring. These files are transferred again in a second part. During the second part an alteration block is required. It can be assumed that the number of files needing to be transferred in the second part is much smaller than the number of files needing to be transferred in the first part. For this reason, a significantly shortened alteration block is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengellschaft
    Inventors: Claus-Andreas Frank, Guenther Mohr, Gerhard Sommer, Hok-Tjhoen Tan
  • Patent number: 6996564
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an Internet user that has no pre-conceived notion of the specific subject matter he or she wishes to initially view, with a graphical user interface which assists the user in locating a web site of interest by first displaying a variety of general categories, each corresponding to a plurality of content-related web sites, and gradually guiding the user to a web page of interest. The system allows an Internet user to review information that has been acquired solely to stimulate their imagination. The invention utilizes an “Imagination Guide”, which presents, on the use's computer screen, a plurality of subject category headings, each heading identifying a unique area of interest. The user can select a preferred language, and is then presented by the list of subject categories corresponding to the selected language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lester, Chris Stewart
  • Patent number: 6988109
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an architecture and query and processing methodology, advantageously implemented in software, for an information technology platform using Intelligent Molecular Objects or objects of a more general character. In another aspect, it provides intelligent molecular object data or other data for heterogeneous data environments with high data density and dynamic application needs. In yet another, it provides an Object State Engine for intelligent molecular object data technology. In still another, it provides an Object Translation Engine for intelligent molecular object data in heterogeneous data environments with dynamic application needs. In yet another aspect, it provides a handling device including an Intelligent Object Handler for intelligent molecular object data in heterogeneous data environments with high data density and dynamic application needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: IO Informatics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Stanley, Erich A. Gombocz
  • Patent number: 6983277
    Abstract: When a database area multi-written or replicated in an external storage unit is separated, a database management system writes consistent data into the external storage unit. A method and system capable of controlling a timing of separating the replicated database area is provided. Furthermore, new data directory information necessary to access the replicated database is dynamically added based on the data directory information of the replication source database. A method and system capable of selecting whether to access the database which is the source of the replication or access the replicated database are provided. Thus, when the database area multi-written or replicated in an external storage unit is separated and physical replicated databases are created, it is possible to maintain consistency of the replicated databases while continuing transaction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kota Yamaguchi, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Junko Katsumata, Taichi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6980984
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for implementing a content provider using at least one structured data attribute, with an integer, float, string, or date value or the like. One or more such structured data attributes is obtained from a user query, a user attribute, a user selection, a document or other content resource, or an instance within an interactive user-provider dialog. One or more such structured data attributes is auto-mapped to a set of ordered concepts in an at least partially ordered taxonomy of a knowledge map representing a multidimensional organization of such concepts. A structured data attribute and/or an ordered concept is used to control the dialog, constrain a user's search, or order and present search results, either alone, or in combination with nonstructured (e.g., textual) data and/or one or more concepts that is not ordered using a structured data parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Kanisa, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Huffman, David B. Kay
  • Patent number: 6978285
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a concurrent garbage collection process are disclosed. Preferably, upon detecting that less than a predetermined amount of memory is available, a garbage collector instructs each operating thread to self-enumerate to identify its associated live object reference root set, to report the live object reference root set, and to subsequently suspend operation. Based on the reported live object reference root sets, stale memory is identified and released for future use by operating threads. The threads are then instructed to resume operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Li
  • Patent number: 6961723
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting or ordering search results received from members of a distributing search network in response to a search request. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate the search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route the search requests in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive the search request and in response may generate results according to their own procedures and return them. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Search results may be selected, ordered, and/or consolidated for use by the requesting nodes by nodes receiving a plurality of the search results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaroslav Faybishenko, Gene H. Kan, David M. Doolin, Steve Waterhouse, Sherif Boutros
  • Patent number: 6950987
    Abstract: A remote document editing system and method are disclosed that permit users of wireless devices having limited capabilities to remotely edit and manage documents located and stored on a central or network server. The document to be edited is separated into text and format components or segments and only the text segment is typically sent or transmitted to the remote device. After editing or review of the document text is complete, the text segment is returned to the network server, where it is recombined with the format segment to reconstruct a new document having edited text but formatting unchanged from the original document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: SimDesk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Ray Hargraves, Mark Sang Cho, Saqib Kasim, Alexander Kouznetsov, Heli Zhu Zahn
  • Patent number: 6950821
    Abstract: Systems and methods for resolving search queries to information providers in a distributing search network. In a network including nodes generating search requests and nodes providing information, a node may operate as hub to route search requests from requesting nodes to provider nodes. Providers may register with a network hub. Registration information may include address information and data indicating the queries or type of queries for which that provider may have relevant data. A hub may resolve search queries against provider registrations to determine a set of providers to which to route each search query. Several systems and methods of selecting some of the providers are described, including the use of bidding, ranking, and statistical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaroslav Faybishenko, Gene H. Kan, Thomas J. Camarda, Sherif Botros, John Beatty, Douglass R. Cutting
  • Patent number: 6934702
    Abstract: A system and method for distributing search requests in a network. The system and method may also route search responses. Network nodes operating as consumer or requesting nodes generate the search requests. Nodes operating as hubs are configured to route the search requests in the network. Individual nodes operating as provider nodes receive the search request and in response may generate search results according to their own procedures and return them. Communication between nodes in the network may use a common query protocol. Hub nodes may resolve the search requests to a subset of the provider nodes in the network, for example by matching search requests with registration information from nodes. Search results may be customized at various stages in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaroslav Faybishenko, Gene H. Kan, Sherif Botros, John Beatty, Douglass R. Cutting
  • Patent number: 6928444
    Abstract: A backup procedure which performs a systematic analysis of the different elements of the configuration, for the purpose of transforming them into a corresponding set of backup objects. Backup objects include files, directories, volume names or labels, security attributes (Access Control Lists in Windows NT), as well as OS-specific markers which are dependent on a specific file, such as, for instance an entry in the FAT for MS-DOS. Each backup object is being systematically analysed and sent to a remote server with its identification, attributes, signature and content the backup process takes advantage of the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and each backup object is being encapsulated within a HTTP or HTTPS POST or PUT request which is transmitted to a remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Bruno Richard
  • Patent number: 6928443
    Abstract: A modular and flexible framework for creating search systems of networked resources. The framework utilizes an abstraction layer between a user of network resources and the underlying resource types and access methodologies to allow the processing of different resource types simultaneously. The system framework accepts resource types and access methodologies through self-contained modules which can be easily deployed and combined. The end result is a unified search system capable of handling heterogeneous network resources and resources from heterogeneous network access methodologies with a single point of access for the user, and simplified setup for the administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Giambalvo
  • Patent number: 6917935
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for accessing data where the data store provider is abstracted from both the data manipulation language used to access the data and the schema that describes the data. A received request structured in accordance with the data manipulation language is represented in an intermediate form. From the intermediate representation, a native request for any of one or more data store providers may be produced. Before being returned to the requester, a native response from data store provider may be formatted so that it is structured in accordance with the data manipulation language used for the request. A given request received by one computer system may cause a procedure to be generated for accessing the data store provider. When a later request is received by second computer system, the previously generated stored procedure may be reused if applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur Zwiegincew, Mark H. Lucovsky, Christian Kleinerman, Eugene N. Nonko, Shaun D. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6883005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the client machine and the server machine and the like which are connected to the communication line, and answers are accurately given to a question of a user of the client machine according to a level of that question. First, the solution of the answer is attempted inside the client machine (primary answer section 61) and, if not solved, an enquiry is made to the server machine (secondary answer request section 63) and, if not yet solved, a mail is transmitted to a support window (e-mail soft 66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Hidesawa, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Daisuke Morita
  • Patent number: 6877008
    Abstract: A system and method for determining attributes associated with a telecommunication network circuit. In accordance therewith, disclosed is a first computer; a second computer in communication with the first computer, the first computer transmitting a query to the second computer for attributes associated with a telecommunication network circuit, the first computer transmitting to the second computer a telecommunication network circuit ID number; a database in communication with the second computer, the database having the attributes associated with the telecommunication network circuit stored therein; and a rules engine for determining the attributes associated with the telecommunication network circuit identified by the telecommunication network circuit ID number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kirkpatrick, John Strohmeyer, Darrin Morrow
  • Patent number: 6877007
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for tracking a user's interaction with a resource or resources supplied by a server computer. When a user requests a Web page from a server for viewing using a Web browser, the user is redirected to a tracking server. The tracking server sends the requested Web page, with an embedded script to the user's computer along with an application program that can record the user's interaction with the Web page. As the user interacts with the Web page, input made by the user, such as mouse movements, button clicks, typing, etc. is streamed back to the tracking server by the application program. The recorded session may be later retrieved from the tracking server for playback. Based on the user's input, the tracked resource may be modified, such as making it more user friendly or more easily navigable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Anna M. Hentzel, Timothy I. Hentzel, Robert R. Hentzel, Brian F. Allen
  • Patent number: 6873991
    Abstract: A system and method for accessing and manipulating, for multiple application types, of information stored in at least one database, in accordance with at least one data key, which information may be displayed or searched on a computer as a display of general information, a display of expense information, a display of personnel information or a display of document information relating to the item and matter is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Matter Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David B. Carroll, Cory Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 6862604
    Abstract: A removable data storage device is provided that is used with electronic devices using compact data storage capabilities. The removable data storage device includes memory for storing data files and a file management information that includes memory allocation information of the memory. A scan logic is provided that analyzes the file management information and generates file usage data of the memory. With th present invention, a removable data storage device can self-analyze its memory contents and determine, for example, types of files and memory space consumed by each file type in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Spencer, Todd C. Adelmann, Margo N. Whale