Daniel Leonard Hiebert

US Patent:

8453061, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Oct 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/869830

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Zachary Adam Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel Leonard Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757, 715706

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for suggesting actions to users of an immersive virtual environment based on previous user actions within the virtual environment. Generally, characteristics of actions performed by various users of the virtual environment may be stored in a searchable actions index. Subsequently, the actions index may be used to suggest actions based on similarity of the stored characteristics to those of a current user and/or actions. The suggested actions may be presented to the user as graphical indications visible within the user's view of the virtual environment.

US Patent:

8516381, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/712028

Inventors:

Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757, 715706

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for suggesting actions to users of an immersive virtual environment based on previous user actions within the virtual environment. Generally, characteristics of actions performed by various users of the virtual environment may be stored in a searchable actions index. Subsequently, the actions index may be used to suggest actions based on similarity of the stored characteristics to those of a current user and/or actions. The suggested actions may be presented to the user as graphical indications visible within the user's view of the virtual environment.

US Patent:

8516396, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Jan 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/362615

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Ryan K. Cradick - Oronoco MN, US
Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715848, 345 30, 705 9, 705 10

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for arranging virtual objects within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, avatar characteristics, viewport/display characteristics, and object/location characteristics may be analyzed to determine a degree of visibility of various locations within a virtual space to a user. Further, past user interactions within the immersive virtual environment may be analyzed to determine which portions of the user's viewport, when including virtual objects that are offered for sale, are most likely to result in a sale to the user. A set of virtual objects may then be assigned to locations within the virtual space based on the determined visibility to the user, past purchases by the user, and characteristics of the virtual objects.

US Patent:

20090115776, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Nov 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/936230

Inventors:

Surinder S. Bimbra - Rochester MN, US
Derek Lee Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Zachary Adam Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel Leonard Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

International Classification:

G06T 15/00
G06T 1/60

US Classification:

345419, 345530

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of managing content filters within a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment without compromising the visual and interactive integrity of the environment itself. In one embodiment, content may be selectively filtered by dynamically categorizing content within the immersive environment by tracking baseline avatar patterns. Once a pattern is identified between a given content element (i.e., some element of the environment which an avatar may interact with) and avatar interactions (or lack of interactions) with that content element, a filter may be defined and applied to that content element.

US Patent:

20100070884, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/212077

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Ryan K. Cradick - Oronoco MN, US
Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for linking user profiles within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, a group is dynamically formed based on one or more criteria, including interactions, movements, history, viewports, friends lists, and the like. Once the group is formed, a group profile may be generated by, e.g., aggregating the individual user profiles of the group members. The group profile may control the interaction of the group members with the virtual world, thus providing a uniform and consistent experience for all group members.

US Patent:

20100070885, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/212135

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Ryan K. Cradick - Oronoco MN, US
Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715757

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for linking user profiles within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, a group is dynamically formed based on one or more criteria, including interactions, movements, history, viewports, friends lists, and the like. Once the group is formed, a group profile may be generated by, e.g., aggregating the individual user profiles of the group members. The group profile may control the interaction of the group members with the virtual world, thus providing a uniform and consistent experience for all group members.

US Patent:

20100121810, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/268811

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
G06F 3/048

US Classification:

706 54, 715234, 715757

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for integrating web browsing with a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment. In one embodiment, characteristics describing a user's web browsing history may be used to identify objects that are of interest to the user. The objects of interest may be matched to objects included in a virtual environment. The virtual objects may then be presented to the user within an interface to the virtual environment. In another embodiment, characteristics of user interactions with virtual objects may be used to determine related web content. The related web content may be presented to the user in a web browser.

US Patent:

20100122182, May 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/268805

Inventors:

Derek L. Bromenshenkel - Rochester MN, US
Zachary A. Garbow - Rochester MN, US
Daniel L. Hiebert - Pine Island MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715745

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for integrating web browsing with a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment. In one embodiment, characteristics describing a user's web browsing history may be used to identify objects that are of interest to the user. The objects of interest may be matched to objects included in a virtual environment. The virtual objects may then be presented to the user within an interface to the virtual environment. In another embodiment, characteristics of user interactions with virtual objects may be used to determine related web content. The related web content may be presented to the user in a web browser.