Patents by Inventor Frank Andre Schaffa

Frank Andre Schaffa 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: 10586131
    Abstract: A method for operating a teleconference includes receiving a first video and audio signal from a first teleconference participant and receiving a second video and audio signal from a second teleconference participant. The method further includes relaying the first video and audio signal to the second teleconference participant and relaying the second video and audio signal to the first teleconference participant. The method additionally includes analyzing the first video and audio signal using a plurality of behavior analytics to determine a level of participant engagement of the first teleconference participant. The method further includes determining that the first teleconference participant is not engaged when the determined level of participant engagement is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Frank Andre Schaffa, Daniel Smilkov, Peter Hans Westerink, Chai Wah Wu
  • Publication number: 20190019067
    Abstract: A method for operating a teleconference includes receiving a first video and audio signal from a first teleconference participant and receiving a second video and audio signal from a second teleconference participant. The method further includes relaying the first video and audio signal to the second teleconference participant and relaying the second video and audio signal to the first teleconference participant. The method additionally includes analyzing the first video and audio signal using a plurality of behavior analytics to determine a level of participant engagement of the first teleconference participant. The method further includes determining that the first teleconference participant is not engaged when the determined level of participant engagement is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Frank Andre Schaffa, Daniel Smilkov, Peter Hans Westerink, Chai Wah Wu
  • Patent number: 8949854
    Abstract: A system and associated method for subscribing Really Simple Syndication (RSS) enabled content using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are disclosed. An application server coupled to a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server in the Internet intermediates a SIP message and a request for a RSS feed. An end device requests subscription of the RSS feed in a SIP message. The HTTP server enables the application server to subscribe the RSS feed and to track changes in the RSS feed over the Internet by use of a Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) servicing the SIP message. The HTTP server enables the end device subscribing the RSS feed to fetch the web content from the media cache in later part of the subscription by providing updates to the application server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Patent number: 8819258
    Abstract: A streaming engine and method includes a plurality of input types configured to pass one of samples and frames from an input stream. A processing block is configured to process the samples and frames independently of input and output types and produce any kind of output samples and frames in accordance with processing elements employed in the processing block. A plurality of output types is configured to initiate a session which determines connections between inputs and outputs so that the samples and the frames are received from the processing block in accordance with the session to appropriately direct the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Andre Schaffa, Peter Hans Westerink
  • Patent number: 8494004
    Abstract: A system for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Zhenghua Fu, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa, Chai Wah Wu, Peter Hans Westerink, Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 8271998
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrative embodiments provide for a method implemented in a service oriented architecture environment including a plurality of live services. The method includes composing, at runtime, a composed service by mapping a first parameter of a first subset of live services to a second parameter of a second subset of live services. The first subset and the second subset are part of the plurality of live services. The method can further include storing the composed service in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Publication number: 20120185573
    Abstract: A system and associated method for subscribing Really Simple Syndication (RSS) enabled content using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are disclosed. An application server coupled to a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server in the Internet intermediates a SIP message and a request for a RSS feed. An end device requests subscription of the RSS feed in a SIP message. The HTTP server enables the application server to subscribe the RSS feed and to track changes in the RSS feed over the Internet by use of a Serving Call/Session Control Function (S-CSCF) servicing the SIP message. The HTTP server enables the end device subscribing the RSS feed to fetch the web content from the media cache in later part of the subscription by providing updates to the application server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Patent number: 8191082
    Abstract: A system and associated method for subscribing Really Simple Syndication (RSS) enabled content using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are disclosed. An application server intermediates a SIP message and a request for a RSS feed. An end device requests subscription of the RSS feed in a SIP message. The application server processes the SIP message, register the RSS feed, and tracks changes in the RSS feed over the Internet. The application server retrieves a web content linked to the RSS feed responsive to finding changes in the RSS feed. The application server stores update of the web content in a media cache. The end device subscribing the RSS feed fetches the web content from the media cache in later part of the subscription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Publication number: 20110019692
    Abstract: A system for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Zhenghua Fu, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa, Chai Wah Wu, Peter Hans Westerink, Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 7877453
    Abstract: A system and associated method for optimizing media data in signaling stream of a network system. A client subscribed for a presence service sends a signaling message embedding media data in an Extensible Markup Language file. An optimizer gateway in the network system intercepts the signaling message, extracts and keeps the media data, replaces the media data in the signaling message with a reference pointer to the media data, asynchronously processes the media data, retransmits the media data to another client subscribing to the presence service, or reinstate the media data from the reference pointer to the media data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Alexander, Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Patent number: 7848355
    Abstract: A system and method for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Zhenghua Fu, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa, Chai Wah Wu, Peter Hans Westerink, Hao Yang
  • Publication number: 20100111102
    Abstract: A system and method for resource allocation in peer to peer streaming includes steps of: inferring global properties of a neighborhood made up of peer nodes, wherein the global properties are inferred from a summarization of information obtained locally at each peer node; allocating resources for each peer node to its neighbor nodes in accordance with propagated dependency information; and periodically updating the target rates as peer nodes join and leave the neighborhood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Zhenghua Fu, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa, Chai Wah Wu, Peter Hans Westerink, Hao Yang
  • Publication number: 20090193069
    Abstract: A system and associated method for optimizing media data in signaling stream of a network system. A client subscribed for a presence service sends a signaling message embedding media data in an Extensible Markup Language file. An optimizer gateway in the network system intercepts the signaling message, extracts and keeps the media data, replaces the media data in the signaling message with a reference pointer to the media data, asynchronously processes the media data, retransmits the media data to another client subscribing to the presence service, or reinstate the media data from the reference pointer to the media data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Michael E. Alexander, Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Publication number: 20090106768
    Abstract: A system and associated method for subscribing Really Simple Syndication (RSS) enabled content using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are disclosed. An application server intermediates a SIP message and a request for a RSS feed. An end device requests subscription of the RSS feed in a SIP message. The application server processes the SIP message, register the RSS feed, and tracks changes in the RSS feed over the Internet. The application server retrieves a web content linked to the RSS feed responsive to finding changes in the RSS feed. The application server stores update of the web content in a media cache. The end device subscribing the RSS feed fetches the web content from the media cache in later part of the subscription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Sri Ramanathan, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Publication number: 20080271008
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrative embodiments provide for a method implemented in a service oriented architecture environment including a plurality of live services. The method includes composing, at runtime, a composed service by mapping a first parameter of a first subset of live services to a second parameter of a second subset of live services. The first subset and the second subset are part of the plurality of live services. The method can further include storing the composed service in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Paolo Dettori, Julio Nogima, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Patent number: 6813776
    Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a viewer/listener to schedule a future event based on information which is embedded in a multimedia presentation, such as a promotional commercial. The viewer or the viewer's equipment, on the basis of the viewer's preferences, causes the event to be scheduled at the appropriate time. The types of events that can be scheduled include: scheduling the reception of a future television/radio/data download program, including turning the processing device on and switching to a correct channel or station; scheduling play of audio or visual reminders for informing of the imminent start of a scheduled program; scheduling the recordation of future program or data imbedded in such a program on a recording device, e.g., VCR, audio recorder, computer medium recorder; and schedule the downloading of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Steven Chernock, Frank Andre Schaffa, David Israel Seidman
  • Publication number: 20030159150
    Abstract: The method of the present invention allows a viewer/listener to schedule a future event based on information which is embedded in a multimedia presentation, such as a promotional commercial. The viewer or the viewer's equipment, on the basis of the viewer's preferences, causes the event to be scheduled at the appropriate time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: RICHARD STEVEN CHERNOCK, FRANK ANDRE SCHAFFA, DAVID ISRAEL SEIDMAN
  • Patent number: 6314569
    Abstract: A method for displaying an enhanced multimedia presentation including personalized supplementary audio, video, and graphic content selectable by a user and rendered by a receiving device, comprises the steps of: communicating a multimedia presentation file to the receiving device, the multimedia presentation file comprising base multimedia presentation content and, frame-synchronized information including starting frame timing identifier, ending frame timing identifier, starting frame spatial coordinates, ending frame spatial coordinates, and motion vector specifications for describing frame-accurate location, motion and timing of the personalized supplementary audio, video, and graphic content, the frame-synchronized information indicating one or more free areas of the multimedia presentation absent significant base multimedia content; extracting the frame-synchronized information from the multimedia presentation file; retrieving the personalized supplementary content from the receiving device; decoding the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Steven Chernock, Paolo Dettori, Frank Andre Schaffa, David Israel Seidman
  • Patent number: 6298482
    Abstract: A system is presented for two-way digital multimedia broadcast services, enabling a variety of interactive and other applications. These applications include: navigation from one video program to another by selection of objects in the current video; creation and transmission of records of user viewing selection histories; iterative video-based data search and retrieval; dynamic customization of coordination between video content of the broadcast stream and data embedded therein; and the dynamic creation of “personalized” programs by the user without, through the broadcast and selection of overlapping program segments which are themselves customized for a particular user or group of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Israel Seidman, Frank Andre Schaffa
  • Patent number: 6229524
    Abstract: A user interface is presented for the interaction, by a viewer, with the content of a multi media presentation and functions related to this content. The user interface enables the navigation, by a viewer, among dynamic selectable regions (hot spots) within a multi media presentation. These hot spots are defined prior to the video's presentation, and are used to allow the viewer to invoke functions associated with the multi media presentation. The user interface allows the viewer to move from one hot spot to another with a simple interface, such as a tab key on a remote control. The user interface constrains the possible locations of an on-screen cursor to the hot spot locations. Properties of the hot spots, such as priority, region size, and display parameters are modifiable and customizable by the viewers's system automatically or through interaction with the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Steven Chernock, Frank Andre Schaffa, David Israel Seidman