Patents by Inventor Neil A. Katz
Neil A. Katz 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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Patent number: 8527625Abstract: A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having a base virtual world functionality, includes providing first, second and third virtual world layers having respective first, second and third virtual world layer functionalities beyond the base virtual world functionality and providing user access to the base virtual world functionality and to the first and second virtual world functionalities by the second virtual world layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: George R. Dolbier, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell
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Patent number: 8478863Abstract: A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having a base virtual world functionality, includes providing first, second and third virtual world layers having respective first, second and third virtual world layer functionalities beyond the base virtual world functionality and providing user access to the base virtual world functionality and to the first and second virtual world functionalities by the second virtual world layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: George R. Dolbier, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell
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Patent number: 8473356Abstract: A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, James W. Seaman
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Patent number: 8457019Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for conference call communication in a virtual world environment. The mechanisms establish a hybrid conference call by establishing a hybrid conference call communication connection between a data based communication conference call server, that handles data based communications with client computing devices, and a telephone conference call server, that handles telephone protocol communications with telephone devices external to the virtual world environment. Communications between client computing devices and telephone devices are converted from data based communications to telephone protocol communications and vice versa using a data based communication conference call server and a telephone conference call server.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Edward F. Bonkowski, William S. Carter, Thomas E. Cook, Neil A. Katz, Robert S. Smart
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Patent number: 8424065Abstract: A system for centrally managing credential information of a user and a virtual object of a user across a plurality of virtual world (or corresponding virtual world servers) is disclosed. The system includes an identity service module for managing an authentication request (e.g., verifying credential information of a user) from a user and an inventory service module for managing virtual properties of a user. Furthermore, a method for logging in a virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for teleporting a virtual property from a virtual world to another virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for logging out from a virtual world by using the system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Boas Betzler, Neil A. Katz, Gang Wang, Meng Ye, Zi Yu Zhu
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Patent number: 8423478Abstract: The present invention is directed to presenting customer service representatives to a virtual universe client. A method for presenting a customer service representative (CSR) to a virtual universe client includes obtaining a preference(s) of the virtual universe client, and then presenting a virtual universe customer service representative (CSR) to the virtual universe client, based on the preference that was obtained. The invention allows virtual universe clients (“clients”), or customers, to experience consistent interaction quality with virtual universe CSR's, based on the client's stated preferences and/or interaction history in immersive support centers. This provides for consistency in the CSR experience for the client in that a virtual universe CSR may be staffed by varying human presences “behind” the avatar.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, James W. Seaman
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Patent number: 8364397Abstract: Methods, systems and program products provide pictorial information relevant to a geographic location, through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a user, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to a user in association with geographic locations. Characteristic include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives. Formatting pictorial information may comprise synthesizing photographs into a constructs.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
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Publication number: 20130018579Abstract: Pictorial information is provided relevant to a geographic location through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a traveler, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to the traveler in association with geographic locations. Characteristics include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives. Formatting pictorial information may comprise synthesizing photographs into a constructs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
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Publication number: 20130007636Abstract: In some example embodiments, a method includes defining a tracking area for a first avatar in an online immersive environment, wherein the tracking area encompasses the first avatar and some defined area beyond the first avatar. The first avatar represents a first person who is a guardian of a second person in the real world and external to the online immersive environment. A second avatar represents the second person in the online immersive environment. The method includes tracking a path through the online immersive environment of the tracking area for the first avatar. The method includes marking a region in the online immersive environment as a safe zone for the second avatar, after the path of the tracking area for the first avatar has traversed the region. The method includes authorizing access to the region marked as the safe zone for the second avatar in the online immersive environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, Brian M. O'Connell
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Publication number: 20120313963Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for displaying information on a portable device, wherein the portable device includes an interface, a camera, and a screen. The interface identifies an object to be installed; and, the camera captures at least one image, wherein the image includes locations for installing objects. The screen displays an augmented image of locations for installing objects, wherein the augmented image identifies at least one optimal location for installing the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Mark Chen-Quee, Suzanne C. Deffeyes, Neil Katz, Brian M. O'Connell
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Publication number: 20120303660Abstract: A system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Boas Betzler, Xing Fang, Neil A. Katz, Dong Jun Lan, Sheng Lu, Meng Ye, Zi Yu Zhu
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Patent number: 8321346Abstract: Using a portable device, a method of conducting commerce can include executing within the portable device an application configured to communicate with an automated teller machine by displaying graphic symbols. A user input specifying transaction information which can include at least a personal identification code for a transaction can be received. The method further can include generating a graphic symbol specifying the transaction information and displaying the graphic symbol upon a display screen of the portable device. Accordingly, a graphic symbol reader of an automated teller machine can read the graphic symbol and process the transaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joseph Celi, Jr., Thomas E. Creamer, Neil A. Katz, Victor S. Moore
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Publication number: 20120293487Abstract: A system and method for using an encoding module in a virtual world server for: receiving scene data including a description of at least one virtual object and underlying terrain associated with the scene; organizing the description of the at least one virtual object into a first track segmented by virtual object time slots, organizing the description of the underlying terrain into a second track segmented by terrain time slots; and storing the descriptions in persistent storage as separate files where users can retrieve and render the separate files.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Boas Betzler, Neil A. Katz, Gang Wang, Yu Hui Wu, Meng Ye, Zi Yu Zhu
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Patent number: 8312466Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a method for restricting resources consumed by ghost agents. The method can include the step of associating a ghost agent with a host. A resource utilization value can be ascertained for the ghost agent and the host combined. The ascertained resource utilization value can be compared with a usage threshold. A determination can be made as to whether operations of the ghost agent are to be executed based upon the previous comparison.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Creamer, Bill H. Hilf, Peeyush Jaiswal, Neil Katz, Michael Mirt, Victor S. Moore
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Patent number: 8244754Abstract: A system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Boas Betzler, Xing Fang, Neil A. Katz, Dong Jun Lan, Sheng Lu, Meng Ye, Zi Yu Zhu
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Patent number: 8219671Abstract: A testing method including the step of identifying multiple hosts located within multiple grids of a grid environment, wherein each host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with each identified host. Actions of the host can be replicated within each ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded. Test input can be generated from the recorded data. Tests can be conducted within the grid environment using the test input.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Bill H. Hilf, Neil Katz, Victor S. Moore
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Patent number: 8146086Abstract: A method for gathering operational metrics can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host can be a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The ghost agent can replicate actions of the host. Operational metrics for at least a portion of the replicated actions can be determined. The operational metrics can be recorded. The host can move within the grid environment. The ghost agent can responsively move in accordance with movement of the host.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Bill H. Hilf, Neil Katz, Victor S. Moore
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Publication number: 20120047166Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
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Publication number: 20120008917Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
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Publication number: 20120011226Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: ROVI TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Neil Katz, Bruce P. Semple, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner