Patents by Inventor Derek S. Lam

Derek S. Lam 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: 9054898
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include identifying at least one recipient of an electronic message and retrieving a classification scheme of the recipient. An identifier can be included within the electronic message. The identifier can specify a tag selected from the classification scheme of the recipient. The electronic message, including the identifier specifying the selected tag, can be sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Derek S. Lam, Michael Muller, Asima Silva, Ping Wang, Robert C. Weir
  • Patent number: 8468194
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing expertise based referrals can include receiving, from a first user, a voucher specifying a second user seeking expertise and a third user as a potential subject matter expert. Responsive to execution of the voucher, an instant messaging session between the second user and the third user can be established and an input from the second user indicating whether a posed question from the second user is resolved can be received. When the posed question is resolved, a role of maven can be assigned to the first user and a role of subject matter expert can be assigned to the third user. A transcript of the instant messaging session between the second user and the third user, a reference to the first user with the assigned role, and a reference to the third user with the assigned role can be stored as part of a referral transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Asima Silva, Robert C. Weir, Derek S. Lam
  • Patent number: 8271590
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include identifying at least one recipient of an electronic message and retrieving a classification scheme of the recipient. An identifier can be included within the electronic message. The identifier can specify a tag selected from the classification scheme of the recipient. The electronic message, including the identifier specifying the selected tag, can be sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Derek S. Lam, Michael Muller, Asima Silva, Ping Wang, Robert C. Weir
  • Publication number: 20120203783
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include identifying at least one recipient of an electronic message and retrieving a classification scheme of the recipient. An identifier can be included within the electronic message. The identifier can specify a tag selected from the classification scheme of the recipient. The electronic message, including the identifier specifying the selected tag, can be sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MARC DREYFUS, DEREK S. LAM, MICHAEL MULLER, ASIMA SILVA, PING WANG, ROBERT C. WEIR
  • Publication number: 20100169426
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing expertise based referrals can include receiving, from a first user, a voucher specifying a second user seeking expertise and a third user as a potential subject matter expert. Responsive to execution of the voucher, an instant messaging session between the second user and the third user can be established and an input from the second user indicating whether a posed question from the second user is resolved can be received. When the posed question is resolved, a role of maven can be assigned to the first user and a role of subject matter expert can be assigned to the third user. A transcript of the instant messaging session between the second user and the third user, a reference to the first user with the assigned role, and a reference to the third user with the assigned role can be stored as part of a referral transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Asima Silva, Robert C. Weir, Derek S. Lam
  • Publication number: 20090254817
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enhancing spell check. The method can include receiving from each of a plurality of clients at least one custom term and at least one class identifier that is associated with the custom term. The custom terms and the associated class identifiers can be processed to provide an electronic dictionary that includes a plurality of shared terms. Each of the shared terms can be associated with at least one of the class identifiers to which the shared term corresponds. Each of the custom terms can correspond to at least one of the shared terms. At least one of the shared terms can be output to at least one of the plurality of clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Derek S. Lam, Asima Silva, Robert C. Weir
  • Publication number: 20090132329
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically scheduling meetings can include determining that no timeslot is available for scheduling a proposed meeting involving a plurality of participants and selecting a plurality of candidate times for the proposed meeting. An inconvenience metric for each participant of the proposed meeting can be calculated. A schedule misfit metric for each of the plurality of candidate times can be calculated, at least in part, according to the inconvenience metric for each participant. A time for the proposed meeting can be selected from the candidate times according to the schedule misfit metric. The proposed meeting can be scheduled for the selected time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derek S. Lam, Asima Silva, Ping Wang, Robert C. Weir, Andrew L. Schirmer, Tolga Oral
  • Publication number: 20090106370
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include identifying at least one recipient of an electronic message and retrieving a classification scheme of the recipient. An identifier can be included within the electronic message. The identifier can specify a tag selected from the classification scheme of the recipient. The electronic message, including the identifier specifying the selected tag, can be sent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Dreyfus, Derek S. Lam, Michael Muller, Asima Silva, Ping Wang, Robert C. Weir
  • Publication number: 20090100183
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of identifying a missing recipient of an electronic message can include identifying at least one user specified as a recipient of an electronic message and accessing a data store comprising measures of correlation between a plurality of users, wherein the plurality of users comprises the recipient of the electronic message. One or more users not designated as a recipient of the electronic message and having a measure of correlation, with at least one recipient of the electronic message, that exceeds a predetermined threshold can be identified as a potential missing recipient of the electronic message. An indication that a recipient may have been excluded from the electronic message can be output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derek S. Lam, Asima Silva, Ping Wang, Robert C. Weir