Request Expert

He has worked in the field of artificial intelligence since 1971. In automated planning and problem solving, he developed highly efficient methods for state-based search, and invented what is now termed “modern” or “partial-order” problem solving. He conceived of and managed a major project that performed data retrieval from a distributed database using a natural language front end. He subsequently managed a project to adapt this technology to run on a personal computer. This was the first successful Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project that passed through all three phases and resulted in the formation of a successful business – Symantec. He conceived and managed development of a specialized artificial intelligence programming language used to create one of the first expert systems as well as applications in computer-aided design. He pioneered the practical application of artificial intelligence, managing development of the first general industrial machine vision system, and the first computer-networked robot. He managed the development of several successful commercial expert system applications in automated configuration, process management, and equipment diagnosis, and creation of two leading programming tools for developing rule-based expert systems. He has served as a litigation consultant and expert witness on five cases involving artificial intelligence technology.

He has conceived of and led development of successful products in machine vision systems, industrial robotics, file management, expert system development tools, assistive devices for people with aphasia, data visualization, document management, business intelligence, integrated conferencing, data center energy management, and real estate marketing. Five of these product categories entailed transfer of technology from government-funded research groups. Activities in support of these product development projects included product conception, targeted basic and applied research, organizing, operating, or contracting for focus groups to assess and improve product concepts, market research, competitive analysis, prioritization of product features, product management, development and management of product roadmaps, organization and operation of user groups, recruitment and management of multidisciplinary development teams, and establishment of processes and teams for quality assurance.

He has served as a consultant and expert witness in 23 patent disputes regarding expert systems, mobile phone technology, automated configuration, video games, web services, Internet marketing, data integration, secure processing, and application servers, 1 case involving misappropriation of intellectual property, and 4 cases involving performance under contract for enterprise software products, web site development, and consulting services. He performed patent claim analysis, infringement and invalidity analysis, prior art research, technical analysis of commercial software systems, assessment of professional standards in consulting work. He prepared expert reports and expert declarations, was deposed for over 150 hours, testified before judge, arbitrator, special master, and three times before a jury.

He has provided advice on Intellectual Property to numerous clients, helping to identify patentable aspects of their offerings, to assess the value to the business of filing and prosecuting patent applications, and to develop broad and defensible patents. He is an inventor of eightissued US patents and three US patent applications covering an interactive data graphics generator, an expert system for visualization – automatically generating data graphics from data, consumer-selected advertising, a monitoring and surveillance device configured as a light switch, and a system for ranking real estate parcels by their likelihood of selling in a given time period. Together with his co-inventors of one patent, he organized an LLC to purchase rights to the application from a client and develop it into a portfolio sold for $2.5 million. In collaboration with patent attorneys he has authored several patent applications.

He has decades of experience in managing basic and applied research and development, and in coaching clients involved in these activities. He has personally led R&D groups in automated planning, natural language processing, distributed databases, expert systems, machine vision, industrial robotics, medical devices, game platforms, and data visualization. He has coached and consulted for R&D managers working in telecommunications, network management, K-12 education software, document management, ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) applications for web site monitoring and business intelligence, messaging software, and data center management.

He was a designated computer software expert for the defendant in a patent infringement case concerning software for automated configuration of computer systems. He reviewed prior art, the plaintiff's pre-critical-date sales contracts and sales activity, and product source code. He performed claims analysis, authored expert reports, was deposed, authored rebuttal reports, attended depositions of other witnesses as an adviser, and testified at trial before a jury.He was a designated computer software expert for the defendant in a patent infringement case concerning automated process control in manufacturing. He reviewed prior art, performed claims analysis, authored expert reports and declarations, was deposed, and testified at a tutorial related to the Markman hearing.He was the defendant's designated computer software expert in a case concerning the alleged failure of a software developer to adapt its supply chain automation system to a customer's business within schedule, budget and technical specifications. He reviewed extensive software project documentation and identified material deviations from the customer's contractual commitments for the project. He prepared expert reports and served as a testifying expert witness.He was a designated computer software expert for the defendant in a patent infringement case concerning software for automated configuration. He reviewed prior art and the plaintiff's pre-critical-date sales contracts and sales activity. He performed claims analysis, authored expert reports and declarations, authored rebuttal reports, and was deposed.He served as Acting Chief Technical Officer (CTO) for a developer of business graphics software. He co-founded the company, conceived the initial product, and recruited a technical team comprised of Windows programmers, graphic designers, and computer game developers. He released the first product within 8 months of company launch. He recruited a permanent CTO, developed two successful US patent applications, and helped raise over $4 million in equity funding.