Patents by Inventor Robert C. Leah

Robert C. Leah 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: 11157589
    Abstract: A method to control a portlet associated with a portal page may include deactivating a selected portlet in response to operating a deactivation feature. The method may also include reactivating the selected portlet in response to operating a reactivation feature. The method may also include freezing a portlet content in the selected portlet in response to deactivating the selected portlet. The method may further include disabling hyperlinks, buttons and other inputs to the selected portlet in response to deactivating the selected portlet. The method may further include reconfiguring a portal server to ensure that a portlet content of a selected portlet cannot be affected while the selected portlet is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Guido, Robert C. Leah, Paul F. McMahan, Wayne B. Riley
  • Patent number: 9811602
    Abstract: A computing system for facilitating screen readers of online electronic documents includes a processor running computer readable program code configured to generate a structured electronic document including markup language code and scripting language code whose execution is triggered by an occurrence of an event associated with execution of the markup language code. Memory stores a configuration file that maps of functions of a screen reader program to functions performed by the scripting language code when the scripting language code is executed in response to the occurrence of the event. The processor executes computer readable program code configured to incorporate the configuration file within structured electronic document. On a client system, a given function of the scripting language code executes in response to the occurrence of the event, and, in response to the execution of the given function, the screen reader program performs each accessibility function mapped to the given function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amy H. Dewar, Nicholas E. Poore, Robert C. Leah, Peter C. Yim
  • Patent number: 9807160
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing autonomic content load balancing. A programmatic selection is made from among alternative content versions based upon current conditions. Preferably, the alternative selectable versions specify content to be used in a Web page, and a version is selected responsive to receiving a request for the Web page. The selectable version may comprise the Web page, or a component of a Web page may have selectable versions. Optionally, the Web page may include more than one component with dynamically-selectable content. In this case, the versions may be selectable independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathanael F. Ehrich, Niraj P. Joshi, Kimberly D. Kenna, Robert C. Leah
  • Publication number: 20170163723
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing autonomic content load balancing. A programmatic selection is made from among alternative content versions based upon current conditions. Preferably, the alternative selectable versions specify content to be used in a Web page, and a version is selected responsive to receiving a request for the Web page. The selectable version may comprise the Web page, or a component of a Web page may have selectable versions. Optionally, the Web page may include more than one component with dynamically-selectable content. In this case, the versions may be selectable independently of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Nathanael F. Ehrich, Niraj P. Joshi, Kimberly D. Kenna, Robert C. Leah
  • Patent number: 9614889
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing autonomic content load balancing. A programmatic selection is made from among alternative content versions based upon current conditions. Preferably, the alternative selectable versions specify content to be used in a Web page, and a version is selected responsive to receiving a request for the Web page. The selectable version may comprise the Web page, or a component of a Web page may have selectable versions. Optionally, the Web page may include more than one component with dynamically-selectable content. In this case, the versions may be selectable independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nathanael F. Ehrich, Niraj P. Joshi, Kimberly D. Kenna, Robert C. Leah
  • Patent number: 9535718
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to collect metrics from a non-monolithic website having external content. The method includes monitoring a pointer movement in a web page. The web page displays a content feed of the external content. The method also includes identifying a pointer movement representative of an interaction gesture. The interaction gesture is indicative of a type of interaction with the content feed of the external content. The method also includes generating a score for the content feed in response to the pointer movement including an interaction gesture. The score includes a quantity of each of the reported types of interaction with the content feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ami H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, Nicholas E. Poore, Peter C. Yim
  • Patent number: 9250702
    Abstract: A method for facilitating a search for an object in a three-dimensional simulation can be provided. The method can include receiving from a user at least one search parameter corresponding to an object and executing a search for the object based on the at least one search parameter. The method can further include generating a list of search results, wherein each search result corresponds to an object in the three-dimensional simulation and receiving from the user a selection corresponding to a first object in the list of search results. The method can further include transporting an avatar of the user to a location of the first object and displaying a visual indicator of a position of the first object in the three-dimensional simulation, wherein the visual indicator is distinct from the first object and wherein the visual indicator is not viewed by other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason T. Clark, Amy H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, Nicholas E. Poore, Peter C. Yim
  • Patent number: 8631075
    Abstract: A method for managing interrupts in an instant messaging application may include receiving an interrupt request from an interrupting contact during an instant messaging conversation between at least two contacts. The method may also include interrupting the instant messaging conversation in response to a predetermined one of the interrupting contact having a selected interrupt priority ranking relative to an interrupt priority ranking of each of the at least two contacts or an interrupting conversation having a higher interrupt priority ranking compared to an interrupt priority ranking of the instant messaging conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. McMahan, Robert C. Leah, Patrick R. Guido, Kent Fillmore Hayes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8589694
    Abstract: A server to implement human response tests of graduated difficulty can suppress access by spambots. The server includes a network interface and a test controller. The network interface connects the server to a network and facilitates electronic communications between the server and a client computer coupled to the network. The test controller is coupled to the network interface. The test controller implements a human response test with a level of difficulty on the client computer in response to an access request by the client computer. The level of difficulty of the human response test is dependent on a determination whether the access request is deemed to originate from a spambot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason T Clark, Ami H Dewar, Robert C Leah, Nicolas E Poore, Peter C Yim
  • Patent number: 8458351
    Abstract: A selection of a menu command that identifies a selected area of a web page as containing undesirable content is detected using a user input device of a client computer system executing a web browser that loads source web content from a group of servers. In response to the detection of the selected menu command, an alternate Internet Protocol (IP) address is substituted for a hostname of a website that provided the undesirable content. The alternate IP address is selected based on a content substitution profile of the client computer system. Using the substituted alternate IP address in response to a content request that identifies the undesirable content, the web page is reloaded with substituted source web content received from a server accessed by the alternate IP address displayed in the selected area of the web page instead of displaying the undesirable content identified in the content request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. McMahan, Fonda J. Daniels, Patrick R. Guido, Wesley J. Gyure, Kent F. Hayes, Jr., Robert C. Leah
  • Publication number: 20120197985
    Abstract: A selection of a menu command that identifies a selected area of a web page as containing undesirable content is detected using a user input device of a client computer system executing a web browser that loads source web content from a group of servers. In response to the detection of the selected menu command, an alternate Internet Protocol (IP) address is substituted for a hostname of a website that provided the undesirable content. The alternate IP address is selected based on a content substitution profile of the client computer system. Using the substituted alternate IP address in response to a content request that identifies the undesirable content, the web page is reloaded with substituted source web content received from a server accessed by the alternate IP address displayed in the selected area of the web page instead of displaying the undesirable content identified in the content request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul F. McMahan, Fonda J. Daniels, Patrick R. Guido, Wesley J. Gyure, Kent F. Hayes, JR., Robert C. Leah
  • Patent number: 8201095
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an option to auto-generate a thread on a web forum in response to a change in topic are described. When a post is received on a thread in the web forum, wherein the thread includes one or more thread keywords and wherein each of the one or more thread keywords are associated with a relevancy score, the post is searched for the one or more thread keywords. The relevancy scores of any of the one or more thread keywords located within the post are added together to obtain a post total relevancy score. A query is then provided, to a user, for example, to auto-generate a new thread on the web forum when the post total relevancy score is less than a threshold relevancy score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ami H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, Nicholas E. Poore
  • Patent number: 8195822
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for preventing a browser from loading content from undesirable sources. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: selecting an area of a web page containing undesirable content; substituting an alternate Internet Protocol (IP) address for a hostname of a website that provided the undesirable content based on a profile; and redisplaying the web page with content from the alternate IP address displayed in the selected area of the web page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. McMahan, Fonda J. Daniels, Patrick R. Guido, Wesley J. Gyure, Kent F. Hayes, Jr., Robert C. Leah
  • Patent number: 8140983
    Abstract: Methods and systems for auto-generating threads on web forums are described. Comments are received on web content contained on a web page within a web site, where the web site further includes a web forum. The comments can be monitored to determine if a comment threshold is reached, and a web content thread can be auto-generated in the web forum when the comment threshold is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly A. Brantley, Ami H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, John K. Muller
  • Publication number: 20110161797
    Abstract: A computing system for facilitating screen readers of online electronic documents includes a processor running computer readable program code configured to generate a structured electronic document including markup language code and scripting language code whose execution is triggered by an occurrence of an event associated with execution of the markup language code. Memory stores a configuration file that maps of functions of a screen reader program to functions performed by the scripting language code when the scripting language code is executed in response to the occurrence of the event. The processor executes computer readable program code configured to incorporate the configuration file within structured electronic document. On a client system, a given function of the scripting language code executes in response to the occurrence of the event, and, in response to the execution of the given function, the screen reader program performs each accessibility function mapped to the given function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amy H. Dewar, Nicholas E. Poore, Robert C. Leah, Peter C. Yim
  • Patent number: 7921380
    Abstract: A portal environment may include at least one detachable and reattachable portal page. The detachable and reattachable portal page may include a detach feature to detach the portal page from the portal environment. A reattach feature may be provided to reattach a detached portal page to the portal environment. In another embodiment, a method to detach and reattach at least one portal page may include detaching a selected portal page in response to activating a detach feature. The method may also include reattaching the detached portal page in response to activating a reattach feature. The selected, detached portal page may be transferred to a window in response to activating the detach feature. Tunneling communication may be provided between the detached portal page and the portal environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Guido, Steven P. Kim, Robert C. Leah, Paul F. McMahan
  • Patent number: 7904829
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling users to define one or more areas of a graphical user interface (“GUI”) as being “glue-like”. When the user moves a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, joystick, track ball, etc.) and as a result, the graphical pointer moves into a painted area, the speed at which the graphical pointer will then traverse the GUI is programmatically slowed. Upon exiting the painted area, the graphical pointer speed is preferably restored to its prior setting. In this manner, the user achieves user-specific, application-independent control over the speed at which the graphical pointer moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Fox, Robert C. Leah
  • Publication number: 20110055704
    Abstract: A method to control a portlet associated with a portal page may include deactivating a selected portlet in response to operating a deactivation feature. The method may also include reactivating the selected portlet in response to operating a reactivation feature. The method may also include freezing a portlet content in the selected portlet in response to deactivating the selected portlet. The method may further include disabling hyperlinks, buttons and other inputs to the selected portlet in response to deactivating the selected portlet. The method may further include reconfiguring a portal server to ensure that a portlet content of a selected portlet cannot be affected while the selected portlet is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick R. Guido, Robert C. Leah, Paul F. McMahan, Wayne B. Riley
  • Publication number: 20110029781
    Abstract: A server to implement human response tests of graduated difficulty can suppress access by spambots. The server includes a network interface and a test controller. The network interface connects the server to a network and facilitates electronic communications between the server and a client computer coupled to the network. The test controller is coupled to the network interface. The test controller implements a human response test with a level of difficulty on the client computer in response to an access request by the client computer. The level of difficulty of the human response test is dependent on a determination whether the access request is deemed to originate from a spambot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason T. Clark, Ami H. Dewar, Robert C. Leah, Nicolas E. Poore, Peter C. Yim
  • Patent number: 7853883
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling where dynamically-added content will be positioned within the layout of a content aggregation view (e.g., for controlling where content that is created by a portlet will be rendered within a portal page). In preferred embodiments, weighting values are assigned to the portlet, and these values are used to determine the portlet's relative placement. The values may be assigned at development time, at deployment time, and/or at run time. Using disclosed techniques, content placement is more predictable and consistent, and related content can be grouped together when rendered even though that content is not simultaneously rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Guido, Steven P. Kim, Robert C. Leah, Paul F. McMahan