| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080198770 | N-WAYS CONFERENCE SYSTEM USING ONLY PARTICIPANTS' TELEPHONY DEVICES WITHOUT EXTERNAL CONFERENCE SERVER - An n-ways conferencing system using only the participants' telephony devices and without an external conference server. A plurality of telephony devices dial in to and report their mixing capability to a connection topology manager. The connection topology manager also determines the location of each telephony device and neighboring telephony device pairs in the conference service, as each telephony device is used for mixing voice signals of its closest neighbors, and calculates a minimum conference traffic delay for each telephony device. The connection topology manager then builds a topology for the conference service based on the mixing capability, location, and minimum conference traffic delay, wherein the connection topology manager distributes a mixing computation in a substantially uniform manner across the plurality of telephony devices. When a change in the network condition is detected, the connection topology manager rebuilds the topology to bypass the change in the network condition. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080205604 | COMPOSITE VOICE APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES USING SINGLE SIGN-ON ACROSS HETEROGENEOUS VOICE SERVERS - A framework is provided to offer composite voice applications and services. A composite application and service begins from the user dialing in via phone and ends by the user hanging up the phone. The composite interactive voice services architecture includes a session initiation protocol session service unit is in the loop of session signaling all the time starting from the time the user first dials in, during the user roaming across various voice servers, and until the end of the composite service when user hangs up the phone. This unit accepts a command and login instruction of the next interactive voice service from the previous interactive voice service. The unit has knowledge of DTMF sequences required for the user to login to next interactive voice service. The session service unit automatically accomplishes a roaming process such that composite applications and services can be achieved across various voice servers. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080226047 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPAM DETECTION - A caller verification system and method include generating a challenge to be sent to a caller which requires a response from the caller prior to accepting a call. A response or lack thereof is determined from the caller, and the response is analyzed relative to an acceptable response to determine whether the caller is acceptable to communicate with. If the caller is acceptable, the call may be accepted. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080235373 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING STATUS CHANGES IN A NETWORK USING VIRTUAL COORDINATE MAPPING - A system and method for scalable status change detection in a network of nodes includes embedding node coordinate positions into a virtual map environment. A cluster of nodes are represented with a representative node to form a hierarchy of nodes and clusters where changes in a status of the representative node imply a status change in the nodes of the cluster. By selectively monitoring the representative nodes for the changes in status, the representative nodes create a capability for scalable monitoring of the network. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080250135 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR MANAGING APPLICATION PERFORMANCE ON A NETWORK - Managing application performance on a network. A network graph is generated from a set of application endpoints on the network. The network graph is annotated by associating one or more of the application endpoints with at least one of a corresponding latency annotation or a corresponding available bandwidth annotation. An end to end plan is formulated from the annotated network graph, wherein the plan maps one or more application requirements onto the plurality of paths in accordance with one or more end to end control adjustments including at least one of a server selection adjustment, an internet service provider (ISP) selector, or an overlay routing adjustment. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080281966 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF NETWORK COMMUNICATION PRIVACY BETWEEN NETWORK DEVICES - A method for network communication privacy between network devices includes communicating first and second network enabled devices with a network, the first and second network devices in communication via a main communication channel. Respective network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices are dynamically and automatically changed while maintaining the main communication channel between the first and second network enabled devices. Subsequent network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices are created in one of a symmetric manner using a secret key or predetermined list shared between the first and second network enabled devices or created in an asymmetric manner. The asymmetric manner includes communicating the subsequent network addresses of the first and second network enabled devices over a back channel separate from the main communication channel. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090043619 | Evaluation of a Process Metric - An exemplary method of responding to a request for a value of at least one metric associated with at least one process includes a step of determining whether responding to the request requires updating the value of the at least one metric. When responding to the request does not require updating the value of the at least one metric, a response is determined based at least in part on at least one stored value of the at least one metric. When responding to the request does require updating the value of the at least one metric, the value of the at least one metric is updated and a response is determined based at least in part on the at least one updated value of the at least one metric. Updating the value of the at least one metric, at least when responding to the request requires updating the value of the at least one metric, includes steps of determining at least one new value of the at least one metric based at least in part on at least one stored value of the at least one metric and storing the at least one new value of the at least one metric. The method also includes a step of responding to the request with the determined response. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090055684 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT PROBLEM RESOLUTION VIA INCREMENTALLY CONSTRUCTED CAUSALITY MODEL BASED ON HISTORY DATA - A system for problem resolution in network and systems management includes a database of trouble ticket data including information fields for checked components and affected components, an automated model builder system that processes the trouble ticket data to construct a causality model to represent causality information between system components identified in the checked component and affected component fields of the trouble ticket data, and an automated problem analysis system that receives information indicative of a problem event and determines a cause of the problem event using the causality model. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090063673 | END-TO-END (E2E) SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT (SLA) COMPLIANCE ACROSS BOTH MANAGED AND UNMANAGED NETWORK SEGMENTS - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e2e SLA support in a network of both manageable and unmanageable portions and provide a method, system and computer program product for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments can be provided. The method can include identifying both a managed segment and an unmanaged segment of an e2e network for a communications path implicated by an SLA, determining an observed delay for the unmanaged segment of the e2e network, computing from a desired delay for the communications path and the observed delay a differential delay, and constraining the managed segment to meet the differential delay in order to assure meeting the desired delay for the communications path implicated by the SLA. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090113031 | Method, Apparatus And Computer Program Product Implementing Multi-Tenancy For Network Monitoring Tools Using Virtualization Technology - Method, apparatus and computer program product manage a plurality of networks with a single tenant network management tool using virtualization and implement control plane virtualization of the single tenant management tool; data storage virtualization of a data storage apparatus and network address virtualization of an available address range. A virtual machine may be implemented for each network of the plurality of networks to contain an instance of the single tenant management tool. In one implementation, a proxy is used to implement data storage virtualization. In another implementation, separate data storage is maintained for each network and data storage virtualization is achieved by managing the network protocol stack virtualization. The network address virtualization may be implemented using machine-level virtualization or operating-system-level virtualization. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090113243 | Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Rule-Based Directed Problem Resolution for Servers with Scalable Proactive Monitoring - Method, apparatus and computer program product are configured to perform computer monitoring activities; to collect information regarding computer system status during the computer monitoring activities; to detect a problem in dependence on the information collected during the computer monitoring activities; and to determine whether to launch a diagnostic probe when the problem is detected. The monitoring activities may be performed on a periodic or event-driven basis. The determination whether to launch a diagnostic probe is based on a rule included in a hierarchy of rules. The hierarchy of rules is based on problem tickets; system logs; and computer system configuration information. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090138101 | Method, System and Computer Program Product for Improving Information Technology Service Resiliency - A method is provided. The method includes the steps of: generating a model of an information technology process, wherein the process comprises a plurality of process steps and wherein the model identifies resources associated with the process; identifying dependencies on the resources for at least one process step or the plurality of process steps; perturbing the model; assessing an impact of the perturbation on the model; and reducing the impact of the perturbation on the model by utilizing at least one remedial action. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090177690 | Determining an Optimal Solution Set Based on Human Selection - An exemplary method of determining a set of optimal solutions for a problem includes the steps of determining a set of probable solutions for the problem; presenting the set of probable solutions to at least one human expert; receiving at least one selection by the at least one human expert of at least one solution from the set of probable solutions; and determining a set of optimal solutions from the set of probable solutions based at least in part on the at least one selection by the at least one human expert. The method may also include steps of presenting at least one of the set of probable solutions and the set of optimal solutions to at least another human expert; permitting the at least another human expert to select at least one solution from at least one of the set of probable solutions and the set of optimal solutions; and determining a set of optimal solutions from the set of probable solutions based at least in part on the at least one selection by the at least one human expert and the at least one selection by the at least another human expert. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090198720 | METHOD FOR CREATING A PROCESS NOMENCLATURE - Techniques for creating a nomenclature to represent one or more groups within a process are provided. The techniques include obtaining a process, wherein the process comprises one or more groups, and creating a nomenclature to represent the one or more groups, wherein the nomenclature facilitates usability of the process in at least one of an operation and design environment. Techniques are also provided for generating a database of one or more processes, wherein each process is represented by a nomenclature. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090262923 | METHOD FOR DISPATCHING SERVICE REQUESTS - Techniques for dispatching one or more services requests to one or more agents are provided. The techniques include obtaining one or more attributes of each service request, obtaining one or more attributes of each agent, obtaining feedback from each of one or more agent queues, and using the one or more attributes of each service request, the one or more attributes of each agent and the feedback from each of the one or more agent queues to determine one or more suitable agents to receive a dispatch for each of the one or more service requests. Techniques are also provided for generating a database of one or more attributes of one or more service requests and one or more attributes of one or more agents. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090276217 | VOIP CALLER AUTHENTICATION BY VOICE SIGNATURE CONTINUITY - There are provided methods and systems for authenticating a user. A method includes receiving a voice signature certificate corresponding to a setup portion of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. The VoIP call further has a voice conversation portion. The voice signature certificate includes a voice signature segment. The method further includes reproducing the voice signature segment to enable verification of voice continuity from the setup portion to the voice conversation portion. The verification is performing by comparing the voice signature segment to a user's voice during the voice conversation portion. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100002864 | Method and System for Discerning Learning Characteristics of Individual Knowledge Worker and Associated Team In Service Delivery - A method and system for measuring the learning ability and productivity of knowledge workers related to the delivery of services in service industry sectors, such as information technology (IT), healthcare and accounting. The method and system applies broadly to service domains that have a strong correlation between the learning ability and skill level of workers wherein the correlation affects the quality of service delivery. Utilizing data mining techniques, the method and system captures, analyzes and benchmarks individual knowledge worker's skill(s) in order to normalize individual service agent proficiencies. The normalized service agent proficiencies allows the relative learning and skill indices of the individual service agents to be determined such that the skills and learning abilities of individual service agents to be determined. The method and system allows best practices and training thresholds to be determined. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004941 | Method and Apparatus for Generating Customized Provisioning Workflows from One Flow Models - A method and apparatus for provisioning customized information technology (IT) service workflows based on selection and concatenation. The method and apparatus matches tasks required to fulfill service requests to existing models and creates alternative service models to perform similar requests. The method and apparatus enables the development of customized run-time workflow and service task artifacts in response to information technology (IT) service requests based on selection and concatenation such that known and alternative workflows are quickly and reliably provisioned. The customized workflows are also compliant with process optimization methods such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen and others. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004967 | Method and System for Generating One Flow Models from Runtime Service Delivery Process - A method and system for generating new abstractions for existing process models and modifying existing process models in order to generate new process models by mining run-time service delivery processes. The method and system also “learns” new abstractions for business process models by modifying existing models. The method and system generates new business process models utilizing an online learning mechanism that mines run-time service delivery processes. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100005469 | Method and System for Defining One Flow Models with Varied Abstractions for Scalable lean Implementations - A method and system for representing one or more families of existing processes in a composite abstraction such that process improvement techniques can be implemented in a more scalable manner. The invention enables abstracting a set of pre-defined process models into a composite model that represents sufficient operational details while being compliant with process improvement techniques such as, but not limited to, Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and others (collectively “lean” techniques). The invention provides the ability to flexibly represent the operational and lean-related information in varied abstraction levels at different stages of the process as and when necessary. The invention provides the ability to dynamically generate and represent process models based on user-selected defining characteristics (or attributes) used for process “family” formation. This allows users to define process models based on a set of customized attributes deemed critical by that particular user, including the ability to prioritize the selected attributes. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100010790 | SYSTEM & METHOD FOR DYNAMIC STRUCTURING OF PROCESS ANNOTATIONS - A plurality of base templates are generated. Each of the base templates models a corresponding process. A plurality of instances of each of the base templates are instantiated. Each of the plurality of instances corresponds to an application of the corresponding process to a particular environment. Each of the instances of each of the base templates is annotated, based, in each case, upon observation of functioning of the instance in the particular environment. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100010791 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING FLEXIBLE ORDERING TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IN PROCESS FLOWS - A plurality of equivalent representations of a process are identified. The process has a plurality of tasks. Each of the representations specifies a different order of the tasks. The plurality of equivalent representations are consolidated into a single representation. The single representation captures, in at least one flexible order grouping, at least two of the tasks that may be performed in more than one order. At least one constraint is specified for the at least one flexible order grouping. Techniques for merging two or more flexible representations are also provided. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100010860 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOCIAL NETWORK ROUTING FOR REQUEST MATCHING IN ENTERPRISE ENVIRONMENTS - A plurality of requests for service are obtained, each of the requests specifying a description of work, at least one constraint, and at least one objective function. Each request is routed to a corresponding first target resource, according to a routing table, in a manner to satisfy the at least one constraint and the at least one objective function. Tracking is carried out to determine whether the first target resource accepts a given request, rejects the given request, or passes on the given request to a second resource. The routing table is updated based on the tracking. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100017244 | METHOD FOR ORGANIZING PROCESSES - Techniques for generating a target process are provided. The techniques include identifying at least one of one or more steps and one or more artifacts within a target process and one or more other processes, pre-fetching the at least one of one or more atomic steps, one or more decision steps and splits and one or more merges to be used in the target process from the one or more other processes, and associating the at least one of one or more atomic steps, one or more decision steps and splits and one or more merges to be used in the target process at one or more decision points to generate the target process. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100115340 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROACTIVE ALERT GENERATION VIA EQUIVALENT MACHINE CONFIGURATION DETERMINATION FROM PROBLEM HISTORY DATA - A method, and system employing the method, initiates proactive maintenance of computer systems and/or devices in a computer network. The method determines the subsystems of the computers and network devices and analyzes their configuration data including their respective subsystems. The method generates maintenance characteristics for the devices, and determines a maintenance event for devices using the maintenance characteristics and the configuration data of the devices. The method initiates a maintenance solution of a device determined to have a problematic configuration. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20110125914 | END-TO-END (E2E) SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT (SLA) COMPLIANCE ACROSS BOTH MANAGED AND UNMANAGED NETWORK SEGMENTS - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e2e SLA support in a network of both manageable and unmanageable portions and provide a method, system and computer program product for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for e2e SLA compliance across both managed and unmanaged network segments can be provided. The method can include identifying both a managed segment and an unmanaged segment of an e2e network for a communications path implicated by an SLA, determining an observed delay for the unmanaged segment of the e2e network, computing from a desired delay for the communications path and the observed delay a differential delay, and constraining the managed segment to meet the differential delay in order to assure meeting the desired delay for the communications path implicated by the SLA. | 05-26-2011 |