Patents by Inventor Barry E. Willner

Barry E. Willner 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).

  • DATA CONSISTENCY IN LONG-RUNNING PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20120185587
    Abstract: Long running computer implemented processes are dynamically adapted to improve data consistency. A range of process steps in a long running computer implemented process is specified. Additionally, each of the computer-implemented process partners that are associated with the execution of the long running process are identified within the range of specified process steps. Monitoring information is also collected with regard to at least one identified process partner. An automatic determination is made as to whether each monitored process partner is available before initiating execution of the specified range of process steps in an instance of the long running computer implemented process and a flow of the long running computer implemented process is transformed based at least in part upon the determination as to whether each monitored process partner is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Gregory Sechuga, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • NOTIFICATION TO ABSENT TELECONFERENCE INVITEES
    Publication number: 20120170734
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication of an elapsed time since a scheduled teleconference meeting start and a further indication of current attendance at the teleconference; applying at least one rule for determining, based on the indications, whether to issue a notification to an absent invitee of the teleconference; and in response to application of the rule, selectively issuing the notification to the absent invitee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Selectable audio and mixed background sound for voice messaging system
    Patent number: 8204186
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Notification to absent teleconference invitees
    Patent number: 8204196
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication of an elapsed time since a scheduled teleconference meeting start and attendance of the teleconference meeting, determining from the indication whether to issue a notification to an absent invitee of the teleconference meeting, and selectively issuing the notification to the absent invitee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • CONTEXT-INFORMED SUMMARIZATION
    Publication number: 20120136939
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for context-informed summarization is described. A method may comprise determining, via a computing device, a context of a communication. The method may further comprise determining, via the computing device, a summarization attribute for the communication based upon, at least in part, the context of the communication. The method may also comprise creating a summary of the communication based upon, at least in part, the summarization attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edith Helen Stern, Liam Harpur, Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Barry E. Willner
  • System and method for event slot negotiation
    Patent number: 8180657
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for receiving a slot request, from a second respondent having a second seniority level, for an original event slot that was previously reserved by a first respondent having a first seniority level. The second seniority level is compared to the first seniority level. If the second seniority level exceeds the first seniority level: the reservation of the original event slot by the first respondent is cancelled, and the event slot request for the original event slot by the second respondent is accepted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Andrew L. Schirmer, Edith Helen Stern, Robert Cameron Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Preventing emergency communication system notification congestion
    Patent number: 8175225
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for preventing emergency communication system notification congestion by automatically identifying the telecommunications site transmitting an emergency call or through reporting of an address from which the call is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Willow Dawn Buscemi, Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Edith Helen Stern, Robert Cameron Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Data consistency in long-running processes
    Patent number: 8171348
    Abstract: Long running computer implemented processes are dynamically adapted to improve data consistency. A range of process steps in a long running computer implemented process is specified. Additionally, each of the computer-implemented process partners that are associated with the execution of the long running process are identified within the range of specified process steps. Monitoring information is also collected with regard to at least one identified process partner. An automatic determination is made as to whether each monitored process partner is available before initiating execution of the specified range of process steps in an instance of the long running computer implemented process and a flow of the long running computer implemented process is transformed based at least in part upon the determination as to whether each monitored process partner is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Gregory Sechuga, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Statistics based method for neutralizing financial impact of click fraud
    Patent number: 8131611
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for reducing a financial impact of click fraud are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, the steps of: testing a sample of click events for fraudulent clicks of the PPC link, wherein the testing of the sample of click events for fraudulent clicks is directed to detecting fraudulent non-human clicks of the PPC link; and in response to a percentage of clicks failing the testing being greater than a pre-determined tolerance level, reducing a charge for clicks of the PPC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • USER CONTROLLED MULTI-DEVICE MEDIA-ON-DEMAND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120047166
    Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • USER CONTROLLED MULTI-DEVICE MEDIA-ON-DEMAND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120008917
    Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • USER CONTROLLED MULTI-DEVICE MEDIA-ON-DEMAND SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120011226
    Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • PROPAGATING INSTANT MESSAGE STATUS CHANGE
    Publication number: 20120005277
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for propagating instant message status change is described. A method may comprise receiving, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, an instant message request associated with an instant message request target. The method may further comprise determining, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, an instant message status based upon, at least in part, the instant message request and the instant message request target. The method may also comprise in response to the determination, providing, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, an indication of the instant message status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Barry E. Willner, Liam Harpur, Edith Helen Stern
  • Enhanced Management of a Web Conferencing Server
    Publication number: 20120004940
    Abstract: A method for enhanced management of a web conference server includes evaluation a web conference server to ascertain resources of the web conference server. The resources of the web conferencing server are partitioned into rooms, each room having an allocated portion of the resources of the web conferencing server and at least one room providing different capabilities from other rooms hosted on the web conferencing server. Access to the rooms is provided based on at least one user criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Edith Helen Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • ADVERTISING PROXIMITY ROUTE SELECTION
    Publication number: 20110320275
    Abstract: A request for route information to a destination is received by a route processing module. Available routes to the destination are determined in response to receiving the request. It is determined, for at least one available route to the destination, whether the available route provides proximity to at least one targeted advertisement. At least one available route to the destination is provided upon determining that the available route provides the proximity to the targeted advertisement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Method and system for detecting and handling message collisions in an instant messaging system
    Patent number: 8055721
    Abstract: Collisions are detected between multiple instant messages that are sent to a given user at the same time. In response to detecting a collision, the sending users are put into a real-time, on-line negotiation that enables the sending users to determine among themselves whose instant message will be delivered next to the receiving user. This allows the sending users to make a determination of which message is most important based on their relative needs at the time. A collaborative communication session, such as a group chat, is initiated for the negotiating sending users so that they can exchange information regarding the purposes of their messages. Based on the results of this on-line negotiation between message senders, a limited number (e.g. one) of the colliding messages are next delivered to the receiving user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Liam Harpur, Barry E. Willner
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TIME-LIMITATION SETTINGS IN COMMUNICATION SESSIONS
    Publication number: 20110161507
    Abstract: A method and computer program product includes initiating an instant messaging session on one or more communication devices. A first time-limitation setting for the instant messaging session based upon a user identification may be received. The first time-limitation setting may represent a maximum duration for the instant messaging session. A second time-limitation setting for the instant messaging session based upon the user identification may also be received. The second time-limitation setting may represent a minimum time between one or more instant messaging sessions. The instant messaging session may be terminated if the duration of the instant messaging session exceeds the first time-limitation setting. A subsequent instant messaging session may be prevented if the time between the instant messaging session and the subsequent communication does not exceed the second time-limitation setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: PATRICK JOSEPH O'SULLIVAN, Liam Harpur, Barry E. Willner
  • Federation of email
    Publication number: 20110154506
    Abstract: A method of federating electronic mail (e-mail). A request can be received from a first user to view at least one e-mail of a second user, the request including at least one identifier corresponding to the second user and a criteria indicating a subject matter of the e-mail. The method further can include verifying whether the first user is authorized to access the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria. Responsive to determining that the first user is authorized to view the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria, the first user can be provided access to view the at least one e-mail that satisfies the criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick O'Sullivan, Fred Raguillat, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Client Relationship Management
    Publication number: 20110153642
    Abstract: Managing a relationship between an organization and clients of the organization based on data stored on a server by the organization includes determining that data stored on the server represents a prospective interaction between a member of the organization and a client of the organization, searching the server for additional data related to the client of the organization, and providing a suggestion for optimizing the interaction to at least the member, the suggestion being based on a logical deduction made from the data representing the interaction and the additional data returned as a result of the searching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph O'Sullivan, Edith Helen Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Selectable audio and mixed background sound for voice messaging system
    Patent number: 7965824
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner