Patents by Inventor Eric B. Hobart

Eric B. Hobart 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: 9361304
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for automated data purge in an e-discovery system. The automated data purge process determines files within an e-discovery file system that qualify for purging based on one or more purge policies, locates the files within the file system and automatically purges the data from the file system. Additional embodiments provide for automatically creating log entries that track the details of the purge and automatically generating and communicating alerts/messages that notify concerned parties of the data purge. As such the present invention is able to accurately and automatically purge data from an electronic discovery file system and provide for detailed purge data tracking, as well as, purge notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric B. Hobart, John N. Whalen, Michael J. Richardson, Kellie H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8903826
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery and custodian management. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for an enterprise wide e-discovery system that provides for data to be identified, located, retrieved, preserved, searched, reviewed and produced in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the entire enterprise system. In addition, by structuring management of e-discovery based on case/matter, custodian and data and providing for linkage between the same, further efficiencies are realized in terms of identifying, locating and retrieving data and leveraging results of previous e-discoveries with current requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip L. Richards, Eric B. Hobart, David M. Andersen, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, John N. Whalen, Brian L. Toomey, David W. Stellhorn
  • Publication number: 20140351201
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for automated data purge in an e-discovery system. The automated data purge process determines files within an e-discovery file system that qualify for purging based on one or more purge policies, locates the files within the file system and automatically purges the data from the file system. Additional embodiments provide for automatically creating log entries that track the details of the purge and automatically generating and communicating alerts/messages that notify concerned parties of the data purge. As such the present invention is able to accurately and automatically purge data from an electronic discovery file system and provide for detailed purge data tracking, as well as, purge notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Eric B. Hobart, John N. Whalen, Michael J. Richardson, Kellie H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8868561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery and custodian management. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for an enterprise wide e-discovery system that provides for data to be identified, located, retrieved, preserved, searched, reviewed and produced in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the entire enterprise system. In addition, by structuring management of e-discovery based on case/matter, custodian and data and providing for linkage between the same, further efficiencies are realized in terms of identifying, locating and retrieving data and leveraging results of previous e-discoveries with current requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip L. Richards, Eric B. Hobart, David M. Andersen, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, John N. Whalen, Brian L. Toomey, David W. Stellhorn
  • Patent number: 8805832
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an improved electronic discovery. More specifically, embodiments relate to managing the process for creating search term sets to be applied to electronic data sets associated with a case in an electronic discovery system. A search term management application is provided that allows for multiple users to work collaboratively to define the final search term set that is subsequently applied to the corpus of electronic data for the case. In addition, the application provides for tracking the overall search term creation process. In addition, embodiments provide for a search term hit count engine that is configured to determine search term hit counts for a portion of a corpus of data, such that the determined search term hit count may be predictive of the volume of data needed to review.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Mayer, Brian L. Toomey, Eric B. Hobart
  • Patent number: 8745155
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data stored by a user in one or more network storage areas residing on a network. For example, embodiments of the method involve utilizing a mapping tool to identify at least one network storage area associated with the user, utilizing a collection tool to access at least one network storage area via a network, copying the data stored on the at least one network storage area, and transmitting the data from the at least one network storage area to a collection server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart, Philip L. Richards
  • Patent number: 8572227
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for managing electronic discovery, and more particularly, for communicating a preservation notice and/or a survey to and/or from a custodian in an enterprise. For example, in some embodiments, a method for electronic discovery management is provided, where the method includes: (1) creating an electronic discovery matter; (2) adding a custodian to the electronic discovery matter; (3) creating a preservation notice and/or a survey; and (4) communicating, via a network, information associated with the preservation notice and/or the survey to the custodian at a data storage device accessible to the custodian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Toomey, John N. Whalen, Jr., Eric B. Hobart
  • Patent number: 8364681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery and custodian management. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for an enterprise wide e-discovery system that provides for data to be identified, located, retrieved, preserved, searched, reviewed and produced in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the entire enterprise system. In addition, by structuring management of e-discovery based on case/matter, custodian and data and providing for linkage between the same, further efficiencies are realized in terms of identifying, locating and retrieving data and leveraging results of previous e-discoveries with current requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip L. Richards, Eric B. Hobart, David M. Andersen, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, John N. Whalen, Jr., Brian L. Toomey, David W. Stellhorn
  • Patent number: 8321860
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data from the local storage of a machines. For example, embodiments of the method involve deploying a collection tool to the machine via a network, automatically installing the collection tool on the machine, generating a snapshot of the data, storing the snapshot in a storage area on the machine, and transmitting the data from the storage area to a remote collection server. Because the data is transmitted from the snapshot stored in the storage area rather than from the original data stored on the local storage of the machine, the data may be transmitted to the remote collection server without substantially affecting a user's ability to use the machine and interact with the data stored on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Philip L. Richards, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20120016954
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data stored by a user in one or more network storage areas residing on a network. For example, embodiments of the method involve utilizing a mapping tool to identify at least one network storage area associated with the user, utilizing a collection tool to access at least one network storage area via a network, copying the data stored on the at least one network storage area, and transmitting the data from the at least one network storage area to a collection server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart, Philip L. Richards
  • Patent number: 8086694
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data stored by a user in one or more network storage areas residing on a network. For example, embodiments of the method involve utilizing a mapping tool to identify at least one network storage area associated with the user, utilizing a collection tool to access at least one network storage area via a network, copying the data stored on the at least one network storage area, and transmitting the data from the at least one network storage area to a collection server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Bank of America
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart, Philip L. Richards
  • Publication number: 20100250573
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery. More specifically, embodiments relate to managing the process for creating search term sets to be applied to electronic data sets associated with a case in an electronic discovery system. A search term management application is provided that allows for multiple users to work collaboratively to define the final search term set that is subsequently applied to the corpus of electronic data for the case. In addition, the application provides for tracking the overall search term creation process. In addition, embodiments provide for a search term hit count engine that is configured to determine search term hit counts for data as a means of predicting the volume of data needed to review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Mayer, Brian L. Toomey, Eric B. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20100250538
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery and custodian management. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for an enterprise wide e-discovery system that provides for data to be identified, located, retrieved, preserved, searched, reviewed and produced in an efficient and cost-effective manner across the entire enterprise system. In addition, by structuring management of e-discovery based on case/matter, custodian and data and providing for linkage between the same, further efficiencies are realized in terms of identifying, locating and retrieving data and leveraging results of previous e-discoveries with current requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip L. Richards, Eric B. Hobart, David M. Andersen, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, John N. Whalen, JR., Brian L. Toomey, David W. Stellhorn
  • Publication number: 20100250456
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products determining suggestive preservation notice or survey recipients in an electronic discovery system. The determination is based on a comparison of data, such as personnel data or like, associated with individuals previously identified as preservation notice or survey recipients and individuals currently added to the case, referred to as potential custodians. Additional embodiments of the invention provide for determining preservation notice recipients based additionally upon previous preservation notice and/or survey history of the potential custodians.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian L. Toomey, Eric B. Hobart, Michael J. Mayer, John N. Whalen, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100250266
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for improved electronic discovery. More specifically, embodiments relate to providing financial cost estimate for electronic discovery requests that allow the requester to gauge financial costs at the onset of the request. In addition to providing for a cost estimate at or near the time that the request is made, further embodiments of the invention, provide for a dynamic estimate of financial cost. The dynamic financial cost estimate changes over time based on the e-discovery tasks already performed and a better assessment of the degree of further e-discovery tasks yet to be performed. As such, the dynamic financial estimate becomes a more accurate and reliable estimate the closer the e-discovery request is to completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20100250455
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products determining suggestive potential custodians in an electronic discovery system. The determination is based on a comparison of data, such as personnel data or like, associated with individuals already added to the case and all other individuals in the enterprise, who form the group of potential custodians. In addition, the comparison of data occurs over the specified timeframe defined by the case to insure that the suggested potential custodians are within the confines to the timeframe of the case. Additional embodiments of the invention provide for determining preservation notice recipients based on a comparison of data, such as personnel data or the like, associated with individuals that have already been identified to receive the preservation notice and other custodians and/or potential custodians.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip L. Richards, David M. Andersen, Eric B. Hobart, Emerson D. Miller, Michael J. Mayer, Brian L. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20100250644
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for managing electronic discovery, and more particularly, for communicating a preservation notice and/or a survey to and/or from a custodian in an enterprise. For example, in some embodiments, a method for electronic discovery management is provided, where the method includes: (1) creating an electronic discovery matter; (2) adding a custodian to the electronic discovery matter; (3) creating a preservation notice and/or a survey; and (4) communicating, via a network, information associated with the preservation notice and/or the survey to the custodian at a data storage device accessible to the custodian.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian L. Toomey, John N. Whalen, JR., Eric B. Hobart
  • Publication number: 20100198986
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data stored by a user in one or more network storage areas residing on a network. For example, embodiments of the method involve utilizing a mapping tool to identify at least one network storage area associated with the user, utilizing a collection tool to access at least one network storage area via a network, copying the data stored on the at least one network storage area, and transmitting the data from the at least one network storage area to a collection server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart, Philip L. Richards
  • Publication number: 20100107156
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for remotely collecting data from the local storage of a machines. For example, embodiments of the method involve deploying a collection tool to the machine via a network, automatically installing the collection tool on the machine, generating a snapshot of the data, storing the snapshot in a storage area on the machine, and transmitting the data from the storage area to a remote collection server. Because the data is transmitted from the snapshot stored in the storage area rather than from the original data stored on the local storage of the machine, the data may be transmitted to the remote collection server without substantially affecting a user's ability to use the machine and interact with the data stored on the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M. Andersen, Philip L. Richards, Michael J. Mayer, Eric B. Hobart