Patents by Inventor James A. Martin, Jr.

James A. Martin, Jr. 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: 7848973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for demographic reporting of billable project activity. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing all billable project activity data associated with an information technology (IT) migration project in a database; organizing the billable project activity data into a plurality of billable project activity reports, based on selected demographic criteria; and selecting and displaying a billable project activity report in a user interface (UI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7844506
    Abstract: Under the present invention an identifier for a computer system undergoing an IT migration is extracted from a pertinent field the record. Thereafter, a mapping table is consulted. The mapping table generally contains entries that associate computer system identifiers with identifiers of hardware components that have been installed (or are to be installed) in the computer systems. Using the computer system identifier extracted from the record, an associated hardware component identifier is determined from the mapping table, and automatically populated into a corresponding field (e.g., a hardware component field) of the record. Thus, the present invention avoids having to manually populate the hardware component identifier into the record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Hicks, Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7827050
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing goals. A goal to be achieved by a goal-setter is defined. At least one action to be completed is defined. The at least one action is associated with an achievement of the goal by the goal-setter. One or more goal-setter attributes associated with the goal-setter are specified. At least one of the one or more goal-setter attributes is associated with the goal to facilitate managing the goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr., Renee C. Mullins, Diane C. Rauch
  • Publication number: 20100257072
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and computer program for collecting inventory data about a group of machines at an office. This method comprises the steps of running an inventory tool on each of the machines, and the tool presenting dialogue displays on each of the machines, filling in or changing data in the dialogues presented by the tool, and submitting the collected information to a server. Also disclosed are a method, system and computer program for customizing an inventory data collection tool for a plurality of logical groups of users. Each of the logical groups of users is provided with a copy of the inventory data collection tool and with a first copy of a common control file. Each of the groups of users uses the first copy of the common control file to customize the tool for the group of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carol I. DelGaudio, Scott D. Hicks, William M. Houston, Rachele Shannon Kurtz, Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, JR., Donald P. Mummey, Douglas G. Murray, Jeffrey E. Prince, Richard R. Pritsky, Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7809598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, tool, and program product for scheduling an IT migration. Specifically, under the present invention, migration information for the IT migration is received in an electronic database. A schedule to perform the IT migration is the generated based on the migration information using an IT migration tool. Thereafter, messages such as email messages that contain the schedule are generated and sent to corresponding device owners using the IT migration tool. In addition, purchase orders for components needed for the IT migration based on the migration information can be generated using the IT migration tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carol DelGaudio, Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray, Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7809689
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for creating, managing, and accessing an information repository including a source database and an archive database. A source database and the archive database are defined to a same schema. A user terminal presents a common user interface for accessing the source database and the archive database. A timed archive agent, an end user archive agent, and a criteria based archive agent archive source data from the source database as archive data to the archive database. A criteria based restore agent and an end user restore agent are provided to restore archive data from the archive database as source data to the source database. An integrated functions agent assembles compiled data from source data and archive data and present the compiled data to the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, Robert G. Madsen, James A. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7743286
    Abstract: Under the present invention, when an error condition for the computer system is identified, settings for a series of demographical factors of the computer system are determined. These settings are compared to settings for the demographical factors during at least one previous instance of the error condition to identify a similar error scenario. Then any corrective actions that were taken to address the at least one previous instance of the error conditions are determined and possibly used to resolve the current error condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, Robert G. Madsen, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7739303
    Abstract: An improved solution for verifying access to a data object. In particular, the invention automatically determines when access to the data object requires verification and provides an owner of the data object a set of current users for verification. The set of current users can include all or a subset of the users/user groups that have access to the data object. Additionally, an indication of one or more attributes of each user can be provided to the owner to assist in verification. Access information can be updated based on a response from the owner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray, Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7734516
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for providing revisional delta billing and re-billing in a dynamic project environment. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes capturing data points associated with a first billing at a first point in time, capturing data points associated with a second billing at a second point in time, comparing the data points captured at the first and second points in time; and generating a revisional delta bill based on differences between the data points captured at the first and second points in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Deborah K. Barnum, Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7735017
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for copying data between disjoint data processing applications. A system is disclosed that includes: a source application having a system for selecting a data record and a triggering agent that extracts relevant data from the selected data record, launches a dialog box and displays the extracted relevant data in the dialog box; and a data transfer system having a keystroke simulator for copying and pasting data from the dialog box to an interface window in a target application based on a set of data transfer rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cunningham, Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr., Diane C. Rauch, Jamie P. Rigoni
  • Patent number: 7725352
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and computer program for collecting inventory data about a group of machines at an office. This method comprises the steps of running an inventory tool on each of the machines, and the tool presenting dialogue displays on each of the machines, filling in or changing data in the dialogues presented by the tool, and submitting the collected information to a server. Also disclosed are a method, system and computer program for customizing an inventory data collection tool for a plurality of logical groups of users. Each of the logical groups of users is provided with a copy of the inventory data collection tool and with a first copy of a common control file. Each of the groups of users uses the first copy of the common control file to customize the tool for the group of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carol I. DelGaudio, Scott D. Hicks, William M. Houston, Rachele Shannon Kurtz, Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, Jr., Donald P. Mummey, Douglas G. Murray, Jeffrey E. Prince, Richard R. Pritsky, Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7720810
    Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing M application documentations across N database instances. N and M are each at least 2. A documentation synchronization agent is executed which updates N1 database instances with the M application documentations and does not update a remaining N-N1 database instances with the M application documentations if N1 is equal to N. N1 is at least 1. If N1 is less than N, then each of the remaining N-N1 database instances include a first and/or second characteristic. The first characteristic is that the remaining database instances include the M application documentations upon initiation of the executing. The second characteristic is that the agent is unable to access the remaining database instance during the executing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, Jr., Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7720811
    Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing M application rules across N database instances. N and M are each at least 2. A rule synchronization agent is executed which updates N1 database instances with the M application rules and does not update a remaining N-N1 database instances with the M application rules if N1 is equal to N. N1 is at least 1. If N1 is less than N, then each of the remaining N-N1 database instances include a first and/or second characteristic. The first characteristic is that the remaining database instances include the M application rules upon initiation of the executing. The second characteristic is that the agent is unable to access the remaining database instance during the executing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Hicks, Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7694275
    Abstract: A script library includes a plurality of common blocks of code including code fragments defined by IF/THEN statements. Packages of parameters forming a data type including a scope parameter are provided in agents which, responsive to being triggered by schedule or menu, issue calls including said scope parameter to functions and procedures said script library. Code fragments bounded by IF/THEN statements within each called function and procedure execute responsive to the scope parameters to operate on entries in a database responsive to other parameters included within the data type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, James A. Martin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7685027
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method of and system for enterprise-wide migration. The method comprises the steps of creating instances of databases for a migration, for billing and reporting, and repositing reports; gathering information on the organization, location, hardware, and software affected by said migration into a database for planning said migration; and building an inventory of the affected hardware and software using an inventory tracking tool or an inventory mailer. Migration hardware and software is ordered based on said planning and said inventory, using an inventory tool; and labor, hardware, and software as installed are tracked and billed, using said billing and reporting database. Agents for said creating, gathering, building and tracking are enabled using an agent control facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carol I. DelGaudio, Scott D. Hicks, William M. Houston, Victoria A. Locke, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray, Diane C. Rauch
  • Patent number: 7676359
    Abstract: Data languages, executable programs, and user interfaces are synchronized by a database for storing data enumerations in a first language, a configuration file for mapping language neutral tags to the data enumerations, a user interface operable responsive to the language neutral tags for presenting to a user interface view selected data enumerations in the second language; the user interface responsive to user selection at the user interface view of a data enumeration in the second language corresponding to a selected language neutral tag for accessing the configuration file to retrieve a corresponding data enumeration in the first language, and for returning the corresponding data enumeration to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7668819
    Abstract: A database is queried with on demand database query reduction A query document includes global variables selectively set off by first tags identifying a first global variable as a complete replacement variable and by second tags identifying a second global variable as a complete removal string. An agent is provided for building from the query document an expanded query by replacing any variables set off by first tags with runtime strings, setting off any unions in the query document, and selectively replacing any variables set off by second tags and removing the second tags without replacing variables set off by second tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, Andrew M. Chang, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7640237
    Abstract: A database is queried with on demand database query reduction A query document includes global variables selectively set off by first tags identifying a first global variable as a complete replacement variable and by second tags identifying a second global variable as a complete removal string. An agent is provided for building from the query document an expanded query by replacing any variables set off by first tags with runtime strings, setting off any unions in the query document, and selectively replacing any variables set off by second tags and removing the second tags without replacing variables set off by second tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, Andrew M. Chang, James A. Martin, Jr., Douglas G. Murray
  • Publication number: 20090259692
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for managing database agents. Specifically, an embodiment of the present invention produces a predetermined number of replica databases for running the agents. Agent scheduling documents are produced and parsed to determine on which database the agent should be run and on which database the agent should run if the first choice of databases is not functioning. The agent scheduling documents also specify whether running of a specific agent has certain prerequisites, such as a time constraint and/or whether its running is dependent upon successful completion of another agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew J. Bangel, James A. Martin, JR., Douglas G. Murray
  • Patent number: 7523147
    Abstract: The generation of an activity display for displaying history data for one or more migration values is provided. A history record that includes various modification attributes is generated each time the migration value is modified and stored as history data. One or more stored history records can be obtained from the history data and displayed to the user. When multiple history records are to be displayed, they can be categorized in a hierarchical structure based some of the modification attributes to enable a user to selectively display and navigate the history records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Hicks, James A. Martin, Jr., Jamie P. Rigoni