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: 10129199
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for ensuring that the composed message is being sent to the appropriate recipient. A message being composed by an author is detected. The intended recipient(s) to receive the composed message are identified. The composed message is then analyzed to identify one or more of the following characteristics: a topic, a greeting, a dialect, a conversation pattern and a language pattern. A profile for the intended recipient storing information regarding the characteristics of the recipient (e.g., social group, historical topics discussed, conversation pattern) is obtained. A score is generated based on the consistency between the characteristics of the analyzed message with the characteristics of the recipient obtained from the recipient's profile. A notification may then be issued to the author if the score is less than a threshold value to ensure that the intended recipient is the correct recipient to receive the composed message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Gregory P. Dracoulis, Peter E. Stubbs, Steven J. Ulrick
  • Patent number: 10110950
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to attentiveness-based video presentation management. Using a set of computer-based sensors, an attentiveness of a user related to a first set of video presentation contents is monitored. Based on the monitoring, an attentiveness factor of the user related to the first set of video presentation contents is detected. Based on the attentiveness factor of the user related to the first set of video presentation contents, a second set of video presentation contents for presentation to the user is determined. The second set of video presentation contents is presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180276295
    Abstract: In presenting search results, a server collects a history of electronic texts related to the user from electronic text sources and analyzes the electronic texts to determine a detail level score of the user. The detail level score indicates a preferred level of details in the communication style of a specific user. At some point, the server receives a notification of a search query input to a search system by a client device of the user. In response, the server intercepts the search results generated by the search system in response to the search query, retrieves the detail level score associated with the user, renders the search results with an amount of information corresponding to the detail level score. In this way, the search results may be displayed to the specific user in manner consistent with the user's preferred communication style.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa ABOU MAHMOUD, Paul R. BASTIDE, Fang LU
  • Publication number: 20180276616
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Nancy E. Kho, Bill D. Le, Fang Lu, Alaa Abou Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 10083424
    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: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nancy Ellen Kho, Bill Dang Le, Fang Lu, Alaa Abou Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 10049310
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for image text analysis for identifying hidden text. An Optical Character Reader (OCR) is utilized to extract a text string from an image. Context within the image is analyzed. It is determined that the extracted text string is a partial text string based on the context. For a first radius level of a plurality of radius levels, a segmented sub-image is identified around the partial text string within the first radius level, an image search on the segmented sub-image is performed to identify a candidate text string, and, in response to determining that the candidate text string is a complete text string, the complete text string is provided for performing an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 10050915
    Abstract: A plurality of word groups that satisfy at least one criterion, each word group comprising at least one word, can be identified in an electronic message. For each word group that satisfies the at least one criterion, at least a first image corresponding to a meaning of the word group can be automatically selected from a plurality of images. Each image selected for each respective word group that satisfies the at least one criterion can be presented with the electronic message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180198749
    Abstract: In time and sentiment based messaging, a server obtains information for a set of messages from online social networks related to a specified object. The information includes at least a user identifier associated with each message, a time of each message, and content of each message. For each unique identifier, the server establishes an initial message from the set of messages related to the specified object, analyzes each message in the set of messages to determine a sentiment of each message, and builds a sentiment line time for each unique user identifier. The server then builds a time-based sentiment model related to the specified object by overlapping the sentiment time lines for each unique user identifier according to the initial message for each unique user identifier. A targeted message to a set of one or more users may then be generated using the time-based sentiment model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa ABOU MAHMOUD, Paul R. BASTIDE, Fang LU
  • Publication number: 20180196876
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to sentiment-driven content management in a social networking environment. A set of user-derived data may be detected in a social networking environment. The set of user-derived data may indicate a negative sentiment of a user that corresponds with the set of user-derived data. A sentiment modification action for the social networking environment may be determined. The determination of the sentiment modification action may be based on the set of user-derived data which indicates the negative sentiment of the user. A set of selected social networking data may be provided to the user. The set of selected social networking data may be provided in the social networking environment based on the sentiment modification action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180196882
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to sentiment-driven content management in a social networking environment. A set of user-derived data may be detected in a social networking environment. The set of user-derived data may indicate a negative sentiment of a user that corresponds with the set of user-derived data. A sentiment modification action for the social networking environment may be determined. The determination of the sentiment modification action may be based on the set of user-derived data which indicates the negative sentiment of the user. A set of selected social networking data may be provided to the user. The set of selected social networking data may be provided in the social networking environment based on the sentiment modification action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180198307
    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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180196919
    Abstract: A server analyzes data from interactions between the user and an automated response system to form a speech pattern history for the user. The server analyzes data from a current interaction to identify a current speech pattern of the user and compares the current speech pattern with the speech pattern history. Responsive to determining that the comparison exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the server sends additional dialog prompt(s) to be issued by the automated response system. The server analyzes data from an extended interaction between the user and the automated response system to identify an extended speech pattern of the user and compares the extended speech pattern with the speech pattern history of the user. Responsive to determining that the comparison exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the server matches the extended speech pattern to a potential health condition and determines an action associated with the potential health condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa ABOU MAHMOUD, Paul R. BASTIDE, Fang LU
  • Publication number: 20180196802
    Abstract: In monitoring changes to a document corpus, a document system extracts elements from a plurality of documents in the document corpus by the document system and establishes links between the elements to form an initial set of inter-document relationships for the plurality of documents in the document corpus by the document system. When a new document is added to the document corpus, the document system extracts a new set of elements from the new document by the document system and compares the new set of elements with the elements corresponding to the plurality of documents in the document corpus. The document system determines whether any existing inter-documents relationships in the initial set of inter-document relationships is changed by the new document, and responsive to determining that a given existing inter-document relationship is changed, modifies the given existing inter-document relationship based on the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa ABOU MAHMOUD, Paul R. BASTIDE, Fang LU
  • Publication number: 20180198311
    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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9998342
    Abstract: A method for generating a graph segment providing a gist or summary of an online social network conversation may include generating a graph of the online social network conversation. The graph of the online social network conversation may include a plurality of nodes and each node may be connected to at least one other node by an edge. Each node may represent a message of the online social network conversation and each edge may correspond to an action by a participant in the online social network conversation. The method may also include determining an edge weight for each edge and analyzing the graph of the online social network conversation using at least the edge weight of at least some edges. The method may additionally include generating a graph segment that provides a gist or summary of the online social network conversation based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Vijay Francis, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180143969
    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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9972043
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for determining credibility of a user in recommending an object. The method comprises monitoring activity relating to an object in an online network, and determining a baseline of activity for the object based on the activity monitored. In response to detecting a user interaction by a first user with the object, information relating to the user interaction is recorded. An analysis of the information recorded is performed in view of information relating to one or more other user interactions by one or more other users with the object. Based on the analysis, a credibility score for the first user is determined. The credibility score represents a degree of confidence in reliability of the first user to recommend the object. Presentation of user recommendations for objects is controlled based on credibility scores to decrease impact of astroturfing, crowdturfing and spamming on the presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Internatinal Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9973460
    Abstract: A method for providing suggested modifications to user messages is provided. The method may include receiving user messages associated with a communication application. The method may further include collecting communication application data comprising user information associated with users and group information associated with a group. Additionally, the method may include analyzing the collected communication application data. The method may also include determining user expertise levels associated with users. The method may further include determining message precision levels associated with the received user messages. The method may also include providing suggested modifications to the received user messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180115511
    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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9954945
    Abstract: A method for associating contextual information with an electronic communication. The method includes a computer processor monitoring one or more activities of a user of a computing device, and determining contextual information respectively associated with the one or more monitored activities of the user, wherein contextual information includes information describing the one or more monitored activities. The method further includes identifying the user initiating an electronic communication and a time that the user of the computing device initiates the electronic communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Vinod A. Valecha