Patents by Inventor Robert Allan

Robert Allan 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: 10181115
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product. The method includes identifying, on an electronic platform providing for an exchange of messages among multiple participants, at least one open issue to be resolved. Data is collected from the exchanged messages to determine a participation interaction parameter and a solution quality parameter associated with at least one open issue. The participation interaction parameter includes an accountability dynamic factor and collaboration dynamic factor and the solution quality parameter includes a velocity factor, a dormancy factor, and an extinction factor. When a sum of the participation interaction parameter and the solution quality parameter is below a threshold value, at least one open issue participant is invited to the electronic platform. It is also determined when the at least one open issue becomes a closed issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Patent number: 10176458
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product. The method includes identifying, on an electronic platform providing for an exchange of messages among multiple participants, at least one open issue to be resolved. Data is collected from the exchanged messages to determine a participation interaction parameter and a solution quality parameter associated with at least one open issue. The participation interaction parameter includes an accountability dynamic factor and collaboration dynamic factor and the solution quality parameter includes a velocity factor, a dormancy factor, and an extinction factor. When a sum of the participation interaction parameter and the solution quality parameter is below a threshold value, at least one open issue participant is invited to the electronic platform. It is also determined when the at least one open issue becomes a closed issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Patent number: 10169079
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product for providing status updates while collaboratively resolving an issue. The method includes identifying, using a processing device, one or more key phrases in an electronic text-based message. Based on the identified one or more key phrases, at least one status-based suggestion is provided to a user to change a status milestone associated with a problem resolution. The providing of the change of milestone includes: building a table to map a key phrase to one or more status identifiers; mapping the key phrase to one or more status identifiers to associate the key phrase with the at least one status-based suggestion; and displaying a corresponding status milestone based on the user selecting from the at least one status-based suggestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20170168870
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product for providing status updates while collaboratively resolving an issue. The method includes identifying, using a processing device, one or more key phrases in an electronic text-based message. Based on the identified one or more key phrases, at least one status-based suggestion is provided to a user to change a status milestone associated with a problem resolution. The providing of the change of milestone includes: building a table to map a key phrase to one or more status identifiers; mapping the key phrase to one or more status identifiers to associate the key phrase with the at least one status-based suggestion; and displaying a corresponding status milestone based on the user selecting from the at least one status-based suggestion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20170163751
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product. The method includes identifying, on an electronic platform providing for an exchange of messages among multiple participants, at least one open issue to be resolved. Data is collected from the exchanged messages to determine a participation interaction parameter and a solution quality parameter associated with at least one open issue. The participation interaction parameter includes an accountability dynamic factor and collaboration dynamic factor and the solution quality parameter includes a velocity factor, a dormancy factor, and an extinction factor. When a sum of the participation interaction parameter and the solution quality parameter is below a threshold value, at least one open issue participant is invited to the electronic platform. It is also determined when the at least one open issue becomes a closed issue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20170161683
    Abstract: Aspects include a method, a system and a computer program product. The method includes identifying, on an electronic platform providing for an exchange of messages among multiple participants, at least one open issue to be resolved. Data is collected from the exchanged messages to determine a participation interaction parameter and a solution quality parameter associated with at least one open issue. The participation interaction parameter includes an accountability dynamic factor and collaboration dynamic factor and the solution quality parameter includes a velocity factor, a dormancy factor, and an extinction factor. When a sum of the participation interaction parameter and the solution quality parameter is below a threshold value, at least one open issue participant is invited to the electronic platform. It is also determined when the at least one open issue becomes a closed issue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Constance E. Smith, Thembani Togwe, Michael J. Whitney
  • Patent number: 9471293
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow for multiple pluggable user interactive system (UIS) applications to be added or removed from a UIS system while maintaining controlled access by users to each currently available application. Users can access the system using multimedia connections, such as voice, text, video, web, etc., and users have access to certain subsets of the available applications depending on their identity. In addition, users can define their own preferences, which places restrictions on which applications they can access from which media. In operation, the system provides the access restrictions and navigation for the applications outside of the application structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Intervoice Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Joseph Carter, Robert Allan
  • Patent number: 7797636
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow for multiple pluggable user interactive system (UIS) applications to be added or removed from a UIS system while maintaining controlled access by users to each currently available application. Users can access the system using multimedia connections, such as voice, text, video, web, etc., and users have access to certain subsets of the available applications depending on their identity. In addition, users can define their own preferences, which places restrictions on which applications they can access from which media. In operation, the system provides the access restrictions and navigation for the applications outside of the application structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Carter, Robert Allan
  • Publication number: 20070144121
    Abstract: A mist elimination device in the form of a hood for the removal of moisture from a gas stream treated by a WESP includes a series of gutters on the outer surface of the hood to trap liquid droplets and direct the moisture to channels the drain to the lower region of a housing. Gutters are also provided on the interior surface of the hood to catch liquid droplets carried by the gas stream into the interior of the hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Allan
  • Publication number: 20070044023
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow for multiple pluggable user interactive system (UIS) applications to be added or removed from a UIS system while maintaining controlled access by users to each currently available application. Users can access the system using multimedia connections, such as voice, text, video, web, etc., and users have access to certain subsets of the available applications depending on their identity. In addition, users can define their own preferences, which places restrictions on which applications they can access from which media. In operation, the system provides the access restrictions and navigation for the applications outside of the application structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Intervoice Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Joseph Carter, Robert Allan
  • Publication number: 20050229780
    Abstract: Contaminant laden gas streams from wood product dryer operations, and other sources, are purified. The gas stream first is saturated with moisture by contacting the gas stream with fine liquid droplets which entrain particulates. The gas stream then is subjected to a plurality of separate particulate and liquid droplet removal steps before a droplet-free gas stream having substantially reduced particulate contaminant levels is passed to a burner for removal of volatile organic compounds from the gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Edward Spink, Robert Allan
  • Publication number: 20050172963
    Abstract: An inhaler for delivering metered doses of powdered medicament, the inhaler having a plurality of compartments spaced in an array and each arranged to contain a metered dose of the medicament, a lever to displace the compartments one by one into line with an inhalation aperture that constitutes a mouthpiece, each compartment including inner and outer edges, the plurality of compartments being closed by a sealing layer, the inhaler further having a mechanism adapted to lift the sealing layer off the inner and outer edges of the compartment to open an air passageway defined by the compartment and the sealing layer so that, in use, on inhalation through the mouthpiece, air flow in the air flow passageway picks up and entrains the powder in the compartment to be drawn with the air out of the inhaler through the mouthpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Allan, Gregory Pike
  • Publication number: 20050028674
    Abstract: A mist elimination device in the form of a hood for the removal of moisture from a gas stream treated by a WESP includes a series of gutters on the outer surface of the hood to trap liquid droplets and direct the moisture to channels the drain to the lower region of a housing. Gutters are also provided on the interior surface of the hood to catch liquid droplets carried by the gas stream into the interior of the hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Allan
  • Patent number: 6609065
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a guidance system that gives a farmer a choice of different approaches to coping with the problem of compaction caused by vehicular traffic are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.
    Inventors: Arthur F. Lange, Robert Allan
  • Patent number: 6549849
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a guidance system that gives a farmer a choice of different approaches to coping with the problem of compaction caused by vehicular traffic are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Ltd.
    Inventors: Arthur F. Lange, Robert Allan
  • Publication number: 20020198654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a guidance system that gives a farmer a choice of different approaches to coping with the problem of compaction caused by vehicular traffic are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur F. Lange, Robert Allan