Patents by Inventor Andrew Hicks

Andrew Hicks 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).

  • Publication number: 20230316297
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a computerized-method for personality based routing for digital contacts are provided. A digital contact can be received from a customer and the customer contact details including phone numbers, emails and/or social media handles can be pulled from a customer database and/or a customer contact details entry can be created. A personality profile can be determined based on the customer contact detail and one or more machine learned algorithms. A prioritized list of available agents can be determined from a plurality of agents based on the personality profile. The customer can be routed to the agent from the prioritized list of agents having the highest priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: InContact Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew HICKS
  • Patent number: 11557303
    Abstract: In a frictionless handoff of audio content playing, a client device listens for ultrasonic audio. The client hears a playing of a modified audio content by another client device, which includes audio content and an ultrasonic audio quick response (QR) code overlaid on the audio content. The ultrasonic audio QR code includes location information corresponding to a location in the audio content. The client device extracts the ultrasonic audio QR code from the modified audio content. After determining that the playing of the modified audio content has stopped, the client device receives a command to resume playing of the audio content on the client device. In, response to the command, the client device retrieves location information in a last extracted ultrasonic audio QR code and plays the audio content starting at a location in the audio content corresponding to the location information in the last extracted ultrasonic audio QR code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Brendan Bull, Scott Robert Carrier, Dwi Sianto Mansjur
  • Patent number: 11554546
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing device is provided and includes a printing material source, a printing head and a temperature control system. The printing material source is configured to contain a supply of printing material. The printing head is receptive of the printing material from the printing material source and is configured to print an object with the printing material. The temperature control system is coupled to the printing head and is configured to adjust a temperature of the printing material during printing to cause state changes of the printing material resulting in the printing material being one of soluble and insoluble in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Miles C. Pedrone, Tynan J. Garrett, Michael Peter Lyons
  • Publication number: 20220388243
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing device is provided and includes a printing material source, a printing head and a temperature control system. The printing material source is configured to contain a supply of printing material. The printing head is receptive of the printing material from the printing material source and is configured to print an object with the printing material. The temperature control system is coupled to the printing head and is configured to adjust a temperature of the printing material during printing to cause state changes of the printing material resulting in the printing material being one of soluble and insoluble in a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Miles C. Pedrone, Tynan J. Garrett, MICHAEL Peter LYONS
  • Patent number: 11422924
    Abstract: A method for identifying optimal tests includes defining functional coverage by a test suite based on a functional coverage model of a System Under Test (SUT). The test suite includes a plurality of tests. The functional coverage model includes a plurality of attributes, each attribute having a set of possible values. The functional coverage model defines possible combinations of values of the attributes as covered by the test suite. A subset of the possible combinations of values is determined. A subset of the plurality of tests is selected that is operative to cover the determined subset of the possible combinations of values. A plurality of trees is generated to represent the selected subset of tests. Complexity of the generated trees is analyzed based on user-specified criteria. An optimal tree is selected from the subset of the plurality of trees to achieve the objective of the test suite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Thomas Rawlins
  • Patent number: 11328007
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to the generation of a domain-specific phrasal dictionary. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving text from a user, wherein the text includes unstructured text of a natural language. The method further includes parsing the text into text chunks. The method further includes sending the text chunks to the user. The method further includes receiving one or more phrase categories and one or more predetermined phrases from the user, wherein each predetermined phrase of the one or more predetermined phrases corresponds to at least one phrase category of the one or more phrase categories. The method further includes comparing the predetermined phrases with the text chunks. The method further includes assigning at least one phrase category of the one or more phrase categories to at least one text chunk. The method further includes sending at least one text chunk and the at least one phrase category that is assigned to the at least one text chunk to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dwi Sianto Mansjur, Scott Robert Carrier, Brendan Bull, Andrew Hicks
  • Patent number: 11263116
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying a champion test case that provides an increased likelihood of exposing a fault and expanding a set of test cases to include the champion test case are described. The fault may occur in a System Under Test (SUT), which may be a hardware system or a software system. A weight may be assigned to a champion test case that indicates the relative strength of the test case in detecting faults. The weight may be used to influence the selection of other test cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins
  • Patent number: 11232020
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for utilizing breakpoint value-based fingerprints of failing regression test cases to determine specific components of a System Under Test (SUT) that are causing a fault such as specific lines of source code. A failing test case from a regression run is selected and fault localization and inverse combinatorics techniques are employed to generate a set of failing test cases around the selected failing test case. A set of test fingerprints corresponding to the set of failing test cases is compared to a set of test fingerprints corresponding to a set of passing test cases to determine breakpoints that are indicated as being encountered during execution of at least one failing test case and that are not encountered during execution of any of the passing test cases. Specific lines of source code that correspond to these breakpoints are then identified as causing the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Thomas Rawlins, Steven M. Partlow
  • Patent number: 11144579
    Abstract: Techniques for document analysis using machine learning are provided. A selection of an index is received document, and a plurality of documents that refer to the index document is identified. For each respective document in the plurality of documents, a respective portion of the respective document is extracted, where the respective portion refers to the index document, and a respective vector representation is generated for the respective portion. A plurality of groupings is generated for the plurality of documents based on how each of the plurality of documents relate to the index document, by processing the vector representations using a trained classifier. Finally, at least an indication of the plurality of groupings is provided, along with the index document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brendan Bull, Andrew Hicks, Scott Robert Carrier, Dwi Sianto Mansjur
  • Patent number: 11106567
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for expanding test space coverage for testing performed on a System Under Test (SUT) through iterative test case generation from combinatoric pairwise outputs. At each test case generation iteration, a new set of test vectors is generated that provides complete pairwise coverage of the test space but that does not include any overlapping test vector with any previously generated set of test vectors. As such, cumulative m-wise test space coverage (where 2<m?n) is incrementally increased through each iteration until the iterative process ceases when a desired percentage of m-wise test space coverage is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins, Eitan Farchi
  • Patent number: 11099975
    Abstract: A method includes defining functional coverage by a first test suite based on a first functional coverage model of a System Under Test (SUT). The first test suite includes a first plurality of tests. The first functional coverage model includes a first plurality of attributes. The first functional coverage model defines possible combinations of values of the first plurality of attributes. Functional coverage by a second test suite is defined based on a second functional coverage model which includes a second plurality of attributes. The second functional coverage model defines possible combinations of values of the second plurality of attributes. Subsets of the first and second plurality of attributes are determined. The subsets of attributes include exclusively common attributes between the first and the second plurality of attributes. A subset of the tests is selected. The selected subset is operative to cover the first and second subsets of the attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins
  • Patent number: 11092480
    Abstract: Light obstruction can be detected using a light obstruction sensor. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a light obstruction sensor, light being emitted by a light source, a light level being associated with the light, and the light source and the light obstruction sensor being disposed in a light assembly. The method further includes determining, by a processing device, whether the light level exceeds a first threshold. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the light level exceeds the first threshold, determining that the light being emitted by the light source is at least partially impaired by an object. The method further includes validating, by the processing device, the determination that the light source is at least partially impaired by the object to confirm whether the light source is at least partially impaired by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tynan J. Garrett, Andrew Hicks, Michael P. Lyons, Miles C. Pedrone, Yunli Tang
  • Patent number: 11036624
    Abstract: A method for automatically avoiding fault paths in software code of a System Under Test (SUT) includes generating a plurality of fingerprints by executing a plurality of regression tests. Each of the plurality of fingerprints uniquely identifies a specific code path in the software code of the SUT. A critical error is detected during execution of the software code of the SUT. A fault code path in the software code of the SUT associated with the critical error is identified by analyzing the plurality of generated fingerprints. At least one fingerprint associated with the fault code path in the software code of the SUT is identified. During subsequent execution of the software code of the SUT, the identified fault code path in the software code of the SUT is automatically prevented from being executed based on the identified at least one fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Thomas Rawlins, Rachel Brill, Deborah A. Furman
  • Patent number: 11027495
    Abstract: A texturizer is provided and includes an extension arm and fine and gross motor controllers. The fine motor controller includes a heating element, one or more texturizing tools and a fine motor which is operable to control respective positions and orientations of the heating element and the one or more texturizing tools. The gross motor controller is interposed between the extension arm and the fine motor controller and is operable to control a position and an orientation of the fine motor controller relative to the extension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Miles C. Pedrone, Tynan J. Garrett, Michael Peter Lyons
  • Patent number: 11010282
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing fault detection and localization using Combinatorial Test Design (CTD) techniques and generating a regression bucket of test cases that expose a detected fault in a System Under Test (SUT). The SUT may be a hardware system or a software system. Further, the fault detection and localization may be performed while adhering to architectural restrictions on the SUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins, Rachel Brill
  • Patent number: 11010285
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing fault detection and localization using Combinatorial Test Design (CTD) techniques and generating a regression bucket of test cases that expose a detected fault in a System Under Test (SUT). The SUT may be a hardware system or a software system. Further, the fault detection and localization may be performed while adhering to architectural restrictions on the SUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins, Rachel Brill
  • Patent number: 10990510
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for associating regression test cases with corresponding test fingerprints via a translation table or other suitable storage mechanism. A test fingerprint indicates a collection of breakpoints encountered as part of traversal of a code path during execution of a test case, and thus, provides an indication of an extent of code coverage of the test case. Test fingerprints can be evaluated to determine cumulative code coverage of sets of test cases. Specific sets of test cases can be selected based on the cumulative code coverage they provide. Sets of test cases that provide greater cumulative code coverage and/or that target specific areas of interest can be prioritized for execution particularly when having to adhere to execution constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Rawlins, Steven Partlow
  • Patent number: 10970197
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing revision control for a System Under Test (SUT) such as a body of source code. Prior to committing code changes, a collection of breakpoints associated with the portion(s) of source code being changed are determined. Stored fingerprints corresponding to regression test cases are evaluated to identify a set of stored fingerprints that are cumulatively indicative of the collection of breakpoints. Attributes respectively stored in association with the set of stored fingerprints are determined and a corresponding group of regression test cases are determined. The code changes are committed responsive to successful execution of the selected group of regression test cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Thomas Rawlins, Steven Partlow
  • Patent number: 10971273
    Abstract: Techniques for cognitive corpora analysis are provided. Vector representations are generated by processing documents in a corpus using a passage encoder. One or more concepts are identified in the documents by processing the documents with the passage encoder, where the concepts are assigned respective importance scores by the passage encoder. Further, a selection of a document is received, and a sub-corpus of documents is generated by computing a similarity measure between the vector representation of the first document and the vector representation of at least one other document in the corpus. An overall importance score is generated for a first concept, with respect to the generated sub-corpus, by identifying a respective importance score of the first concept in at least two respective documents in the sub-corpus, and aggregating the respective importance scores. Finally, an indication of the generated overall importance score is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brendan Bull, Paul Lewis Felt, Andrew Hicks
  • Patent number: 10970195
    Abstract: A method for reducing test case infrastructure includes generating a first plurality of fingerprints for a first plurality of test cases. Each of the first plurality of fingerprints is associated with one of the first plurality of test cases. Each of the first plurality of fingerprints uniquely identifies a specific code path covered by a corresponding test case. A second plurality of test cases is generated based on a functional coverage model of the SUT. A second plurality of fingerprints is generated for the second plurality of test cases. Each of the second plurality of fingerprints is associated with one of the second plurality of test cases. The first plurality of fingerprints is compared to the second plurality of fingerprints to identify one or more matching fingerprints. One or more test cases is identified within the first plurality of test cases associated with the one or more matching fingerprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Hicks, Dale E. Blue, Ryan Thomas Rawlins