Patents by Inventor Ian Hughes
Ian Hughes 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).
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Publication number: 20090254486Abstract: The ‘rollback room’ is a demarked area of 3D space in the virtual world—it may be branded by its (trusted) provider. Participants who enter the space take a ‘state checkpoint’ of their virtual world state on entering the area and then become participants in a transaction that is taking place in the rollback room. They can buy, sell, or transfer goods with other parties in the room. They may trust these parties to various degrees but can interact with or try out the new ‘goods’ they have received in the rollback room within the confines of the rollback room as normal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Ian Hughes
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Publication number: 20090143124Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a system, method and computer program product for simulating movement of a projectile in a virtual environment. Primary data comprising a plurality of sets of position values and a plurality of time values for a projectile is received, with each time value in the primary data being associated with one of the sets of position values. The primary data is processed to generate secondary data that represents at least two consecutive sets of positions. Each set of positions includes a start position and an end position for the projectile, and the secondary data further represents a velocity of the projectile associated with each start position. The secondary data is used to simulate movement of the projectile in the virtual environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Ian Hughes, Bradford Glenn Kasell, Christopher Beng Kiat Yeoh, Kelly Yeoh
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Publication number: 20090125492Abstract: System, method and computer program for initiating a search at a server computer. A data base including a URL of the server computer is stored at a client computer. Information entered by a user into the client computer is received. From the information, a search term and the URL of the server computer are identified. Then, an HTTP search request which includes the URL of the server computer and the search term is generated. Then, the HTTP search request is sent to the server computer. The identifying of the URL of the server computer comprises searching the data base for a character string contained in the information that matches the URL of the server computer. The identifying of the search term comprises identifying a portion of the information appended to the URL of the server. The identifying of the search term also comprises omitting from the portion one or more symbols adjacent to the search term which are inconsistent with a search request using HTTP.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ian Hughes, Nicholas James Midgley
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Patent number: 7519592Abstract: System, method and computer program for initiating a search at a server computer. A data base including a URL of the server computer is stored at a client computer. Information entered by a user into the client computer is received. From the information, a search term and the URL of the server computer are identified. Then, an HTTP search request which includes the URL of the server computer and the search term is generated. Then, the HTTP search request is sent to the server computer. The identifying of the URL of the server computer comprises searching the data base for a character string contained in the information that matches the URL of the server computer. The identifying of the search term comprises identifying a portion of the information appended to the URL of the server. The identifying of the search term also comprises omitting from the portion one or more symbols adjacent to the search term which are inconsistent with a search request using HTTP.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ian Hughes, Nicholas James Midgley
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Publication number: 20090075827Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and agents for profiling or stratifying an individual or group of individuals with respect to a neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state, including a sub-threshold neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state. More particularly, the present invention utilizes genetic means to profile or stratify individuals with respect to a neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state. The present invention enables the identification of individuals at risk of these disorders thus affording the opportunity for early intervention. In addition, the subject invention allows the prediction of drug or other treatment response and adverse reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Ross Young, Bruce Lawford, C. Phillip Morris, Joanne Voisey, Ian Hughes, Christopher Dean Swagell
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Publication number: 20090063168Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for conducting a marketing activity are disclosed. An activity of an avatar in a virtual world is monitored and a key word is extracted from the monitored activity. A marketing activity is determined based on the extracted key word.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Ian Hughes, James W. Seaman
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Publication number: 20090054261Abstract: A method of controlling a system having a microfluidic channel structure in which fluids are able to interact to produce at least one product comprises the steps of: i) providing an automated closed-loop control mechanism to autonomously control at least two conditions in, or of, the channel structures, the control mechanism having:— a sensor for sensing at least one predetermined property of the at least one product, means for varying said conditions, and a controller programmed with an algorithm; ii) setting a range of variation for each of the conditions; iii) setting a stop condition for the algorithm; and iv) loading the system with fluids; whereby the sensor produces a sensor signal representative of the predetermined property, the controller receives the sensor signal and, by means of the algorithm, causes the means to vary the conditions within the set ranges until the stop condition for the algorithm is fulfilled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2005Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: GLAXO GROUP LIMITEDInventors: Ian Hughes, Brian Herbert Warrington, Yuk Fan Wong
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Publication number: 20080261625Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system and service for processing at a remote device a request from a first device, the method has the steps of receiving a request message to obtain information on location based services available at the physical location of the remote device from the first device, determining a user defined query in the request message, routing the query to an appropriate response service, formulating the response from the response service into a response message, and routing the response message to the first device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventor: Ian Hughes
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Patent number: 7412247Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system and service for processing at a remote device a request from a first device, the method has the steps of receiving a request message to obtain information on location based services available at the physical location of the remote device from the first device, determining a user defined query in the request message, routing the query to an appropriate response service, formulating the response from the response service into a response message, and routing the response message to the first device.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Ian Hughes
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Publication number: 20080040275Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Kobus Paulsen, Ian Hughes, Mark Holland
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Publication number: 20070250392Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Kobus Paulsen, Ian Hughes, Mark Holland
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Publication number: 20070250441Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Kobus Paulsen, Ian Hughes, Mark Holland
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Publication number: 20070250440Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a more secure financial transaction system for e-commerce sectors that (1) more securely processes payment transactions, (2) helps to protect merchants and banks against fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and underage gambling, and (3) helps to limit other abuses in areas of e-commerce that are perceived to pose special risks, such as Internet gaming, travel, and consumer purchasing of electronic goods. To accomplish the above goals, various embodiments of the financial transaction system (1) establish operating and transaction processing protocols for merchants, Internet payment service providers, acquiring banks, and card schemes and (2) provide automated systems for monitoring and securely processing payment and financial transactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Kobus Paulsen, Ian Hughes, Mark Holland
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Publication number: 20070116598Abstract: A system having a microfluidic channel structure in which fluids are able to interact to produce at least one product, and an automated closed-loop control mechanism to autonomously control a condition in, or of, the channel structure, the control mechanism having a sensor adapted to produce a sensor signal representative of a predetermined property of the at least one product which is dependent on the condition in, or of, the channel structure, means adapted to vary the condition in, or of, the channel structure, and a computer which is adapted to receive the sensor signal and to cause the means to vary the condition in, or of, the channel structure in dependence of the sensor signal is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: GLAXO GROUP LIMITEDInventors: Ian Hughes, Brian Warrington, Yuk Wong
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Publication number: 20070106944Abstract: A method for display of activity of users at workstations. Each workstation is in a different geographical location. Data relating to a rate of computer input activity of at least one user at each workstation is continuously collected from each workstation, compiled in a central database, and displayed in a display in a representation of the rate of computer input activity of the at least one user at each workstation as a different musical characteristic for each workstation. Each different musical characteristic for each workstation is displayed in accordance with the combined number of input device clicks of the users in each workstation in a given period. The input device clicks are key clicks, mouse clicks, or a combination of key clicks and mouse clicks. The representation of the rate of computer input activity may alternatively comprise a visual swirl across a screen or an activity of a robot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Ian Hughes, Robert Lawrence
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Publication number: 20070093955Abstract: A method and system for providing navigational instructions. A signal is received from a first device. The signal specifies a destination location, a second device, and a request for at least one route leading to the destination location such that the at least one route is to be sent to the second device. During or after the signal is received from the first device, a device type of the second device is determined. At least one set of images is sent to the second device. Each set of images defines a unique route leading to the destination location. A total number of the sets of images and a content of each set of images are a function of the determined device type.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2004Publication date: April 26, 2007Inventor: Ian Hughes
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Patent number: 7194539Abstract: A method and system for the display of the activity of users at a plurality of workstations (108, 110) is provided. The plurality of workstations (108, 110) are grouped in more than one distributed geographical location (102, 104). The disclosed method and system include continuously collecting data from each workstation (108, 110) with the data relating to the activity of a user at the workstation (108, 110). The data from the workstations (108, 110) is compiled in a central database (120) and displayed in a display in the form of an abstract representation (138, 140, 144) of the activity of users at the workstations (108, 110) displayed in real time. The display includes the data from the workstations (108, 110) in the more than one geographical location (102, 104).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ian Hughes, Robert Alan Lawrence
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Publication number: 20060235942Abstract: For processing a request to a portlet, for use with an environment comprising a first data processing system having one or more portlets and a publish/subscribe broker, a system comprises means, responsive to receiving the request, for executing a first component and a second component associated with the portlet, wherein the first component comprises means for generating data comprising a unique topic, wherein the unique topic is associated with the portlet; and wherein the second component is executable in parallel to the first component and comprises means for publishing results associated with the request to the unique topic at the broker.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Martin Gale, Ian Hughes
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Publication number: 20060077992Abstract: A system for executing a multimedia resource, for use in an environment having a first multimedia resource comprising an associated first tag, a set of multimedia resources comprising an associated set of tags, an executing component for executing the first multimedia resource. The system comprises a comparator, responsive to the first multimedia resource being executed, for comparing a second tag of the set of tags with the first tag, to determine whether a second multimedia resource is compatible with the first multimedia resource; a determining component, responsive to the second resource being compatible with the first resource, for determining in accordance with at least one rule, whether the second multimedia resource has a higher priority than the first multimedia resource; and a control component, responsive to a determination that the second multimedia resource has the higher priority, for controlling the executing component to execute the second multimedia resource.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Martin Gale, Ian Hughes
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Publication number: 20050138053Abstract: A system for preparing data, operable with a server computer system having a store for a first file comprising data (e.g. audio data) and a plurality of sets of lossy data generated from the data in the first file. The system comprises a requesting component for requesting at least two sets of the plurality of sets of lossy data; a receiving component for receiving the at least two sets; and a combining component for combining the at least two sets in order to generate a second file. The data in the second file is of reduced lossiness with respect to the data in the first file.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Kevin Aires, Ian Hughes, Darren Shaw