Patents by Inventor Keith R. Walker

Keith R. Walker 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: 11496598
    Abstract: A method of caching data at a processing node within a communication network can include predicting a future location of a user. A processing node within the communication network can be selected according to the future location. Data to be sent to the selected processing node can be selected. The selected data can be sent to the selected processing node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 11429833
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: obtaining communication data streams, extracting data relevant to a point of view of a user, and generating a point of view record in a knowledge base that may be utilized by another user communicating with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kyndryl, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, Danny Y. Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 11301526
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for processing a query received through a network. A computer system identifies a topic in the query. The computer system identifies a set of friends of a user from a set of social media networks in which the set of the friends have an expertise in the topic identified in the query. The computer system ranks the set of the friends based on a level of the expertise of the set of the friends for the topic and an availability of the set of the friends to form a ranked set of the friends. The computer system returns results that contain the ranked set of the friends for the topic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kydryl, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, Danny Yen-Fu Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 11151215
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: generating a first list of uniform resource locators (URLs) available on a page when accessed using privileged credentials; storing one or more first URL outputs associated with the first list of URLs including the content of webpages accessed using the privileged credentials; generating a second list of URLs when accessed using non-privileged credentials; generating a third list of URLs, wherein the third list of URLs includes URLs included in the first list of URLs and not included in the second list of URLs; storing a second URL output including content of a webpage mapped to a particular URL in the third list of URLs when the particular URL is accessed using the non-privileged credentials; determining that the second URL output matches a particular first URL output associated with the particular URL; and outputting an alert identifying that the webpage is accessible by an unauthorized user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Bender, David E. Nachman, Michael P. Shute, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 11093041
    Abstract: A gesture-based graphical user interface control system and method are provided. The method may include receiving an indication to recognize an input device gesture to be used for performing a graphical user interface action on the computer system. The method may further include training the computer system to recognize the input device gesture. The training may include receiving gesture data representative of the input device gesture to be used for performing the graphical user interface action and defining the input device gesture based on the gesture data. The method may also include mapping the input device gesture to the graphical user interface action. The mapping may include receiving an indication to define the graphical user interface action on the computer system and defining the graphical user interface action. The method may additionally include detecting performance of the input device gesture and performing the graphical user interface action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Bender, Keith R. Walker, Christopher M. Wood
  • Patent number: 11042808
    Abstract: Predicting probable activity consequences is provided. Information is collected from data sources to identify various activities. Patterns of how any identified activity is linked with a corresponding event are detected based on analyzing the information. The patterns are indexed with data having a relationship to a particular event. Activity context information associated with a set of identified activities corresponding to the particular event is extracted from the information. A cognitive model of how the set of identified activities corresponding to the particular event are related to a set of activity consequences is generated. Probable activity consequences with degree of severity corresponding to the activity context information is predicted based on the cognitive model. A recommendation to perform a set of action steps to reduce impact of the probable activity consequences on different aspects of the activity context information associated with the set of identified activities is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, Danny Yen-Fu Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 11037460
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for cognitive computer assistance in student learning of an educational topic. In an embodiment, a student is provided a presentation of educational materials and monitored with at least one sensor while studying. A cognitive computer system determines level of student understanding of the topic and alters said presentation of educational materials based on said determining of said level of student understanding to cognitively assist in said student's learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keith R. Walker, James E. Bostick, Danny Y. Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11004121
    Abstract: Systems and methods for advertising, and, more particularly, systems and methods for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe. A method for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe (VU) includes causing a computer infrastructure to: render an ephemeral location upon a triggering in the VU; teleport a VU user avatar to the ephemeral location; permit the user avatar to interact in the ephemeral location; teleport the user avatar out of the ephemeral location; and un-render the ephemeral location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Anne R. Sand, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10937067
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for item inquiry and information presentation via standard communication paths. More particularly, the method and system detects an item associated with an avatar of a virtual universe (VU) user in a VU and determine information associated with the item. Additionally, the method and system are operable to display the information in the VU in a high-resolution component of the VU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vittorio Castelli, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10922714
    Abstract: A virtual universe system has a system and method for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatar's behavior characteristics through the use of Turing tests. The system may provide a Turing test unit for performing Turing tests and an analysis unit that compares the behavior characteristics of new or newly changed avatars against the behavior characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10915922
    Abstract: A system and method in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatars' multimedia characteristics may have a table that stores multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars. It further may have an analysis unit that compares the multimedia characteristics of avatars against the multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon the similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score. Multimedia characteristics include graphics, audio, movement, interactivity, voice, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dawson, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10896144
    Abstract: Automated configuring of system settings of a computer for a peripheral device(s) is provided. The configuring process includes determining, by the computer, that a peripheral device has been connected to the computer, and based on the determining, ascertaining profile-related data for use in configuring computer system settings for the peripheral device connected to the computer. The ascertained profile-related data is used to identify, by the computer, a settings profile for the peripheral device from saved settings profiles for one or more peripheral devices. Based on the identified settings profile, the computer system settings for the peripheral device are configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Bender, Keith R. Walker, Todd P. Seager, Thomas A. Morse
  • Patent number: 10828575
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for creation and distribution of dynamic multi-content cards in a virtual universe. More specifically, the method creates a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card in the VU. Additionally, the system includes a card selection tool configured to create a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card to another resident in the VU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, James W. Seaman, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10825070
    Abstract: Embodiments recognize and solve problems as a function of biometric and social network data, wherein processors are configured to determine that an e-commerce site user is currently experiencing a problem in association with a purchase of an item on the e-commerce site as a function of analyzing biometric data acquired from the user in association with the item purchase. The processors are further configured to correlate the first problem associated with the item purchase to an alternative problem that is associated with the item purchase as a function of social network data of the user; and to suggest the alternative problem to the user as another problem experienced by the user in association with the item purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, Danny Y. Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10754513
    Abstract: A computer system receive a virtual world data set corresponding to a virtual world as experienced by a user. The computer system adds, to the virtual world data set, virtual world location data sets, with each given virtual world location data set respectively defining virtual world locations, with the virtual world location data sets including a first virtual location data set corresponding to a first virtual location that corresponds to a first real world location in the real world. The computer system adds, to the virtual world data set, a first virtual asset data set defining: (i) a first virtual asset, and (ii) a triggering rule that specifies the first real world location. The computer system determines that the user is in proximity to the first real world location. The computer system, responsive to the determination that the user is in proximity to the first real world location, applies the triggering rule to render the first virtual world asset in the first virtual location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, James R. Kozloski, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10740533
    Abstract: A method and associated system for managing web page images. After detection of a modification to a web page, the method attempts but fails to retrieve an image from a first location pointed to by a path included in a first link in a list of links included in the web page and in response, an image placeholder is stored at the first location. A request, for a replacement image to replace the image placeholder at the first location, is published. The request specifies that the replacement image must have specified resolution dimensions and a larger size than a size of the image placeholder. The replacement image, which is received in response to the request, is determined to have the specified resolution dimensions and a larger size than the size of the image placeholder and in response, the image placeholder is replaced with the replacement image at the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Amsterdam, Joseph S. Mabry, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10721334
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for data collection in a virtual universe. The system can determine a first virtual universe object in a virtual universe comprises a first data source for a first data feed. The system can determine a first trigger event associated with the first data source. The system can determine permission has been granted to access the first data feed. The system can in response to determining permission has been granted to access the first data feed: determine to capture first data from the first data feed in response to a second virtual universe object performing the first trigger event; determine to create a first data feed file comprising the first data and first information related to the second virtual universe object; and determine to transmit the first data feed file to a user device associated with the first virtual universe object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, James R. Kozloski, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10699105
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating contextual workflows includes receiving a plurality of images, analyzing the received plurality of images to identify one or more activities corresponding to the plurality of images and one or more contextual details corresponding to the plurality of images, wherein the contextual details indicate a capture location, a capture time, a capture sequence, or a capture subject for the plurality of images, calculating a confidence weighting for the one or more identified activities for the plurality of images, creating a contextual workflow according to the calculated confidence weightings, receiving a query for a workflow corresponding to an indicated context, and identifying one or more workflows that matches the indicated context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James. E. Bostick, Danny Y. Chen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10699282
    Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code includes receiving advertising criteria, collecting advertisement cost data, and detecting virtual universe (VU) data. Additionally, the method includes determining optimal advertisement parameters based on the advertising criteria, the advertisement cost data and the VU data, and at least one of displaying the optimal advertisement parameters and invoking an advertisement in the VU in accordance with the optimal advertisement parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Anne R. Sand, Keith R. Walker
  • Publication number: 20200174573
    Abstract: A gesture-based graphical user interface control system and method are provided. The method may include receiving an indication to recognize an input device gesture to be used for performing a graphical user interface action on the computer system. The method may further include training the computer system to recognize the input device gesture. The training may include receiving gesture data representative of the input device gesture to be used for performing the graphical user interface action and defining the input device gesture based on the gesture data. The method may also include mapping the input device gesture to the graphical user interface action. The mapping may include receiving an indication to define the graphical user interface action on the computer system and defining the graphical user interface action. The method may additionally include detecting performance of the input device gesture and performing the graphical user interface action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Bender, Keith R. Walker, Christopher M. Wood