Patents by Inventor Steven M. Miller

Steven M. Miller 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: 7620896
    Abstract: A method for displaying a slide show containing an outline that follows the progression of the user's presentation comprising a Configuration Program (CP) and an Intelligent Agenda Program (IAP). The CP allows the user to configure the intelligent agenda of the present invention. When configuring the display options, the user can configure the expansion of the outline on the intelligent agenda, limit the number of displayed lines in the intelligent agenda, and limit the topics displayed on the intelligent agenda. The IAP runs whenever the user runs the presentation program associated with the present invention. The IAP displays the outline according to the expansion configuration and modifies the outline based on the configuration limitations defined by the user. The intelligent agenda tracks the user's progression through the presentation and indicates to the audience the contextual location of the current topic in the presentation outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Miller, Priyanka Jain
  • Publication number: 20090213067
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to user interfaces and provide a novel and non-obvious system for interacting with a computer via a projected image. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a projector for generating a projected image onto a surface, wherein the projected image corresponds to a first image on a display of the computer. The system further includes a sensor for sensing a human interaction with the projected image and generating a first information representing the human interaction and a transmitter for transmitting the first information to the computer. The system further includes a program on the computer that receives the first information and translates it into a second information representing a human interaction with the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lydia M. Do, Steven M. Miller, Pamela A. Nesbitt, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Publication number: 20090157610
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for applying a graphical hierarchical context in a search query. A Hierarchical Context Ordering (HCO) utility monitors receipt of a search string entry. Upon detection of the search string entry, HCO utility determines at least one search result that is associated with the detected search string entry. Responsive to receipt of a selected search result, HCO utility identifies existing hierarchical placement information associated with at least one of the selected search result and at least one duplicate result of the selected search result. At least one of the selected search result and the at least one duplicate result is outputted within a topical hierarchy containing the hierarchical placement information. According to another embodiment, prior to the outputting step, at least one non-relevant topic from the existing hierarchical placement information is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Allen, JR., Jana H. Jenkins, Steven M. Miller, Jennifer M. Raisig
  • Publication number: 20090150822
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for scrolling in a document having multiple columns. A method for scrolling in a page of a document having multiple columns, includes: displaying a plurality of the columns in a display window; associating a different scrollbar with each of the plurality of displayed columns; and selectively enabling a synchronous or independent operation of each of the scrollbars; wherein in synchronous operation, a use of any of the scrollbars results in a corresponding scrolling of the page within the display window, and wherein in independent operation, a use of a selected one of the scrollbars results only in a corresponding scrolling of the column of the page associated with that scrollbar within the display window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Steven M. Miller, Lloyd W. Allen, JR., Jana H. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20090147025
    Abstract: A method of modifying sporting event participant decorations displayed on a fiber optic “Turf TV” playing surface based on multiple real-time factors. A decoration utility calculates a direction of movement of a player or object in proximity to the playing surface, which is configured to display images, during a live sporting event. The utility adds a graphical aura to a real-time graphical image displayed in proximity to the player on the playing surface. The utility animates the aura in response to wind and/or noise in proximity to the playing surface. The utility modifies the aura based on pre-defined custom attributes, penalties, errors, and/or player status. If the player moves, the utility adds a graphical player trail to the image. The utility also adds a graphical object trail that includes previous locations of an object. The object trail may also include spin and a visual appearance corresponding to an object height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: TRAVIS M. GRIGSBY, Steven M. Miller, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Publication number: 20090144233
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing automotive image capture and retrieval. An image manager receives an image from a vehicle-mounted camera. The image manager determines, based on a set of preferences, whether to store the image. In response to storing the image, the image manager associates at least one form of metadata with the image, wherein the at least one form of metadata includes global positioning system (GPS) coordinates at the time of image capture, speed of a vehicle at the time of image capture, direction of travel at the time of image capture, and user annotations. In response to receiving a query for the image, image manager presents the image to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Travis M. Grigsby, Steven M. Miller, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Publication number: 20090132937
    Abstract: Enabling end users to modify hover help provided for an application's user interface. An end user can tailor the application-provided hover help information to his own needs by editing thereof, or by providing a complete replacement therefor. A copy of the originally-provided hover help may be retained, and may be restored (e.g., upon user request).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Allen, Jr., Jana H. Jenkins, Steven M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090132919
    Abstract: Enabling end users to add their own hover help to extend hover help that is provided in a user interface, without having access to the code of the application. An end user can extend the application-provided hover help information to make it more helpful or tailored to his own needs. The originally-provided hover help is retained, and may be rendered in addition to the user's appended hover help. Or, by specifying that the user-provided hover help is displayed in the same location as the originally-provided hover help, the user-provided hover help can be rendered such that the originally-provided hover help is at least partially obscured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Allen, Jr., Jana H. Jenkins, Steven M. Miller
  • Patent number: 7532714
    Abstract: A method for discrete communication with a meeting speaker during a teleconference, comprising receiving a soft mute request and blocking other teleconference participants from hearing any sound from the soft mute participant. A discrete voice message to the meeting speaker from the soft mute participant is received and converted to text representation, which is outputted for viewing by the meeting speaker or other party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Miller, Travis M. Grigsby, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Patent number: 7519472
    Abstract: Aggregated navigation system data can be used by an artifact repository to infer the presence of a static traffic artifact. Static traffic artifact can include traffic lights, traffic signs, special traffic zones, railroad crossings, and the like. Metric data collected from multiple global positioning systems (GPS) devices can provide sampling data for inferring a static traffic artifact on a road. Metrics can include driving behavior, travel direction, velocity, timestamps, delay, and the like. For example, if thirty percent of the data collected about an intersection indicates drivers come to a stop at an intersection, the system can infer a traffic light exists at the intersection. Each traffic artifact can have an associated confidence factor which can indicate the degree of accuracy of the inferred artifact. Confidence factor can be increased or decreased based on the re-evaluation of sample data for the artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Travis M. Grigsby, Steven M. Miller, Daniel E. Morris, Lisa A. Seacat
  • Publication number: 20090089673
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing a persistent display of hover assistance elements in a user interface. A user interface (UI) containing hover assistance elements is selected and a persistent hover assistance manager is used to simultaneously display all hover assistance elements in a viewable area of the UI. The hover assistance elements, with their respective hover assistance values, are then persistently displayed proximate to their corresponding UI elements. Hover assistance elements are selectively removed from persistent display and then selectively returned to persistent display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Allen, JR., Jana H. Jenkins, Steven M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080291021
    Abstract: A method for determining availability of a conference room is disclosed. The method comprises transporting a mobile device into a conference room by a user wherein the conference room has an RFID tag, a conference room number, and is identified in a reservation system. The method further includes utilizing the mobile device to retrieve a conference room number by scanning the RFID tag within the conference room. Next, the mobile device is utilized to query the reservation system. The method further comprises determining whether the conference room is currently reserved. Next, the mobile device is utilized to alert the user if the reservation system indicates that the conference room is currently reserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kulvir S. Bhogal, Steven M. Miller, Robert Peterson, Lisa Anne Seacat
  • Publication number: 20080250478
    Abstract: Public access to a network is provided through wireless access points, which may simultaneously support secured network access; in preferred embodiments, the access points are routers (such as “WiFi” routers). Accordingly, a router is configured with a public access profile (or profiles), which may be selectively enabled or disabled. When enabled, the router sends out an identifier that can be used to associate a client device with a public (i.e., unauthenticated) access path through the router to a network. The router also sends out a conventional identifier that can be used to associate another client device with a secured (i.e., authenticated) access path through the router, where the public and secured access paths are usable simultaneously by clients of the router.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Steven M. Miller, Sudhakar Nagarajan, Mark E. Peters
  • Publication number: 20080168242
    Abstract: A computerized method, program product, and an autonomic data processing system for archiving real-time log data immediately upon the occurrence of an event. An application is executing and a logging application is obtaining real-time log data. The real-time log data is temporarily retained in a memory and when the memory fills, the real-time log data is archived to a longer-term memory. Upon archival, selected parameters of the real-time log data is saved. When an event occurs that is considered significant meaning that an aspect of the data processing system is impacted by or is indicative of the event, an information level module immediately adjusts the level of information of the selected parameters archived to the longer-term memory, allowing for selected levels to be retained for future analysis. As part of an autonomic computer system, the information levels can be adjusted for learning about specific events and the behavior of the data processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
    Inventors: Andrew M. Eberbach, Daniel E. Jemiolo, Steven M. Miller, Balan Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20080168308
    Abstract: A computerized method, program product, and an autonomic data processing system that oversees real-time log data acquired by a logging application of an executing computer program. In response to an event occurring, the logging application communicates the occurrence of the event to an event correlation engine, and invokes a window-resizing module. If the event is part of a symptom of processing problems developing, then the window-resizing module immediately expands the amount of real-time log data that is retained in temporary memory to include not log data including the event but also log data during the time duration of the symptom. In conjunction with a information level module, the granularity or level of information of the log data that is archived increases immediately upon the event so that not only is more time of the log-data but also a higher information level of the log data is saved for symptom analysis and verification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
    Inventors: Andrew M. Eberbach, Daniel E. Jemiolo, Steven M. Miller, Balan Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20080066174
    Abstract: An electronic memory device configured to store and transfer data with a host device via a memory device connector and a mating host connector is disclosed. The electronic memory device includes a memory storage, a plurality of key buttons disposed upon the memory device, and a display disposed upon the memory device. The plurality of key buttons is configured to allow entry of a security code comprising a plurality of fields, and the display configured to display the security code. The memory device is configured to allow data transfer to or from the memory storage in response to entry of the security code, but to prevent data transfer to or from the memory storage prior to entry of the security code and in response to disconnection of the memory device from the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080032687
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of managing missed calls providing a calling party, who initiates a call that is not pick-up by a called party (i.e., intended recipient), the autonomy to retain or delete telephone number of calling party in phone registered on the called party phone as caller identification (ID) through a mobile service provider (MSP) of a telecommunications network. The method may be implemented as part of a telecommunication system or as part of a computer program. Also, provided is a method and system for calling party to create annotation in a mobile service provider system parenthetical information for called party to retrieve or to alert called party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Mathewson, Steven M. Miller, Anandha S. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20080003961
    Abstract: An apparatus for scanning radio waves including a scanner in operable communication with a radio receiver, the scanner further including a monitor module configured to scan a plurality of radio waves in real time. The monitor module is further configured to extract audio samples containing information. The scanner further includes a memory module in communication with the monitor module. The memory module is configured to receive the extracted audio sample data from the monitor module. The memory module is further configured to store the extracted audio sample data. The scanner further includes an audio analyzer module in communication with the memory module. The audio analyzer module is configured to analyze the extracted audio sample data and classify the extracted audio sample data into a particular content category. The scanner further includes a content aggregation module and a second memory module communicating with the content aggregation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Victor A. Acuna, Lee Nee, Steven M. Miller, Omar E. Perez, Jamie E. Rivera-Cordero
  • Publication number: 20070283272
    Abstract: A computer-implementable method, system, and computer program product that creates a podcast template within a portal definition environment is presented. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: creating a standard two-dimensional portal page; and rendering a one-dimensional portlet from the standard two-dimensional portal page to create a podcast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: David L. Kaminsky, Steven M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20070283270
    Abstract: A visual presentation system and method for synchronizing presentation data being viewed in a display with speech input. A system is disclosed that includes: a speech recognition system for recognizing speech input; an association system for determining a context of the speech input and matching the context with a relevant portion of the presentation data; and a visual coordination system for coordinating the display of a data item from the presentation data based on a match made by the association system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: ANNE R. SAND, Steven M. Miller