Keith E Walker

US Patent:

7518715, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Jun 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/145406

Inventors:

Paul A. Moskowitz - Yorktown Heights 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:

G01J 1/42

US Classification:

356218, 356226, 356229, 340635, 315291

Abstract:

A method for receiving light from a plurality of light sources using an apparatus configured to analyze the time dependence of the light intensity to determine a type of light bulb and light intensity from the plurality of light sources based upon a detected frequency of variation of the light intensity.

US Patent:

7783646, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Jul 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/174726

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, 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 17/30

US Classification:

707751, 707740, 705 10, 705 12, 705 141, 705 26

Abstract:

A system, a method, and a computer readable media for identifying and rating a VU object in a virtual universe are provided. The method includes displaying first and second VU objects in a region of the virtual universe on a display device at a first time for a first user. The method further includes identifying the second VU object which modifies a view of the first VU object. The method further includes inputting first rating information associated with the second VU object that identifies a user perception of the second VU object. The method further includes inputting user view preference information indicating rating information for selecting VU objects to be displayed in the region of the virtual universe to the first user. The method further includes displaying the first VU object in the region of the virtual universe on the display device for the first user at a second time after the first time, while not displaying the second VU object based on both the first rating information associated with the second VU object, and the rating information of the user view preference information.

US Patent:

7792801, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Oct 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/871490

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

707655, 707803, 715757

Abstract:

Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item.

US Patent:

7895278, Feb 22, 2011

Filed:

Jan 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/013525

Inventors:

Jenny S. Li - Danbury CT, US
Brian Marshall O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Keith Raymond Walker - Austin TX, US
Susan Marie Williams - Hopewell Junction NY, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/16
G06F 15/173

US Classification:

709206, 709224

Abstract:

An initial distribution list is dynamically modified using criteria determined from the current entries in the list. After an originator generates a distribution list and prior to submission of the message to entries on the generated list, the method of the present invention examines the entries in the created distribution list. From this list, the invention identifies features of the entries. From these features, the method generates criteria that can be used to generate additional entries that may be included in the list. In one approach, the generated criteria are presented to the user for review and approval. If the originator approves the criteria, the generated list is modified to add additional entries to the distribution based on the generated criteria. If the originator rejects the criteria, the initially generated list is submitted and the message is sent to the entries on the initial list.

US Patent:

7945802, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Sep 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/856526

Inventors:

Paul A. Moskowitz - Yorktown Heights NY, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

713500, 345691, 463 30, 463 31, 463 32

Abstract:

Described herein are processes and devices that intentionally modify time progression rates in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a temporal variation device. The temporal variation device can determine an area, in a virtual universe, in which time progresses at a specific time progression rate. The temporal variation device can modify the time progression rate to be faster or slower in the area. By modifying the time progression rate in the area, rates at which action occur also change in a way that is correlated to the change in the time progression rate. The temporal variation device can maintain areas beyond the borders of the area at a time progression rate that is not modified. Therefore, the temporal variation device can create a relative time dilation between the determined area and other areas in the virtual universe outside of the determined area.

US Patent:

8056121, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Oct 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/924769

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, 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:

H04L 9/32
H04L 9/00
G06F 7/04

US Classification:

726 4, 726 5, 726 6, 726 7, 726 27, 726 28, 713182, 713183, 713184, 713185

Abstract:

A protection mechanism(s) for a virtual universe account maintains integrity of the virtual universe account as well as the virtual universe. An avatar associated with a virtual universe account may be misappropriated and/or used inappropriately by a non-comporting user against the wishes or without the knowledge of the virtual universe account owner. A non-comporting user (i. e. , a user not authorized to use the virtual universe account, an authorized user who misuses a virtual universe account, etc. ) can use an avatar to perform potentially damaging and/or damaging activities in the virtual universe (e. g. , destroy property, impact reputation associated with the virtual universe account, reduce value of the virtual universe account, etc. ) Embodiments of the inventive subject matter detect when a user misappropriates and/or misuses a virtual universe account (i. e. , detects a non-comporting user), and attempts to restore state of the virtual universe prior to the misuse and/or misappropriation.

US Patent:

8161002, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

May 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/128056

Inventors:

Vittorio Castelli - Croton on Hudson NY, US
Steven M. Harrison - Bremerton WA, 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 17/00

US Classification:

707626, 707613, 707619, 707638, 707639

Abstract:

A system, a method and a computer readable media for replicating virtual universe objects are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining a first set of VU objects associated with a first user. The method further includes determining replication priority values for the first set of VU objects utilizing predetermined priority value rules. Each VU object of the first set of VU objects has a replication priority value. The method further includes determining a second set of VU objects from the first set of VU objects based on the replication priority values associated with the first set of VU objects. The method further includes replicating the second set of VU objects from a primary VU computer server to a first device.

US Patent:

8214335, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Jun 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793417

Inventors:

James R. Kozloski - New Fairfield CT, US
Brian M. O'Connell - Cary NC, US
Clifford A. Pickover - Yorktown Heights NY, US
James W. Seaman - Falls Church VA, US
Keith R. Walker - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 17/30

US Classification:

707655, 707803, 715757

Abstract:

Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item.