Patents by Inventor Cary Lee Bates
Cary Lee Bates 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).
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Patent number: 7770155Abstract: A debugger inserts instrumentation hooks in a multi-threaded computer program that allow collecting a program trace and that provide timestamps that correspond to the program trace. When a breakpoint in a first thread is encountered, a timestamp corresponding to the breakpoint is retrieved. Execution of the other threads may continue until the debugger is able to halt their execution. Once the execution of all threads has been halted, the program trace for each thread is traced backwards to a point where the timestamp is less than the breakpoint timestamp. Instructions are then executed, one by one, until the execution time of the instructions plus the timestamp is approximately the same as the breakpoint timestamp. The instruction in the program trace display is then highlighted to indicate the instruction that was likely being executed when the breakpoint in the first thread is encountered.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7765218Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, determine a term score based on frame scores, frame weights, and effect bonuses. The frame score represents a probability that the frame will be displayed, and in an embodiment is based on whether the frame may be skipped via an embedded link between frames. Frames that may be skipped have their frame scores reduced. The frame weights are based on an attribute of the term, such as a font size, a font style, a color, or a location within a frame. The effect bonus is based on one or more attributes of the nearest tweened object to the term, such as a location, a size, a shape, or a color. The term score may be used to order the display of the pages that contain the frames in response to a search request. In this way, terms within the frames of an animated graphics file are scored based on the likelihood that the term will be seen during the animation.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Brian Paul Wallenfelt
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Publication number: 20100180216Abstract: Methods and apparatus associate a computed trust level to avatars that interact with one another in a simulated environment. The avatars may represent legitimate users of the virtual world or spammers. System monitoring of each avatar provides ability to recognize potential spammers and create an alternate indication of the spammers. A user index may be used to store data describing attributes of each avatar for analysis using programs stored in memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Jim Chun-Ta Chen, Zachary Adam Garbow, Gregory Edward Young
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Patent number: 7756849Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for searching content in frames. In general, information located at one or more networked addresses may be displayed to a user in two or more frames. The content of a frame may be searched by designating one frame as a default search frame. Such a designation may be made according to a tag or other criteria, such as attributes of the frame itself or historical information pertaining to a previous search of one of the active frames. In any case, the designation of a default search frame eliminates the need for explicit selection by the user prior to a search.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Steven Paul Jones
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Patent number: 7739664Abstract: An automated way to detect differences in the values of program variables/expressions and the order of execution between one run and another. A collection mode saves the values of expressions/variables at collection points in the program. On a subsequent execution during the detection mode, these saved values of the same expressions/variables are recalled and compared with the current values. Advantageously, the user selects the collection points within the program at which variable information can be gathered and compared; and these collection points may include: breakpoints set by a debugging program or by the user; collection points set by the user, and entry and/or exit points and/or points within program structures, such as procedure calls, control blocks, etc. Setup of the collection mode includes the capability to modify the expressions/variables, the tolerance or the acceptable alternatives, and the position and number of collection points.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Vadim Berestetsky, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7669112Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize automated analysis techniques to assist in the determination of acceptable usages of linguistic terms (e.g., words, phrases, acronyms, etc.). In particular, an acceptable usage of a linguistic term in a document on the Internet may be determined by detecting a spell definition tag in the document. In response to detecting the spell definition tag, automatically adding the acceptable variant of the linguistic term to an electronic dictionary.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Brian John Cragun, Paul Reuben Day, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7657256Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for notifying a user of a portable communication device. In one embodiment, a location of a first portable communication device is determined for a first user and the location of a second portable communication device is determined for a second user. A determination is made as to whether the location of the second portable communication device is within a same region containing the first portable communication device. If the second portable communication device is within the same region as the first portable communication device, then the first user is notified of the presence of the second user.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Publication number: 20090319915Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to the dynamic activation and deactivation of a spell check feature option for instant message chat session features within a virtual environment. As such, the spell check feature can be activated and deactivated within the virtual environment based upon the identity of an engaged party to chat session or the identities of other parties that are in proximity to the chat session parties within the virtual environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Zachary A. Garbow
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Patent number: 7634690Abstract: A run-time monitor allows defining sets of run-time error criteria and corresponding diagnostic action to take when the run-time error criteria is satisfied. One way to define the run-time error criteria is to take a baseline measurement of run-time errors that occur during normal processing conditions. A run-time error criteria may then be defined that is based on the baseline measurement. In this manner, a rate of run-time errors that normally occur may be ignored, while a rate of run-time errors in excess of the run-time error criteria could automatically initiate diagnostic action. In this manner, the ability of a programmer to debug run-time errors is significantly enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric Lawrence Barsness, Cary Lee Bates, Mahdad Majd, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Patent number: 7610042Abstract: In an embodiment, a message is sent from a source telephone to a message center if a message indication is received by the source telephone in response to a call from the source telephone directed to a target telephone. The message indication indicates that the target telephone does not answer the call. The message center saves the message. If a signal strength of a transmission between the source telephone and the message center during the sending of the message is below a low signal-strength threshold, then the message is recorded to an overlay message at the source telephone. Once the signal strength between the source telephone and the message center exceeds a high signal-strength threshold, an overlay package that includes the overlay message is sent from the source telephone to the target telephone, and the message center replaces the message with the overlay message if the message exists at the message center.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Cary Lee Bates
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Publication number: 20090245484Abstract: A method that associates the first telephone number of a first user with a second telephone number of a second user that has a relationship with the first user; tracks incoming and outgoing telephone calls; and stores a plurality of telephone messages received by the first user. For each telephone message, the method assigns such telephone message to one of first, second, and third groups; and sorts the plurality of telephone messages for playback. By doing so, the telephone messages may be prioritized such that the first user may be able to more quickly determine whether or not the first user should return a telephone message, often reducing the number of unnecessary telephone calls and improving efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Cary Lee Bates
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Publication number: 20090241049Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a means for the simulating of real world activities within a virtual environment. Information retrieved from locally executing applications (e.g., such as a screen saver, voice over IP phone system, etc.) or sensor information is utilized to deliver messages from a client application to the virtual environment in order to put an avatar in a state that visually indicates that a system user is busy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Zachary A. Garbow
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Patent number: 7594186Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for enhanced control over the positioning of dialog boxes in relation to hyperlinks within electronic documents. The controlled positioning is implemented to mitigate any undesirable placement of dialog boxes that might limit to user access to hyperlinks contained within the electronic document. Accordingly, embodiments are provided for determining a location within a displayed electronic document at which a dialog box may be positioned without obscuring any hyperlinks. In the event that such positioning is not possible, steps are taken to position the dialog box in a location that will result in the least interference between the user and a displayed document.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Steven Paul Jones
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Patent number: 7577942Abstract: Method, system and article of manufacture for monitoring variables. In one embodiment, information generated by a compiler is used to determine which variables need to be updated when performing a step, a “run to cursor” operation, and when a breakpoint is hit. This may be accomplished by providing as debugger data which variables may be affected at each statement of a program and a control flow graph for the program or procedure. The information about which variables may be affected can be stored as individual variables or sets of variables. When execution of the program being debugged is halted, only those variables whose values may have changed are refreshed in a variables window of a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, William Jon Schmidt
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Patent number: 7574420Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and storage medium that, in an embodiment, create an index for pages based on association scores for the pages with respect to geographic regions, where the association scores indicate relative degrees to which the pages are associated with the geographic regions. In an embodiment, the association scores are determined by adding a term scare to the association score if a term that is associated with the geographic region is present in the page. The term score indicates a relative degree to which presence of the term in the page indicates that the page is associated with the geographic region. In an embodiment, the association scores are further increased based on association scores of neighbor geographic regions and based on the association scores of incoming linked pages.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Brian Paul Wallenfelt
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Patent number: 7565606Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize automated analysis techniques to assist in the determination of acceptable usages of linguistic terms (e.g., words, phrases, acronyms, etc.). In particular, an acceptable usage of a linguistic term may be determined by scanning a plurality of documents for variants (e.g., based on differing spellings, punctuation, capitalization, meaning or definition, etc.) of the term, and tracking relative occurrences of a plurality of such variants found in the plurality of documents during scanning. By tracking occurrences of linguistic term variants, users may be able to use such statistical information to select which of the available variants represents an acceptable usage, or even a most acceptable usage, of a term. Scanned documents may be retrieved from the Internet, and scanning may occur while a user is browsing the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cary Lee Bates, Brian John Cragun, Paul Reuben Day, John Matthew Santosuosso
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Publication number: 20090172538Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Jim Chun-Ta Chen, Zachary Adam Garbow, Gregory Edward Young
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Publication number: 20090172539Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for abstracting conversations between avatars within a virtual world. In one embodiment, the user of an avatar observing a conversation between other avatars may be presented with an abstracted version of the conversation. The abstraction may be performed so as to enable the user to determine the general topic or nature of the conversation, without receiving sensitive or detailed information included in the conversation. In one embodiment, the abstraction is performed by substituting words of the conversation with fewer words, or words having a more general meaning. The degree of abstraction performed may be based on a level of trust between the observer and the users engaged in conversation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Jim Chun-Ta Chen, Zachary Adam Garbow, Gregory Edward Young
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Publication number: 20090172146Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Jim Chun-Ta Chen, Zachary Adam Garbow, Gregory Edward Young
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Publication number: 20090164918Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for providing information for avoiding specific users of an immersive virtual environment. Generally, a primary user may specify other users to be avoided in a blacklist. The blacklisted users may be specified to be avoided at all times, or may be specified to be avoided in certain situations. In one embodiment, a user may be added to the blacklist during a specific situation, resulting in the characteristics of the situation being automatically stored in the blacklist. Subsequently, the blacklist may be used to determine the locations of the blacklisted users matching the current situation. The primary user may then avoid the locations having the greatest probability of encountering blacklisted users.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Jim Chun-Ta Chen, Zachary Adam Garbow, Gregory Edward Young