Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090006110 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING EVENT PARTICIPATION - The invention provides a system and method for monitoring event participation. | 01-01-2009 |
20090091529 | Rendering Display Content On A Floor Surface Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for rendering display content on a floor surface of a surface computer, the floor surface comprised in the surface computer, the surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the floor surface and rendering display output on the floor surface, that include: detecting, by the surface computer, contact between a user and the floor surface; identifying, by the surface computer, user characteristics for the user in dependence upon the detected contact; selecting, by the surface computer, display content in dependence upon the user characteristics; and rendering, by the surface computer, the selected display content on the floor surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091539 | Sending A Document For Display To A User Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for sending a document for display to a user of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering at least two users with the surface computer, the users including a sender and a receiver; allocating to each registered user a portion of the surface for interaction between the registered user and the surface computer; receiving, from the sender, a user selection specifying a document; receiving, from the sender, a sending instruction to send the selected document to the receiver for display; and rendering, in response to receiving the sending instruction, contents of the selected document on the receiver's allocated portion of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091555 | Non-Intrusive Capture And Display Of Objects Based On Contact Locality - Methods, apparatus, or products for displaying an image of an object placed on a surface computer, the surface computer including a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, the surface computer including a scanner, that include: detecting, by the surface computer, an object placed on the surface; identifying, by the surface computer, a region of the surface upon which the object is placed; scanning, by the surface computer using the scanner, the identified region of the surface to create an object image of the object; and rendering, by the surface computer, the object image within the identified region without modifying portions of any other images rendered on the surface outside the identified region. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094515 | Displaying Documents To A Plurality Of Users Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for displaying documents to a plurality of users of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering a plurality of users with the surface computer, the plurality of users including a moderator and a plurality of participants; assigning, to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; selecting, by the moderator for sharing with the plurality of participants, a document stored in the surface computer; rendering contents of the document on the moderator's assigned portion of the surface; and rendering the contents of the document on each of the participants' portions of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094561 | Displaying Personalized Documents To Users Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for displaying personalized documents to users of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering a plurality of users with the surface computer; assigning, to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; selecting a user profile for each registered user; creating, for each registered user from a content repository, personalized display content for that registered user in dependence upon the user profile selected for that registered user; and rendering the personalized display content for each registered user on that user's assigned portion of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099850 | Vocal Command Directives To Compose Dynamic Display Text - Methods, apparatus, products are disclosed for displaying speech for a user of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, the surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering, by the surface computer, a plurality of users with the surface computer; allocating, by the surface computer to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; detecting, by the surface computer, a speech utterance from one of the plurality of users; determining, by the surface computer using a speech engine, speech text in dependence upon the speech utterance; creating, by the surface computer, display text in dependence upon the speech text; and rendering, by the surface computer, the display text on at least one of the allocated portions of the surface. | 04-16-2009 |
20090109030 | USING A PHYSICAL OBJECT AND ITS POSITION ON A SURFACE TO CONTROL AN ENABLEMENT STATE OF A SURFACE BASED COMPUTING DEVICE - The present invention can include a solution for toggling an enablement state of a surface based computing device using a physical object. In the solution, a physical object external to a surface based computing device can be identified, which is able to be placed on a surface of the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can detect a change in a positioning of the physical object relative to the surface. Responsive to the change of positioning, an enablement state of the surface based computing device can be changed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109180 | ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING USERS IN A MULTI-TOUCH SURFACE ENVIRONMENT - Arrangements to identify, in some form, multiple participants by an interactive surface system utilizing multi-touch technology are disclosed. The interactive surface system could identify authorize and allocate space on a surface for a participant based on identifying at least one attribute of the participant such as an object associated with the participant. The method can include searching for a first distinctive attribute of the entity and assigning an identifier to the attribute and storing the identifier for future use the operating the interactive surface based on the participant's identity and location. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119371 | SYNCHRONIZATION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN A COLLABORATIVE MESSAGING ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to question and answer management in a collaborative environment, and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include maintaining an instant messaging session between first and second participants, identifying questions and answers in the instant messaging text, matching each of the answers to a corresponding one of the questions, and displaying the matched questions and answers supplementally to the displaying of the chat transcript, ensuring that a participant does not overlook a question where response on their part is required. | 05-07-2009 |
20090137322 | METHOD FOR STORING DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A VIDEO GAME - A method for storing data associated with a video game is provided. The method includes receiving position data indicative of a position of a wireless input device over a time interval at a video game controller. The method further includes generating a plurality of digital images associated with the video game over the time interval based on the position data, utilizing the video game controller. The method further includes storing a file having the position data and the plurality of digital images in either a central server or the wireless input device, utilizing the video game controller. | 05-28-2009 |
20090147003 | Conversion of Two Dimensional Image Data Into Three Dimensional Spatial Data for Use in a Virtual Universe - Arrangements are disclosed herein that can capture image data reflecting real world objects and/or interactions and convert this data into a format that is usable in a virtual universe (VU). In one embodiment, a method can include receiving sets of image data that capture an object or a setting from different viewing angles. The image can be in multiple data sets where the sets have at least one common feature. The image data can be analyzed using the common features in the image data and a spatial map can be created. The spatial map can be modified (if required) such that a VU engine can use the modified data to provide a VU that has a representation of the real world object and/or interaction. This allows a participant to customize objects and/or activities in the VU, and provide a unique “persona” for their avatar and their VU. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147008 | Arrangements for controlling activites of an avatar - Systems are disclosed herein that allow a participant to be associated with an avatar and receive a transmission from the participant in response to a participant activated transmission. The transmission can include a participant selectable and time delayed mood and/or activity command which can be associated with a user configurable command to avatar activity conversion table. The associated avatar activity table can provide control signal to the VU system controlling the participant's avatar for extended time periods, where the activity commands allow the avatar to exhibit a mood and to conduct an activity. The preconfigured time controlled activity commands allow the user to control their avatar without being actively engaged in a session with a virtual universe client or logged on and the control configuration can be set up such that a single mood/activity control signal can initiate moods and activities that occur over an extended period of time. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150802 | Rendering of Real World Objects and Interactions Into A Virtual Universe - Systems are disclosed herein that can capture image data reflecting real world objects and/or actions and convert this data into a format that, is usable in a virtual universe (VU). Thus, image data representing real world/actual objects and actions can be acquired, converted into virtual universe compatible data, sent to a VU server where the actions and objects can be associated with a virtual area or an avatar, and a recreation of the objects and actions can be displayed to a user in the VU. This allows a participant to customize activities and objects in the VU, and provide a unique “personality” for their avatar and their VU. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 06-11-2009 |
20090158150 | RULES-BASED PROFILE SWITCHING IN METAVERSE APPLICATIONS - A method is disclosed for providing gameplay in a metaverse application in which players interact with each other and a virtual world by controlling characters that are represented using avatars specified by avatar profiles. The method comprises providing a player with an ability to specify and maintain more than one avatar profile for a character controlled by the player; and allowing an avatar representation of the character to be switched between the more than one avatar profile during gameplay. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160780 | SELF-HEALING AND DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN - A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 06-25-2009 |
20090177969 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTENDING A RECORDED EVENT IN A METAVERSE APPLICATION - A metaverse system and method for allowing a user to attend a recorded past event in a metaverse application. The metaverse system includes a client computer, a metaverse server, and a time travel engine. The client computer interfaces with the metaverse application. The metaverse server records an event environment of a past event in a metaverse application. The time travel engine serves, in response to a request from a user, a playback of the recorded event environment to the client computer to allow the user to attend and to observe the recorded event environment. | 07-09-2009 |
20090213067 | INTERACTING WITH A COMPUTER VIA INTERACTION WITH A PROJECTED IMAGE - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to user interfaces and provide a novel and non-obvious system for interacting with a computer via a projected image. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a projector for generating a projected image onto a surface, wherein the projected image corresponds to a first image on a display of the computer. The system further includes a sensor for sensing a human interaction with the projected image and generating a first information representing the human interaction and a transmitter for transmitting the first information to the computer. The system further includes a program on the computer that receives the first information and translates it into a second information representing a human interaction with the first image. | 08-27-2009 |
20090251285 | USING PHYSICAL OBJECTS TO CONTROL ENABLEMENT/DISABLEMENT OF DEVICE FUNCTIONALITY - At least one N-sided physical object proximate to a computing device can be detected. Each side of the N-sided physical object can be associated with at least one enablement state for a functionality of the computing device. A side of the N-sided object that faces a reference plane can be sensed. An enablement state of a functionality of at least one computing device can be programmatically changed to correspond to an enablement state indicated by the N-sided physical object. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251420 | SLIDE BASED TECHNIQUE FOR INPUTTING A SEQUENCE OF NUMBERS FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE - A contact with a point of a touch input component of a computing device can be sensed. A continuous contact from the point to a different point on the touch input component can be detected that is caused by a first slide based motion of a contact instrument maintaining contact with the touch input component. A first input character associated with the slide based motion can be determining based at least in part upon a direction of the slide based motion. A second slide based motion of the contact instrument can be detected from the different point to another point, wherein the contact instrument remains in contact with the touch input component during the first slide based motion, during the second slide based motion, and between the first and second slide based motion. A second input character associated with the slide based motion can be determined based at least in part upon a direction of the second slide based motion. | 10-08-2009 |
20090271716 | System and method for real-time scheduling - A system and method for dynamically scheduling a meeting time in association with an instant messaging client. The system includes a chat server, a grid scheduling server, a local instant messaging client, a remote instant messaging client, and a grid scheduling client. The instant messaging client facilitates a chat session in conjunction with the chat server. The grid scheduling server generates a representation of scheduling information from a scheduling matrix including a list of times arranged transversely to a list of participants to the meeting. The grid scheduling client in conjunction with the grid scheduling server hosts a grid scheduling session in real-time on the local and remote instant messaging clients and schedules the meeting time according to real-time input from participants on the local and remote instant messaging clients. | 10-29-2009 |
20090286598 | System And Method Of Deterministic Teleportation Within A Virtual World - A method for deterministic teleportation within a virtual world, comprising creating and storing an association between a set of user conditions and a set of teleporter exit destinations. When a user engages the teleporter entrance, a user condition set is retrieved from the incoming user. The set of retrieved incoming user conditions is stored and compared to the association. A correct teleporter exit destination is selected from the set of teleporter exit destinations corresponding to a data match between the set of retrieved incoming user conditions and the set of user conditions associated with the exit destination. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292686 | DISAMBIGUATING TAGS IN FOLKSONOMY TAGGING SYSTEMS - Allowing users of a folksonomy tagging system to use any phrase they feel is relevant to the resource can lead to ambiguities within the system. For example, a user may tag a picture of a gift with the keyword “bow”. Another user may tag a picture of a bow and arrow with the keyword “bow”. This may cause a problem for someone searching with the keyword “bow” when looking for information about making a bow for a gift. The user looking for gift bows does not want to see search results for bows and arrows. Functionality can be implemented in a folksonomy tagging system to disambiguate tags by associating them with definitions. Associating ambiguous tags with appropriate definitions will increase search accuracy for users of folksonomy tagging systems, thus allowing users to find relevant information more efficiently. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292776 | SELECTING EMAIL SIGNATURES - In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a request to append a signature to an outgoing email, wherein the email is addressed from a sender to a recipient. The method can also comprise determining one or more temporal conditions associated with the email and determining one or more social relationships associated with the recipient. The method can also include selecting the signature from a predefined list of signatures, wherein the selecting includes comparing a group of signature rules to the one or more temporal conditions and the one or more social relationships. The method can also comprise appending the signature to the outgoing email and transmitting the email to the recipient. | 11-26-2009 |
20090307345 | AUTOMATED DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT FILTRATION BASED ON RELATIONSHIP MONITORING - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated digital media content filtration based on relationship monitoring. The method determines a plurality of user relationships based at least in part on an online association between a user and a content producer. The method monitors each user relationship with each content producer for a relationship interaction between the user and the content producer. Furthermore, the method also identifies digital media content published by a content producer having a relationship with the user. A determined relevancy may be based on a strength factor derived at least in part on monitored relationship interactions between the user and the content producer that published the digital media content. The digital media content is presented to the user, with that having a greater relevancy weight having a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from other content producers. | 12-10-2009 |
20100005106 | ASSISTING USERS IN SEARCHING FOR TAGGED CONTENT BASED ON HISTORICAL USAGE PATTERNS - A tagging event can be detected where a software entity is associated with a tag resulting from a user interaction. At least one situational attribute relating to the tagging event can be automatically determined. The one or more situational attribute can be stored in a data repository so that the stored situational attribute is associated with the tag. The detecting, determining, and storing can be repeated for a set of different tags, each associated with a software entity. A search of tagged software entities can be conducted. The results of the search can be modified based at least in part upon the stored situational attributes of the tagged software entities. | 01-07-2010 |
20100013676 | PRESENCE RECOGNITION CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES USING A MULTI-TOUCH DEVICE - Controlling external electronic devices using presence recognition through a multi-touch device is provided. An indication of the presence of at least one of an object or a gesture on a surface of the multi-touch device is received. A plurality of characteristics associated with the object or gesture are identified. Using the plurality of physical characteristics, a data structure is searched to determine the existence of a single object or a single gesture with characteristics that matches the plurality of characteristics. Responsive to a match, a determination is made as to whether the single object or the single gesture has an associated function. Responsive to the existence of the associated function, the associated function is executed on one of a plurality of external electronic devices. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020365 | METHOD OF PRESSURE DETECTION FOR SELECTIVE SCANNING OF A DOCUMENT - A method of scanning comprises detecting a document on a scanning device scanning surface, and detecting pressure on the scanning device scanning surface to scan a region of the document. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036888 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING TAGS - A method and system manage one or more tags for an item. The tags reside in a datastore. The method and system include associating the tag with at least one expiration condition and determining whether the at least one expiration condition has been met. If the expiration condition(s) have been met, then corrective action is taken for the tag while retaining the at least one item. | 02-11-2010 |
20100037141 | ENHANCING USER INTERACTION BY DISPLAYING IMAGES FROM A NETWORK - In a user-interactive method and system, a display application for enhancing user interaction over a network is provided. The method includes receiving preference information from a first user, the preference information indicating at least one type of image the first user wishes to view. In response to a network interaction being established between at least the first user and a second user, the method further includes retrieving a plurality of images associated with the second user based on the preference information. The method further includes displaying the plurality of images based on the preference information. | 02-11-2010 |
20110055175 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGEMENT OF MEDIA OBJECTS - A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for tracking media object data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include storing usage data for a media object which is used in a first message. The usage data indicates historical usage of the media object by a user. The operations also include recalling the stored usage data for the media object in response to associating the media object with a second message. The operations also include communicating to the user the stored usage data corresponding to the media object prior to sending the second message with the media object to a recipient. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060744 | Method and System for Dynamic Detection of Affinity Between Virtual Entities - A method and system are disclosed for detecting affinity between entities in a virtual universe (VU) using real time access to descriptions prepared from information about objective entities available in VU databases as well as descriptive information made available by the objective entities. Objective entities may be aggregations of virtual entities. Activators for affinity determinations are provided. The information on an objective entity is compared with descriptive information on a VU subject to determine affinity, and corresponding action of the VU subject. In this manner also the comparative affinities of different objective entities may determine actions of the VU subject. | 03-10-2011 |
20110122432 | Scanning and Capturing Digital Images Using Layer Detection - A mechanism for scanning and capturing digital images using document layer detection. Upon detecting a document placed on a scanning surface of a scanning device, the illustrative embodiments identify one or more layers within the document. The illustrative embodiments then scan the one or more layers within the document on a layer by layer basis. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122458 | Scanning and Capturing Digital Images Using Residue Detection - A mechanism for scanning and capturing digital images using residue detection. Upon detecting a document placed on a scanning surface of a scanning device, the illustrative embodiments detect a residue deposited on the document. The illustrative embodiments determine a portion of the document to be scanned based on a location of the residue on the document. The illustrative embodiments then scan the portion of the document. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122459 | Scanning and Capturing digital Images Using Document Characteristics Detection - A mechanism for scanning and capturing digital images using document characteristics detection. Upon detecting a document placed on a scanning surface of a scanning device, the illustrative embodiments identify characteristics of the document. The illustrative embodiments detect that a characteristic of the document indicates the document comprises a defect. A portion of the document to be scanned is determined based on a location of the detected defect. The illustrative embodiments then scan the portion of the document. | 05-26-2011 |
20110126161 | POSITIONAL EFFECTS IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for arranging display elements in a three-dimensional desktop environment. In one embodiment, each display element may include an attribute. A user request may be received to apply the positional effect to the display elements. The positional effect may be applied to the display elements based on the attribute, responsive to the user request. | 05-26-2011 |
20110208419 | ROUTE OPTIMIZATION - In general, the present invention relates to route optimization/prediction. In one embodiment, the present invention provides visibility to future predicted traffic situations, based on all reserved routes in a system at a given point in time. This allows city planners, for example, to know where traffic will be to adjust traffic flow accordingly. Additional value comes into play by being able to calculate and publish aggregated savings from using this system, such as driver time, mileage, and gas. This information may be added to a database and made available to individuals via their GPS. In a typical implementation, a request for a route is received from a requester. Based on the request, an optimized route and a potential position of the requester within the optimized route are determined and then proposed to the requester. The requester can then select an option from the proposal. | 08-25-2011 |
20110282470 | USING RADIO FREQUENCY TUNING TO CONTROL A PORTABLE AUDIO DEVICE - A method for controlling a portable audio device using radio frequency tuning is provided. A radio signal transmitter device communicatively coupled to the portable audio device transmits an audio signal of an audio file on a first radio frequency channel, a forward control signal on a second radio frequency channel, and a backward control signal on a third radio frequency channel to a radio signal receiver device. The portable audio device determines whether an audio output of the forward control signal is received by an audio receiver device. In response to determining that the portable audio device did receive the audio output of the forward control signal using the audio receiver device, the portable audio device plays a next audio file in a play list. | 11-17-2011 |
20120065969 | System and Method for Contextual Social Network Communications During Phone Conversation - An embodiment of the invention includes methods and systems for contextual social network communications during a phone conversation. A telephone conversation between a first user and at least one second user is monitored. More specifically, a monitor identifies terms spoken by the first user and the second user during the telephone conversation. The terms spoken are translated into textual keywords by a translating module. One or more of the second user's web applications are searched by a processor for portion(s) of the second user's web applications that include at least one of the keywords. The processor also searches one or more of the first user's web applications for portion(s) of the first user's web applications that include at least one of the keywords. The portion(s) of the second user's web applications and the portion(s) of the first user's web applications are displayed to the first user during the telephone conversation. | 03-15-2012 |
20120223904 | Self-Healing and Diagnostic Screen - A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 09-06-2012 |
20120331141 | AUTOMATED DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT FILTRATION BASED ON RELATIONSHIP MONITORING - Automated digital media content filtration is performed by establishing automatically, according to a tolerance parameter, a plurality of user relationships, each user relationship based on monitoring an online association between a user and a content producer. Filtration is also performed by monitoring determined user relationships, interacting with a plurality of independent servers to identify digital media content published by content producers having a user relationship with the user and determining a relevancy weight for each published digital media content item, the relevancy based on a strength factor. Filtration is still further performed by presenting the digital media content published by one or more of the content producers to the user such that digital media content having a greater relevancy weight receives a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from the plurality of content producers. | 12-27-2012 |
20130300701 | Self-Healing and Diagnostic Screen - A device and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 11-14-2013 |