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: 9882860
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving readability and understandability in messages posted on a social media website. The messages posted on a social media website, such as the user's social networking feed, are scanned. The scanned messages are analyzed for topics, meaning and/or tenses using natural language processing. The text in the scanned messages are split into message segments based on topic, meaning, tenses, punctuation, custom identifiers, hashtags and/or @ symbols. These message segments are then grouped based on relatedness of the topics, meaning and/or tenses. The message segments are ordered in each group of message segments, such as based on timestamps. The ordered message segments are then displayed to the user. By displaying these message segments in separate groupings in a logical order, the user will be able to view the messages posted on the user's social media website in a more readable and understandable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu, Alaa Abou Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 9866511
    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: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Gregory P. Dracoulis, Peter E. Stubbs, Steven J. Ulrick
  • Publication number: 20170373999
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9851939
    Abstract: As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for enabling enhanced reading device usability includes detecting, on an electronic device, a read operation that audibly reads visually presented information. The method further includes retrieving from a user profile a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The method further includes analyzing potential distractions to determine an estimated distraction level. The method further includes pausing the read operation if the estimated distraction level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The method further includes resuming the read operation if the estimated distraction level is less than or equal to the second threshold value. A computer system, and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9851940
    Abstract: As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for enabling enhanced reading device usability includes detecting, on an electronic device, a read operation that audibly reads visually presented information. The method further includes retrieving from a user profile a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The method further includes analyzing potential distractions to determine an estimated distraction level. The method further includes pausing the read operation if the estimated distraction level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The method further includes resuming the read operation if the estimated distraction level is less than or equal to the second threshold value. A computer system, and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170364939
    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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: ALAA ABOU MAHMOUD, PAUL R. BASTIDE, FANG LU
  • Patent number: 9836669
    Abstract: A digital image and a text string is received. The text string can be processed to identify at least a time frame and determine whether the time frame is a future time frame or a past time frame. 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: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170322980
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170322909
    Abstract: Techniques are described for preferred consumption of social media. In one implementation, a computer program product comprises a computer-readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith. The program code is executable by a computing device to perform operations comprising: monitoring a user accessing information in a social networking system; identifying a viewing preference for the user without receiving user input indicating the viewing preference; and changing the presentation of the information based on the identified viewing preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9781067
    Abstract: A method for managing conversations in social media and networks may include selecting, by a processor, a message posted to a social medium for management and associating a goal with the selected message for management. The method may also include monitoring, by the processor, other messages posted to the social medium for messages that are related to the selected message for management. The method may additionally include determining, by the processor, whether the goal has been met based on monitoring the other messages posted to the social network. A first predetermined function is performed in response to the goal being met or a second predetermined function is performed in response to the goal not being met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170249687
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170243081
    Abstract: A digital image and a text string is received. The text string can be processed to identify at least a time frame and determine whether the time frame is a future time frame or a past time frame. 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9742720
    Abstract: Identifying recipients to receive communication based on content selection may be provided. An indication of content selected by a user is received. The content may be part of group communication that is communicated among users via an online communication application. The content and an author of the content are identified. One or more criteria may be applied to the content to determine the recipients of the communication. The communication may be transmitted as a single message to the recipients simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9721288
    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: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Patent number: 9697432
    Abstract: A method for generating a sequence of support instruction steps by leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) can include: capturing workspace data from a workspace using a sensing device, wherein workspace may include a plurality of components, with at least one of the plurality of components having at least a tag; identifying both a first tag of a first component of the plurality of components, and a second tag of a second component of the plurality of components; determining, based on respective shapes of the first and second tags, that the first and second components are operably related; determining, again based on the first and second tags, a first operation; generating a first overlay, wherein the first overlay includes at least one image corresponding with the first operation; and generating a first augmented reality display of a first instruction step by combining the first overlay with a display of the workspace data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu, Alaa Abou Mahmoud
  • Publication number: 20170186069
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170147559
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for converting a display from a source spoken language to a target spoken language includes at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to determine the source spoken language of content within a selected area of the display. The at least one processor may be further configured to translate the content from the source spoken language to a selected target spoken language. In addition, the at least one processor may be configured to evaluate the translated content and remap the translated content to the selected area based on the evaluation. Finally, the at least one processor may be configured to present the translated content within the selected area on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Robert E. Loredo, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170142046
    Abstract: A first level of relevance, to at least one interest of a user, of content within a topic message within a message stream can be determined. Responsive to determining that the first level of relevance, to the at least one interest of the user, of the content within the topic message is below a threshold value, each of a plurality of other messages within the message stream can be processed using natural language processing performed by a processor. A respective second level of relevance, to the at least one interest of the user, of each the other messages can be determined. For each of the other messages for which the respective second level of relevance is equal to or above the threshold value, an alert can be presented to bring an attention of the user to the other message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170131970
    Abstract: As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for enabling enhanced reading device usability includes detecting, on an electronic device, a read operation that audibly reads visually presented information. The method further includes retrieving from a user profile a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The method further includes analyzing potential distractions to determine an estimated distraction level. The method further includes pausing the read operation if the estimated distraction level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The method further includes resuming the read operation if the estimated distraction level is less than or equal to the second threshold value. A computer system, and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu
  • Publication number: 20170131969
    Abstract: As disclosed herein a method, executed by a computer, for enabling enhanced reading device usability includes detecting, on an electronic device, a read operation that audibly reads visually presented information. The method further includes retrieving from a user profile a first threshold value and a second threshold value. The method further includes analyzing potential distractions to determine an estimated distraction level. The method further includes pausing the read operation if the estimated distraction level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The method further includes resuming the read operation if the estimated distraction level is less than or equal to the second threshold value. A computer system, and a computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Alaa Abou Mahmoud, Paul R. Bastide, Fang Lu