Patents by Inventor Joann Ruvolo

Joann Ruvolo 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: 9104689
    Abstract: Described is a method for synchronizing a client with a server. A document score is calculated for each document in a server database. The document score indicates the importance of the respective document to the client. Documents are transferred from the server to the client if their document scores exceed a threshold value. The calculation of the document score can be determined from time the document was created, the number of times the document has been read, the time the document was last accessed, the author of the document and one or more terms in the document. Relationships between the document and other documents on the server database can also affect the document score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Bengt Edlund, Joann Ruvolo, Justin Thomas Lessler, Sesha Sung Shan Baratham
  • Patent number: 8838588
    Abstract: Described are a dynamic interest profile (DIP) system and method for dynamically tracking interests of a user based on personal information. The DIP system obtains electronic documents of the user from a document stream and processes the documents to obtain certain information therefrom. Based on the information obtained from the documents, the DIP system identifies terms, people, documents, and collections that are of importance to the user. These items of importance become part of a dynamic interest profile of the user. The dynamic interest profiles persist in a database. The DIP system also provides an application program interface (API) for accessing DIPs in the database. Application programs can employ this API to customize program behavior to the particular interests of the user executing those programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joann Ruvolo, Stefan Bengt Edlund, Vikas Krishna, Justin Thomas Lessler, Carl J. Kraenzel
  • Patent number: 8805933
    Abstract: A method is provided which utilizes a threading service to offer enhanced features for a document management system including an email system. Various enhanced email features may be provided through one or more of the following components: a delete module, a reply module, a profile module, and a search module. The delete module enables a user to delete a selected message, a set of related messages, or the whole set except for the selected message. The reply module enables a user to send a reply message to all addresses associated and involved with an entire set of related messages. The profile module enables a dynamic interest profile to contain all relevant information from an outgoing message and a set of messages related to the outgoing message. The search module enables search results to include documents which match the user's query as well as documents related to the documents which match the user's query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Moody, Joann Ruvolo, Carl J. Kraenzel, Jodi L. Coppinger
  • Patent number: 8498961
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide for automatic on-demand replication in a replication cluster of content management servers. A replication manager of a content management server receives newly created, modified, and deleted application item types along with their associated physical tables and automatically forwards the received application item types on-demand to the replication managers of other content management servers of the replication cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Bengt Edlund, Tobin Jon Lehman, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7970712
    Abstract: The invention provides method of displaying strengths of social relationships between users of a computerized network. The invention evaluates network information, such as network communications, between one user of the network and other users of the network to produce metrics. The invention then normalizes the metrics from the perspective of the viewing user to produce relationship values representing strengths of social relationships between the viewing user and the other users. The invention classifies the relationship values into different groups, and optionally assigns context commands to each of the groups. The invention places each of the other users in one of the groups (according to their relationship value) and then displays a listing of the other users and their associated group identifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joann Ruvolo, Andrew L. Schirmer, Marijane M. Zeller
  • Patent number: 7953815
    Abstract: A method for providing location dependent information to a user for selective colleague assistance. The method on a Client Wireless Component includes the steps of receiving location data from a plurality of Global Positioning System GPS satellites and transmitting the location data to an Active Calendar Component. The method further includes on an Active Calendar Component the steps of receiving Client Wireless Component location data and determining if within a threshold distance a Colleague item list exists for user completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Kaufman, Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Publication number: 20110093791
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing activity reuse in a collaborative environment. The method can include the step of creating a new activity instance based upon an existing activity instance. Specifically, the creating step can include the steps of selecting an activity template and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected activity template and/or selecting a portion of an existing activity instance and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected portion. In either case, the method further can include the step of applying changes to the selected portion of the existing activity instance to the new activity instance. Finally, the method can include the step of annotating the new activity instance to refine the new activity instance for reuse. For instance, the annotating step can include coordinating a collaborative annotation of the new activity instance as an activity-in-progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joann Ruvolo, Justin Lessler, Thomas P. Moran, Michael Muller, John C. Tang, Daniel M. Gruen, Paul B. Moody, Robert J. Stachel, Suzanne O. Minassian
  • Patent number: 7930205
    Abstract: Sales associated with service providers is increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by services providers to act quickly, in order to enhance sales. Heuristics to determine a window of opportunity are based only on schedule changes (which are associated with a rule database), and without knowing who the affected people are or what their preferences (profile data) are.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7853574
    Abstract: A method of generating a context-inferenced search query and of sorting a result of the query is described. The method includes analyzing an event associated with the user to determine a contextual setting, dynamically generating a search query based on the contextual setting, and searching at least one information source using the search query to generate a search result. Additionally, the method includes calculating an importance value for each item of the search result, sorting the items of the search result according the importance value, and displaying the sorted search result to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl J. Kraenzel, Paul B. Moody, Joann Ruvolo, Thomas P. Moran, Justin T. Lessler
  • Publication number: 20090006576
    Abstract: A method for providing location dependent information to a user for selective colleague assistance. The method on a Client Wireless Component includes the steps of receiving location data from a plurality of Global Positioning System GPS satellites and transmitting the location data to an Active Calendar Component. The method further includes on an Active Calendar Component the steps of receiving Client Wireless Component location data and determining if within a threshold distance a Colleague item list exists for user completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: JAMES H. KAUFMAN, Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7440910
    Abstract: A system and method for renewing business, professional and personal contacts is described. The system overcomes time and psychological hindrances to maintaining relationships by automatically selecting whom a user should keep in touch with by displaying this selection to the user. In an automatic mode, the system searches a contact list for candidates based on predetermined user preferences and a time-based algorithm (e.g. contact each week, month, 2 weeks after a meeting, etc.). Selected candidates are collected and images transferred to a display module to build a “keep in touch” section to be displayed to the user. In a manual mode, the user initiates the selection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joann Ruvolo, Stefan B. Edlund, Daniel Alexander Ford
  • Patent number: 7409429
    Abstract: A method for providing location dependent information to a user for selective colleague assistance. The method on a Client Wireless Component includes the steps of receiving location data from a plurality of Global Positioning System GPS satellites and transmitting the location data to an Active Calendar Component. The method further includes on an Active Calendar Component the steps of receiving Client Wireless Component location data and determining if within a threshold distance a Colleague item list exists for user completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Kaufman, Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7346537
    Abstract: Sales associated with service providers are increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. Both service providers and consumers setup a personalized profile in a database, and the system uses a matching process to match related service providers to the consumers' preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Publication number: 20080057953
    Abstract: Sales associated with service providers are increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. Both service providers and consumers setup a personalized profile in a database, and the system uses a matching process to match related service providers to the consumers' preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Publication number: 20080059289
    Abstract: Sales associated with service providers is increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by services providers to act quickly, in order to enhance sales. Heuristics to determine a window of opportunity are based only on schedule changes (which are associated with a rule database), and without knowing who the affected people are or what their preferences (profile data) are.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7337125
    Abstract: Sales associated with service providers is increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by services providers to act quickly, in order to enhance sales. Heuristics to determine a window of opportunity are based only on schedule changes (which are associated with a rule database), and without knowing who the affected people are or what their preferences (profile data) are.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reiner Kraft, Joann Ruvolo
  • Publication number: 20080040192
    Abstract: A calendar system stores and organizes materials related to scheduled events, to-dos, addresses, etc. and allows a user to browse a calendar and select entries for viewing. In addition, each entry is linked to any number of topics related to that entry and up-to-date information on these topics are displayed when the entry is viewed. Topics are published on topic channels by one or more topic providers and a calendar system administrator defines which topics relate to which calendar entries. When a client enters information related to a new calendar entry or event, the calendar system determines which topics relate to that event and identifies corresponding topic channels which currently exist or need to be created between the calendar system and the topic providers. Finally, in each calendar entry, links are created to local versions of the appropriate topic channels and the entry is then persistently stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Edlund, Daniel Ford, Joann Ruvolo
  • Publication number: 20080016129
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide for automatic on-demand replication in a replication cluster of content management servers. A replication manager of a content management server receives newly created, modified, and deleted application item types along with their associated physical tables and automatically forwards the received application item types on-demand to the replication managers of other content management servers of the replication cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEFAN BENGT EDLUND, TOBIN JON LEHMAN, JOANN RUVOLO
  • Patent number: 7302643
    Abstract: A calendar system stores and organizes materials related to scheduled events, to-dos, addresses, etc. and allows a user to browse a calendar and select entries for viewing. In addition, each entry is linked to any number of topics related to that entry and up-to-date information on these topics are displayed when the entry is viewed. Topics are published on topic channels by one or more topic providers and a calendar system administrator defines which topics relate to which calendar entries. When a client enters information related to a new calendar entry or event, the calendar system determines which topics relate to that event and identifies corresponding topic channels which currently exist or need to be created between the calendar system and the topic providers. Finally, in each calendar entry, links are created to local versions of the appropriate topic channels and the entry is then persistently stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan B. Edlund, Daniel Alexander Ford, Joann Ruvolo
  • Patent number: 7177880
    Abstract: A method and structure for identifying potential relationships between users of a computer network is disclosed. The invention extracts relationship information from databases in the computer network in order to establish multiple relationship chains of the users from the relationship information. More specifically, the invention evaluates network information and network communications between the users to produce metrics and processes the metrics to produce contact information. The contact information indicates whether a personal relationship exists between two users. In addition, the invention can produce relationship values representing strengths of social relationships between users of the computer network based on such relationship information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joann Ruvolo, Andrew L. Schirmer, Marijane M. Zeller