Patents by Inventor Christopher James Dawson

Christopher James Dawson 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: 20080172539
    Abstract: Systems, methods and media for performing auto-migration of data among a plurality of memory devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, memory access of application program data is monitored for each of one or more application programs. The data may be stored in one or more of a plurality of memory storage devices, each with its own performance characteristics. Monitored access is evaluated to determine an optimal distribution of the application programs data, typically stored in files, among the plurality of memory storage devices. The evaluation takes into account service level requirements of each application program. Periodically, data may be automatically transferred from one memory storage device to another to achieve the determined optimal allocation among the available memory storage devices consistent with service level requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Jensen Boss, Christopher James Dawson, Rick Allen Hamilton, Timothy Moffett Waters
  • Patent number: 7398924
    Abstract: A method and system are provided in which average vehicle speeds of tolled and non-tolled road segments between two locations are monitored and saved for reference in providing dynamic adjustment of the toll amount to be charged for use of the tolled segment in order to insure an efficient use of the tolled segment and a determination of an appropriate toll amount to be charged drivers in the tolled segment in view of real time traffic conditions of the tolled and the non-tolled segment. The toll adjustments are determined based upon the difference between actual average speeds of the tolled segment and actual average speeds of the non-tolled segment such that the toll adjustments are dynamic and depend upon real time traffic conditions in both the tolled and non-tolled segments of the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Peter George Finn, Barry Michael Graham, Rick Allen Hamilton, II
  • Patent number: 7389106
    Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, James Wesley Seaman, Timothy Moffett Waters
  • Publication number: 20080084395
    Abstract: A data processing system and a computer implemented method is provided for adjusting the transparency of a display screen based on detecting motion in an area obscured by the display screen. When a motion is detected in the area obscured by the display screen, the transparency of the display screen is adjusted so that the motion is visible through the display screen simultaneously with any data being displayed on the display screen. The transparency may be adjusted depending on the location of the motion, pattern of the motion or both. Patterns of motions may be pre-defined to correspond with specific actions relating to the transparency of the display screen. Furthermore, depending on the location or pattern of the motion, one or more areas of the screen may be adjusted for transparency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Barry Michael Graham, Rick Allen Hamilton, James Wesley Seaman
  • Patent number: 7333323
    Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a display screen of an electronic device such as a laptop computer is double-hinged to a base or keyboard unit in such a manner as to allow the display screen to be opened while the bottom portion of the display screen is free to rotate toward a user to enable the user to view the display screen when little or no space is available at the rear of the display screen. A double-hinged arrangement including an extendable coupling is provided at the sides of the laptop such that there is access to the keyboard when the display screen is rotated upwardly and the bottom of the display screen is moved toward the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Barry Michael Graham
  • Publication number: 20080030936
    Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a display screen of an electronic device such as a laptop computer is double-hinged to a base or keyboard unit in such a manner as to allow the display screen to be opened while the bottom portion of the display screen is free to rotate toward a user to enable the user to view the display screen when little or no space is available at the rear of the display screen. A double-hinged arrangement including an extendable coupling is provided at the sides of the laptop such that there is access to the keyboard when the display screen is rotated upwardly and the bottom of the display screen is moved toward the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Barry Michael Graham
  • Patent number: 7328001
    Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, James Wesley Seaman, Timothy Moffett Waters
  • Patent number: 7320430
    Abstract: A method and system are provided in which average vehicle speeds of tolled and non-tolled road segments between two locations are monitored and saved for reference in providing dynamic adjustment of the toll amount to be charged for use of the tolled segment in order to insure an efficient use of the tolled segment and a determination of an appropriate toll amount to be charged drivers in the tolled segment in view of real time traffic conditions of the tolled and the non-tolled segment. The toll adjustments are determined based upon the difference between actual average speeds of the tolled segment and actual average speeds of the non-tolled segment such that the toll adjustments are dynamic and depend upon real time traffic conditions in both the tolled and non-tolled segments of the travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Peter George Finn, Barry Michael Graham, Rick Allen Hamilton, II
  • Publication number: 20070294147
    Abstract: A system, a method, and a service that monitors the time a space is occupied. The time period for occupation of the space may be prepaid or the fees may accumulate while the space is occupied. The system detects when an occupant enters the space and starts a timer. The system further provides a user interface whereby a user may prepay for an allotted period of time or may accumulate time in the space and then be billed later. Identifying information about the occupant may be acquired by an imaging device. The imaging device may further poll the space to determine if and when the occupant departs from the space. Identifying information may also be acquired through a user interface in which a user may enter identifying information, such as a credit card, a license number, a VIN, a driver's license, etc. The fact that the space has been occupied, the identifying information, and any prepaid amounts are transmitted via a communication device to a control station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Vincenzo Valentino Di Luoffo, Craig William Fellenstein, Rick Allen Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20070278300
    Abstract: A method and system are provided in which average vehicle speeds of tolled and non-tolled road segments between two locations are monitored and saved for reference in providing dynamic adjustment of the toll amount to be charged for use of the tolled segment in order to insure an efficient use of the tolled segment and a determination of an appropriate toll amount to be charged drivers in the tolled segment in view of real time traffic conditions of the tolled and the non-tolled segment. The toll adjustments are determined based upon the difference between actual average speeds of the tolled segment and actual average speeds of the non-tolled segment such that the toll adjustments are dynamic and depend upon real time traffic conditions in both the tolled and non-tolled segments of the travel route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Peter George Finn, Barry Michael Graham, Rick Allen Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7274781
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to enable a caller to send additional information along with the Caller Identification to a telephone receiver at the same time the caller makes the call. This additional information better informs the recipient of the identity of the caller and the nature of the call. This information allows the receiver to decide whether or not to answer the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Jay Lipton, Christopher James Dawson, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Craig William Fellenstein
  • Patent number: 7088219
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program are provided for remotely controlling the ignition of a vehicle. A variety of conditions can be placed on the vehicle for operation, such as time or geography, from a variety of remote wireless technologies. The ignition control system is also capable of effectively learning safe zones under which the vehicle can operate. Also, the ignition control system can cease operations upon request by an owner or law enforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Craig William Fellenstein, Rick Allen Hamilton, Edward Noel Luddy, II
  • Patent number: 7076237
    Abstract: Changes in user behavior of usage of wireless services from a mobile device are encouraged in order to effect shaping of traffic and utilization patterns among a plurality of cells within a rate plan region, wherein a discount indicator disposed in said mobile device is provided to notify a user of a discount available for consuming wireless service from a given cell. A geo-cost policy is established for that user or mobile device in which rules and conditions according to the available discounts and class of service are defined. A service completer queues services and automatically completes queued services upon present conditions meeting said geo-cost policy rules, such as delaying and later delivering messages when the mobile device is relocated to a cell where discounts are being offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, James Wesley Seaman, Timothy Moffett Waters
  • Publication number: 20050182684
    Abstract: A method for creating a read-only shopping token that is a digitally signed record of the contract between the buyer and the seller. The shopping token starts as an XML file containing the seller's personal information, information regarding the goods purchased, and the seller's terms for the transaction. The buyer adds his personal information to the XML file. The buyer and seller are both given an opportunity to review and modify the terms. When the buyer and seller agree to the terms, they both digitally sign the XML file. Once both the buyer and the seller have digitally signed the XML file, the XML file is converted into a shopping token. The shopping token is in a format such that a user cannot modify or copy-and-paste the subject matter of the shopping token. Any attempt to alter the shopping token renders the digital signatures invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher James Dawson, Vincenzo Valentino Di Luoffo, Craig William Fellenstein, Rick Allen Hamilton