Ingrid Patricia Rodriguez

US Patent:

6336101, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Sep 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/159954

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX
Jeffrey Langdon Howard - Austin TX
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06R15300

US Classification:

705 29, 705 8

Abstract:

A user interactive display computer process and program, provided by a distributer of computer components to a seller of computer systems, for configuring computer systems and networks including the computer components. The process involves prompting system purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser using one of said computer systems and networks and then allocating the computer components to the networks and systems based upon said user entries. The quantities of the computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period are tracked and stored. Then, a determination is made as to whether the quantities of components thereby allocated during the time period exceed a selected level and if the level is exceeded, fees due from said seller to said distributer for said process are foregone.

US Patent:

6477436, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Jul 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/118559

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

700 95, 700 96, 700 99, 700100, 700104, 705 8, 705 9, 705 28, 705 29

Abstract:

A system and method for organizing the computer network components, including hardware, software, peripherals and services (i. e. internet and online backup). This, in order to make the creation of a computer network environment more user friendly, highly organized and easy to follow. The present invention is specifically targeted at the small business owner, in order to enable them to efficiently establish their own network system. This system will enable them to run their businesses more productively, with greater ease and less down time. This is accomplished through the use of an effective kit or packaging system containing all the required network components.

US Patent:

6651094, Nov 18, 2003

Filed:

Jul 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/118207

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15177

US Classification:

709222, 709220, 709223

Abstract:

The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating the second phase (i. e. software for which redistribution rights are limited) of a preload image for networks. The reseller is not required to answer numerous and often repetitive prompts for each application, but merely the location of the desired application.

US Patent:

6970832, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282616

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX, US
Jeffrey Langdon Howard - Austin TX, US
Rene Neumann - Austin TX, US
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705 14, 705 26

Abstract:

A distributer of the computer components, which has developed the process for configuring computer systems or networks, provides to the seller or reseller a configuration process comprising a prompting system for computer purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser of one of said computer systems, allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries, and tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers during a selected time period. There is presented to the seller a tiered structure of financial incentive levels offered by the distributer based upon said quantities of allocated computer components and enabling the distributer to dynamically modify the levels of said tiered structure of financial incentives. Further means are included for enabling the seller to offer to the purchasers financial incentives for accepting seller proposed modifications in said allocated quantities of components to thereby permit the seller to reach said incentive levels. With such a configuration system, the distributor, seller and purchasers are afforded the ongoing opportunity to adjust or “tune” their needs in order to maximize their financial benefits.

US Patent:

7006985, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Mar 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282615

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX, US
Jeffrey Langdon Howard - Austin TX, US
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/60

US Classification:

705 26, 705 28

Abstract:

The seller of computer components who has developed the process for configuring computer systems or networks provides a configuration process comprising a prompting system or computer purchasers to make a sequence of interactive data entries, each of said entries relative to the data processing needs of the purchaser of one of said computer systems, allocating said computer components to said computer systems based upon said user entries which are indicative of the system needs solution of that purchaser, and tracking the quantities of said computer components thereby allocated to computer systems sold by said seller to said purchasers. In addition, the invention includes means for applying a set of seller business rules to the tracked quantities of each of said computer components to produce a set of optimized quantities for each of said computer components based on the seller's business needs and means for offering to selected ones of said purchasers modifications in the quantities of selected ones of said allocated components to thereby reconcile said purchasers' system needs solutions with said optimized quantities of said components based upon the seller's business needs. Through the purchasers' cooperation in permitting the seller to make such a dynamic reconciliation of the purchasers' system solution needs with the seller's business needs, the seller is able, through the optimization of profits, to recoup the costs of developing and maintaining the processes for configuring computer systems.

US Patent:

62437453, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Jul 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/118208

Inventors:

Walter William Casey - Austin TX
Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15177

US Classification:

709220

Abstract:

A system is provided for the configuration of operations in a network comprising at least a server computer and a respective plurality of client computers connected to each server computer. The system involves the combination of means for interactively prompting a user to make a sequence of data entries, each of said entries being apparently unrelated to computer operations and covering a demographic aspect of the business environment using the network, and means for allocating network computing components and operations among the computers in the network in response to and based upon said user entries. All of the programming resources which are allocated may be found in the server and the algorithms for allocating and distributing are also on the server. The allocation of programs by the server computer is based upon user profiles for each user developed as a result of the data entries made in response to the above-described prompt panels.

US Patent:

61821314, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Jul 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/118557

Inventors:

Jeffrey Randell Dean - Austin TX
Jeffrey Langdon Howard - Austin TX
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

709222

Abstract:

A data processing system, method, and program product for automating creation of accounts in a network are disclosed. According to the method, an account registry for a first network is accessed in response to a selected input in order to obtain account information including a plurality of usernames. The account information is then provided to an account manager for a second network that, in response to receipt of the account information, automatically creates accounts in the second network for each of the plurality of usernames.

US Patent:

60527196, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

May 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/078934

Inventors:

James Todd Bezanson - Kirkland WA
Yih Herng Chuang - Redmond WA
Ingrid Milagros Rodriguez - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

709220

Abstract:

There is provided a prerecorded stored data file of a sequence of keystrokes and interactive display cursor selections for controlling the subsequent configuration of a network comprising a plurality of server computers and a plurality of client computers. This data file is created by predetermining the components and the programs to be supported by each of said server and client computers in said network and the configuration of said network, making the interactive keystroke and cursor entries required to install said predetermined components and programs on said server and client computers through the display interface of a primary one of said server computers and making the interactive keystroke and cursor entries required for further configuration of said network through said display interface. This sequence of said entries in a recorded data file in said primary server computer.