Patents Examined by Johnna Loftis
  • Patent number: 9953282
    Abstract: A system and method of managing and prioritizing tasks amongst resources and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing automatic task assignment and notification amongst globally dispersed human resources. The system includes a change of management application configured to store a list of tasks and a task notifier configured to retrieve a list of geographically-dispersed resources and notify selected ones of the geographically-dispersed resources of a priority of completion of one or more tasks retrieved from the change of management application. The system further includes a message application configured to be polled by the task notifier to determine which of the geographically dispersed resources is at least one of online and currently working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William P. Shaouy
  • Patent number: 9872445
    Abstract: A turf management system includes an irrigation system for providing water to the turf at a turf site, and an irrigation evaluation system for evaluating the performance of the irrigation system. The irrigation evaluation system segments the turf site into irrigation management units, where each of the irrigation management units includes at least one sprinkler head. Qualities of the turf are measured to generate collected data points. The data points are used by the irrigation evaluation system to compute a value for the turf in each of the irrigation management units. The values can then be used to identify irrigation management units having common characteristics. The values can be used to define irrigation management zones for controlling the irrigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Van Willis Cline, Kathleen Sue Rice, Troy David Carson
  • Patent number: 9811808
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for providing notifications regarding electronic meetings is described. A set of one or more invitees for an online meeting is received, the set including a first invitee. A first status of the first invitee is identified, the first status indicating unavailability with respect to the electronic meeting. A change in status of the first invitee, after the end of the electronic meeting, to a second status indicating availability with respect to the electronic meeting is identified. A notification of the meeting is provided to the first invitee, based upon, at least in part, identifying the change in status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly Abuelsaad, Kulvir S. Bhogal, Lisa Seacat DeLuca, Soobaek Jang
  • Patent number: 9798999
    Abstract: A computer system for ranking potential attended delivery/pickup locations is disclosed. In various embodiments, a user or computer system identifies an area in which to establish at least one attended delivery/pickup location. In a particular embodiment, the system receives data associated with potential attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended delivery/pickup location candidates), including the specific characteristics of those candidates. The system then, based at least in part on the characteristics of each of the attended delivery/pickup location candidates, ranks the attended delivery/pickup location candidates and displays the rankings to a user for use in selecting the most suitable candidate for the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Schenken
  • Patent number: 9785899
    Abstract: A computer-implemented process for managing configurable resource policies executes a resource expression associated with a received user selection to extract information from an executing simulation. Responsive to a determination that there are no more user selections to process, a set of rules is selected using the user selections and resource expression to populate a resource template using extracted information and selected rules. A resource policy is generated using the populated template. The generated resource policy is applied to the executing simulation, wherein behavior of the executing simulation is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jay W. Benayon, Vincent Szaloky
  • Patent number: 9721227
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for the management of custodians within an electronic discovery system. Embodiments of the invention herein disclosed provide for methods of creating, maintaining, and utilizing a unified custodian directory for the purposes of carrying out electronic discovery within an enterprise environment. By employing a unified custodian directory to manage custodians apart from the electronic discovery cases to which they relate, the custodian management system of the present invention promotes efficiencies in the field of electronic discovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 9710773
    Abstract: Systems and methods that implement interactivity as part of a workflow itself. Data is passed in and out of the workflow to form an interactive workflow, via employing an interactive activity component. Such interactive activity component models suspension points within a workflow definition, wherein user input and associated interaction can be supplied to the workflow during various interactivity breaks that request user input. Such an arrangement enables a controlled/synchronous data exchange between the workflow and a host application associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andres Sanabria, Constantin Mihai, Nikhil Kothari, Israel Hilerio, Michael Harder, Paul E. Maybee
  • Patent number: 9697501
    Abstract: A system and methodology that facilitates management of user accessibility via a scheduling application is provided. A user can link or map interruptability levels to schedule entries, such as calendar entries or tasks thereby facilitating automatic communication management. Essentially, interruptability rules (and corresponding categories) can be associated to calendar entries and tasks thereby automating implementation of interruptability rules to manage communications received during calendar entries, tasks, meeting, appointments, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Rajesh Ramanathan
  • Patent number: 9646314
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a promotion identifier, and a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to promote and dispense the combined recipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Moore, C. Brad Green, David O. Slagley, David R. Newman, Gregg Carpenter, Gene Farrell, Eric L. Pribyl, Michael Jason Goulet, Scott Cuppari, Cynthia D. Jones
  • Patent number: 9430749
    Abstract: An architectural planning system, that includes software and the process thereof, which actively tracks the relationship of organizational groups as well as the required connections therebetween, which information can be actively taken into account during an architectural planning phase. Generally, this provides an improved software tool and process for planning the physical locations of organizational groups within the building space. Further, changes in organizational needs can be readily modified and adapted through direct and dynamic collaboration between these parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabor Nagy, Jacob William Rigby, Jeremiah Benjamin Lee, Donghui Wu
  • Patent number: 9424398
    Abstract: Methods, systems and GUIs for defining a sequence of analyzes for an analytical instrument using a workflow are described. A method includes receiving user inputs including workflow parameters for defining the sequence, and automatically defining the sequence for the analytical instrument based on the workflow parameters, including creating rules for the sequence. The rules are persistent for subsequent use of the sequence. The rules are defined by the user, e.g., an administrator, who creates or edits the workflow. The administrator can leave some choices available to operators who run the workflow, or can lock selections down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fraser S. McLeod, Peter Sauter, Markus Roming
  • Patent number: 9383750
    Abstract: A system predictively determines data transmitted within a wireless network in accordance with a mission plan and changes to the mission plan. The system includes a first team member and a second team member. The first team member includes a first module for evaluating the changes to the mission plan encountered by the first team member and determining whether to transmit information of the change to the second team member. The first team member further includes a second module containing rules for evaluating changes to the mission plan encountered by the first team member. The first module utilizes the rules of the second module to predictively alter the mission plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. DeMarco, Robert J. Szczerba
  • Patent number: 9129267
    Abstract: Project management systems and methods to streamline project planning, task management, time management, and other similar applications. The method includes filing a request to start a project on a project management system. The method further includes receiving notice that role handlers have been assigned to a plurality of tasks required to complete the project. The method further includes performing at least one task of the plurality of tasks. The method further includes receiving notice that the at least one task has been reviewed by at least one of the assigned role handlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Khorsheed, Sultan M. Al-Jaedi, Hassan S. Al-Ahaidib, Talal I. Al-Dhuayan, Mohammad A. Al-Fawzan
  • Patent number: 8849691
    Abstract: Systems and methods that implement interactivity as part of a workflow itself. Data is passed in and out of the workflow to form an interactive workflow, via employing an interactive activity component. Such interactive activity component models suspension points within a workflow definition, wherein user input and associated interaction can be supplied to the workflow during various interactivity breaks that request user input. Such an arrangement enables a controlled/synchronous data exchange between the workflow and a host application associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Sanabria, Constantin Mihai, Nikhil Kothari, Israel Hilerio, Michael Harder, Paul E. Maybee
  • Patent number: 8799050
    Abstract: A computer-executed method for allocating resources is described. Data representative of target percentages of time for a plurality of project activities is received where the target percentages add to 100%. For each target percentage of each project activity, data representative of an amount of the target percentage that at least one of a plurality of individuals performs the corresponding project activity is received. Data representative of a plurality of projects is then received. Data representative of availability of the at least one of the plurality of individuals is received and a predicted need of the at least one of the plurality of individuals during the duration of the project is determined. Data representative of an adjustment to the determined predicted need is received and data representative of the adjustment to the determined predicted need is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Kakar
  • Patent number: 8793152
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described that detail the rapid validation of scientific products and scientist consumer information derived from multiple science/research based sources, such as peer-reviewed scientific publications and online resources, for example, as well as any other available tasked forum or venue. The refined information will facilitate unique product evaluation opportunities via an accessible website/forum, trade shows, etc., and provide previously unknowable sales leads, market intelligence, and targeted advertising opportunities for life science product manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Ruston Bishop, Marcia Beth Allen
  • Patent number: 8775231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for efficiently identifying the sales opportunities in a business-to-business market environment. It provides a computer-implemented predictive sales intelligence system and method for identifying sales opportunities. The present invention is a computer implemented system and method for efficiently identifying reliable purchase pattern profiles through scientific analysis of customer data. It includes a system and method for calculating a customer's purchase profile, clustering customers based on similarity of their purchase profile, and efficiently providing a reliable set of opportunities including lost sales (retention) and cross-selling (wallet share expansion) opportunities. It uses this reliable estimate of sales opportunities to retain and expand wallet share for customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zilliant Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph C. Nipko, Peter J. Eppele, Sabarinath Navaneethakrishnan, Jing Zan, Barrett M. Thompson, Eric B. Hills, David D. Kurak
  • Patent number: 8768746
    Abstract: A marketing method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system total population data. A peer group is selected from the total population data. The peer group is associated with a first marketing action. A list of attributes characterizing the peer group is generated. The attributes are associated with the marketing action, demographic data, and additional purchasing habits of the peer group. A target group of individuals of the total population data is selected. The attributes are associated with the individuals of the target group. Scores associated with the individuals of the target group are generated. The individuals of the target group are ranked based on said scores. A ranking list based is generated. The ranking list includes the individuals of the target group in a ranked order. The ranking list is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Anderson, Mark Steven Ramsey, David Alec Selby
  • Patent number: 8768739
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides location-sensitive and time-sensitive calendaring to a wireless device, such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, etc. A user's calendar is maintained with a number of appointments, start times and end times for the appointments, meeting place and a list of attendees for the appointments. When the present time reading is within a predetermined minimum of a meeting start time of an appointment of a calendar user, the location of the user is determined based on the location of the wireless device. The location of the meeting place is also determined. Using historical data (of the user or others), the estimated time of arrival of the user at the meeting place is determined. If the estimated time of arrival is after the meeting start time, then a late message may be sent to the user and/or to the other meeting attendees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Ronald Perrella, Jai Menon, Gaiye Zhou
  • Patent number: 8751288
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of providing feedback to a sales representative for a sales opportunity to a customer, comprising: determining, in dependence on information received from the sales representative, a probability that the sales opportunity will result in a sale by the sales representative; determining, in dependence on information received from the sales representative, a location on a sales cycle time line for the sales opportunity; assigning a priority to the sales opportunity in dependence on the location on the sales cycle time line and the probability that the sales opportunity will result in a sale; and rendering on a display a visual representation of the probability and the priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ardexus Inc.
    Inventors: Keith T. Thompson, Christopher P. Hamoen, Christopher S. Fales, Darka O. Migus