Patents by Inventor Patrick Commarford

Patrick Commarford 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: 8121585
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a technique for a user to control a manner in which a data store of a mobile device synchronizes with a remotely located data store. More specifically, synchronization actions can be automatically executed by comparing combinations of user modifiable device settings against device-specific conditions. Device conditions can include device resources, timing parameters, and user-defined criteria, such as data priority, device location, and application-specific conditions. In one embodiment, the invention provides a means to override an application's existing synchronization rules. This permits synchronization for a device that includes multiple applications to be centrally and consistently handled, even when the applications normally lack synchronization control capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Commarford, David Lee Griffin, Chris J. Martinez, Steven G. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20080282185
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for notifying a user of a password/passcode change event. In the invention, a computing system can automatically detect a password/passcode change event. At least one user affected by the event can be determined. A pre-existing user defined message can be retrieved from a data store. A password/passcode change message can be automatically conveyed to the affected user. The change message can include content of the pre-existing user defined message. Further, in one embodiment, an automatically generated activity report associated with a password/passcode can be presented to either a user making a password/passcode change or as part of the conveyed change message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: OSCAR J. BLASS, PATRICK COMMARFORD, RODRIGO J. PASTRANA, ROBERTO VILA
  • Publication number: 20080049714
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a technique for a user to control a manner in which a data store of a mobile device synchronizes with a remotely located data store. More specifically, synchronization actions can be automatically executed by comparing combinations of user modifiable device settings against device-specific conditions. Device conditions can include device resources, timing parameters, and user-defined criteria, such as data priority, device location, and application-specific conditions. In one embodiment, the invention provides a means to override an application's existing synchronization rules. This permits synchronization for a device that includes multiple applications to be centrally and consistently handled, even when the applications normally lack synchronization control capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK COMMARFORD, DAVID LEE GRIFFIN, CHRIS J. MARTINEZ, STEVEN G. WOODWARD
  • Publication number: 20070265025
    Abstract: A method for exchanging data with a mobile device that begins with the step of detecting a data exchange event. Next, at least one data exchange threshold is identified for the mobile device. An exchange urgency value is then determined and compared to the data exchange threshold. If the comparison is favorable, then the data exchange occurs immediately. Otherwise, the data exchange is placed in a delayed transmission queue, to be sent after a delay period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Commarford, Chris Martinez
  • Publication number: 20050114791
    Abstract: A method for indicating that a content page is scrollable can include the step of displaying a content page within a display area. A determination can be made that at least a portion of the displayed content page is scrollable. Responsive to the determination, a flyover can be displayed to indicate that the content page is scrollable, where the flyover can be a graphical user interface (GUI) object independent of the content page. The flyover can be a fixed object that appears on top of other windows in the GUI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Bollenbacher, Patrick Commarford, Samuel Karns, Richard Miranti, Rodrigo Pastrana
  • Publication number: 20050081152
    Abstract: A method for providing help within an interactive voice response application can include the step of determining an interactive voice response event corresponding to a request for help. The event can be classified as a default help request, which can be a system initiated help request, or a user initiated help request. If the event is classified as a default help request, a time for receiving user input can be set to a default value. If, however, the event is classified as a user initiated help request, the time for receiving user input can be set to a value less than the default value. The interactive voice response application can take programmatic action upon expiration of the time for receiving user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Commarford, Cheryl Kotan, James Lewis, Wallace Sadowski