International Business Machines Corporation

Lenovo (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Brian Jules Jaeger

Douglas Alan Law

Paul Allen Roberts

Shawn Konrad Sremaniak

Selcuk Suat Eren

Thomas S Mazzeo

Nathan J Peterson

Barry Alan Kritt

Joshua Neil Novak

Eric Erhard Blouin

Kuldip Nanda

Nicholas Richard Roberts

For outputting audio based on a user's location, an apparatus is disclosed. A system, method, and program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus for outputting audio based on a user's location includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The processor receives an audible command to output audio and associates the audible command with a particular user. Additionally, the processor monitors a location of the particular user and output audio, based on the command, from a device nearest a location of the particular user.

Outputting audio based on user location

Embodiments of the present invention address the deficiencies of the art in respect to oral cavity medical assessment and provide a method, system and apparatus for mouth disease diagnosis and treatment. In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for scanning an oral cavity can include a mouth guard spreader that has a partially transparent receiving member that defines a receiving cavity, a first spreader portion and a second spreader portion coupled to the partially transparent receiving member. The apparatus further can include an image capture device for capturing images of the oral cavity disposed within the partially transparent receiving member of the mouth guard spreader. The apparatus yet further can include a storage device coupled to the image capture device for storing each captured image of the oral cavity.

System and method to improve mouth disease diagnosis

Creating and managing an editable cache of unsent message fragments during conversations using real-time messaging systems (such as instant messaging, text messaging, chat sessions, and so forth). Using this cache, a user participating in a real-time messaging conversation can cache at least one message fragment, and can then recall selected fragments for review and/or editing (as desired by the particular user) before sending to other conversation participants. Preferably, any unsent message fragment from the cache can be sent, upon request of the user, through a mouse click or keystroke.

Caching message fragments during real-time messaging conversations

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to computing device location and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for visually locating a computing device. In one embodiment of the invention, a computing device location method can include establishing filter criteria grouping different computing devices by common characteristic, wirelessly broadcasting the filter criteria in a discovery request to in range peripheral locators coupled to computing devices, aggregating a list of discovered peripheral locators meeting the filter criteria, selecting at least one of the peripheral locators in the list, and interrogating the selected peripheral locators to retrieve data provided by corresponding ones of the computing devices. Additionally, a display element in each of the discovered peripheral locators can be illuminated upon discovering the peripheral locators. Likewise, a display element can be illuminated in the selected peripheral locators upon selecting the peripheral locators.

Computing device location

Self-contained security for memory devices or, alternatively, for other devices and/or other types of machinery to be protected with user authentication. User authentication occurs within the device itself, enabling access to be physically unlocked when the proper security code is provided. A dialing approach is used, whereby a user rotates a disk-shaped device through a sequence of numbers or other symbols, in a similar manner to rotating the dial of a padlock. The device is inserted into a host device or receptacle (such as a Universal Serial Bus, or 'USB', port), and receives power therefrom.

Self-contained device security

A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for controlling a range of a radio frequency identification tag signal. The process identifies an operative range for the radio frequency identification tag signal of a radio identification tag. The process then selects a set of conductive paths in the radio frequency identification tag corresponding to the desired operative range. The set of conductive paths controls the range of the radio frequency identification tag signal in the radio identification frequency tag.

Controlling radio frequency identification tag signal range

A system and method for coordinating delivery of components to manage solution delivery and installation to customers. When a customer order for components is received, a component tracking device is configured to be placed within one or more pre-designated areas of a customer site. Each component to be shipped to the customer site is tagged with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is associated with the order. The tracking device is used to detect the presence of each component at the pre-designated areas within the customer site. An RFID reader in the tracking device detects the presence of a component by reading the RFID tag on the component. Data about the presence of each component is recorded. An installation team may be notified when the recorded data indicates that a number of components in the order have been detected within the pre-designated areas of the customer site.

On-demand monitoring of component convergence for customer solution integration

An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting whether a device has been opened. A first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is installed in the package, typically during manufacturing. A first component is included in the first RFID tag. The first component modifies a power source to the first RFID tag in response to the package being opened after the first RFID tag is installed. The first RFID tag indicates a first event in response to the power supply being modified.

Monitoring device for detecting opening of packaging

An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting whether a device has been tilted beyond a predefined threshold. A casing is included for temporarily enclosing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is unable to receive an RFID interrogation signal when the RFID tag is enclosed in the casing. The tilting of the device is monitored. In response to the amount of tilt exceeding the predefined threshold, the RFID tag is exposed to radio frequency (RF) signals. The RFID tag receives the RFID interrogation signal when the RFID tag is exposed. The RFID tag transmits a reply RFID signal in response to a receipt by the RFID tag of the RFID interrogation signal. The RFID tag transmits the RFID reply signal only when the RFID tag is exposed which indicates that tilting of the device beyond the predefined threshold has occurred.

Tilt detecting apparatus and method

Apparatus and method is provided for using low cost, passive RF sensor technology such as RFID tags, to determine whether containers or other objects are in a right-side-up orientation. A useful embodiment of the invention is directed to sensor apparatus for use in detecting an improper orientation of a conventional box or container with respect to a substantially horizontal surface. The apparatus includes a structure having two sides formed of plastic in spaced apart relationship, to define an enclosed space within the structure. Selected shielding material attached to the structure shields a specified region of the enclosed space against RF signals, the shielded region being located in the lowest portion of the enclosed space when the structure is in a reference orientation with respect to the horizontal surface. An RFID tag embedded in a disk is positioned in the enclosed space, the disk being sized to move freely within the space. A guide element guides the disk in moving between the shielded region and an unshielded region, when the structure is correspondingly moved between its reference orientation and an improper orientation corresponding to an improper orientation of the container. This allows a signal to be received from the RFID tag when it becomes unshielded, to indicate improper container orientation.

Apparatus and method using a sensor to detect improper orientation of an object

A computer manufacturing system is disclosed. The computer manufacturing system comprises a system under test (SUT), the SUT including a network adapter and a boot loader for loading the appropriate operating system. The SUT further includes a station for receiving customer orders for the SUT, the station including a sequencer. The sequencer obtains a boot selection file for the SUT from a directory. The SUT further retrieves and parses the boot selection file to obtain the operating system image to load and boot until the SUT is configured with the appropriate date. A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides a means for a computer being manufactured (hereinafter called a system under test, or SUT) to boot an operating system without the need for any local media. In addition, it allows the SUT to boot any one of several operating systems as required, depending on the tools being run during that portion of the process. The system in accordance with the present invention allows the operating system to be specified as an attribute of a manufacturing operation. The system in accordance with the present invention can switch between operating systems as required by the operations to be performed as specified by the appropriate personnel.

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Brian Jules Jaeger