Patents by Inventor Andrew L. Schirmer

Andrew L. Schirmer 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: 8881026
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for managing queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions. In one embodiment, a human-to-human collaborative data processing system can be provided which can include a messenger configured for coupling to other messengers. The system further can include a queue of incoming session requests to establish respective human-to-human collaborative sessions with requesters associated with the other messengers. Finally, the system can include queue management logic enabled to order the session requests in the queue according to queue rules coupled to the queue management logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fonda J. Daniels, Ruthie D. Lyle, Michael Muller, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140313219
    Abstract: A display is created relating to photography done by a camera. A first coverage zone is determined for at least one of the following: a current photograph, or a first past photograph. A data set is generated corresponding to the display, with the display including at least a portion of the first coverage zone. At least the determining step is performed by at least one processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric L. Masselle, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140244242
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying, by a computing device, content in a document, wherein the content includes a language expression. A context of the language expression is determined from a defined range of the content in the document. An action item associated with the language expression is generated based upon, at least in part, the context of the language expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Galvin, JR., Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140236885
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for publishing activity tasks in a collaborative environment can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for status viewing by other collaborators in the collaborative environment. In one aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by a subset of the collaborators in the collaborative environment. In another aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by the collaborators in the collaborative environment only for a specified duration. In yet another aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include both publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by the collaborators in the collaborative environment, and periodically updating a status for each of the selected activity tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Muller, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140207823
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automatically granting access to content referenced in a microblog. A microblog post having content referenced therein is received by a microblog server. The microblog post includes a special character (e.g., “@”) designating a user, group or community. Furthermore, the microblog post includes a special character (e.g., “!”) designating the content. In response to recognizing the special character designating the content, the microblog server grants access to the designated content to the user, group or community referenced in the microblog post. By including a special character in the microblog post to designate content to be made available to the user, group or community referenced in the microblog post, the user can now designate the content to be made available to the users, groups and/or communities that do not previously have rights to access the content in an easy and efficient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan L. Perry, Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140201646
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamically selecting and ordering facets and/or facet values in a user interface. A user's “preference” concerning the selection and ordering of facets and/or facet values that the user desires to be displayed in the user interface is determined. Such user's preference may be determined based on monitoring the actions of the user (e.g., online activity) as well as possibly other types of information, such as the user's input and context of the user's faceted search. Upon determining the user's preference, facets and/or facet values are selected and ordered based on the user's preference and consequently displayed in the user's user interface. In this manner, the user is provided a more relevant and insightful perspective on the data set as the user sees the “best” information more quickly while performing less work to see and apply the facets and/or facet values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer, Ethan L. Perry
  • Publication number: 20140200949
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamically ordering tasks in a task list based on the user's indications of importance. Tasks are ordered in the task list based on identifying “indicators of importance” related to the particular task in question. These “indicators of importance” (e.g., topics, people) are derived from the task (e.g., call Mary Brown) and/or from external sources. A score or value is then assigned to these indicators of importance based on the user's deemed importance to such an indicator of importance, where such deemed importance may be determined by monitoring the user's interactions with data items (e.g., e-mails, reports), such as involving the indicator of importance. A composite score for each task may then be compiled based on the scores assigned to the indicators of importance associated with the task. The tasks will then be ordered based on these composite scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan L. Perry, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140201650
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for adjusting a display of social media updates to varying degrees of richness. A level of importance for each social media update is identified and assigned to the update. The importance of the social media update can be defined by various aspects, such as topics or people of interest to the user. Furthermore, a current condition of a user's environment (e.g., current workload of the user) is determined. The social media updates are then displayed in a social networking feed with a particular degree of richness at a particular location based on the level of importance of the social media updates, the current condition of the user's environment, and/or the user's interactions with existing updates currently displayed. In this manner, the amount of time required by the user to determine which updates are important to the user is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan L. Perry, Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140201272
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for adjusting a display of social media updates to varying degrees of richness. A level of importance for each social media update is identified and assigned to the update. The importance of the social media update can be defined by various aspects, such as topics or people of interest to the user. Furthermore, a current condition of a user's environment (e.g., current workload of the user) is determined. The social media updates are then displayed in a social networking feed with a particular degree of richness at a particular location based on the level of importance of the social media updates, the current condition of the user's environment, and/or the user's interactions with existing updates currently displayed. In this manner, the amount of time required by the user to determine which updates are important to the user is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan L. Perry, Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140201647
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for dynamically selecting and ordering facets and/or facet values in a user interface. A user's “preference” concerning the selection and ordering of facets and/or facet values that the user desires to be displayed in the user interface is determined. Such user's preference may be determined based on monitoring the actions of the user (e.g., online activity) as well as possibly other types of information, such as the user's input and context of the user's faceted search. Upon determining the user's preference, facets and/or facet values are selected and ordered based on the user's preference and consequently displayed in the user's user interface. In this manner, the user is provided a more relevant and insightful perspective on the data set as the user sees the “best” information more quickly while performing less work to see and apply the facets and/or facet values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer, Ethan L. Perry
  • Publication number: 20140181094
    Abstract: Arrangements relate to the management of data items representing intended future conversations. A plurality of first inputs related to a respective intended future conversation can be received. At least one data item representing the respective intended future conversation can be created for each first input. At least one attribute can be received for each of the plurality of intended future conversations associated with-each first input. In response to receiving at least one attribute for each of the plurality of the intended future conversations associated with each first input, the plurality of intended future conversations associated with each first input can be ranked in a particular order based on at least one of the received attributes. A listing of the intended future conversations that is based on the ranking can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: W. Caleb Barlow, James E. Christensen, David S. Marshak, Andrew L. Schirmer, Tracee L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140181092
    Abstract: Arrangements relate to the management of data items representing intended future conversations. A plurality of first inputs related to a respective intended future conversation can be received. At least one data item representing the respective intended future conversation can be created for each first input. At least one attribute can be received for each of the plurality of intended future conversations associated with-each first input. In response to receiving at least one attribute for each of the plurality of the intended future conversations associated with each first input, the plurality of intended future conversations associated with each first input can be ranked in a particular order based on at least one of the received attributes. A listing of the intended future conversations that is based on the ranking can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: W. CALEB BARLOW, JAMES E. CHRISTENSEN, DAVID S. MARSHAK, ANDREW L. SCHIRMER, TRACEE L. WOLF
  • Publication number: 20140173523
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to hierarchical tree file browsers and provide a method, system and computer program product for selectably flattening a hierarchical tree object structure in a hierarchical tree object browser. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of flattening an object hierarchy in an object browser can be provided. The method can include selecting a node in an object hierarchy in an object browser and, responsive to selecting the node, displaying content for the selected node and content for at least one node below the selected node in the object browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 8751581
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for selectively blocking the transmission of an unsolicited instant message. The method of the invention can include receiving an instant message designated an intended recipient; locating the intended recipient in a do not instant message list; and, responsive to the location, blocking the instant message for subsequent transmission to the intended recipient. Notably, the blocking step can include the step of selectively blocking the instant message based upon a specified policy defined for the intended recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Michael Muller, Vaughn T. Rokosz, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140136439
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for selecting collaborators is described. A set of candidates for collaboration with an initiator is received. Initial contact scores for one or more member of the set of candidates are determined based upon, at least in part, one or more of initial availability and initial willingness. An initial ranking order for the set of candidates is determined. A member is selected from the set based upon, at least in part, the initial ranking order. An invitation to collaborate is provided to the selected member. If the invitation is accepted, a communication channel connection is established between the initiator and the selected member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Galvin, JR., Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 8719284
    Abstract: A request corresponding to a target user is received from a querying user. The request can specifically identify the target user, or it could include a search criteria that results in identification of one or more target users. In any event, once the request is received, entries of data items (e.g., user profiles) associated with the target user(s) and the querying user (or some other user) are accessed. Based on the data items in the querying user's profile (or the other user's profile), the data items in the target user's profiles are filtered so that the querying user is not presented with an overload of information. Once the target user's profile has been filtered, it will be presented to the querying user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Schirmer, Marijane M. Zeller
  • Patent number: 8689114
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to activity thread management and provide a method, system and computer program product for activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for activity objectifying non-activity/task objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool can be provided. The method can include selecting a non-activity/task object in an activity thread for an activity map of the activity-centric collaboration tool, and associating an activity attribute with the selected non-activity/task object. The non-activity/task object further can be decorated with a user interface control corresponding to a value for the activity attribute, and a state for the user interface control can be changed responsive to changes in the value for the activity attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Muller, Miguel A. Estrada, Thomas P. Moran, Andrew L. Schirmer, Werner Geyer, Suzanne O. Minassian, Michael Chi Hung Wu
  • Patent number: 8683352
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to hierarchical tree file browsers and provide a method, system and computer program product for selectably flattening a hierarchical tree object structure in a hierarchical tree object browser. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of flattening an object hierarchy in an object browser can be provided. The method can include selecting a node in an object hierarchy in an object browser and, responsive to selecting the node, displaying content for the selected node and content for at least one node below the selected node in the object browser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Scherpa, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20140075340
    Abstract: A calendared event may be visually indicated. A proposed time for the calendared event can be identified and each of a plurality of event participants can be associated with the calendared event. For each of the participants, a local time of the participant that corresponds to the proposed time for the calendared event can be identified and displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tolga Oral, Andrew L. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 8655832
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for publishing activity tasks in a collaborative environment can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for status viewing by other collaborators in the collaborative environment. In one aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by a subset of the collaborators in the collaborative environment. In another aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include the step of publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by the collaborators in the collaborative environment only for a specified duration. In yet another aspect of the invention, the publishing step can include both publishing selected activity tasks for viewing by the collaborators in the collaborative environment, and periodically updating a status for each of the selected activity tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Muller, Andrew L. Schirmer