Patents by Inventor Gerald A. Francis

Gerald A. Francis 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: 8375425
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system and computer program product are disclosed for password expiration based on vulnerability detection. A request for a password is received during re-activation of a first account that belongs to a particular user. A test password is compared to a previously created password that belongs to the particular user to determine if a match occurred. Responsive to determining that there is a match, a second account that belongs to the particular user with respect to the match is expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Patrick Shawn Mullen, Jessica Carol Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8363930
    Abstract: Methods and systems for merging scanned images of objects using materials and appearance information are described. An example method may include receiving material information and 3D geometry information for surfaces of an object based on a first and second viewpoint. The first viewpoint may differ from the second viewpoint by an amount of motion within a common reference system and the material information may identify given points of the surfaces of the object as being of a given material. The method may also include determining an alignment within the common reference system between first and second 3D geometry information. A processor may determine an error metric between both the 3D geometry information and the material information at multiple positions of the alignment, and adjust the alignment based on error metrics at the multiple positions so as to converge to a minimum error metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Gerald Francis, Jr., James J. Kuffner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8352556
    Abstract: A system and method for conditioned distribution of e-mail is provided. Delivery of an e-mail message to selected second recipients (equivalently addressees) may be conditioned on a set of preselected conditions, in particular to a set of conditions associated with the delivery of the e-mail to a set of first recipients. In response to message delivery notifications corresponding to the set of first recipients, a determination is made if the delivery conditions are satisfied, and delivery to the set of second recipients made accordingly. Delivery to a set of third recipients may be likewise conditioned on another set of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Publication number: 20120284272
    Abstract: A sender selection is detected at a sender computer system within a user interface of at least one suggested folder name for a composed electronic message for a recipient receiving the electronic message to select as a folder name for filing the electronic message. The at least one suggested folder name is attached to the electronic message at the sender computer system for distribution to the recipient. The electronic message is sent with the suggested filing folder name from the sender computer system to a recipient, wherein a recipient receiving the electronic message receives the at least one suggested folder name specified by the sender in the electronic message for selecting a folder for filing the electronic message in a messaging filing directory for the recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Publication number: 20120284273
    Abstract: A receipt receives an electronic message from a sender, wherein said electronic message comprises at least one suggested folder name specified by the sender for the recipient to select as a folder name for filing the electronic message, wherein the at least one suggested folder name is detected by a sender computer system from a selection by the sender within a user interface of the sender computer system of the at least one suggested folder name for the electronic message and inserted into the electronic message. The electronic message is filtered to detect the at least one suggested folder name for filing the electronic message in a messaging filing directory. Responsive to the recipient selecting to file the electronic message, the electronic message is filed in at least one folder with the suggested folder name from among a plurality of folders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8275838
    Abstract: A system and method for conditioned distribution of e-mail is provided. Delivery of an e-mail message to selected second recipients (equivalently addressees) may be conditioned on a set of preselected conditions, in particular to a set of conditions associated with the delivery of the e-mail to a set of first recipients. In response to message delivery notifications corresponding to the set of first recipients, a determination is made if the delivery conditions are satisfied, and delivery to the set of second recipients made accordingly. Delivery to a set of third recipients may be likewise conditioned on another set of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8266218
    Abstract: At least one filing folder is suggested for filing a particular electronic message. The suggested filing folder is graphically distinguished from the remainder of the folders in the filing system, such that selection of a folder for filing an electronic message is facilitated. A suggested folder name is attached to an electronic message before it is sent. When the electronic message is received and to be filed, the suggested folder is the one bearing the name of the suggested folder name attached to the electronic message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8244974
    Abstract: A method is presented for using a hard disk drive which contains a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and a computer-usable disk medium. A usage value is maintained for the number of accesses to the computer-usable disk medium, and the usage value is stored within the NVRAM. In a system that is connected to multiple hard disk drives, the usage values for the hard disk drives can be compared to determine a youngest disk drive or a lowest amount of usage amongst the multiple hard disk drives. When data needs to be mirrored or backed-up to one of the hard disk drives, it can be copied to the youngest or least-used hard disk drive. If an operating system installation needs to be performed, the operating system files can be stored on the youngest or least-used hard disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8230019
    Abstract: A mechanism to alert to a user that an address of an e-mail message may be undeliverable is provided. If a “bounced” mail notification is received, an indicator is associated with the address to which the notification pertains. When accessed by the user, in response to the indicator being set, the address is displayed in conjunction with one or more perceptive cues, such as highlighted color etc. If an indication that the delivery problems with respect to the address are resolved, such as receipt of an e-mail from the addressee or a successful delivery notification, the indicator is cleared whereby the alert is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Publication number: 20120146390
    Abstract: An attack tool assembly (10) comprising an attack tool having a shank (23) extending therefrom, the shank (23) having a longitudinal axis; and a holder having a holder body (31) and a bore for receiving the shank (23) of the attack tool (10); the holder being adapted to receive the shank (23) in a configuration in which it prevents the shank (23) from rotating relative to the bore when the holder is in an engaged condition, and in which it allows the shank (23) to be rotatable relative to the bore when the holder is in a disengaged condition, so as to enable the shank (23) to be selectively securable to the holder in a required orientation about the longitudinal axis. The attack tool assembly (10) is particularly but not exclusively for use in the degradation of rock or asphalt bodies for formations, such as in soft rock mining and asphalt milling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Element Six Holding GMBH
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Flynn, Karl-Georg Hildebrand, Frank Friedrich Lachmann
  • Patent number: 8200722
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments disclose shrinking a file system in a data processing system by designating an amount by which the file system stored in a memory and comprised of a plurality of contiguous logical blocks is to be shrunk. At least one contiguous intermediate logical block of the plurality of contiguous logical blocks from the file system is removed to shrink the file system by the designated amount. A record is maintained indicating a first intermediate logical block of the at least one contiguous intermediate logical block at which the removing starts, and a last intermediate logical block of the at least one contiguous intermediate logical block at which the removing ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Grubbs, Gunisha Madan, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Grover Herbert Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120143852
    Abstract: A web browser displays a set of search results from a web search, each search result indicating a link to a web page. Responsive to selection of a first of the set of search results for exclusion from display, a subset of one or more of the set of search results that indicate related links is identified. The related links comprise links have a same domain name as the link of the first search result. The first search result and the subset of the set of search results are excluded. The search results are displayed without the excluded ones of the set of search results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8171164
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for target routing by initiator, using Internet small computer system interface. The computer-implemented method obtains a logical unit number configuration, containing a set of logical unit numbers, determines whether an initiator Internet protocol address, associated with a requester, has a mapping to a logical unit number in the set of logical unit numbers. The computer implemented method further sets a path for an input output/request from the requester to a backing file, according to the mapping, and returns success to the requester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney Carlton Burnett, Gerald Francis McBrearty
  • Patent number: 8161539
    Abstract: A data processing system that supports verifiable IPSec network communication. The data processing system comprises an IPSec network adapter that connects the data processing system to an external network and provides IPSec encryption and routing of IPSec packets. The data processing system also comprises a network adapter verifier, which is a secondary network card that is utilized to verify that IPSec packets being transmitted to the external network by the IPSec network adapter have been encrypted. The network adapter verifier comprises a device driver, which caches a copy of an IP address from a generated IPSec packet prior to the packet being received by the network adapter. The network adapter verifier is connected to the external network and monitors the transmission of packets out to the network connection by the network adapter. The IP identification (ID) of the packets are compared to the captured IP address of the generated IPSec packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Paul Cyr, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8135731
    Abstract: Administration of search results including displaying by a browser a set of search results from a web search, each search result containing a link to a web page; selecting a search result for exclusion from display, thereby identifying a selected search result, including selecting for exclusion from display search results containing related links, wherein related links include links related to the link in the selected search result; and displaying the search results without the selected search result and without the search results containing related links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8136126
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data optimization routines in device drivers in a data transmission path. In a data transmission path, data optimization routines associated with device drivers are identified. When data is received in the data transmission path, a determination is made whether a data optimization routine associated with a device driver in the path comprises a same optimization or a competing optimization as a data optimization routine associated with one or more other device drivers in the path. If the data optimization routine for the device driver comprises a same or competing optimization routine as the data optimization routine associated with the other device drivers, one of the device drivers is selected to perform its associated data optimization routine on the data. A notification is sent to the other device drivers in the path to skip their associated data optimization routines on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Francis McBrearty, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8131671
    Abstract: A Migration Thin Virtual File System (“MTVLS”) conducts file migration using a thin virtual layer that is size selectable and provides an uninterruptible migration path from the old file system to the new file system without an increase in the time to receive data. The MTVLS selects a file from the source file system, opens a corresponding file in the target system, mounts the thin virtual layer over the source file and the target file, and migrates that data from the source file to the target file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Carol Murillo, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh, Susann Marie Keohane
  • Publication number: 20110255878
    Abstract: A device for and a method of decreasing the data rate of a digital return path link in a Cable Television Hybrid Fiber-Coax system (CATV system) is disclosed. At the node of the CATV system, the bandwidth of the a digital data stream representative of an analog return signal is limited to a desired frequency band. The ba11dwidth-limited data stream is then digitally re-sampled at a predetermined multiple of a center frequency of the frequency band. The re-sampled data stream is then separated into two data streams. Then, these separate data streams are digitally decimated to a lower data rate, interleaved and serialized for transmission to a head end of the CATV system. A reverse process reconstructs the original analog return signal's signal components within the desired frequency band at the head end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gerald Francis Sage
  • Patent number: 8041955
    Abstract: A mechanism for mutual authorization of a secondary resource in a grid of resource computers is provided. When a primary resource attempts to offload a grid computing job to a secondary resource, the primary resource sends a proxy certificate request to the user machine. Responsive to a proxy certificate request, the user machine performs authorization with the secondary resource. If authorization with the secondary resource is successful, the user machine generates and returns a valid proxy certificate. The primary resource then performs mutual authentication with the secondary resource. If the authorization with the secondary resource fails, the user machine generates and returns an invalid proxy certificate. Mutual authentication between the primary resource and the secondary resource will fail due to the invalid proxy certificate. The primary resource then selects another secondary resource and repeats the process until a resource is found that passes the mutual authorization with the user machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Kelley Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh
  • Patent number: 8037137
    Abstract: A data processing system for efficiently attaching files to electronic mail message. In a multi-level hierarchical file storage system within the data processing system wherein one or more files may be active, only those files, which are active, are initially proffered as candidates for attachment in response to a user's indicated desire to attach a file to an electronic mail message. If the user fails to select an active file for attachment, the user is prompted to select a file from the multi-level hierarchical file storage system for attachment. After attachment, the electronic mail message and attachment are transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susann Marie Keohane, Gerald Francis McBrearty, Shawn Patrick Mullen, Jessica Kelley Murillo, Johnny Meng-Han Shieh