Meet The Fellows
learn more about the class of ’13
GO INSIDE THE INVENTIVE MIND
Follow along as we share the passion and anecdotes of IBMers who helped send people to the moon, hatched trillions of barcodes, launched the computer industry and then even taught one to play Jeopardy! They’re just some of the innovations we’ve been working on to build a smarter planet.
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Avoiding green vehicle blackouts of the future, 2012
Another groundbreaking
innovation of the last 20 years
It’s probably not the best idea to run your toaster, microwave, dishwasher, five halogens and hair-dryer at the same time. Unless you enjoy hanging out with your electrician. Soon, though, we may have something else to stick into the wall—the family car. The Prius, Volt and Leaf all point to an electric-vehicle future. And that brings up a nutty little paradox. With millions of plug-in cars on the road gulping down electrons, won’t we actually need more electricity? And won’t it cost more to run them?
IBM’s been thinking about this for a while, and came up with US Patent No. 8,266,075. It’s a quite clever transaction system that combines energy prices, your car’s current battery level, and your own transport needs. Then it delivers up a schedule of charging times and prices. It’ll mean your little EV can grab some lightning bolts wherever there’s an outlet, without breaking the bank—or the world’s energy grid. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the foundation for the fuel network of the future. Now isn’t that an electrifying thought?
Low on cash? Out of stamps? Want to skip to the gate? Good thing for self-service kiosks, another world’s first from IBM.
(Thanks for the photo, Joy!)
Charges only where you are, 2012
Another groundbreaking
innovation of the last 20 years
Today $1,000 cheeseburgers aren’t unheard of at some luxury restaurants and hotels. And while most people wouldn’t dream of it, someone with your stolen credit card information and an expensive bovine habit might have other ideas.
Thankfully IBM US Patent no. 8,229,853 is there to stand in the way of such pricey ground beef capers. By dynamically cross-referencing your credit card with your indicated location and times, cardholders won’t get stuck with the bill for something they didn’t order. Because if you’re left holding the bill, you better be holding the napkin, too.
