Patents by Inventor Robert C. Weir

Robert C. Weir 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).

  • Publication number: 20080162642
    Abstract: A method and system for filtering instant messages. The instant messages can be received and filtered using multi-factor rules. The multi-factor rules can be associated with a recipient profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohamed Bachiri, Chenita D. Daughtry, Robert C. Weir, Carol S. Zimmet
  • Publication number: 20080162200
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for reducing a financial impact of click fraud are presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, the steps of: testing a sample of click events for fraudulent clicks of the PPC link, wherein the testing of the sample of click events for fraudulent clicks is directed to detecting fraudulent non-human clicks of the PPC link; and in response to a percentage of clicks failing the testing being greater than a pre-determined tolerance level, reducing a charge for clicks of the PPC link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20080163128
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for defeating clickbots are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Sean Callanan, Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20080154824
    Abstract: A method and system for autocompletion of multiple fields in electronic forms that generates “inference networks” (Bayesian networks), and evaluates them to suggest likely options for user selection while filling out fields in corresponding electronic forms. The disclosed Bayesian networks are generated and evaluated based on a broad set of information. The information used by the disclosed system for generating an inference network includes form previously selected field values. The information used in the disclosed system to evaluate an inference networks while a current instance of a given form is being filled out includes values previously entered by a current user into preceding form fields, and values of ambient variables that are external to the forms, such as current day of the week, current time of day, etc. When the inference network is evaluated in this way, posterior probabilities are determined for values of fields not yet filled out in the current form instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Robert C. Weir, Asima Silva, Ping Wang
  • Publication number: 20080148338
    Abstract: A system for preventing on-line violations of open meeting regulations and similar laws, in which one or more special classes of users are defined for an electronic communication system. The definition of each special class may include quorum requirements, including the number of group members that make up a quorum for that special class. Users are registered to use the communication system, and indications are stored as to whether each user is a member of a special class. Users identified as members of special classes may be reminded of the restrictions on communications using the communication system arising from that special class membership. When a user composes a message for posting or sending through the communication system, the user's identity is checked to determine whether they are a member of a restricted special class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Robert C. Weir, Diane Weir
  • Publication number: 20080140784
    Abstract: A plurality of senders can be specified for a message. A message associated with a first sender can be created. A second sender can be associated with the message. The first sender and the second sender can be included in an originator portion of the message. The message can be send to a recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20080133571
    Abstract: The behavior of a messaging system can be modified. A message from a sender can be received. A determination can be made that the message is associated with a workflow. A position of the sender within an organizational hierarchy can be identified. The workflow associated with the message can be initiated according to the position of the sender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20080077465
    Abstract: One or more RFID tags may be read. An electronic document associated with the RFID tag may be identified. One or more attributes associated with the electronic document can be identified. One or more workflows can be determined according to the attribute(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian C. Schimpf, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 7290206
    Abstract: A system for providing document conversion services that uses XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language). A document type definition (DTD) defines tags and attributes for document conversion services, and includes a number of global variable definitions. Each “convertor” tag defines a document conversion filter, using a “filter” tag contained within it. Within each convertor tag, multiple input and output tags describe the capabilities of the convertor, and can be used to define the input document types and output document types for the associated filter. The filter tag can have a “class” attribute or the like, that may be used to provide a fully qualified class name for the filter. A “remote” tag defines whether the conversion for an associated filter is performed on an identified remote server computer system. The global variables are visible to all the convertor entities and may be used to activate logging of activities for various purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Wang, Robert C. Weir