Brian J O'Connell

US Patent:

8386329, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Nov 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/295534

Inventors:

Aaron K. Baughman - Silver Spring MD, US
Barry M. Graham - Silver Spring MD, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Research Triangle Park NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06Q 30/00

US Classification:

705 261

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide methods and program products for making a recommendation to a purchaser and/or member of a social network. A first aspect of the invention provides a method of making a recommendation to a purchaser, the method comprising: determining a plurality of features of a first product selected by a purchaser; prioritizing the plurality of features of the first product; and making at least one recommendation to the purchaser, the at least one recommendation being selected from a group consisting of: a second product sharing at least one feature of the first product and a social network connection determined to have purchased another product sharing at least one feature of the first product.

US Patent:

20080204450, Aug 28, 2008

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/679449

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Rick A. Hamilton - Charlottesville VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06T 15/00

US Classification:

345419

Abstract:

A system, method and program product for providing a virtual universe in which unsolicited advertisements are embodied in automated avatars. A system is provided that includes: a registration system for introducing an advertisement avatar into the virtual universe; a targeting system for targeting a user avatar for delivery of advertising content by the advertisement avatar; a movement system for defining how the advertisement avatar is to move within the virtual universe; and an advertisement delivery system for defining how the advertisement avatar is to deliver the advertising content to the user avatar.

US Patent:

20090282075, Nov 12, 2009

Filed:

May 6, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/115706

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

7071041, 707E17009

Abstract:

A system and a method for use in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying offering avatars that may send unsolicited advertisements to receiving avatars is described. The system and method further may allow receiving avatars to reject offerings from such offering avatars. The system and method may utilize reputations of the offering avatars. Receiving avatars may identify spam to the VU system that may record spam information about the identified offering avatar for future processing and may for make the spam information available to other avatars for their use.

US Patent:

20100162403, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/342943

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, 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 21/00

US Classification:

726 26

Abstract:

A system and method in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatars' multimedia characteristics may have a table that stores multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars. It further may have an analysis unit that compares the multimedia characteristics of avatars against the multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon the similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score. Multimedia characteristics include graphics, audio, movement, interactivity, voice, etc.

US Patent:

20100162404, Jun 24, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343125

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, 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 21/00

US Classification:

726 26

Abstract:

A virtual universe system has a system and method for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatar's behavior characteristics through the use of Turing tests. The system may provide a Turing test unit for performing Turing tests and an analysis unit that compares the behavior characteristics of new or newly changed avatars against the behavior characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score.

US Patent:

20100306853, Dec 2, 2010

Filed:

May 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/473817

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Bethesda MD, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Research Triangle Park 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 21/00
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

726 26, 715757

Abstract:

The system monitors activities, movements, and other behavior patterns necessary to determine whether an avatar is a spam advertisement. A storing mechanism stores a “black list” and a black list score consisting of a list of spam avatar identifications (UUIDs) matching avatars that have been flagged as confirmed or suspected spam advertisers. Another mechanism allows the owner to redraw or otherwise re-render a distinguishing mark or other audible signature when an avatar has been detected as being a spam advertiser. Yet another mechanism signals to the owner an offending avatar that they have been added to the black list or had a report filed against them, and a reason as to why (the methods used to identify them). Another mechanism allows for a black listed avatar to be removed from the black list, and scores to be decreased and for the virtual universe and users to utilize the black list and score.

US Patent:

20120130872, May 24, 2012

Filed:

Nov 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/951548

Inventors:

Aaron K. BAUGHMAN - Silver Spring MD, US
Barry M. GRAHAM - Silver Spring MD, US
Brian M. O'CONNELL - RTP NC, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00
G06F 17/30
G08G 1/14

US Classification:

705 32, 3409322, 705 11, 707802, 707E17005

Abstract:

A parking management approach includes associating a payment source with a vehicle identifier. The approach also includes receiving a message indicating initiation of a parking event at a parking location, and updating a parking database to indicate that a vehicle having the vehicle identifier is parked at the parking location. The message includes an identification of at least one of the payment source and the vehicle identifier.

US Patent:

20120290678, Nov 15, 2012

Filed:

May 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/106380

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dawson - Arlington VA, US
Lydia M. Do - Raleigh NC, US
Brian M. O'Connell - RTP NC, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709217

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a dynamic, user-driven service catalog based on real-time inputs by an end-user based on an automated evaluation process. Authorized end-users may directly submit services into the service catalog that are of value to the end-user, his/her peers, departments, groups, etc. Each service is analyzed to determine its viability as it matches an organization's cost and product offerings. This approach allows for more complex IT service models, wherein concurrent service requests can be compared, analyzed, and eventually fulfilled. Specifically, a catalog update tool provides this capability. The catalog update tool includes a plausibility engine configured to receive a request to add a service to a service catalog and evaluate whether the request can be added to the service catalog based on an analysis of system-integrated criteria. The catalog update tool further includes a cost engine to determine a cost for fulfilling the request, and a service request management module configured to add the service to the service catalog based on the analysis of system-integrated criteria and the cost for fulfilling the request.