Patents by Inventor Newton James Smith
Newton James Smith 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: 6993319Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for allowing a third party to assume a mobile telephone user's airtime and other charges when the mobile telephone user enters a particular geographic area, such as the third party's property is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6987844Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for transferring mobile telephone minutes or other mobile telephone services or features from one customer to another is disclosed. A customer dials into an interactive service that allows the customer to specify one or more recipients and a number of minutes, services, or features to transfer. A data processing system associated with the customer's mobile telephone service provider effects a transfer of minutes, services, or features from the customer's account to the recipients' accounts. In addition, a notification that the transfer has occurred can be sent to the recipients.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6975202Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for using an electronic key to open electronic locking devices is provided. With the system, apparatus and method, a key code is sent to a user's wireless communication device and is later used to open a corresponding locking device. The key code is generated by a key supplier based on a master key obtained from a master key supplier, e.g. an electronic lock manufacturer. The key code may include a master key portion, a secondary key portion, an activation/expiration portion, a wireless device identifier portion, a time of issue portion, and a time of last use portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6961561Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a central control computer, located within a given environment, to wirelessly communicate with, control and enhance the use of various mobile electronic devices entering the given environment. These devices each possess a wireless transceiver. The central control computer transmits a discovery signal and control message to these mobile electronic devices within the range of the wireless transmissions. This allows discovery of the central control computer by the mobile electronic device and, after setting up a communication, the mobile electronic device disables one or more of its features as instructed by the central control computer. Furthermore, enhancements are provided by making available substitute features for the features of the mobile electronic device that were limited or disabled and by making available features not contained within the mobile electronic device itself.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6961536Abstract: A broadcast receiver which automatically tunes to a signal source depending on a set of rules and vehicle state conditions, such as seat occupancy, door sensors, time, day of the week, weather conditions, program content rating, vehicle location, user language preference, user identity and driver preferences. The user can configure a set of rules which causes the receiver to be automatically retuned in response to changes in conditions of the vehicle, such as favorites for the commute to work and favorites while driving with children. This eliminates the driver's distraction while operating the vehicle of searching for stations and routinely changing the station setting, thereby enhancing the usefulness, convenience, and safety of the vehicle broadcast receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6937868Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a mobile phone answering mode and outgoing message or other indicator based on a location of the mobile phone are provided. The apparatus and method make use of a location system to ascertain the current location of a mobile telephone being carried by a user. Based on the current location, the apparatus and method determine whether operation of the mobile telephone to receive and/or send calls should be restricted. In addition, the apparatus and method determine an appropriate outgoing message to be provided to calling parties while the mobile telephone is located in an area where use of the mobile telephone to receive calls is prohibited. The particular outgoing message provided is customized to the current location of the mobile telephone and optionally, the caller ID of the calling party.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6912393Abstract: Transmission bandwidth consumption during the on-hold condition in telecommunications is reduced in a telecommunications system providing communication channels for the transmission of data between system stations. Two bandwidth states for each connecting channel are provided: an active state granting maximum bandwidth for the transmission of data and, for an on-hold condition, a minimal activity state for the connecting channel granting a minimal bandwidth. The active state prevails during the communication unless detecting means detect an on-hold condition in said connecting channel. Then, means responsive to a detection of on-hold condition switch to and provide a minimal activity state for said connecting channel granting a minimal bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Publication number: 20050125221Abstract: A method, system, and program for controlling access to wirelessly broadcast electronic works during playback are provided. A wireless broadcast of an electronic work with digital rights rules is received from a primary player at a secondary player. Synchronous play of the electronic work at the secondary player may be enabled while the secondary player is within reception range of the primary player. A sample of the streamed electronic work with digital rights rules is stored at the secondary player. Responsive to detecting that the secondary player has moved outside reception range of the primary player, the secondary player only allows playback of the stored electronic work according to the digital rights rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2003Publication date: June 9, 2005Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Brown, Michael Paolini, Newton James Smith, Cornell Wright
-
Patent number: 6898598Abstract: A method, program, and system for processing electronic receipts within a computer network are provided. The present invention comprises creating a customer profile for a user using a Smart Receipt application. When the user purchases items, electronic receipts (smart receipts) are sent from the point of sale to a designated database. The database may be on a credit card company server, the product manufacturer's server, a special cash receipts server, or a central clearing house server. When the customer wants a copy of a receipt, he or she enters search parameters which specify the desired receipt. The search parameters may include item type, date of purchase, and method of purchase. A Smart Receipt object is then initiated, which retrieves the specified electronic receipt from the appropriate database, according to the search parameters. A copy of the retrieved electronic receipt is then downloaded to a client machine (e.g. PDA, PC) designated by the customer profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Benjamin Andrew Himmel, Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6833785Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for alerting authorities during a car theft. A personal identification number, either a normal code or a duress code, is received into an vehicle security system. If the duress code has been entered, then the security system is disarmed, wherein the vehicle may be entered and driven away without any indication of an alarm. However, the duress code triggers a process by which authorities are notified and the location of the vehicle may be provided. The vehicle is disabled upon a certain event or condition, such as a pre-determined amount of time passing or a pre-determined distance driven. The method may also require satisfying a second event or condition before disabling the vehicle, such as the vehicle traveling at a low speed, in order to avoid causing an unsafe condition. The duress code preferably has an identical number of alphanumeric characters as a normal personal identification number entered to disarm the security system.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6828918Abstract: An impaired person is provided with a personalized accessibility device, which communicates an identification of a disability or impairment to an assistance device, which provides assistance. Also provided is a method and apparatus for providing feedback to a person with impairment. The feedback may be configured based on the type and extent of impairment, as well as personal preferences, such as a preferred language. The assistance device may also request a response from the disabled or impaired person, thus solving the person's Special Needs in a conversational manner without calling attention to the impairment.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James Patrick Bowman, Herman Rodriquez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Publication number: 20040225640Abstract: A method, system, and program for storing context searchable communications are provided. Varying portions of the content of a communication are analyzed to identify a reaction response associated with each of the varying portions of the content. A displayable attribute is associated with each of the varying portions of the content to indicate the identified reaction response. Each of the varying portions of the content is stored for the communication with the identified reaction response and the associated displayable attribute in a database searchable by context comprising at least one of identified reaction responses and associated displayable attributes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2002Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Michael A. Paolini, Newton James Smith
-
Patent number: 6805284Abstract: A system and method for using write-and-destroy transaction cards which cannot be reprogrammed. The write-and-destroy transaction cards are programmed (i.e., written to) at bit increments representing, in total, the stated value of the card. The stated value may be represented in one or a plurality of denominations and currencies. In use, the remaining value of a card can be ascertained at a merchant location by reading those bits which have not been erased. The remaining value can additionally be confirmed by contacting the issuing financial institution using a unique serial number which may be encoded onto each transaction card. Upon confirmation that the card has sufficient value to conduct the desired transaction, the card is decremented by erasure of the bits representing that value.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriquez, Newton James Smith, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20040205543Abstract: A method and apparatus for bookmarking a section of a Web page are provided. When a Web page is being bookmarked, if the user so chooses, the user may store in conjunction with the URL of the page the size of the window within which the page is displayed, the location of both the horizontal and vertical scroll boxes in the window and the font attributes used to display the page. This allows the section of the page that was displayed when the page was bookmarked to be displayed whenever the bookmarked Web page is re-accessed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2001Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Faisal M. Awada, Joe Nathan Brown, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith
-
Publication number: 20040141616Abstract: Controlling access to a resource, including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object comprising security control data and at least one security method; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving, over a randomly selected sequence of radio frequencies, security request data in at least one packet; and providing access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data. Embodiments include encrypting the security request data; receiving a packet through a radio transceiver set to a frequency, wherein a radio frequency identification field in the packet identifies a next frequency; and setting the transceiver to receive on the next frequency. In many embodiments, a resource comprises information, and providing access to the resource includes transmitting information from the resource over a randomly selected sequence of radio frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: IBM CorporationInventors: Benjamin Andrew Himmel, Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith
-
Publication number: 20040123105Abstract: Controlling access to a resource, including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object including security control data and at least one security method, the security control data including one or more security control CPU attributes, receiving a request for access to the resource, receiving security request data including one or more security request CPU attributes, and providing access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Publication number: 20040123146Abstract: Controlling access to a resource including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object comprising security control data and at least one security method, the security control data including a security control password in a security control language; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving security request data, the security request data including a security request password in a security request language, the security request language being a language other than the security control language; and determining access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data. Embodiments include converting a security request password from speech to text. Embodiments include translating a security request password from the security request language to the security control language.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Publication number: 20040123112Abstract: Controlling access to a resource, including creating a security object in dependence upon user-selected security control data types, the security object comprising security control data and at least one security method; receiving a request for access to the resource; receiving security request data; and providing access to the resource in dependence upon the security control data and the security request data, where the resource comprises information, and providing access to the resource further comprises encrypting the information. Embodiments include storing in the security object a user-selected encryption scheme. Embodiments include establishing a secret key and encrypting information from a resource with secret key encryption. Establishing a secret key is accomplished out of band or with public key encryption.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin Andrew Himmel, Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith
-
Patent number: 6751306Abstract: A telephone user sets up a “personalized” menu identifying a set of information options from which he or she desires to select when placed on-hold in a telephone system. The user's personal preferences are then saved. When the party later makes a call to a telephone system or is called, and then is placed on-hold, the party's telephone service provider or local equipment accesses the user's personalized menu and offers the one or more information options as defined in the menu. In an illustrative embodiment, the personalized menu options are voiced over the telephone line and the user then makes selections using keypad (i.e. DTMF signaling) or voice input. A response may be interrupted to make another menu selection, or to repeat the current response. If the response being played has not completed when the other party returns, that response is suspended and may be completed when the user is placed back on hold or the call is completed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
-
Patent number: 6742052Abstract: A mobile or desktop computer having a system bus that is exposed externally using a wireless transceiver so that input and output devices within proximity of the computer can be configured for immediate use. The wireless system bus of the invention provides discovery and acceptance of wireless peripheral devices within the range of the wireless transmissions. Serial or parallel communication can be supported on the same or different frequency channels. Preferably, the invention utilizes a dedicated discovery frequency for detecting the presence of peripherals in the proximity. Commands and data can be exchanged between the computer and the peripheral device in a secured manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Maria Azua Himmel, Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac