Patents Issued in March 31, 2015
  • Patent number: 8997005
    Abstract: A method and system for conducting a chat session with multiple chat members. The chat system receives chat comments from the chat members. The chat system attempts to identify a topic or subject of the chat comment. The chat system may then retrieve product or product category advertisements relevant to the identified topic. The chat system then effects the display of the chat comment along with the retrieved advertisements to each chat member. The chat system thus dynamically recognizes the topic of chat comments and displays relevant additional information along with the chat comments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilliard B. Siegel, Ashish Agrawal, Ezra Cooper, Robert Frederick
  • Patent number: 8997006
    Abstract: An external system (e.g., a website) is associated with an event and includes an interface that allows users to interact with streams of content associated with a social networking system. The interface allows a user to provide posts about the event via the interface, where the posts are displayed in the interface and also in a social networking interface on social networking system in connection with the user and other users associated with that user. The user can view, via the interface on the external system, posts from all users that are provided via the interface (e.g., everyone watching the event), thereby increasing the likelihood that the posts are relevant to the event. The user can also view, via the interface, posts from users associated with the user via the social networking system (e.g., friends of the user), regardless of where those are posted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Whitnah, Peter Deng, Arieh Steinberg, Lior Abraham
  • Patent number: 8997007
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for a for indicating user availability comprising providing for display at a first client device, graphical representations associated with one or more users available to participate in a synchronous communication session that enables communication between different client devices, receiving, from the first client device, a selection of the graphical representations to engage with at least one second client device corresponding to the selected graphical representations in the synchronous communication session, and responsive to receiving the selection of the graphical representations, coupling the first client device to the synchronous communication session, wherein coupling the first client device to the synchronous communication session allows the first client device to communicate with at least the second client device associated with the at least one selected graphical representations, wherein at least the second client device is coupled to the synchronous
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Scrymgeour Bennett, Ujjwal Singh
  • Patent number: 8997008
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for constructing and manipulating a Graphic User Interface (GUI), comprising retrieving from a data repository first GUI data representing at least (i) an entity, (ii) attributes of an entity, (iii) a manipulatable scale associated with a respective attribute; constructing on a screen the GUI including converting the first GUI data into displayable GUI data which include at least the entity, its attributes and for at least one of the attributes a manipulatable scale and displaying the displayable GUI data; enabling a user to perform on the GUI a manipulation of at least one manipulatable scale of a respective attribute giving rise to manipulated displayable GUI data; converting the manipulated displayable GUI data into second GUI data representing at least one data record; and using the at least one data record or portion thereof for operations in the data repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pelicans Networks Ltd.
    Inventors: Leon Waisbein, Yaron Finkel
  • Patent number: 8997009
    Abstract: A computing system environment comprises an improved pointing device (IPD) coupled to a computer having a computer display with an interactive user interface (IUI), all having a persistent theme and/or motif. The persistent theme is one that is based on and/or correlates to the aesthetic design of the IPD, which can be one of a plurality of distinct shapes of an animal, insect, mascot, among others, that can be associated with a particular persistent theme. The determined persistent theme can be optionally extended to the surface pad on which the IPD rests and to the exterior casing/skin of the computer cover. When the IPD and computer are operating with a persistent theme, such as with the IUI operating as a screen saver, the Enhanced Selection Buttons (ESBs) of the IPD can be configured to manipulate visual and other aspects of the IUI, including controlling a character within the IUI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Paul L. Bechtel
  • Patent number: 8997010
    Abstract: A user interface device which displays an operation key in a display unit using a predetermined design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Motosugi, Jiro Goto, Shin Ohba, Masayuki Ito, Kana Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8997011
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a component library stores representations of audio/video components, the representations of audio/video components corresponding to physical audio/video components that are available for inclusion in a system. A configuration workspace is provided into which a selected plurality of representations of audio/video components from the component library are placed to indicate their inclusion in the system. A drawing tool may be used to draw connections between particular ones of the selected plurality of audio/video components in the configuration workspace. Further, a configuration compiler may determine one or more realized services that the system is capable of providing based on the selected plurality of audio/video components and the drawn connections between particular ones of the selected plurality of audio/video components, and may display to the user indications of the one or more realized services that the system is capable of providing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Silva, Robert P. Madonna, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Bryan S. Bonczek, David M. Benvenuti, Arthur A. Jacobson, Nicholas J. Cipollo, Gerald W. Shields
  • Patent number: 8997012
    Abstract: An acquisition unit acquires, via a communication unit, presence information including status information indicating the status of execution of an application from a separate information processing device. A status image generation unit refers to the status information and determines a display mode for presenting the status of execution of the application to a user. The status image generation unit determines a display mode of a mark to indicate whether the user can participate in a session of an application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Aonuma, Yasutaka Miwa, Masayuki Kasai, Nobukazu Koyama
  • Patent number: 8997013
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical user interface comprising a first graphical keyboard comprising a first plurality of keys. The method further includes determining, based at least in part on an input context, to output a second graphical keyboard comprising a second plurality of keys, and outputting, for contemporaneous display with the first graphical keyboard, the second graphical keyboard. A character associated with at least one key from the second plurality of keys may be different than each character associated with each key from the first plurality of keys. The method further includes selecting, based at least in part on a first portion of a continuous gesture, a first key from first graphical keyboard, and selecting, based at least in part on a second portion of the continuous gesture, a second key from the second graphical keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thad Eugene Starner, Nirmal Patel, Shumin Zhai
  • Patent number: 8997014
    Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises a data receiving unit, a display, a selection receiving unit and a controller. The controller is configured to acquire the content summary information via the data receiving unit and to control the display to display a plurality of titles included in the acquired content summary information with scrolling in a single line. The controller is further configured to accept a first selection and to determine a first selected title which is displayed when the first selection is inputted. The controller is still further configured to control the display to display a list of a plurality of titles of content summary information acquired from the external server. Moreover, the controller is configured to accept a second selection received via the selection receiving unit and determine a second selected title among the plurality of titles displayed in the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Inada
  • Patent number: 8997015
    Abstract: When it is discriminated by an input-means determining unit 8 that an input to display unit is a first input by a pen, a function of an application 3 allocated in advance to an area on a screen of the application 3 specified by an input coordinate of first input means determined by an input-position determining unit 11 is executed on the basis of the first input. When it is discriminated that the input to the display unit is a second input by a finger, the execution of the function of the application 3 allocated in advance on the screen of the application 3 is prohibited and a predetermined function not allocated to the area on the screen of the application 3 is executed on the basis of the second input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Kenta Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8997016
    Abstract: A method, device, or medium may display an electronic document in an electronic window. An electronic pane may be displayed over a portion of the electronic document. Objects may be displayed in the electronic pane. The electronic pane and the object in the electronic pane may be associated with a location in the electronic window and/or a location in the electronic document and the electronic pane moved according to movements of the electronic window and/or electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 79 LLC
    Inventor: Joon Maeng
  • Patent number: 8997017
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to affixing a first window to a top layer of a stack of overlaid windows in a user interface, and making one or more portions of the first window transparent. One or more portions of one or more additional windows below the first window in the stack of overlaid windows become visible through the one or more portions of the first window. Some embodiments are further directed to directing a focus for user input to the one or more additional windows below the first window while the first window remains affixed at the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Stecher
  • Patent number: 8997018
    Abstract: A method for presenting a menu. A first menu level of a hierarchical menu structure is displayed in a one-dimensional list. A second menu level of the hierarchical menu structure is displayed in the one-dimensional list, wherein the second menu level is dependent on a selectable item of the first menu level and wherein items of the first menu level are contiguous and items of the second menu level are contiguous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventor: Yi-Hsun E. Cheng
  • Patent number: 8997019
    Abstract: A method of operating a display device of a vehicle is provided on which information is representable in list form with a number of list entries, while the display device size is given and the type and font size are predefined. Each list entry has a second number of maximally representable characters. For the first number of list entries currently to be represented on the display device, it is determined whether, in each case, two mutually successive list entries each have a number of characters that is greater than the second representable number. In the affirmative case, the representable second number of characters of the mutually successive list entries is compared with respect to distinctiveness. When an indistinctiveness is determined, a distinctiveness of these two list entries will be established on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Daude, Alexandre Saad, Thorsten Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8997020
    Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of user interactions with an electronic device. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced interface to a user. A method of providing user interaction using a compact status indicator is described. A method for providing a virtual scroll wheel to a user for interaction with content sets is described. A method for allowing a user to dynamically modify a scalable user interface is described. A method for providing gesture based input to a user via a virtual gesture pad is described. A method of providing an interactive graphic search query interface is described. A method for indicating and selecting available content type is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Cheryl Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling
  • Patent number: 8997021
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, parallax and/or three-dimensional effects are added to thumbnail image displays. In at least one embodiment, such effects are applied in a manner that causes the thumbnail images to appear to respond to their display environment. For example, a parallax effect can be applied that responds to current cursor position, scroll position, scroll velocity, orientation of the display device (detected, for example, by position- and/or motion-sensing mechanisms), and/or any other environmental conditions. As another example, thumbnail images can be refocused, and/or a viewpoint for an image can be adjusted, in response to a user clicking on or tapping on particular elements within such images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Lytro, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Kai Liang, Michael Knott, Mugur Marculescu, Jason Wilson, Yi-Ren Ng
  • Patent number: 8997022
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing analytical information. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of providing code for a multi-selection widget. The widget includes multiple user-selectable controls aligned on a grid. The multiple user-selectable controls include a first set of one or more controls that are each associated with a different instance of a first level reporting period. The multiple user-selectable controls further include a second set of two or more controls that are each associated with a different instance of a second level reporting period that are shorter than the instances of the first level reporting period. The actions further include receiving a user selection of at least one control of the first set and at least one control of the second set and providing analytical information based on the user selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Visual BI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Gopal S. Krishnamurthy, Jayaraman Anantharaman
  • Patent number: 8997023
    Abstract: A user initiated move action can be detected on a selected graphical object on a flowsheet within a rendered canvas of a graphical user interface. During the user initiated move action, based a predetermined threshold distance between the selected graphical object and the other graphical objects, candidate graphical objects are identified from the other graphical objects. Provided at least one candidate graphical object is identified, at least one proposed connection is visually presented between the selected graphical object and the candidate graphical object in a contrasting visual style to a style for established interconnections between the plurality of graphical objects within the rendered canvas. Upon the user confirming the proposed connection, a new established connection is visually presented in a canvas final state to replace the proposed connection using the style for established interconnections within the rendered canvas between the selected graphical object and the candidate graphical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCA Inc.
    Inventors: David John Pavan, Samuel Grosvenor Norris
  • Patent number: 8997024
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting an interface to a display device, where the interface represents a view of at least a portion of a graph. The graph is based on a model of a system and includes a plurality of nodes connected by a plurality of links, where at least one node of the graph includes another node. The method includes receiving a command to store a placemarker corresponding to the view and storing the placemarker. The placemarker is selectable to restore the view at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart John Harding Kent, Blair Stuart McGlashan, Jens Kåre Jacobsen, Tyler Edward Gibson, Andrew Jude Byrne, Sadi Sufi Khan
  • Patent number: 8997025
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for folding a document page object are provided. A method for folding a document page object in a graphical user interface using multi-touch gestures includes establishing at least two contact points on a display; moving at least one of the two contact points to create a fold on the document page object; and displaying the folded document page object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Chiu, Chunyuan Liao, Francine Chen
  • Patent number: 8997026
    Abstract: A system and method provide semiconductor fabrication mask creation techniques that align the device features patterned with a first core mask with one or more pad features patterned with a subsequent pad mask. Shapes representing the pad features may be included in the core mask by reducing on all sides, the shape of the pad feature in the core mask by the width of the spacer material. A pad mask then may be created to include a shape of the pad feature that may overlap a portion of the spacer material pattern created by the shape of the pad feature in the core mask. Data sets may be generated from a circuit design to create the masks that may be fabricated with the described techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Sweis
  • Patent number: 8997027
    Abstract: Methods for modifying a layout design of an integrated circuit using model-based retargeting are provided. In one embodiment, a method for modifying an integrated circuit layout design includes providing an initial integrated circuit layout design, correcting the initial layout design for etch-induced lithography errors to generate an etch-corrected layout design, and fragmenting the etch-corrected layout design to generate a fragmented layout design comprising a plurality of fragments. The method further includes performing a bridging condition simulation and a pinching condition simulation on the fragmented layout design and calculating a required movement for at least one fragment of the fragmented layout design based on the bridging condition simulation and the pinching condition simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman Hamouda, Mohab Anis
  • Patent number: 8997028
    Abstract: Impact on parametric performance of physical design choices for transistors is scored for on-current and off-current of the transistors. The impact of the design parameters are incorporated into parameters that measure predicted shift in mean on-current and mean off-current and parameters that measure predicted increase in deviations in the distribution of on-current and the off-current. Statistics may be taken at a cell level, a block level, or a chip level to optimize a chip design in a design phase, or to predict changes in parametric yield during manufacturing or after a depressed parametric yield is observed. Further, parametric yield and current level may be predicted region by region and compared with observed thermal emission to pinpoint any anomaly region in a chip to facilitate detection and correction in any mistakes in chip design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Culp, Paul Chang, Dureseti Chidambarrao, Praveen Elakkumanan, Jason Hibbeler, Anda C. Mocuta
  • Patent number: 8997029
    Abstract: A skew generator unit includes a delay chain. The delay chain is coupled to a clock line that transmits a clock signal. The delay chain generates a skewed clock signal having a unit of delay from the clock signal. The skew generator unit also includes a selector. The selector is coupled to the delay chain and the clock line and may select one of the clock signal and the skewed clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Hutton, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 8997030
    Abstract: An approach is provided in which a model verification system partitions one of a design specification's circuit design properties into multiple unsolved cases. The model verification system then performs property checking on one of the unsolved cases against a corresponding circuit design model, which results in a property checked solved case and a subset of unsolved cases. In turn, the model verification system performs sequential equivalence checking on one or more of the subset of unsolved cases by checking their sequential equivalence against the property checked solved case. As a result, the model verification system stores the cases as sequentially equivalent solved cases and verifies of a portion of the design specification against a portion of the circuit design model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishnan K. Kailas, Hari Mony
  • Patent number: 8997031
    Abstract: In a timing delay characterization method, a signal path between an input terminal and an output terminal of a semiconductor circuit is divided into an input stage, a processing stage, and an output stage. An operation of the input stage is simulated at various input parameter values of an input parameter at the input terminal to obtain corresponding extrinsic input timing delays associated with the input stage. An operation of the processing stage is simulated to obtain an intrinsic timing delay associated with the processing stage. An operation of the output stage is simulated at various output parameter values of an output parameter at the output terminal to obtain corresponding extrinsic output timing delays associated with the output stage. A timing delay data store is generated or populated based on the extrinsic input timing delays, the extrinsic output timing delays and the intrinsic timing delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shaojie Xu, Yukit Tang, Pao-Po Hou, Derek C. Tao, Annie-Li-Keow Lum
  • Patent number: 8997032
    Abstract: Method for input/output (IO) design of a chip, including: according to a signal IO pin sequence and associated driving parameters, sequentially placing a signal IO cell in the IO design associated with each of the signal IO pins; after a signal IO cell is placed, performing a simultaneous switching output (SSO) verification step according to physical layout parameters and locations of the signal IO cells placed in the IO design, so as to check whether an SSO specification is violated; if not violated, continuing to place a signal IO cell of a next signal IO pin; if violated, including a decoupling capacitor, an IO power cell and/or an IO ground cell in the IO design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Global Unichip Corporation, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Hao Chen, Tsung-Ying Tsai, Chao-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 8997033
    Abstract: Techniques for compiling an integrated circuit (IC) design with a computer-aided design tool are provided. The IC design may include multiple dynamic configuration regions that may be updated during runtime without affecting other regions on the IC device. When an IC design is compiled for an IC device, dynamic configuration regions in the IC design are identified. The computer-aided design tool may generate a partial configuration file for each identified dynamic configuration region. Two or more partial reconfiguration files may be combined to obtain a single partial configuration file that may then be used to configure respective dynamic configuration regions on the IC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Yin Chong Hew
  • Patent number: 8997034
    Abstract: Techniques for emulation-based functional qualification are disclosed that use an emulation platform to replace simulation in mutation-based analysis. A method for functional qualification of an integrated circuit design includes receiving an integrated circuit design having one or more mutations. Emulation setup and activation simulation are performed in parallel to maximize computing resources. A prototype board can then be programed according to the integrated circuit design and a verification module. A set of test patterns and response generated by a simulation of the integrated circuit using the set of test patterns are stored in a memory of the prototyping board allowing enumeration of mutants to occur at in-circuit emulation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying-Tsai Chang, Yu-Chin Hsu
  • Patent number: 8997035
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for producing aspects of a generation model. These include a domain model having one or more elements, and templates defined for the elements. The generation model is used to compile a code generator, which can be used to generate code from an input conforming to the domain model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sybase, Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel Kevorkian
  • Patent number: 8997036
    Abstract: A Software Oriented Architecture (SOA)-based integration method for 3D design system comprising the following steps: 1) constructing an SOA integration development system platform comprising four structural layers: application layer, business layer, service layer and resource layer, 2) setting global model data server at the resource layer, and setting a design information integration platform at the business layer; 3) setting multiple pieces of third-party 3D model design system software at the resource layer, encapsulating them into WEB service, and setting the WEB service at the service layer, 4) setting database systems of the multiple pieces of third-party 3D model design system software at the resource layer, connecting the database systems to the global model data server, 5) setting an integration web portal at the application layer, the portal is integrated with sign-in links of the third-party 3D model design system software. A system for implementing the above method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Dongguan Goscien Electrical and Mechanical Technology Services Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Mingke Sun
  • Patent number: 8997037
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for visually modeling architectures or system designs are described. A method may comprise providing an architectural model having a plurality of elements of one or more types. The method may further comprise providing a platform for a user to develop a non-software code query relating to the elements of the model. The method may also comprise executing the developed query to extract one or more of the plurality of elements from the model. The method may additionally comprise populating a diagram with the extracted one or more of the plurality of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin James Cornell
  • Patent number: 8997038
    Abstract: Systems and methods may generate applications for operating platforms. A data source for an application definition may be created, and an object may be mapped to the data source. An application definition may be generated from the data source and object. An operating platform for application publication may be selected from among a plurality of platforms. An application may be generated for the selected operating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: AnyPresence, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bozek, Richard Mendis, Rakesh Rao, Ian Terrell
  • Patent number: 8997039
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises partial fault tolerant stream processing applications. One embodiment of a method for implementing partial fault tolerance in a stream processing application comprising a plurality of stream operators includes: defining a quality score function that expresses how well the application is performing quantitatively, injecting a fault into at least one of the plurality of operators, assessing an impact of the fault on the quality score function, and selecting at least one partial fault-tolerant technique for implementation in the application based on the quantitative metric-driven assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Henrique Andrade, Bugra Gedik, Gabriela Jacques da Silva, Kun-Lung Wu
  • Patent number: 8997040
    Abstract: A system and method for accessing closure variables from a lambda expression in certain program configurations, in which the closure variable is accessed while the closure function is active and the closure variable is within an active runtime frame stack corresponding to an instance of the closure function. In response to entering the closure function, a pointer to each closure variable is stored in a stack pointer table. Each reference to each closure variable from the lambda expression is handled by using the closure variable pointer to locate the closure variable on the runtime stack. Program code may be instrumented to insert invocations to helper functions at locations upon entering the closure function and at each reference to each closure variable from the lambda expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Igor Zinkovsky, Harish Kantamneni
  • Patent number: 8997041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a script management technology. Disclosed are approaches for managing scripts carried out in a script management server, which is connected to a user terminal and which manages script codes. Approaches comprise preparing a plurality of databases including a meta database and a plurality of script databases without necessarily separating physically the two types of databases; designating an active script database by providing the plurality of the original script lists to the user terminal; and storing identifiers of the user terminal and the designated active script database in the meta database, where the plurality of script databases are classified according to script version and each of them manages the original script code and user-specific script code, and the meta database manages a plurality of the original script lists related to the plurality of script databases and a list of user-specific scripts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG CNS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Sik Lee, Jeong Hyun Wi, Hye Kyoung Chon, Joon Ik Lee, Deok Young Hwang, Jung In Park
  • Patent number: 8997042
    Abstract: The current application is directed to flexible and run-time-modifiable implementation of crosscutting functionalities, including code instrumentation, error logging, and other such crosscutting functionalities. These crosscutting functionalities generally violate, or run counter to, modern code-development strategies and programming-language features that seek to partition logic into hierarchically organized compartments and modules with related functionalities, attribute values, and other common features. One feature of the methods and systems for implementing crosscutting functionalities to which the current application is directed is an intelligent switch that can be controlled, at run time, to alter invocation and behavior of crosscutting-functionality implementations, including data-collection instrumentation, error logging, and other crosscutting-functionality implementations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pivotal Software, Inc.
    Inventors: John Victor Kew, Jonathan Travis
  • Patent number: 8997043
    Abstract: In encoding for putting one or more files and/or one or more files in a folder into a single archive file, original hierarchy information and standard hierarchy information generated by converting characters in a special character coding in each file name to characters in a standard character coding are recorded in the archive file. If the character coding used in the original hierarchy information in the archive file cannot be used in the system environment used in decoding, a file name in the standard character coding is generated from the standard hierarchy information and is converted to a character coding that can be used in the system environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Harada, Takehiro Moriya, Yutaka Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 8997044
    Abstract: An approach is provided in which a request is received from a software module to retrieve a value stored in a pre-defined location. Prior to retrieving the value, an override tank is checked for a corresponding override value. When the override tank includes an override value, the override value in the override tank is provided to the software module. When the override tank fails to include a corresponding override value, an actual value is retrieved from a pre-defined storage location and provided to the software module. In one embodiment, the override value is an override system attribute value. In another embodiment, the override value is an override function return value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Farrugia, Michael J. Jones, David Dean Sanner
  • Patent number: 8997045
    Abstract: An integrated development environment (IDE)-based approach for processing/analyzing proposed program code libraries as a replacement for existing program code libraries in a networked computing environment is provided. A set of annotations associated with a set of program code files and a proposed (e.g., new, modified, etc.) program code library are received in an integrated development environment (IDE). It may then be determined whether the proposed program code library is an excluded program code library based on the set of annotations. It may also be determined whether the proposed program code library meets one or more thresholds for replacing an existing program code library. If the proposed program code library is not excluded and meets the threshold(s), the proposed program code library may then be provided to a computer device hosting the IDE (e.g., for implementation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Swaminathan Balasubramanian, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8997046
    Abstract: In one configuration, a program analyzer for comparing a first and second program is disclosed. The analyzer may be stored on tangible computer readable storage media, and configured to be executed by a processor of a computer. Each program may comprise a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a block identifier. The analyzer may comprise a preparation process, a comparison process, a refinement process, a repetition process, and an output process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Delano Paul McFarlane, Christopher Howard Hamilton, Eric Dingle, Sigurôur Eggert Ásgeirsson
  • Patent number: 8997047
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program for dynamically updating code managed by an authorized agent. The method includes executing multiple versions of agent code in system memory. One version of the agent code is executed as an active version and another version of the agent code is executed as an inactive version. Version numbers of the active and inactive versions of the agent code are stored in a reloadable module vector. Client instances previously bound to the inactive version of the agent code are bound to the active version of the agent code after comparing the version numbers of the active version of the agent code and the inactive version of the agent code. A portion of the system memory used by the inactive version of the agent code is deallocated when no client instances are bound to the inactive version of the agent code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Follis, Timothy D. Kaczynski, Matthew J. Sykes
  • Patent number: 8997048
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for profiling a virtual machine on an embedded device. During operation, the system receives an operation-request at a system-level profiler from a virtual machine on an embedded device. The system then records the operation-request in a system-level log. Next, the system sends the operation-request to a native layer on the embedded device. Then, the system receives an operation-response associated with the operation-request from the native layer. The system then records the operation-response in the system-level log. Next, the system sends the operation-response to the virtual machine, thereby facilitating logging of interactions between the virtual machine and the native layer. Note that logging interactions between the virtual machine and the native layer facilitates emulation of the platform independent virtual machine on a second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Omer Pomerantz, David Glushko, Ami Navon
  • Patent number: 8997049
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is disclosed that for debugging errors in software code. According to some approaches, techniques are provided for performing on-the-fly switching from compiled to interpretive debugging for a software program. The test starts with compiled code, and when it needs to stop for debugging, the debugging occurs in interpretive mode. Once debugging has concluded, the execution can switch back to compiled mode. In this way, the debugging activities can achieve the speed and efficiency of using compiled optimized executables, while still being able to allow debugging without performing any recompilations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodion Melnikov, Meir Ovadia
  • Patent number: 8997050
    Abstract: TSQL debug breakpoint interoperability across heterogeneous project systems within an IDE can be provided. A user can set a breakpoint in the user's SQL source code and the breakpoint can be triggered by the code within another project. Breakpoints can be set and triggered within SQL source code tiles that reside in one or more SQL Database projects. Binding of the application project being debugged with one or more SQL Database projects that reside within the IDE session can be automated, SQL artifacts not found in any of the SQL Database projects can be debugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Davis, James D. Laflen
  • Patent number: 8997051
    Abstract: A program stored on a computer-readable medium for self-decommissioning at least a part of a program product is disclosed. The program may include a program code that defines a plurality of functions, a program code that includes a metric for each of the plurality of functions, wherein the metric includes at least a usage pattern and transactions relating to the metric, a program code configured to measure at least one metric, a program code defining a logic relating to the self-decommissioning of a component and/or program, a program code configured to determine decommissioning of the at least a part of the program product based on the logic, and a program code configured to self-decommission the at least a part of the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stuart N. Robertson, Clifton N. B. Triplett
  • Patent number: 8997052
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines a plurality of test cases to test an application and a set of attributes assigned to each test case in the plurality of test cases. The method then calculates a test case risk score for each test case in the plurality of test cases based on the set of attributes associated with each respective test case. The test case risk score quantifies a risk in not executing each respective test case. A subset of the plurality of test cases is selected based on at least a portion of the calculated risk scores. The subset of plurality of test cases is output along with a test plan risk score that quantifies the risk in not executing test cases not included in the plurality of test cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SuccessFactors, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramana Bhagavatula
  • Patent number: 8997053
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method and computer program product that uses abstraction to enable the definition, development and maintenance of testing libraries for both simple and complex user interface controls. The system and method hide the granular details from the test designer while still promoting reuse. Using the system and method, designers can define a library of functionality for common controls that map 1-to-1 with visual controls, which may be re-implemented across many APIs or programming languages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Worksoft, Inc.
    Inventor: Andres Matias Yanes
  • Patent number: 8997054
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method of providing certification. The method includes providing for a software application and applying a set of certification metatags to the software application. The set of certification metatags configured to provide at least one parameter to become certified with the software application. The method also includes querying the set of certification metatags by a second application to determine whether the second application can be certified with the software application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Red Hat, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Huff, Norman L. Faus