Patents by Inventor Michael M. Skeen

Michael M. Skeen 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: 10586155
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 10262381
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20170330084
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 9762526
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for suggesting content to a group. The system identifies a group of users in a social network. The system receives inputs associated with the social network group. The system aggregates the received inputs. The system analyzes the aggregated inputs. The system searches, based on the aggregation and the analysis, one or more tailored content to be delivered to the group in Internet, one or more database and one or more data warehouse. The system delivers the tailored content to the group in the social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20170221157
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 9721205
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 9721276
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 9712638
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for suggesting content to a group. The system identifies a group of users in a social network. The system receives inputs associated with the social network group. The system aggregates the received inputs. The system analyzes the aggregated inputs. The system searches, based on the aggregation and the analysis, one or more tailored content to be delivered to the group in Internet, one or more database and one or more data warehouse. The system delivers the tailored content to the group in the social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 9704181
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20160314393
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Publication number: 20160234152
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for suggesting content to a group. The system identifies a group of users in a social network. The system receives inputs associated with the social network group. The system aggregates the received inputs. The system analyzes the aggregated inputs. The system searches, based on the aggregation and the analysis, one or more tailored content to be delivered to the group in Internet, one or more database and one or more data warehouse. The system delivers the tailored content to the group in the social network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 9386110
    Abstract: A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method including receiving input from a first communication device of a first user identifying a target sentiment associated with a second user, monitoring current online activity of the second user to determine a current sentiment for the second user, and initiating communication between the first communication device of the first user and a second communication device of the second user in response to the current sentiment of the second user meeting the target sentiment input by the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Lydia M. Do, Michael M. Skeen, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 9361386
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 9342608
    Abstract: Mechanisms for clarifying an input question are provided. A question is received for generation of an answer. A set of candidate answers is generated based on an analysis of a corpus of information. Each candidate answer has an evidence passage supporting the candidate answer. Based on the set of candidate answers, a determination is made as to whether clarification of the question is required. In response to a determination that clarification of the question is required, a request is sent for user input to clarify the question. User input is received from the computing device in response to the request and at least one candidate answer in the set of candidate answers is selected as an answer for the question based on the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly L. Cook, Adrian X. Rodriguez, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods, Menlo Wuu
  • Patent number: 9235695
    Abstract: An approach is provided to use social media content to verify the identity of a user using aliases established by the user in a social media environment. In the approach, a user authentication request pertaining to a user is received. Aliases corresponding to the user's social media contacts are retrieved from a social media data store. User questions and expected answers are prepared based on the user's social media contacts and the corresponding aliases. The user is prompted to provide one or more user answers responsive to the user questions. In response to receiving answers that match the expected answers, the user authentication request is confirmed. Conversely, in response to receiving user answers that fail to match the expected answers, the user authentication request is invalidated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Markwordt, Michael M. Skeen, Michael S. Thomason
  • Patent number: 9230077
    Abstract: An approach is provided to use social media content to verify the identity of a user using aliases established by the user in a social media environment. In the approach, a user authentication request pertaining to a user is received. Aliases corresponding to the user's social media contacts are retrieved from a social media data store. User questions and expected answers are prepared based on the user's social media contacts and the corresponding aliases. The user is prompted to provide one or more user answers responsive to the user questions. In response to receiving answers that match the expected answers, the user authentication request is confirmed. Conversely, in response to receiving user answers that fail to match the expected answers, the user authentication request is invalidated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Markwordt, Michael M. Skeen, Michael S. Thomason
  • Publication number: 20150324860
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20150324933
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for creating the social group whose participants are involved in an online conversation. The system aggregates data associated with the online conversation and a group profile, of the social group. The system determines, based on the online conversation data and the group profile, a context of the online conversation and a goal of the social group. The system receives, based on the determined context and the goal, a first bidding from each provider, the first bidding associated with the determined context and the goal, the each provider providing one or more of: goods, services or discounts associated with the context and the goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20150319264
    Abstract: There are provided a system, a method and a computer program product for suggesting content to a group. The system identifies a group of users in a social network. The system receives inputs associated with the social network group. The system aggregates the received inputs. The system analyzes the aggregated inputs. The system searches, based on the aggregation and the analysis, one or more tailored content to be delivered to the group in Internet, one or more database and one or more data warehouse. The system delivers the tailored content to the group in the social network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Corville O. Allen, Jeffrey D. Haggar, Eileen J. Min, Michael M. Skeen, Eric Woods
  • Publication number: 20150264145
    Abstract: A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method including receiving input from a first communication device of a first user identifying a target sentiment associated with a second user, monitoring current online activity of the second user to determine a current sentiment for the second user, and initiating communication between the first communication device of the first user and a second communication device of the second user in response to the current sentiment of the second user meeting the target sentiment input by the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Lydia M. Do, Michael M. Skeen, Menlo Wuu