Brian John O'Connell

US Patent:

8031595, Oct 4, 2011

Filed:

Aug 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/842214

Inventors:

Neil A. Katz - Parkland FL, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04L 12/26

US Classification:

370230

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method of predicting a future location of a mobile node can include determining a current location of a first mobile node, determining a location of at least a second mobile node, wherein the second mobile node is associated with the first mobile node via a social network, and generating a list including at least one candidate destination determined, at least in part, according to the location of the first mobile node and the location of the second mobile node. For each candidate destination on the list, a probability that the first mobile node is in route to that candidate destination location can be calculated. A candidate destination can be selected, according to the probabilities, from the list as a predicted future location of the first mobile node. The predicted future location of the first mobile node can be output.

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:

8364397, Jan 29, 2013

Filed:

Aug 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/843748

Inventors:

Neil A. Katz - Parkland FL, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G01C 21/00
G01C 21/34
G08G 1/123

US Classification:

701436, 701423, 701431, 701438, 701439

Abstract:

Methods, systems and program products provide pictorial information relevant to a geographic location, through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a user, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to a user in association with geographic locations. Characteristic include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives.

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:

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:

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.

US Patent:

20110055919, Mar 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553501

Inventors:

Michael D. Kendzierski - New York 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 3/048
G06F 21/00
G06F 15/16
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

726 21, 715757, 707E17045

Abstract:

The present invention enables items in a Virtual Universe to be tagged as available for pickup by one or more designated users. The present invention permits a designated user to be alerted that there is an item designated for that user/avatar and available for pick-up at a location in the Virtual Universe. A user may designate another user (or user's avatar), for example, a minor for whom the designating user has responsibility, as an “item” to be tracked. For privacy and other reasons, this and other features may be implemented on an opt-in basis.