Patents by Inventor Alaa Abou Mahmoud

Alaa Abou Mahmoud has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11321672
    Abstract: Scheduling events with multiple invitees includes: identifying a plurality of invitees for an event in a calendar system having at least one processor; searching an availability associated with each of the invitees to determine a number of periods of availability in the calendar system, at least some of the invitees being available during each period of availability; creating a separate instance of the event in the calendar system for each identified period of availability; and for each invitee available during at least one of the periods of availability, assigning the invitee to one said instance of the event for which that invitee is available with the calendar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Airbnb, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy E. Kho, Bill D. Le, Fang Lu, Alaa Abou Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 11187574
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a set of electronic sensors. The method includes detecting, by one or more sensors embedded in a table, that a tray associated with a user is placed on the table. The method further includes detecting, by the one or more sensors embedded in the table, a first weight of contents on the tray at a first time, and detecting, by the one or more sensors embedded in the table, a second weight of the contents on the tray at a second time. The method further includes determining a final weight of the contents on the tray when the tray is no longer associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Mahjabeen Huq, Vignesh Kumaresan, Shaila Pervin
  • Patent number: 11170178
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for suggesting a preferred manner in communicating with a user. Communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, instant messages, social media posts) with a user from a plurality of other users and responses thereto are monitored. A communication history is then created storing the monitored communications and responses thereto. The communication history is then analyzed to determine a preferred manner in communicating with the user based on various factors (e.g., the types of communications and responses thereto, the times of communications and responses thereto, the topics of communications and responses thereto). In one embodiment, such an analysis utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. In this manner, the user will be contacted in the appropriate way thereby allowing the user to avoid potential interruptions and increase the user's productivity as well as to address matters (e.g., urgent matters) appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 11023526
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for analyzing an image to detect a plurality of geometric shapes in the image. The method may also include building a graph data structure resembling the image based upon, at least in part, analyzing the image. In some embodiments, building the graph data structure may include traversing the image to generate one or more graph data structure clauses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10984201
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for suggesting a preferred manner in communicating with a user. Communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, instant messages, social media posts) with a user from a plurality of other users and responses thereto are monitored. A communication history is then created storing the monitored communications and responses thereto. The communication history is then analyzed to determine a preferred manner in communicating with the user based on various factors (e.g., the types of communications and responses thereto, the times of communications and responses thereto, the topics of communications and responses thereto). In one embodiment, such an analysis utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. In this manner, the user will be contacted in the appropriate way thereby allowing the user to avoid potential interruptions and increase the user's productivity as well as to address matters (e.g., urgent matters) appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10958615
    Abstract: A set of similar messages addressed to a user is detected. Redundantly similar portions of the set of similar messages and a progressive set of differences between the set of similar messages are identified. The set of similar messages are consolidated into a single consolidated message. The single consolidated message includes one version of the redundantly similar portions in association with the progressive set of differences in a sequence and the progressive set of differences formatted differently from the redundant similar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10943250
    Abstract: A method for engaging a message recipient includes receiving, by a computer system for a recipient, a message having a collectible associated with at least one predetermined area of the message, wherein the at least one predetermined area has been selected by a sender. The method further includes detecting, by the computer system, that the recipient has viewed the at least one predetermined area of the message and awarding the collectible to the recipient by the computer system, so that the recipient can use the collectible in a transaction, wherein the awarding is responsive to the detecting of the viewing of the at least one predetermined area of the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10936054
    Abstract: Content subject matter areas of interest to a user viewing a social network activity stream are determined using iterative eye-gaze analysis to determine content at locations viewed by the user within the social network activity stream, and further using image and text analysis of the viewed content based upon frequencies of occurrence of words and image types within the viewed content. Portions of new content appearing in the social network activity stream determined to include the content subject matter areas of interest to the user are emphasized to attract the user's attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10917376
    Abstract: Multiple social network postings that originate from a single social network user are detected within a social network. The multiple social network postings that originate from the single social network user are analyzed using configured posting relationship identification criteria. Based upon the analysis of the multiple social network postings that originate from the single social network user using the configured posting relationship identification criteria, a determination is made that at least two of the multiple social network postings that originate from the single social network user include related content. The content of the at least two social network postings determined to include the related content is concatenated into a single consolidated social network post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10891419
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method improves an efficiency of a client computer's electronic text-based messaging operation. A client computer transmits a user-selected set of preferred typographic features to a text-based electronic messages server, where typographic features describe a stylistic appearance of an electronic text-based message. The client computer also transmits, to the text-based electronic messages server, instructions to sort text-based electronic messages that are addressed to the client computer according to the user-selected set of preferred typographic features. The client computer receives text-based messages that have been sorted by the text-based electronic messages server according to the user-selected set of preferred typographic features, and then displays those text-based messages in an order according to how the text-based electronic messages server sorted the text-based electronic messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10886027
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system to implement a healthcare cognitive system which operates for predicting engagement items for care providers. An engagement item prediction component executing within the healthcare cognitive system detects a scheduled appointment between a patient and a doctor. The engagement item prediction component scans communication pattern and details of patient communications for indicators of a medical condition of the patient. The healthcare cognitive system generates a set of one or more questions related to the medical condition. The engagement item prediction component presents the set of one or more questions to the user and receives one or more responses to the set of one or more questions from the patient. The healthcare cognitive system generates one or more seed topics based on the one or more responses and presents the one or more seed topics to the doctor for the scheduled appointment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10693820
    Abstract: Criteria can be received from a user via a user interface, the criteria specifying image types or desired image attributes. A plurality of word groups that each satisfy a respective criterion can be identified in a first electronic message, each word group comprising at least one word. For each word group that satisfies the respective criterion, at least one image that satisfies an image type specified by the respective criterion or that has at least one image attribute specified by the respective criterion can be automatically selected from a plurality of images, wherein the selected image corresponds to a meaning of the word group that satisfies the respective criterion. Each image selected for each respective word group that satisfies the respective criterion can be presented with the first electronic message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10657140
    Abstract: Systems, methods and/or software for identifying relevancy and trending among multiple messages in a social networking context. Topics that are of interest and/or relevant to a user are classified based on factors including frequency and trending behavior. Alert indicators, such as color-coded “sparklines” are generated and displayed close to the associated messages, to attract appropriate levels of attention from the user. The alert indicators are regularly updated to reflect trending changes, in near real time, as they occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10650100
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer system, and computer program product for improving a natural language generation knowledge base is provided. The method may include detecting user input comprising a natural language expression, generating an erroneous natural language response based on the user input and the knowledge base, determining user feedback corresponding to the erroneous natural language response, wherein the user feedback comprises an indication of an end-user reaction to the erroneous natural language response, determining an improvable performance metric with respect to the knowledge base, and updating the knowledge base based on the improvable performance metric, wherein the knowledge base comprises an explicit model of language corresponding to the erroneous natural language response, and wherein updating the knowledge base comprises updating the explicit model of language based on the user input, the erroneous natural language response, and the user feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Robert E. Loredo, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10643188
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to charge management of a device. A first location-modification event of the device may be detected by a charge management engine. The first location-modification event of the device may indicate a first movement event of the device from an original location to a target location. A device charge pattern may be determined based on a set of profile data for a user. The device charge pattern may include a set of criteria that indicates to charge the device. Achievement of the set of criteria may be identified by the charge management engine based on the device charge pattern. Achievement of the set of criteria may relate to the first location-modification event. An indication to charge the device may be provided by the charge management engine. A charge may be received by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10636017
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to charge management of a device. A first location-modification event of the device may be detected by a charge management engine. The first location-modification event of the device may indicate a first movement event of the device from an original location to a target location. A device charge pattern may be determined based on a set of profile data for a user. The device charge pattern may include a set of criteria that indicates to charge the device. Achievement of the set of criteria may be identified by the charge management engine based on the device charge pattern. Achievement of the set of criteria may relate to the first location-modification event. An indication to charge the device may be provided by the charge management engine. A charge may be received by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10621286
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for suggesting a preferred manner in communicating with a user. Communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, instant messages, social media posts) with a user from a plurality of other users and responses thereto are monitored. A communication history is then created storing the monitored communications and responses thereto. The communication history is then analyzed to determine a preferred manner in communicating with the user based on various factors (e.g., the types of communications and responses thereto, the times of communications and responses thereto, the topics of communications and responses thereto). In one embodiment, such an analysis utilizes natural language processing and sentiment analysis. In this manner, the user will be contacted in the appropriate way thereby allowing the user to avoid potential interruptions and increase the user's productivity as well as to address matters (e.g., urgent matters) appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20200103271
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a set of electronic sensors. The method includes detecting, by one or more sensors embedded in a table, that a tray associated with a user is placed on the table. The method further includes detecting, by the one or more sensors embedded in the table, a first weight of contents on the tray at a first time, and detecting, by the one or more sensors embedded in the table, a second weight of the contents on the tray at a second time. The method further includes determining a final weight of the contents on the tray when the tray is no longer associated with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Mahjabeen Huq, Vignesh Kumaresan, Shaila Pervin
  • Patent number: 10607110
    Abstract: A digital image and an indication of a time frame is received. Whether the time frame is a future time frame or a past time frame can be determined. How at least one element of the first digital image will change or has changed during the time frame can be predicted. At least one reference digital image can be generated, the reference digital image including at least one change to the at least one element corresponding to how the at least one element will change or has changed during the time frame. The reference digital image to each of a plurality of other digital images. A correlation parameter can be assigned to each of the plurality of other digital images. A portion of the plurality of other digital images having highest correlation parameters can be output for presentation to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10594646
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for handling an overwhelming amount of messages in an activity stream. Messages in an activity stream, such as an activity stream of a social networking system, of a user are monitored. Those monitored messages that contain an actionable item or event are identified. The messages that contain an actionable item or event are prioritized in a list based on one or more of the following factors: the deadline, the relationship of the sender of the message to the user, the user's desired social relationship with the sender of the message and the event schedule. The prioritized list is then displayed to the user. In this manner, the user will be able to handle the overwhelming amount of messages in an activity stream by determining which posts with an actionable item or event to respond prior to other posts in the user's activity stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Matthew E. Broomhall, Robert E. Loredo, Fang Lu