Patents Examined by Tiffany Bui
  • Patent number: 8095505
    Abstract: Copy protected materials are backed up or restored and made available for play on electronic media players through an online retrievable system. Corrupted segments of electronic media storage files are identified and located prior to being read, executed, or played. An uncorrupted copy from the network is then located, and software instructions provide for the storage of the uncorrupted segment of the file on electronic media player, merging the uncorrupted segment into the reading, executing, or playing of the electronic storage media file to seamlessly produce an output in real-time that is indistinguishable from the uncorrupted file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward E. Kelley, Tijs I Wilbrink
  • Patent number: 8019787
    Abstract: A system and method of storing information about tree structures. The method includes, for each given tree, identifying the nodes and the relationships between the nodes, and for each parameter, if more than one node of any of the given tree shares the parameter, then defining a scoping for the parameter to cover all of the nodes to which the parameter is applicable. The scoping includes applying one or more scope types having a varying specificity. The resulting information stored about the tree structure is substantially reduced in size in comparison to information about tree structures stored in a conventional manner, thereby reducing storage space requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jackie Li Chong, Jamie J. Gilgen
  • Patent number: 8010535
    Abstract: Methods to enable optimization of discontinuous rank metrics are described. The search scores associated with a number of search objects are written as score distributions and these are converted into rank distributions for each object in an iterative process. Each object is selected in turn and the score distribution of the selected object is compared to the score distributions of each other object in turn to generate a probability that the selected object is ranked in a particular position. For example, with three documents the rank distribution may give a 20% probability that a document is ranked first, a 60% probability that the document is ranked second and a 20% probability that the document is ranked third. In some embodiments, the rank distributions may then be used in the optimization of discontinuous rank metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Taylor, Stephen Robertson, Thomas Minka, John P. Guiver
  • Patent number: 8010566
    Abstract: Provided are an extended multimedia file structure, a multimedia file producing method, and a multimedia file executing method. The extended multimedia file structure includes: a metadata section including a media initial object descriptor (IOD) field and at least one track pointer; and a media data section including at least one media block indicated by the track pointer, wherein the at least one track pointer indicates a detail media resource contained in an embedded multimedia file or an external multimedia file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yong Ju Cho, Jae Gon Kim, Jin Woo Hong, Young Kwon Lim, Moon Sup Song, Hyoung Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 7996388
    Abstract: A new continuous query to a data stream management system (DSMS) may use a stream or a relation which may or may not be used by continuous queries previously registered in the DSMS. The DSMS is programmed to modify an execution plan to accommodate execution of the new query while continuing to execute the previously registered continuous queries. The modified execution plan may include new operators and/or share existing operators. The DSMS is programmed to cause operators which output a relation to propagate a current state of the relation to each newly-coupled operator that uses the relation. The current state is propagated only to operators that have been newly coupled and have thus not yet received any state information previously. After propagation of current state to newly-coupled operators, results of processing any new data for the relation are supplied to all operators coupled thereto, including newly-coupled operators and existing operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Namit Jain, Anand Srinivasan, Shailendra Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 7991734
    Abstract: Techniques for remote redirection are discussed. Redirection may be used to mimic a local user experience on a remote system. Redirection may include redirecting a pointer file, such as a shortcut, to account for remote access to a source file designated in the pointer file. The pointer file may be remapped so that the pointer file's file path accounts for a path from the remote access to the source file. Operating system (OS) information may be forwarded to the accessing system so that the redirected pointer file may be presented in accordance with the remote system's (OS). Redirection may be used to present a directory remotely in accordance with operating system running on the system being accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Seung-Hae Park, Rachel Popkin, Heather Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7979420
    Abstract: A new continuous query to a data stream management system (DSMS) may use a silent relation whose source does not provide any heartbeats. During execution of any given operator, the DSMS processes data from one input (“active input”) using its time stamp as if the same time stamp is received from another input whose relation has fallen silent (“empty input”), if one or more predetermined conditions are met. One predetermined condition is that the empty input's operator has all its own inputs silent. And another predetermined condition is that a maximum time stamp that is currently present among all the inputs of the empty input's operator is equal to a time stamp that was last received from these same inputs. When both conditions are met, previously received data from the empty input is time stamped with the same time stamp as the most recently received data from the active input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Namit Jain, Anand Srinivasan, Shailendra Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 7949658
    Abstract: Computer-readable media, systems, and methods for enabling a rich client search experience. In embodiments, a description is received from a data store. The description includes fields of information existing on the data store that are capable of being searched. A user interface is built based on the description and the user interface provides a user with a mechanism for searching the data store. And the user interface is presented to the user. The description is definable by the data store using a data-driven extension, allowing the data store to express schema and query capability information to a client and allowing the client to dynamically customize the user interface based upon the schema and query capability information expressed by the data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Laird-McConnell, Steve Ickman, Brandon Paddock
  • Patent number: 7945563
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically delivering information to a user concerning the embedded code contained in a web page before the user downloads the web page are disclosed. A search engine, in addition to performing a standard subject matter word search requested by a user, searches each web page to be listed to the user as part of the search results for information indicating that there is embedded code in the web page. If it is determined that a web page contains embedded code, the search results graphical user interface is provided with additional information indicating to the user which web page in the results contains embedded code. The user may also be alerted if a web page contains embedded code known to be malicious and the order of the search results may be modified based on the embedded code information of the web pages in the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Edward F. Seitz
  • Patent number: 7945548
    Abstract: A method of sourcing a piece of equipment or a replacement part includes preparing a part request record, providing a part source database, searching part source records in the database according to one or more search parameters associated with the part, part requestor or part source, creating a prospective part source list, and prioritizing the part source list by one or more indexing fields, to identify sources predicted to have the part at the best combination of quality, price, and other similar factors. A method of updating the indexing fields is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: PartsSource, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Ray Dalton, Dan Betting
  • Patent number: 7945585
    Abstract: A method and system for improving targeted data delivery. One method accesses a user profile based on information about a user from at least one electronic device from a set of electronic devices that is associated with the user. A targeted data offer is received, wherein the targeted data offer defines selection criteria for targeted user profiles. A determination is made as to whether the user profile satisfies the selection criteria. A non-user selected relevancy criteria based on the user profile is then utilized to characterize the targeted data offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Sorkin, Rajan M. Lukose, Joshua R. Tyler
  • Patent number: 7933898
    Abstract: A keyword advertising service method for providing search information in response to a search request, the method includes the steps of: maintaining a search information database for storing at least one search information record; receiving a search request packet including a keyword inputted in a partner site selected by a user and a site identifier for identifying the partner site, from the partner site; extracting, in response to the search request packet, at least one search information record including a keyword corresponding to the keyword included in the search request packet, from the search information database, by using the bidding participation fee; rolling the extracted search information records independently from the bidding participation fee to be displayed on a result list field and providing the result list field to the partner site in response to the search request; and charging an advertiser corresponding to the search information record, in the case the user clicks the search information r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: NHN Business Platform Corporation
    Inventor: Woo Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 7925656
    Abstract: Markup language node level hash join operations for evaluating a query language query are performed. The markup language node level hash join mechanism, i.e. the “XHashJoin” operator, is a multi-way join operator that uses two hash tables, BUILD and PROBE, to intersect document nodes from multiple index scans and to buffer intermediate query results. The BUILD hash table stores document nodes matching the predicates of a query, and buffers document nodes satisfying extraction nodes, of each portion of the query up to a current portion of the query being evaluated. The BUILD hash table and the PROBE hash table are switched at each portion of the query being evaluated. Query results are generated by linking document nodes buffered in the BUILD hash table based on the semantics of each extraction node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shaorong Liu, Edison L. Ting
  • Patent number: 7917516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an index are described. To insure that the most updated index is available without having to update the index after every change (which can consume enormous resources), a specially marked postings list is generated for a changed item. During retrieval, the specially marked postings list supplements the existing content of an inverted index referencing the changed item. In this manner, the retrieval result for items containing the term under which the changed item was originally indexed is updated in accordance with the specially marked postings list to insure the most accurate retrieval result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Loofbourrow, John Martin Hoernkvist, Eric Richard Koebler, Yun-chih S. Li
  • Patent number: 7899812
    Abstract: A method for achieving interactive browsing includes steps performed by a computer coupled to a knowledge base and a document database. The knowledge base stores a plurality of terms and information relating to each term, and the document database stores a plurality of documents. The steps include acquiring terms in which a user has interest; extracting information relating to the terms in which the user has interest from the knowledge base in order to display the information in a first display part of a user interface; and extracting documents containing the terms in which the user has interest from the document database in order to display a list of extracted documents in a second display part of the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Tao Liu, Jian Min Jiang, Zhong Su, Yue Pan
  • Patent number: 7895241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing operations of an oilfield having at least one wellsite, a surface network, and a process facility, each wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Jonathan Schoen, Joseph A. Wald, Richard George Esau, Truls Arnegaard, Stephen Whitley, Herman Veldhuizen, Hallgrim Ludvigsen, Andrew John Round
  • Patent number: 7885933
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for analyzing computer events recorded in a plurality of computer datasets. The apparatus includes a read module configured to access chronicle records in two datasets, an extraction module configured to extract a timestamp from each chronicle record, a generation module configured to generate a chronicle time indicator for each chronicle record based on the extracted timestamp, and a placement module configured to place the generated chronicle time indicator into the associated chronicle record. Typically, chronicle records in a first chronicle record have records with desired timestamp characteristics while chronicle records in a second dataset have chronicle records with incompatible timestamp characteristics. The apparatus and method generate the chronicle time indicator to be compatible with desired timestamp characteristics of the first dataset and place the generated chronicle time indicator in each incompatible chronicle record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 7870106
    Abstract: Client node caching in a global file service. A client node receives a leaf image from a remote storage node storing a base image that is read-only accessible to the client node. The leaf image has a portion of the base image modified by the client node. The client node stores the leaf image in a cache on the client node. Unmodified portions of the base image are accessed from the remote storage node. Modified portions of the base image are accessed from the cache. The leaf images may comprise a branch modification log having portions of the base image modified by the client node and a metadata structure. The metadata structure has pointers to the modified data in the branch modification log and pointers to data unmodified by the client node in the base image. Alternatively, the leaf images may comprise a change volume for changes made to the base image by the client node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tung M. Nguyen, Richard Au, Eric Pouyoul
  • Patent number: 7849055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product for limiting instances of a client-server program within a plurality of platforms in a restricted distributed network. The data processing system receives an invocation of the client-server program. The data processing system assigns a write file to the client-server program wherein the write file has a write file name and the write file is on a distributed file system accessible to the plurality of platforms. The data processing system determines whether the write file is available. Responsive to a determination that the write file is available, the data processing system opens the write file for writing wherein the write file is associated with the client-server program. The data processing system, responsive to a determination that the write file is available, forms an addressing file having addressing information of a first instance of the client-server program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dwip N. Banerjee, Ranadip Das, Sandeep R. Patil, Venkat Venkatsubra
  • Patent number: 7849077
    Abstract: Systems, methods, media, and other embodiments associated with ranking documents by providing a search engine with a series of sub-queries generated from an original query are described. One example system includes input logic for receiving a query. The example system may include a relaxation logic configured to produce sub-queries from the query. The sub-queries may describe metadata string matching, content string matching, and/or metadata numerical attribute analysis. The sub-queries may be provided by an output logic to a search engine in an order that facilitates defining document relevance without requiring post-retrieval relevance ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Oracle International Corp.
    Inventors: Ciya Liao, Shamim A. Alpha