Patents by Inventor Aston G. Farquharson

Aston G. Farquharson 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: 8275670
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Karen L. Faison, Jodie A. MacCrory, Michael E. Weiner
  • Patent number: 7971068
    Abstract: Under the present invention, contract information corresponding to a first contract between a first contract partner and a customer, and contract information corresponding to a second contract between a second contract partner and the customer is received within a secure computer infrastructure. Based on the contract information, the first and second contracts are created. To provide desired isolation and security, the second contract is secured to prevent access thereof by the first contract partner. Then, approval and execution for both contracts is requested from the appropriate parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Robert T. Alexander, Michael J. Cammarota, Thao N. Nguyen, Michael A. Penn
  • Patent number: 7783521
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Karen L. Faison, Jodie A. MacCrory, Michael E. Weiner
  • Publication number: 20100114735
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a customer will login to a secure computer infrastructure and initially be polled and/or provide some input relating to an integrated IT solution that is desired. The customer can then make selections for hardware and/or software components desired for the integrated IT solution. The present invention will analyze the selections and verify whether each of the selected components is of similar quality to one another. If not, the customer can be alerted. The present invention will also make recommendations for services that best match the selected components. The integrated IT solution will then be finalized based on the components and services selected by the customer. Once the solution has been finalized, a corresponding contract(s) can be developed/generated, approved and executed within the secure computer infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Karen L. Faison, Jodie A. MacCrory, Michael E. Weiner
  • Patent number: 7363509
    Abstract: Under the present invention, a customized contract is created based on the needs of the parties and is then stored within a secure computer infrastructure. Security within the computer infrastructure is typically provided through encryption such as 128 bit encryption. Moreover, all actions taken with respect to the contract (e.g., approval, execution, etc.) occur within the infrastructure and are recorded so that a record can be provided. Any party taking action will first be authenticated before access to the infrastructure is granted. In order for the contract to be electronically executed, both the originating contract partner and the receiving contract partner must first deliberately approve the contract. Once approval has been obtained, the contract can be electronically executed by both parties. After execution is complete, a final image of the contract is generated that includes the electronic signatures and the date of execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aston G. Farquharson, Michael J. Cammarota, John R. Harrison, Thomas Y. Kwok, Linh Hue Lam, Thao N. Nguyen, Michael A. Penn, Kakan Roy, Michael B. Sandler, Gary D. Wexler