Brian L O'Connell

US Patent:

8271475, Sep 18, 2012

Filed:

May 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127174

Inventors:

Neal M. Keller - Pleasantville NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707710, 715706

Abstract:

An approach that applies user context to searches in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an enhanced virtual universe search tool that includes a receiving component configured to receive a query from an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. A scanning component is configured to scan a collection of avatar data describing attributes that are relevant to behavioral, search and informational needs of the avatar. A resource search component is configured to return search results for the query that are in accordance with the scanned collection of avatar data.

US Patent:

8352871, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Dec 4, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/328298

Inventors:

Neal M. Keller - Pleasantville NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06Q 30/00

US Classification:

715751, 705 26

Abstract:

A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining.

US Patent:

8386930, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Jun 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/478982

Inventors:

Donna N. Dillenberger - Hawthorne NY, US
Neal M. Keller - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US
Alexander Zlatsin - Yorktown Heights NY, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715706, 715757

Abstract:

Contextual data center management utilizing a virtual environment is described. In one embodiment, there is a data center management tool for managing a physical data center from a representation of the physical data center operating in a virtual universe. The data center management tool includes a data center contextual object component configured to obtain a data center contextual object that describes operational information of the physical data center in the virtual universe. An operational change component is configured to implement at least one operational change to the representation of the physical data center in the virtual universe. The at least one operational change is implemented as a function of the data center contextual object. A management component is configured to manage the physical data center pursuant to a result obtained from implementing the at least one operational change.

US Patent:

20090276707, Nov 5, 2009

Filed:

May 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/113250

Inventors:

John P. Karidis - Ossining NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/048
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

715716, 715753, 709205

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to directed communication in a virtual environment. A method for method for providing directed communication between avatars in a virtual environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining a relative location of a first avatar and a second avatar in a virtual environment; and adjusting an aspect of a communication between the first avatar and the second avatar based on the relative location.

US Patent:

20090300493, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

May 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/127164

Inventors:

Neal M. Keller - Pleasantville NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715706

Abstract:

An approach that facilitates explicit use of user context objects in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a user context object tool that includes a user context object retrieving component configured to retrieve the plurality of user context objects for presentation to the avatar. A user context object selection and modification component is configured to receive a user context object selection and any desired modifications made to the user context object selection. A user context object permissions component is configured to permit the avatar to interact with the virtual universe in accordance with the user context object selection.

US Patent:

20100162136, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/339412

Inventors:

John P. Karidis - Ossining NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Ausstin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757

Abstract:

An invention that degrades avatar appearances in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a degradation tool, including a visual obstruction component configured to: identify an object in the virtual universe as an object of interest, and determine whether a set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to an avatar. The degradation tool further comprises a modification component configured to degrade an appearance of at least one of the set of avatars within the virtual universe if the set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to the avatar.

US Patent:

20100220097, Sep 2, 2010

Filed:

Feb 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/395634

Inventors:

John P. Karidis - Ossining NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06T 15/00

US Classification:

345419

Abstract:

An invention for the alteration of avatar appearances based on avatar population in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a degradation tool, including an identification component configured to count an amount of a plurality of avatars within a region of a virtual universe. The degradation tool further comprises a modification component configured to degrade the appearance of a set of avatars from the plurality of avatars in the virtual universe based on the amount of the plurality of avatars within the region of the virtual universe.

US Patent:

20110055733, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553432

Inventors:

Michael D. Kendzierski - New York NY, US
Brian O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757, 707E17016, 707E17044

Abstract:

The present invention provides a system and method for tagging Virtual Universe items as owned by a particular user and to use such tags to enable users and/or system administrators to locate lost or stolen items in a Virtual Universe. When items identified are located, the user/owners may be notified of the location or missing items; alternatively, the items may be automatically returned to the user/owners' inventories. By enabling differentiation between items that may be lost, stolen, or left intentionally in a Virtual Universe, the present invention addresses difficulties that may arise in managing the various items that populate a Virtual Universe, especially as a Virtual Universe expands or as Multiple Virtual Universes expand and partner with additional Virtual Universes.