Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Lahart

Andrew J. Lahart 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: 20150181001
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to resize (e.g., shrink and/or enlarge) objects in a region of a VU so that additional objects can be accommodated. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for a region/room to calculate when it has reached full capacity, and use a configurable multiplier to decrease the size of all objects in the room, including avatars, desks, chairs, tables, etc. This allows for accommodation of a significantly higher quantity of objects within the region. In a typical embodiment, the transition to smaller size would be seamless to the user. Moreover, in one embodiment, if the room is of a certain type (e.g., auditorium), additional objects may be auto-created or deleted based on the number of avatars entering or exiting the room. Still yet, objects can be enlarged as the occupancy falls below the capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Marc K. Johlic, Andrew J. LaHart, Emi K. Olsson
  • Patent number: 9024977
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to resize (e.g., shrink and/or enlarge) objects in a region of a VU so that additional objects can be accommodated. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for a region/room to calculate when it has reached full capacity, and use a configurable multiplier to decrease the size of all objects in the room, including avatars, desks, chairs, tables, etc. This allows for accommodation of a significantly higher quantity of objects within the region. In a typical embodiment, the transition to smaller size would be seamless to the user. Moreover, in one embodiment, if the room is of a certain type (e.g., auditorium), additional objects may be auto-created or deleted based on the number of avatars entering or exiting the room. Still yet, objects can be enlarged as the occupancy falls below the capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc K. Johlic, Andrew J. LaHart, Emi K. Olsson
  • Patent number: 8171399
    Abstract: A user interface for repositioning Web page components that includes an HTML table. Each cell of the table can represents a Web page component that is able to be repositioned. Each cell can include an identifier and a user selectable position control. The identifier can identify the Web page component. The user selectable position control can accept user input designating a position of the component within the Web page. An activation control can accept input entered within the user selectable position control when selected. Activation of the activation control can result in the Web page being reconfigured so that the position of the Web page components corresponds to positions specified by the position controls. In one embodiment, the user interface can be an accessibility option for users having difficulty with a drag and drop interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Coppedge, III, Becky J. Gibson, Kevin E. Hicks, Andrew J. Lahart, David Salinas, Michael A. Squillace
  • Publication number: 20120026177
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach to resize (e.g., shrink and/or enlarge) objects in a region of a VU so that additional objects can be accommodated. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for a region/room to calculate when it has reached full capacity, and use a configurable multiplier to decrease the size of all objects in the room, including avatars, desks, chairs, tables, etc. This allows for accommodation of a significantly higher quantity of objects within the region. In a typical embodiment, the transition to smaller size would be seamless to the user. Moreover, in one embodiment, if the room is of a certain type (e.g., auditorium), additional objects may be auto-created or deleted based on the number of avatars entering or exiting the room. Still yet, objects can be enlarged as the occupancy falls below the capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc K. Johlic, Andrew J. LaHart, Emi K. Olsson
  • Publication number: 20100017730
    Abstract: A user interface for repositioning Web page components that includes an HTML table. Each cell of the table can represents a Web page component that is able to be repositioned. Each cell can include an identifier and a user selectable position control. The identifier can identify the Web page component. The user selectable position control can accept user input designating a position of the component within the Web page. An activation control can accept input entered within the user selectable position control when selected. Activation of the activation control can result in the Web page being reconfigured so that the position of the Web page components corresponds to positions specified by the position controls. In one embodiment, the user interface can be an accessibility option for users having difficulty with a drag and drop interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: THOMAS D. COPPEDGE, III, BECKY J. GIBSON, KEVIN E. HICKS, ANDREW J. LAHART, DAVID SALINAS, MICHAEL A. SQUILLACE