Francis L Fitzpatrick

US Patent:

58322680, Nov 3, 1998

Filed:

Dec 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/569521

Inventors:

James B. Anderson - Austin TX
Francis L. Fitzpatrick - Austin TX
Charles B. Harvey - Austin TX
Adrienne Tin - Ridgefield Park NJ
James R. Wason - Tuxedo NY

International Classification:

G06F 940

US Classification:

395701

Abstract:

A Complex Object class is provided for grouping hierarchically unrelated objects, i. e. objects which are unrelated to each other as parent and child objects, into Complex Objects in an object oriented computing environment. Each Complex Object includes a Complex Object Member frame, containing pointers to associated hierarchically unrelated objects, and Complex Object methods for performing actions on the hierarchically unrelated objects as a group. Accordingly, an object manager can send action messages to the Complex Objects to perform actions on the associated hierarchically unrelated objects using the associated Complex Object methods. As a result, customized programming for defining and utilizing Complex Objects is greatly reduced.

US Patent:

60061995, Dec 21, 1999

Filed:

Dec 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/815654

Inventors:

Robert L. Berlin - Mableton GA
Craig Alfred Bloszinsky - Matthews NC
William Edwin Bruner - Austin TX
Francis Lionel Fitzpatrick - Austin TX
Joseph Edward Hein - San Jose CA
Donald Roy Johnson - Austin TX
Barry Edmund McCaa - Marietta GA
Bharath Natarajan - Marietta GA

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1521

US Classification:

705 26

Abstract:

A method and system are provided for automating validation and payment within a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system having a number of trading partners linked via an independent (or proprietary) communications network utilizing an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Planned orders for production items generated via a Materials Requirement Planning (MRP) system and/or orders for non-production items are utilized by a purchasing system to create a purchase order which is then transmitted to a supplier via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). A planned receipt list of items is created based upon the purchase order and utilized to validate those items listed within an advanced ship notice. In response to such validation, or after correcting any discrepancy in accordance with listed tolerances, an authorization for payment is automatically generated and payment is issued. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic funds transfer request is automatically sent to a financial institution authorizing a fund transfer.

US Patent:

54993652, Mar 12, 1996

Filed:

Aug 4, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/101618

Inventors:

James B. Anderson - Austin TX
Francis L. Fitzpatrick - Austin TX
William M. Hans - New City NY
Charles B. Harvey - Golden CO
Herman Mitchell - Lithonia GA
James R. Wason - Tuxedo NY

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1730
G06F 1750

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling versions of selected objects in an object oriented computing system includes a common logical key attribute in each version of an object, which is used to identify all versions of an object. The object frame of each version also includes a unique combination of an insert sequence attribute and an extract sequence attribute. The unique combination of insert sequence attribute and extract sequence attribute allows the selection of a unique version of an object based on time. In order to select one or more versions of an identified object, a version time is converted into a selection sequence value. The selection sequence value is then compared to the insert sequence attributes and extract sequence attributes in order to select at least one of the versions of the selected objects. Each version may also include a perspective attribute for providing another selection criteria for selecting one or more versions of an object.