Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090064000 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PRODUCTS TO AUTOMATICALLY COMPLETE a GUI TASK - Automatically completing a GUI task. Exemplary embodiments a method including providing a user configurable auto-completion application operating in the background of a computer operating system and executing on a computing device, the auto-completion application monitoring and archiving user activities, wherein certain actions by the user are parsed and indexed, analyzing the parsed and indexed actions of the user to determine at least one of relationships, user interactions, user statistics, various states of the user's actions over time, and images or video of the user's interaction to create an index of the user's typical interactions with the system and providing a fast-forward functionality based on the index such that a tree structure is presented to the user on a display device of the computing device, the tree structure indicating the user's current state in the system and one or more future states the user typically takes based on a past act. | 03-05-2009 |
20090119306 | TRANSITIONING OF DATABASE SRVICE RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIVE TO SERVER FAILURE IN A PARTIALLY CLUSTERED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - A facility is provided for transitioning a database service from a failing, primary server to another server of a computing environment including a plurality of servers, at least some of which have a common database service capability, but not commonly replicated supporting databases. The facility includes, responsive to detection of failure at the primary server, selecting another server of the plurality of servers to function as database service backup for the primary server, updating at least one configuration file of the computing environment to indicate that the another server is to function as database service backup for the primary, failing server, and dynamically creating at least one database structure at the another server. The dynamically created at least one database structure supports the database service backup function at the another server and corresponds to a database structure of a database supporting the database service at the primary server. | 05-07-2009 |
20090132864 | CLUSTERING PROCESS FOR SOFTWARE SERVER FAILURE PREDICTION - Embodiments of the present invention allow the prevention and/or mitigation of damage caused by server failure by predicting future failures based on historic failures. Statistical data for server parameters may be collected for a period of time immediately preceding a historic server failure. The data may be clustered to identify cluster profiles indicating strong pre-fault clustering patterns. Real time statistics collected during normal operation of the server may be applied to the cluster profiles to determine whether real time statistics show pre-fault clustering. If such a pattern is detected, measures to prevent or mitigate server failure may be initiated. | 05-21-2009 |
20090141047 | VIRTUAL WORLD COMMUNICATION DISPLAY METHOD - A method for displaying an instant message within a text box visible to a first avatar in a virtual world is disclosed. The instant message is sent from a second avatar to a third avatar. The method includes determining a distance within the virtual world between the first avatar and at least one of the second avatar and the third avatar, assigning a distance reduction factor to a word of the instant message based upon context of the word, and multiplying the distance by the distance reduction factor to thereby define a logical distance of the word. The logical distance is compared to a threshold value and a display option is selected for the word based upon the comparison. The instant message is displayed within the text box with the word having the selected display option. | 06-04-2009 |
20090178048 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPOSITION OF STREAM PROCESSING SERVICE ENVIRONMENTS - A system and method for composing a stream servicing environment which considers all stakeholders includes identifying service component requirements needed for processing a data stream, and determining available service elements for processing the stream. Feasible service environments are constructed based upon the available service elements and the service component requirements. Efficiency measures are computed for each feasible service environment considering all stakeholders. A best service environment is determined based upon the efficiency measures. | 07-09-2009 |
20090178137 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURELY PROCESSING SENSITIVE STREAMS IN A MIXED INFRASTRUCTURE - A system and method for securely processing sensitive streams in a mixed infrastructure includes analyzing a stream to determine data sensitivity. A likelihood that processing elements employed to process the stream would result in a risk to sensitive information is determined. At least a portion of the data stream having sensitive information is transferred to a secure processing environment to ensure security of the data stream during processing. | 07-09-2009 |
20090234948 | Using Multiple Servers to Divide a Virtual World - Embodiments of the invention provide a method for distributing data from within a virtual world to multiple hosts. In one embodiment, primary areas within the virtual world may be hosted on servers controlled by the provider of the virtual world. At the same time, some areas within the virtual world may be controlled by a second party and hosted by a secondary server. In the virtual environment, an interface may be provided to access the area controlled by the second party. | 09-17-2009 |
20090235191 | Method for Accessing a Secondary Virtual Environment from Within a Primary Virtual Environment - Embodiments of the invention provide a method for distributing data from within a virtual world to multiple hosts. In one embodiment, primary areas within the virtual world may be hosted on servers controlled by the provider of the virtual world. At the same time, some areas within the virtual world may be controlled by a second party and hosted by a secondary server. In the virtual environment, an interface may be provided to access the area controlled by the second party. | 09-17-2009 |
20090241049 | METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR IMPLEMENTING AUTOMATIC AVATAR STATUS INDICATORS - The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a means for the simulating of real world activities within a virtual environment. Information retrieved from locally executing applications (e.g., such as a screen saver, voice over IP phone system, etc.) or sensor information is utilized to deliver messages from a client application to the virtual environment in order to put an avatar in a state that visually indicates that a system user is busy. | 09-24-2009 |
20090254533 | Methods, Systems, and Articles of Manufacture for Distribution of Search Metadata - Embodiments of the invention are generally related to metadata describing users accessing a network and network content. Each user may have a user profile comprising a list of user tags describing the user. Each item of network content may include a list of content tags describing the item. When a user selects an item of network content, one or more tags from the user profile may be added to the list of content tags for the item. In some embodiments, one or more tags from the list of content tags may be added to the user profile. Therefore, over time and access by multiple users, a comprehensive list of tags describing user profiles and network content may be developed. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254534 | Methods, Systems, and Articles of Manufacture for Managing Search Metadata - Embodiments of the invention are generally related to metadata describing users accessing a network and network content. Each user may have a user profile comprising a list of user tags describing the user. Each item of network content may include a list of content tags describing the item. Each user tag and content tag may have an associated weight value. When a user selects an item of network content, weights of one or more user tags of the user profile and one or more content tags may be adjusted based on the selection. In some embodiments, the tags may be removed based on the weight values so that only tags relevant to the user profile and network content remain. | 10-08-2009 |
20090299667 | Qualifying Data Produced By An Application Carried Out Using A Plurality Of Pluggable Processing Components - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for qualifying data produced by an application carried out using a plurality of pluggable processing components. Qualifying data produced by the application includes: receiving, by an application manager, quality metrics for one of the pluggable processing components; determining, by the application manager, a component quality rating for the pluggable processing component in dependence upon the quality metrics; and assigning, by the application manager, a data quality rating to application data for the application in dependence upon the component quality rating for the pluggable processing component. | 12-03-2009 |
20090300154 | Managing performance of a job performed in a distributed computing system - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing performance of a job performed in a distributed computing system, the distributed computing system comprising a plurality of compute nodes operatively coupled through a data communications network, the job carried out by a plurality of distributed pluggable processing components executing on the plurality of compute nodes, that include: identifying a current configuration of the pluggable processing components carrying out the job, the current configuration specifying a current distribution of the pluggable processing components among the compute nodes; identifying a network topology of the plurality of compute nodes in the data communications network; receiving a plurality of performance indicators produced during execution of the job; and redistributing, to a different compute node, at least one of the pluggable processing components in dependence upon the current configuration, the network topology, and the performance indicators. | 12-03-2009 |
20090300404 | Managing Execution Stability Of An Application Carried Out Using A Plurality Of Pluggable Processing Components - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for managing execution stability of an application carried out using a plurality of pluggable processing components. Managing execution stability of an application includes: receiving, by an application manager, component stability metrics for a particular pluggable processing component; determining, by the application manager, that the particular pluggable processing component is unstable in dependence upon the component stability metrics for the particular pluggable processing component; and notifying, by the application manager, a system administrator that the particular pluggable processing component is unstable. | 12-03-2009 |
20090300624 | Tracking data processing in an application carried out on a distributed computing system - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tracking data processing in an application carried out on a distributed computing system, the distributed computing system including a plurality of computing nodes connected through a data communications network, the application carried out by a plurality of pluggable processing components installed on the plurality of computing nodes, the pluggable processing components including a pluggable processing provider component and a pluggable processing consumer component, that include: identifying, by the provider component, data satisfying predetermined processing criteria, the criteria specifying that the data is relevant to processing provided by the consumer component; passing, by the provider component, the data to the next pluggable processing component in the application for processing, including maintaining access to the data; receiving, by the consumer component, the data during execution of the application; and sending, by the consumer component, a receipt indicating that the consumer component received the data. | 12-03-2009 |
20090300625 | Managing The Performance Of An Application Carried Out Using A Plurality Of Pluggable Processing Components - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for managing the performance of an application carried out using a plurality of pluggable processing components, the pluggable processing components executed on a plurality of compute nodes, that include: identifying a current configuration of the pluggable processing components for carrying out the application; receiving a plurality of performance indicators produced during execution of the pluggable processing components; and altering the current configuration of the pluggable processing components in dependence upon the performance indicators and one or more additional pluggable processing components. | 12-03-2009 |
20090319915 | METHOD FOR SPELL CHECK BASED UPON TARGET AND PRESENCE OF AVATARS WITHIN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - The exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to the dynamic activation and deactivation of a spell check feature option for instant message chat session features within a virtual environment. As such, the spell check feature can be activated and deactivated within the virtual environment based upon the identity of an engaged party to chat session or the identities of other parties that are in proximity to the chat session parties within the virtual environment. | 12-24-2009 |
20100011352 | Matching Plugins to Users - A method of matching one or more software plug-ins to a user, the method including: defining one or more trigger events based on one or more actions of an application; monitoring a use of the application for the one or more trigger events; generating a suggestion of one or more plug-ins based on the use of the application; and generating a notification including the suggestion. | 01-14-2010 |
20100023799 | DETERMINING CORRECTNESS OF JOB PLANS IN A STREAM PROCESSING APPLICATION - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for determining the correctness of similar job plan segments in a stream processing application. In one embodiment, a job manager may be configured to identify similar job plan segments based on data formats, functionality, and surrounding processing elements. The job manager plan may be further configured to determine whether the similar segments provide inconsistent results, and if so, to determine which of the inconsistent similar segments is invalid. The job manager may identify an invalid processing element included in the invalid segment. The job manager may also perform corrective actions to address the invalid processing element. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026715 | Image Capture and Buffering in a Virtual World Using Situational Measurement Averages - A technique is disclosed for detecting photo opportunities within a virtual environment. In response to detecting a photo opportunity, images of the virtual environment may be captured from perspectives not limited to the user's viewport. A variety of physiological and virtual world parameters are measured to determine when to capture an image of a user interacting with the virtual environment. To improve the quality of images, these parameters may be individually weighted by factors specified by the user. Captured images may be stored in a temporary buffer space, possibly replacing older images. The user may view the buffer contents and select ideal images to move to a permanent gallery. The user's image selections can in turn be used to further improve the quality of future images. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026716 | Image Capture and Buffering in a Virtual World - A technique is disclosed for detecting photo opportunities within a virtual environment. In response to detecting a photo opportunity, images of the virtual environment may be captured from perspectives not limited to the user's viewport. A variety of physiological and virtual world parameters are measured to determine when to capture an image of a user interacting with the virtual environment. To improve the quality of images, these parameters may be individually weighted by factors specified by the user. Captured images may be stored in a temporary buffer space, possibly replacing older images. The user may view the buffer contents and select ideal images to move to a permanent gallery. The user's image selections can in turn be used to further improve the quality of future images. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030804 | Synchronization of Locations in Real and Virtual Worlds - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for synchronizing virtual locations to real locations. In one embodiment, data sources are monitored to detect events that affect real locations. A filter specified by an owner of the virtual location may be used to detect keywords indicating events affecting a particular location. In the event that such events are detected, the owner may be notified to modify the virtual location to match the real location. Optionally, the virtual location may be automatically modified to match the real location. | 02-04-2010 |
20100037152 | Presenting and Filtering Objects in a Virtual World - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for filtering and presenting elements of an immersive virtual environment. The elements may be filtered according to importance to the user, based on user-specified importance of each element, the number and type of past interactions with the elements, and the like. Further, the filtering may be performed on the basis of the user's preference for density of element presentation. The user may then be presented with a view of the virtual world in which elements having a higher degree of interest to the user are highlighted visually, and in which elements having a lesser degree of interest to the user are made partially transparent or invisible. | 02-11-2010 |
20100070884 | Dynamically Linking Avatar Profiles Within a Virtual Environment - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for linking user profiles within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, a group is dynamically formed based on one or more criteria, including interactions, movements, history, viewports, friends lists, and the like. Once the group is formed, a group profile may be generated by, e.g., aggregating the individual user profiles of the group members. The group profile may control the interaction of the group members with the virtual world, thus providing a uniform and consistent experience for all group members. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070885 | Linking Avatar Profiles Within a Virtual Environment - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for linking user profiles within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, a group is dynamically formed based on one or more criteria, including interactions, movements, history, viewports, friends lists, and the like. Once the group is formed, a group profile may be generated by, e.g., aggregating the individual user profiles of the group members. The group profile may control the interaction of the group members with the virtual world, thus providing a uniform and consistent experience for all group members. | 03-18-2010 |
20100121810 | BROWSING WITHIN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT TO DETERMINE WEB CONTENT OF INTEREST BASED ON INTERACTIONS WITH VIRTUAL OBJECTS - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for integrating web browsing with a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment. In one embodiment, characteristics describing a user's web browsing history may be used to identify objects that are of interest to the user. The objects of interest may be matched to objects included in a virtual environment. The virtual objects may then be presented to the user within an interface to the virtual environment. In another embodiment, characteristics of user interactions with virtual objects may be used to determine related web content. The related web content may be presented to the user in a web browser. | 05-13-2010 |
20100122182 | BROWSING WITHIN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT TO DETERMINE VIRTUAL OBJECTS OF INTEREST BASED ON INTERACTIONS WITH WEB CONTENT - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for integrating web browsing with a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment. In one embodiment, characteristics describing a user's web browsing history may be used to identify objects that are of interest to the user. The objects of interest may be matched to objects included in a virtual environment. The virtual objects may then be presented to the user within an interface to the virtual environment. In another embodiment, characteristics of user interactions with virtual objects may be used to determine related web content. The related web content may be presented to the user in a web browser. | 05-13-2010 |
20100180214 | Predatory Behavior Detection and Alert in Virtual Worlds Based on Spatial and Temporal Criteria - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar. | 07-15-2010 |
20100180215 | Detecting Avatar Following in a Virtual Environment - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a user from being followed by an avatar within an immersive virtual environment. To detect a following avatar, any avatars within a specified range of the user may be identified. Historical data may then be examined to determine if any of the identified avatars has been in the same recent virtual locations as the user. In order to rule out coincidental movements, the likelihood of both avatars being in the same places at the same time may be evaluated. Further, the following avatar may be tested by transporting the user to another location, and then monitoring to determine whether the following avatar also transports to the same location. Upon confirming that the following avatar is actually following the user, avoidance actions may be performed in order to avoid the following avatar. | 07-15-2010 |
20100198653 | OBJECT ORGANIZATION BASED ON USER INTERACTIONS WITHIN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for arranging virtual objects within an immersive virtual environment. In one embodiment, avatar characteristics, viewport/display characteristics, and object/location characteristics may be analyzed to determine a degree of visibility of various locations within a virtual space to a user. Further, past user interactions within the immersive virtual environment may be analyzed to determine which portions of the user's viewport, when including virtual objects that are offered for sale, are most likely to result in a sale to the user. A set of virtual objects may then be assigned to locations within the virtual space based on the determined visibility to the user, past purchases by the user, and characteristics of the virtual objects. | 08-05-2010 |
20100245257 | Directional Audio Viewport for the Sight Impaired in Virtual Worlds - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for presenting a virtual world to sight-impaired users. In one embodiment, the user may indicate an area of focus within the virtual world. The user may then be provided with audio descriptions of objects or avatars included within the area of focus. The descriptions may be provided at varying levels of detail, enabling the user to “zoom in” on particular items of interest. Further, the user may select an audio description to navigate an avatar to the location of the corresponding object. | 09-30-2010 |
20130097642 | AGGREGATION OF MULTIPLE MEDIA STREAMS TO A USER - A media stream aggregation mechanism receives and analyzes multiple media streams and creates an aggregate media stream output based on user preferences. In this manner a media provider that uses the media stream aggregation mechanism potentially may provide a customized presentation to each user based on user preferences. By providing the aggregation of multiple media streams to a user, the user's experience is customized according to user preferences. | 04-18-2013 |
20130104058 | SUGGESTION OF USER ACTIONS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT BASED ON ACTIONS OF OTHER USERS - Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for suggesting actions to users of an immersive virtual environment based on previous user actions within the virtual environment. Generally, characteristics of actions performed by various users of the virtual environment may be stored in a searchable actions index. Subsequently, the actions index may be used to suggest actions based on similarity of the stored characteristics to those of a current user and/or actions. The suggested actions may be presented to the user as graphical indications visible within the user's view of the virtual environment. | 04-25-2013 |