Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080225000 | Cancellation of Environmental Motion In Handheld Devices - A method, system and computer program product for compensating the environmental motion in handheld devices. A sensor unit is affixed to an object in the environment to detect and measure environmental motion. Upon measuring any detected environmental motion, the sensor unit transmits a value corresponding to the measured environmental motion to one or more handheld devices. Alternatively, the sensor unit may transmit the value corresponding to the measured environmental motion to a unit configured to retransmit the value to one or more handheld devices. Upon receiving the value corresponding to the measured environmental motion, the handheld device cancels this environmental motion from the motion it measured thereby taking into consideration only the motion inputted by the user of the handheld device. | 09-18-2008 |
20080235259 | Fine Grained Jump-Points in Digital Metadata - A method, computer program product, and system are provided for accessing media content. A media device outputs first content that includes an indicator to an output device. The media device determines if related second content exists for the first content based on the indicator. Responsive to the existence of the related second content, the media device prompts a user for command to access the related second content. Then, responsive to receiving the first command from the user, the media device pauses the output of the first content and initiates output of the related second content to the output device. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235324 | Providing Shared Tasks Amongst a Plurality of Individuals - A mechanism for sharing tasks is provided in which individuals in a share group may signal their intent to complete individual shared tasks and communicate that intent to other individuals in the share group. A required time for completion of the shared tasks may be associated with an individual's signaling of the intent to complete the shared task. The completion of the shared task by the individual signaling intent to complete may be monitored and, if not completed within the associated required time, the performance of the shared task may again be shared with the individuals of the share group. In this way, another individual may signal that individual's intent to perform the shared task and the process may be repeated until the shared task is completed. | 09-25-2008 |
20090010548 | Using Photographic Images as a Search Attribute - Method and computer program product including executable instructions on a computer readable medium for using a photographic image in a component search. A plurality of attributes for searching a component information source is gathered, including a photographic image of space available for receiving a component. The photographic image is analyzed to determine the physical dimensions of the space available. A component information source may then be searched to identify components that satisfy the plurality of attributes. The attribute of the photographic image is satisfied with respect to a particular component if the physical dimensions of the space available are determined to allow proper installation of the particular component. Search results are communicated to a user, wherein the results include the identification of at least one component from the information source satisfying each of the plurality of attributes. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011390 | Method and Apparatus for Facilitating Tactile Identification of a Document Attribute - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide an apparatus and method for facilitating tactile identification of a document attribute. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a document. The document has a set of document attributes. The apparatus also includes a fluid incorporated within the document at a designated location associated with a document attribute in the set of document attributes. The fluid changes rigidity in the presence of an electric field to facilitate tactile identification of the document attribute. | 01-08-2009 |
20090031027 | Relationship-Centric Portals for Communication Sessions - Relationship-centric resources are provided to users during a communication session. After establishing a communication session between a first communication device and a second communication device, content that meets a content descriptor is retrieved. This content descriptor describes a nature of a relationship between users of the first and second communication devices. The retrieved content, which meets the content descriptor, is then simultaneously displaying on both the first communication device and the second communication device. | 01-29-2009 |
20090034385 | DIGITAL DAMAGE SIGNATURE OF AN OPTICAL DISC - It has been discovered that damage to an optical disc can be used as a damage signature for that optical disc. The damage signature can be digitally represented to uniquely identify the optical disc in combination with other identifying information that identifies the optical disc. Services, such as a restore service, can be provided to a user after validation of a digital damage signature of an optical disc. | 02-05-2009 |
20090034386 | RESTORING A DIGITAL REPRESENTATION OF CONTENT READ FROM AN OPTICAL DISC - It has been discovered that inaccurate representations of content read from an optical disc can be restored. A representation of content read from a damaged optical disc may include data that corresponds to misread data sections. The data for the misread data sections can be replaced with portions of an accurate representation of the content. The portions can be extracted from an accurate representation maintained online or at a local repository of digital representations of content. | 02-05-2009 |
20090036200 | LIGHT-EMITTING FIBERS INTERTWINED IN GRASS RELATED TO A PLAYER'S OR GAME OBJECT'S POSITION - A method, system and computer program product for improving accuracy and experience of a game. Signals are sent from a computer system to appropriate sensors based on a player's or game object's position to activate connected light-emitting fibers that are blended with grass on a playing field. The light-emitting fibers are activated in such a manner to display light to indicate an infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside position), a successful play (e.g., team made a first down), appropriate maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc., thereby ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game. | 02-05-2009 |
20090036205 | Accuracy and Experience of Game By Activating Appropriate Light-Emitting Fibers Intertwined In Grass Related To A Game Object or Player Entering Or Leaving A Hot Zone Area - A method, system and computer program product for improving accuracy and experience of a game. Hot zone areas are determined using game rules. “Hot zone areas” are areas on the playing field where a call may be made based on the rules of the game. Signals are sent from a computer system to appropriate sensors to activate connected light-emitting fibers that are blended with grass on the playing field to indicate when a player and/or game object enters or exits a hot zone area. The light-emitting fibers are activated in such a manner as to display an image (e.g., footprint) indicating the entrance/exiting of a player and/or game object in/from a hot zone area (e.g., out of bounds line) thereby ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game. | 02-05-2009 |
20090052751 | USING A SURFACE BASED COMPUTING DEVICE FOR VERIFICATION OF AN IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT - The current invention discloses a solution for using a surface based computing device for verification of an identification document, such as a driver's license. A surface based computing device can be a device capable of scanning an identification document, comparing the scanned document against a set of conditions for a valid document, and reporting comparison results. A secured resource can be granted based at least in part upon identity verifications conducted by the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can include a MICROSOFT SURFACE device or any other computing device able to scan an identification document and to process scanned results. In one embodiment, the surface based computing device can be used in conjunction with a human agent for added security. | 02-26-2009 |
20090060156 | System for Recording Spoken Phone Numbers During a Voice Call - A method, system and computer program product for employing speech recognition technology to recognize a number spoken during a telephone call and a voicemail message. A speech recognition and transcription (SRT) utility within a communication device (e.g., a telephone) detects spoken numbers (and spoken phrases which may be associated with telephone numbers), and transcribes the numbers into text. The SRT utility then determines whether a sequence of the transcribed spoken numbers is a telephone number. If the transcribed sequence of numbers is a telephone number, the SRT utility records the telephone number in a pre-specified “events” list (in the telephone) of the intended listener. Consequently, the recipient has the option of retrieving the recorded events (numbers) and communicating with other parties via the retrieved numbers. For example, these phone numbers may then be dialed, saved as contacts, and text messaged. | 03-05-2009 |
20090060467 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AGGREGATING AND PRESENTING USER PLAYBACK DATA INDICATING MANIPULATION OF MEDIA CLIPS BY A PLURALITY OF USERS - User playback data is collected from multiple user media devices. The user playback data indicates how a media clip has been manipulated by the users during playback of the media clip. The collected user playback data is aggregated and presented for display to at least one user, along with the media clip, on a media playback timeline. The media playback timeline indicates manipulation of the media clip by other users and indicates points in time during playback of the media clip that the manipulation of the media clip by the other users occurred. The manipulation of the media clip includes at least one of pause, skip forward, replay, and rewind. | 03-05-2009 |
20090068971 | Socially Based Station Navigation - A method of socially-based station navigation can include receiving station selection information from each of a plurality of mobile nodes within a mobile ad-hoc network, wherein station selection information comprises, for each mobile node, a station to which the mobile node is tuned. The method can include identifying each station from the received station selection information for each mobile node and determining a measure of popularity for each station according to a number of mobile nodes, from the plurality of mobile nodes, tuned to the station. A list specifying at least one of the stations and the measure of popularity of each station on the list can be output. | 03-12-2009 |
20090077130 | System and Method for Providing a Social Network Aware Input Dictionary - A system and method for providing a social network aware input dictionary are provided. A social network of users is monitored to determine the words and terms utilized by the users as part of their communication and interaction within the social network. Words and terms are ranked, or prioritized, within the social network based on a determined increase/decrease in popularity of the words/terms as determined from the monitoring of the social network. Based on the ranking of these words/terms, individual input dictionaries associated with devices used by the users of the social network may be automatically updated to include/remove these words/terms and/or increase/decrease a relative priority of the words/terms within the input dictionaries. Such automatic updating may be performed regardless of whether the particular user has used the word/term or not. | 03-19-2009 |
20090088234 | ACCURACY AND EXPERIENCE OF GAME BY ACTIVATING APPROPRIATE LIGHT-EMITTING FIBERS INTERTWINED IN GRASS RELATED TO A PLAYER'S OR GAME OBJECT'S POSITION - A method, system and computer program product for improving accuracy and experience of a game. Signals are sent from a computer system to appropriate sensors based on a player's or game object's position to activate connected light-emitting fibers that are blended with grass on a playing field. The light-emitting fibers are activated in such a manner to display light to indicate an infraction (e.g., a player was in an offside position), a successful play (e.g., team made a first down), appropriate maneuvers, boundaries for a play, etc., thereby ensuring the game is fair and accurate and enhancing the experience of the game. | 04-02-2009 |
20090094551 | ENHANCEMENTS TO PREVENT SPLIT ENTRIES IN THE EVENT OF A WINDOW FOCUS SHIFT - The present invention discloses a solution to prevent split entries in an event of a window focus shift while still permitting the focus shift event to occur. The solution utilizes a number of different configurable techniques to accomplish this goal, all of which are designed to permit a user to finish directing input to an original window element, when an automatic focus shift event occurs that directs focus to a different window element. Techniques for preventing split entries can include, but are not limited to, a pause-triggered target shifting technique, a pause-triggered focus shifting technique, a password control focus retention technique, a password control focus shift alter technique, an entry continuation blocking after focus shift technique, an entry continuation alert after focus shift technique, and an entry continuation buffering after focus shift technique. The solution is not to be construed limited to these enumerated techniques. | 04-09-2009 |
20090106077 | Facilitating in-transit meetings using location-aware scheduling - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for facilitating in-transit meetings between users. Transit information is received for several users. The transit information for at least some users is compared. If an opportunity for an in-transit meeting between at least two users is detected when comparing the transit information, the at least two users are notified about the opportunity for the in-transit meeting. | 04-23-2009 |
20090113313 | DYNAMIC UPDATE OF CONTACT INFORMATION AND SPEED DIAL SETTINGS BASED ON A VIRTUAL WORLD INTERACTION - The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for updating contact information according to metadata associated with a virtual world. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in a virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata to form organized contact information. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata to form prioritized contact information. The prioritized contact information is stored. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113451 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113452 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 04-30-2009 |
20090125833 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING STICKY APPLICATIONS - A system and method for providing sticky applications are provided. A “sticky application” is an operating system (OS) level application that has the ability to “stick” to web applications and become a part of the web page on which the web application is running. While the sticky application is stuck to the web application, it behaves as if it were a web application with respect to the user. When the user chooses to “unstick” the application, it will return to behaving as an OS level application. The sticky application imitates being a web-based application instead of an operating system level application while stuck. This imitation involves the sticky application being placed on pixel coordinates within a web page of the web application and the sticky application remaining in the pixel coordinates within the web page where it is placed even when a user modifies the representation of the web page. | 05-14-2009 |
20090144233 | System and method for automotive image capture and retrieval - A system and method for implementing automotive image capture and retrieval. An image manager receives an image from a vehicle-mounted camera. The image manager determines, based on a set of preferences, whether to store the image. In response to storing the image, the image manager associates at least one form of metadata with the image, wherein the at least one form of metadata includes global positioning system (GPS) coordinates at the time of image capture, speed of a vehicle at the time of image capture, direction of travel at the time of image capture, and user annotations. In response to receiving a query for the image, image manager presents the image to a user. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144432 | Enabling Remote Locale Specific Operations in Multiple Locale and User Environments - A computer-implemented method of negotiating locale settings among a plurality of users communicating over a communication network can include determining a locale for each of a plurality of remotely located users, identifying at least one locale setting for each of the plurality of users according to the locale of each respective user, wherein the locale setting for each of the plurality of users forms at least one locale setting group, and determining whether each locale setting group is exclusive or non-exclusive. For each locale setting group that is exclusive, a locale setting from the locale setting group can be selected and, for each locale setting group that is non-exclusive, a locale setting union can be generated by taking a union of all locale settings of the locale setting group. The selected locale setting and/or the local setting union can be applied to a message exchanged between the users. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144829 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROTECT SENSITIVE CONTENT FOR HUMAN-ONLY CONSUMPTION - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for protecting sensitive content. In response to receiving a selection of content, the process determines whether the content is of a sensitive content type based on a policy. The process then designates the content as the sensitive content in response to the content being of a sensitive content type. Thereafter, the process generates a sensitive content reference for publication and stores the sensitive content in a data structure, wherein the data structure associates the sensitive content with the sensitive content reference. Subsequently, in response to receiving a request from a requester for the sensitive content reference, the process obfuscates the sensitive content using a selected obfuscation algorithm to form obfuscated content, and returns the obfuscated content to the requester. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147025 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF TURF TV PARTICIPANT DECORATIONS BASED ON MULTIPLE REAL-TIME FACTORS - A method of modifying sporting event participant decorations displayed on a fiber optic “Turf TV” playing surface based on multiple real-time factors. A decoration utility calculates a direction of movement of a player or object in proximity to the playing surface, which is configured to display images, during a live sporting event. The utility adds a graphical aura to a real-time graphical image displayed in proximity to the player on the playing surface. The utility animates the aura in response to wind and/or noise in proximity to the playing surface. The utility modifies the aura based on pre-defined custom attributes, penalties, errors, and/or player status. If the player moves, the utility adds a graphical player trail to the image. The utility also adds a graphical object trail that includes previous locations of an object. The object trail may also include spin and a visual appearance corresponding to an object height. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150801 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO HANDLE VANDALISM IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - A method for operating a virtual world, the method including: selecting an action with respect to an object displayed in the virtual world wherein the action is for at least one of preventing and eliminating vandalism; and executing the action. | 06-11-2009 |
20090157726 | RESTORATION OF CONVERSATION STUB FOR RECOGNIZED EXPERTS - Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for managing conversational input. A first conversation between a user of a communications device and a first party is monitored. A conversation stub that includes information relating to a topic of the first conversation is generated and stored. It is determined whether a second party of a second conversation between the user of the communications device and the second party has expertise regarding the topic of the first conversation. Responsive to determining that the second party has expertise regarding the topic of the first conversation, the conversation stub is presented to the user during the second conversation. | 06-18-2009 |
20090172150 | COORDINATED DEEP TAGGING OF MEDIA CONTENT WITH COMMUNITY CHAT POSTINGS - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to deep tagging of media content and provide a method, system and computer program product for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings can be provided. The method can include monitoring a group chat of participants co-browsing media content, identifying a token in the group chat appearing a threshold number of times within a temporal window, and creating a deep tag in the media content in association with a portion of the media content played back concurrently with the temporal window. | 07-02-2009 |
20090175428 | Method for Managing Transient Telephone Contacts - A method for managing transient telephone contacts including capturing a telephone call identifying information related to a telephone communication, associating the telephone call identifying information with a telephone number related to the telephone communication, and providing the telephone call identifying information in response to a telephone operation involving the telephone number. | 07-09-2009 |
20090176540 | AUDIO SELECTION CONTROL FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES - The distribution of audio signals to either a headset or to a base unit (such as a cell phone) is determined by whether the headset is ready for use when a call is made or received. The headset is considered ready for use if it is powered on, has been initialized to exchange signals with the base unit using a standard communications protocol (such as Bluetooth), and is in place on the user's head. The headset includes a proximity sensor that provides a signal indicating that the headset is in place. If the headset is ready for use, audio signals are automatically distributed to the headset. Otherwise, the audio signals were distributed to a cell phone audio system. The invention may also be used by a personal computer user having an audio headset. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177984 | CALENDAR ENTRY DISPLAY METHOD - A method of displaying a calendar entry of an electronic calendar application is disclosed. The method includes determining if a user of the electronic calendar application is within a specified distance of a location of an appointment corresponding to the calendar entry at a specified time prior to the appointment. In response to determining that the user is within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is face-to-faceable. In response to determining that the user is not within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is not face-to-faceable. | 07-09-2009 |
20090216769 | Digital Rights Management of Captured Content Based on Criteria Regulating a Combination of Elements - When captured content is detected, the captured content is analyzed to determine whether any portion of the content is subject to digital rights management protection specified for content captured. Responsive to determining that the captured content is subject to a first digital rights management protection, a database is queried to select at least one digital rights management rule associated with a first restricted element specifying at least one first criteria for combining the first restricted element with at least one other element. A determination is made whether the first restricted element is combined with the at least one other element in the captured content. Responsive to detecting the first restricted element is combined with the at least one other element, the captured content rights controller determines a combined digital rights management protection rule reconciling the at least one first criteria for combining the first restricted element with the presence of the at least one other element. The combined digital rights management rule is applied to restrict use of the captured content. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217343 | Digital Rights Management of Streaming Captured Content Based on Criteria Regulating a Sequence of Elements - A captured content rights controller detects a first portion of streaming captured content and a second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is detected. The captured content rights controller determines whether rendering the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content is subject to at least one digital rights management protection rule for streaming captured content as specified by at least one owner of at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content captured independent of distribution of the content by the owner of the at least one restricted element within the streaming captured content. The captured content rights controller applies the at least one digital rights management protection rule to restrict rendering of the second portion of the streaming captured content after the first portion of the streaming captured content. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217344 | Digital Rights Management of Captured Content Based on Capture Associated Locations - When captured content is detected, the captured content is analyzed to determine whether any portion of the content is subject to digital rights management protection specified for content captured, where captured content is content captured independent of distribution of the content by an owner of at least one restricted element within the captured content. In response to determining that a portion of the captured content is subject to digital rights management protection, a database is queried to select at least one digital rights management rule associated with the portion and comprising at least one location based criteria. At least one relevant location is associated with the captured content. At least one digital rights management rule is applied to restrict usage of the captured content, with the at least one location based criteria specified by the at least one relevant location. In addition, in response to determining that the captured content is not subject to digital rights management protection, a certification is applied to the captured content designating a particular system that determined no portion of the captured content is subject to digital rights management protection. | 08-27-2009 |
20090231158 | GUIDED VIDEO FEED SELECTION IN A VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE NETWORK - In V2V or other networks in which multiple video feeds are available to a participant, the participant's ability to select a particular video feed for display can be eased through the use of guided scanning. A guided scanning strategy is built based on operator inputs and used to select a particular set of video feeds that are initially shown as a video “slideshow” on the display used by the participant. Each video feed appears only for a limited period of time to enable easy participant review. Once the participant sees a particular video feed of interest, that video feed to can be selected for persisted presentation on the display. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231431 | DISPLAYED VIEW MODIFICATION IN A VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE NETWORK - In V2V or other networks in which multiple video cameras can share video data, a user may elect to modify a primary view by electronically “removing” obstructing objects from the primary view. The user begins by identifying the objects to be electronically removed from the simulated view, either by designating the boundaries of the objects or by identifying classes of objects to be removed. Pel locations associated with obstructing objects are identified in the primary data set. Video data provided by cameras other than a primary video camera is analyzed to identify common features in the primary and secondary views and to identify pels that correspond with object-associated pels in the primary view. A merged data set, consisting of pel data from the primary data set and from at least one of the secondary data sets, provides the video data presented in the simulated view. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231433 | SCENE SELECTION IN A VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE NETWORK - In V2V or other networks in which multiple video feeds are available to a participant, a participant can select a particular video feed for display. The participant has the option of selecting or locking onto a particular camera so that the display continues to show scenes captured by that camera without regard to what appears in those scenes. As an alternative, the participant may select or lock onto a particular scene. If a scene is selected, the current video feed is analyzed to identify key features. The video feed is monitored. If the key features disappear from the video feed, video feeds available from other cameras are analyzed for the presence of the key features. A new video feed (i.e., camera) is selected from the set of video feeds currently generating images including the key features. | 09-17-2009 |
20090239549 | ENHANCED WIRELESS ACCESS POINT COMMUNICATIONS WHILE TRAVELING - A method, system and computer program product for enhancing the acquisition of data from a wireless access point during a window of acquisition. A wireless device in a vehicle obtains a list of wireless access points positioned along a route being traveled by a user of the wireless device. The wireless device acquires its current location and identifies the closest upcoming wireless access point in connection with its current location. If the wireless device had previously had a session with the upcoming wireless access point, then the wireless device continues sending packets to the upcoming wireless access point from the point of previous termination with the upcoming wireless access point until the session is restarted. The wireless device then accesses data from the upcoming wireless access point during the remaining window of acquisition. | 09-24-2009 |
20090240657 | GENERATING A RECIPIENT LIST FOR PROPAGATING CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES BASED ON CONTACT METRICS INVOLVING A USER AND THE RECIPIENTS ON THE LIST - A change in contact information for a communicator can be identified. Communication metrics can be acquired for the communicator. The communication metrics can specify details of communications between the communicator and at least one other party. At least one previously established programmatic rule can be applied to the acquired communication metrics to automatically determine whether each of the parties is a recipient who should be notified of the change in contact information based upon comparing the communication metrics relating to that party and the communicator against at least one previously established threshold. Recipients can be selectively added to a recipient list based upon results of the applied programmatic rule. The recipient list can represent a listing of parties who are to be notified of the change in contact information. | 09-24-2009 |
20090241071 | Served ads as previews and summaries - When an appropriate context-sensitive ad is created for readers of a content page, it can also serve as a summary of page. In this context, the content indicates anything triggering a user's experience that may be used to decide what ad to show. This could be a particular web site, an application on user's computer, a virtual world, or even a physical location. An embodiment of this invention provides a method to serve the ads previously given on a page or other content to a user, at a time other than when the user is actually consuming that content. This Ads-as-a-summary concept can take various forms. It can also be leveraged at various times, such as a preview. | 09-24-2009 |
20090258331 | INTERACTIVE RECIPE PREPARATION USING INSTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED ACTUATORS TO PROVIDE TACTILE FEEDBACK - A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. Each of the retrieved preparation steps is displayed sequentially to the user on a horizontal surface display that is included in an interactive cooking preparation device. During at least one preparation step, a selected kitchen appliance is identified, such as a configurable burner surface. The identified preparation step also includes one or more appliance parameters that correspond to the selected kitchen appliance. The selected kitchen appliance is controlled by sending one or more signals from the interactive cooking preparation device to the selected kitchen appliance. At least one of the signals sent to the appliance includes one of the appliance parameters. | 10-15-2009 |
20090258332 | INTERACTIVE RECIPE PREPARATION USING INSTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED ACTUATORS TO PROVIDE TACTILE FEEDBACK - An interactive cooking preparation device that includes a flexible horizontal display surface is presented. A set of actuators located under the flexible horizontal display surface that, when activated, cause a tactile sensation on the display surface. A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. A set of preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store. Each of the preparation steps are displayed to the user on the flexible horizontal surface display. A current preparation step that is being performed by the user is identified. The user is directed to an area of the interactive cooking preparation device using a tactile feedback mechanism. The tactile feedback mechanism causes a physical sensation on the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device. The physical sensation is felt by the user when the user is touching the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259687 | Interactive Recipe Preparation Using Instructive Device with Integrated Actuators to Provide Tactile Feedback - An interactive cooking device is provided. A user selects a recipe from a list of available recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store along with a set of ingredients. The retrieved preparation steps are sequentially displaying to the user on a display that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user's preparation actions are monitored, using one or more sensors. Gestures that correspond to the current preparation step are retrieved from the data store along with thresholds that correspond to each of the gestures. The user's actions are compared to the retrieved gestures using the retrieved thresholds. If the user's actions vary from the gestures by more than the thresholds, an alert is generated. The user is then provided with a suggested course of correction. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259688 | Interactive recipe preparation using instructive device with integrated actuators to provide tactile feedback - An interactive cooking preparation device is presented. The user places ingredients that the user wishes to use in a recipe. The interactive cooking preparation device detects the ingredients placed by the user in the detection area of the interactive cooking preparation device using sensors. The detection results in a set of ingredient identifiers that correspond to the placed ingredients. A recipes database is then searched for the detected set of ingredient identifiers. The database search results in one or more suggested recipes. The suggested recipes are displayed to the user on a display device that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user then selects one of the suggested recipes. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259689 | Interactive recipe preparation using instructive device with integrated actuators to provide tactile feedback - A way of delivering recipe preparation instruction to disabled individuals is provided using an interactive cooking preparation device. The device retrieves an instruction delivery preference that corresponds to a user with a disability, such as a hearing or sight disability. The user then selects a recipe from list of recipes. Preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. The retrieved preparation steps are provided to the user using the interactive cooking preparation device that provides the preparation steps in an alternative delivery mode based on the user's delivery preference. | 10-15-2009 |
20090265640 | COLLABORATION WIDGETS WITH USER-MODAL VOTING PREFERENCE - Collaborative voting widgets (or controls) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that is adapted for collaborative effort between groups of individuals. The widgets have a modal selection state that changes the appearance and functionality of the widget depending on whether the widget is being presented to a particular user (e.g., a group leader) or a member of the group. The group provides user input to vote on a value of the widget. The particular user may subsequently override the voting result, reset the votes and optionally call for a re-vote, overriding the group consensus or breaking ties. | 10-22-2009 |
20090282347 | INTERLACING RESPONSES WITHIN AN INSTANT MESSAGING SYSTEM - A computer-implemented method of interlacing responses within an instant messaging (IM) system can include, responsive to a request from a user in an IM session, storing an IM message fragment input by the user and associating the IM message fragment with a message selected from an IM session transcript. The method can include recalling the IM message fragment and outputting, at least in part, the IM message fragment in response to the message. | 11-12-2009 |
20090289114 | PRICE GUARANTEE TRACKING SERVICE - Price guarantee tracking services are an automated method for acquiring price guarantee terms and conditions from retailers and subsequently viewing them. A system for tracking a price guarantee includes a processor; memory operably connected to the processor; a find price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; a parse price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; and a list of price guarantee terms loaded into the memory and operable by the processor. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299629 | PREVENTATIVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION SOCIAL NETWORKING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN A COMMUNITY - A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting traffic congestion routing data to a community of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Community routing logic of a community routing system (CRS) receives a route request containing the current location and desired destination of a GPS device. The CRS may use the community routing logic to determine a path that the user of the GPS device should travel on to best minimize driving time and traffic conditions for a community of users of the CRS. The CRS considers road capacity, current traffic conditions, and historical traffic data for roads and alternate roads along a preferred route. The CRS also considers routes previously taken by the GPS device. Additionally, the CRS may receive information about routes taken by other GPS devices to further improve future routes of the community of GPS devices. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299725 | DEEP TAG CLOUD ASSOCIATED WITH STREAMING MEDIA - In some embodiments, a method for providing access to media segments using a tag cloud comprises receiving a request to play streaming media, identifying deep tags associated with the streaming media, and determining preferences of a user based on information provided by the user. The method can also comprise selecting a group of the deep tags based on the information provided by the user and displaying the group of the deep tags in a tag cloud, wherein the deep tags hyperlink to segments within the streaming media. The method can also include presenting, in response to activation of a deep tag in the group, one of the segments within the streaming media. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299814 | ASSESSING PERSONALITY AND MOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF A CUSTOMER TO ENHANCE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND IMPROVE CHANCES OF A SALE - A method, system and computer program product for enhancing customer satisfaction with his/her shopping experience and improving the chances of a sale. The personality and mood characteristics of a customer is obtained by analyzing various features of the customer, such as the customer's facial image, the customer's gait, the customer's location of his/her gaze as well as analyzing other personalized information, such as who the customer is shopping with and information contained in the customer's profile (if one exists). By assessing the customer's personality and mood characteristics, a better sales approach may be recommended to the sales professional, or, alternatively, a better sales professional may be assigned to approach the customer thereby enhancing the customer's shopping experience by reducing the possibility of an unpleasant shopping experience as well as increasing the chances of a consummated sale. | 12-03-2009 |
20090316871 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED AUDIO CONFERENCING SERVICES IN A TELEPHONY SYSTEM - A method is provided for enhanced audio conferencing services. A request is received and authenticated for enhanced audio conferencing services. A calendar for the user is accessed, and scheduled conference calls of the user are determined from the calendar. A list of audio content for the user is accessed and provided to the user, such that a selected audio content from the list can be played in accordance with the scheduled conference calls. The user has options to play the audio content in between conference calls, louder than the conference calls, softer than the conference calls, and in one speaker while the conference calls play in another speaker. The scheduled conference call is called into so that it plays, and the selected audio content is played in accordance with the selected option. A trigger can stop the audio content and play the scheduled conference call in its place. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326922 | CLIENT SIDE RECONCILIATION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN MESSAGES FROM INPUT-LIMITED DEVICES - A method for reconciling typographical errors, includes: receiving an electronic text message from a pervasive device with limited input keypads on a receiving device configured with a messaging application; determining an input protocol of the pervasive device; examining the electronic text message for words that are not in the messaging application's dictionary; identifying words that are not in the messaging application's dictionary; mapping each of the identified words to a set of keystrokes used to produce each of the identified words based on a series of input protocols that the receiving device has stored in a memory; utilizing each set of keystrokes from each of the input protocols in an algorithm to compute each permutation of the keystrokes; checking the computed permutations against the messaging application's dictionary to determine viable matches of the computed permutations; and presenting the viable matches to a user of the receiving device. | 12-31-2009 |
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 |
20100023615 | REDIRECTING WEB DOWNLOADS - One or more downloads of web content from one or more web content servers are monitored. A swarm is defined including one or more previous downloaders of the web content from the one or more web content servers. The one or more previous downloaders of the web content include one or more web content caches including at least a portion of the web content. Stored web content within the one or more web content caches of the swarm is tracked. A new downloader of the one or more web content servers is redirected to the one or more web content caches of the swarm. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023877 | CONVERSATION DETECTION IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to virtual world management and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for conversation detection in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for conversation management in a virtual world data processing system can include detecting a sequence of statements from at least two avatars in a virtual world, and locating the avatars in the virtual world, computing a temporal proximity of the statements. The statements can be grouped in the virtual world if the avatars are geographically proximate to one another in the virtual world and if the statements have occurred within a threshold temporal proximity of one another. Thereafter, the grouped statements can be persisted in the virtual world as a conversation. | 01-28-2010 |
20100042285 | Modifying an Appearance of a Vehicle Based on Content of the Vehicle - A mechanism is provided for controlling an output of a vehicle mounted display based on the current cargo loading of the vehicle so as to change the appearance of the vehicle. The mechanisms may identify at least one identifier of contents of a current cargo loading of the vehicle. The at least one identifier may identify at least one product currently being transported by the vehicle. The mechanisms may further correlate the at least one identifier with display data to be rendered on the vehicle mounted display. The mechanisms may further output the display data to the vehicle mounted display such that the display data is rendered on the vehicle mounted display. | 02-18-2010 |
20100045609 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURING AN INTERACTIVE DEVICE BASED ON ORIENTATION OF A USER RELATIVE TO THE DEVICE - A method and apparatus are provided for use in association with a computer operated interactive device having a surface, wherein the interactive device is responsive to contact between its surface and persons or objects, and is adapted to selectively display images upon its surface. One embodiment, comprising a method, includes enabling the interactive device to access specified information pertaining to the user. Also, the device is selectively configured for interaction with a user, during a time related to performance of a specified activity. The method further includes using at least some of the specified user information to determine the orientation of the user with respect to a reference position of the surface, at a time related to performance of the specified activity. The method also includes performing a task, wherein performance of the task is related to the determined user orientation. | 02-25-2010 |
20100052930 | ACTIVITY PATTERN BASED BATTERY CHARGING ALERTS FOR MOBILE DEVICES - A method for providing activity pattern based battery charging alerts for mobile devices, the method includes: monitoring usage patterns of a mobile device; determining periods of activity and inactivity for the mobile device's usage; creating an activity log detailing the determined periods of activity and inactivity; monitoring levels of available battery charge for the mobile device; correlating the levels of available battery charge with the activity log; and generating a charging advisory alert in response to at least one of: an available battery charge dropping below a threshold value prior to a period of device inactivity, or toward the end of a period of activity. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054430 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT SHORTCUTTING - A system, method and program product for providing voice response unit (VRU) shortcuts. A system is provided that includes: a user interface for allowing a user to input a targeted VRU, a goal, and call-specific information; a data mapping system for mapping the call specific information and user information pre-stored in a database to a VRU map associated with VRU; a VRU interface system for initiating a call with the targeted VRU and navigating the targeted VRU to an option associated with the goal; and a system for telephonically connecting the user with the targeted VRU when the option associated with the goal is reached. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057456 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT MAPPING - A system, method and program product for mapping voice response units (VRUs). A system is provided that includes: an interrogation system for interrogating a VRU and gathering a hierarchical set of options associated with the VRU; a map building system for converting the hierarchical set of options into a VRU map suitable for display; and a user interface for displaying the VRU map to an end user. | 03-04-2010 |
20100067670 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT HARVESTING - A system, method and program product for providing voice response unit (VRU) harvesting. A system is provided that includes: an account management system for allowing a user to identify a set of VRUs and associated data desired from each VRU; a navigation system for automatically navigating each VRU and collecting the desired data from each VRU; and an output system for outputting the desired data for the user. | 03-18-2010 |
20100070860 | ANIMATED CLOUD TAGS DERIVED FROM DEEP TAGGING - A tagging engine can analyze deep tag data associated with a portion of media and process the tagging data into a deep tag cloud. Tag clouds can contain snapshot information about a particular media stream segment. Tag clouds for the entire duration or portions of the media stream can be aggregated. Aggregated tag clouds can be processed and compiled into a slideshow form. The tag clouds in the slideshow can be animated and presented to summarize media that includes the deep tags from which the tag clouds were derived. | 03-18-2010 |
20100077034 | MODIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL CHAT DISTANCE BASED ON AVATAR POPULATION DENSITY IN AN AREA OF A VIRTUAL WORLD - A mechanism for modifying a chat distance associated with an environmental chat based on the avatar population density of an area of a virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. An initial environmental chat distance may be determined based on the avatar population density, i.e., the number of avatars, in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. The environmental chat distance may be modified in response to a change in the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. The environmental chat distance may be modified such that the environmental chat distance is inversely proportional to the detected number of avatars in the virtual universe area associated with the environmental chat. | 03-25-2010 |
20100077318 | MODIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL CHAT DISTANCE BASED ON AMOUNT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHAT IN AN AREA OF A VIRTUAL WORLD - A mechanism for modifying a chat distance associated with an environmental chat based on a determined chat amount within a time window of a predetermined amount of time in an area of a virtual universe associated with the environmental chat. An initial environmental chat distance may be determined based on the determined chat amount within an initial time window in the virtual universe area associated with the environmental chat. The initial environmental chat distance may be modified in response to a change in the chat amount within a subsequent time window. The environmental chat distance may be modified such that the environmental chat distance is inversely proportional to the determined chat amount in the virtual universe area associated with the environmental chat | 03-25-2010 |
20100080410 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING USE OF A PHOTOGRAPH IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS - A photograph processing system that prevents the unpermitted use of photographic media containing a depiction of a protected person, view or item. A permission object is located in physical proximity to the person, view or object being protected. A photograph including the permission object will contain a depiction of the permission object. When the photograph is processed, the photograph processing system scans the photograph for a permission object. If a permission object is found, the system further processes the photograph according to the permission associated with the permission object. | 04-01-2010 |
20100082645 | SORTING RECORDS BASED ON FREE TEXT FIELD CONTENT - Disclosed are a method, system and computer program product for sorting records based on content in a free text field. A request is received by a sort function to sort a free text field. The sort function request is intercepted. The content in the free text field is analyzed. One or more new focus words are identified by the analysis. The new focus words are used to sort the free text field. The focus words in the free text field are highlighted and sorted alphabetically. Sorted free text field results based on the new focus words are displayed to a user on the user's display. | 04-01-2010 |
20100086192 | PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION USING IMAGE ANALYSIS AND USER INTERACTION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for product identification using image analysis and user interaction. The method may include comparing a retail product image to a plurality of candidate retail product images. In addition, the method may include generating a candidate product set containing candidate retail product images satisfying image comparison criteria. The method may determine one or more product identity queries configured to solicit additional product identity information from a user. In addition, the product identity queries may eliminate one or more members of the candidate product set. The method may query the user with these inquiries and determine a product match based on the user's response. Therefore a user may obtain information about a product using only a picture and a user's knowledge of the product. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088613 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT PROXY UTILIZING DYNAMIC WEB INTERACTION - A system, method and program product for providing a voice response unit (VRU) proxy. A system is provided that includes: a graphical user interface (GUI) for dynamically displaying information from a VRU and for receiving data from a user; a system for initiating a call with the VRU; and a VRU interface system for transmitting data from the user to the VRU, and for using speech recognition to capture broadcasts from the VRU for display within the GUI. | 04-08-2010 |
20100122211 | Accepting A User's Selection of Sort Options for Sorting a Table - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provide for accepting a user's selection of sort options for sorting a table according to embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments include selecting a representative shape for displaying sort options; identifying one or more columns in the table available for selection as a key for sorting; displaying, together in a GUI, identifications of the one ore more columns and the representative shape; and receiving, as a user's selection of one of the columns as a key for sorting, an invocation of a GUI control associated with an identification of the selected columns | 05-13-2010 |
20100194525 | Securing Premises Using Surfaced-Based Computing Technology - An approach is provided that that uses an electronic multi-touch floor covering that has numerous sensors to identify shapes. The electronic multi-touch floor covering identifies a shape of an object that is in contact with the surface of the electronic multi-touch floor covering. An entity record is then retrieved from a data store, such as a database, with the retrieved entity record corresponding to the identified shape. Actions are then retrieved from a second data store with the actions corresponding to the retrieved entity record. The retrieved actions are then executed by the computer system. | 08-05-2010 |
20100209006 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR VISUAL CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION - A solution for visual credential verification. The solution includes an apparatus, system, and method embodiment. The apparatus for visual credential verification includes an input module, a comparison module, and a response module. The input module receives from a security official an image of an unverified credential, such as a badge, that an individual has presented to the security official. The comparison module determines whether or not the unverified credential is valid or invalid. The determination includes comparing the image of the unverified credential with known good images of valid credentials. The comparison module may also compare authentication information such as a photo of the individual, a name, or a badge number, with known good authentication information. Based on the comparison module's determination, the response module notifies the security official that the unverified credential is either valid or invalid. A system for visual credential verification may be implemented with a server in communication with a security official's electronic device, such as a cell phone. | 08-19-2010 |
20100251167 | SCROLLBAR USER INTERFACE FOR MULTITOUCH DEVICES - Two sliding user interactions along a display surface of a multitouch input display device are detected in approximately opposite directions proximate to a display location of a scroll element displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the device. Available content displayed within the GUI is automatically zoomed based upon the detected two sliding user interactions along the display surface. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251336 | FREQUENCY BASED AGE DETERMINATION - Human ability to perceive higher audio frequencies diminishes with age. Functionality can be implemented to use a combination of audio tones with varying frequencies to identify an age range to which a user belongs and accordingly control access to age dependent access controlled information and services. The user's ability to perceive one or more audio tones in the combination of audio tones depends on the user's age. Thus, different users, depending on the users' age, may perceive the same combination of audio tones differently. Such an age verification system based on human perception of audio tones can minimize the need for identification cards and a reliance on the user providing accurate age information. This can prevent the user from misinterpreting his/her age to access the age dependent access controlled information and can ensure that only an authorized user gets access to the age dependent access controlled information. | 09-30-2010 |
20100274851 | Natural Ordering in a Graphical User Interface - Provided is a method for displaying information such as lists of data, files and icons in a window of a graphical user interface (GUI). Unlike a typical display methodology, which arranges items in a “machine-dependent” sorting order, the disclosed technology provides a “natural” sorting order. The list, or names associated with the files or icons are incorporated into a query and the query is transmitted to a web service. The web service parses the query to determine a natural order appropriate to the material represented by the list, files, or icons rearranges the list, files or icons into the natural order and returns a response to the originator of the query. The operating system or GUI that originated the query receives the response, parses the response and displays the list, files or icons in the corresponding natural order. | 10-28-2010 |
20100277606 | PREDICTIVE PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER OPERATION - A predictive personal video recorder (PVR) can include a tuner, a buffer, a predictive tuner, and a predictive buffer. The tuner can be configured to allow viewing of a currently-selected digital video channel chosen from a plurality of digital video channels received by a predictive PVR. The buffer can be configured to store video data of the currently-selected digital video channel, allowing time-shifted viewing of the currently-selected digital video channel. The predictive tuner can be configured to capture video data for a predicted digital video channel. The predicted digital video channel can be selected based upon a predictive factor. The predictive buffer can be configured to store the captured video data for the predicted digital video channel received by the predictive tuner to allow time-shifted viewing of said predicted digital video channel. | 11-04-2010 |
20100309436 | AUTOMATED DYNAMIC REPRIORITIZATION OF PRESENTATION MATERIALS - Slides are selectively presented via a slide presentation system based upon a priority level assigned to a slide presentation. The assigned priority level indicates which of the slides to selectively present and includes a first priority level of at least two priority levels associated with the slide presentation. A request is received during the selective presentation of the slides, via an input device associated with the slide presentation system, to change the priority level assigned to the slide presentation to a second priority level of the at least two priority levels. The remaining slides of the slide presentation are selectively presented via the slide presentation system based upon the second priority level. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 12-09-2010 |
20100318677 | CONTENT PROTECTION CONTINUITY THROUGH AUTHORIZED CHAINS OF COMPONENTS - Provided is a method for the distribution and control of digital content such that Quality of Experience (QoE) is maintained. Content is protected from when the content is encrypted to when it is used. To ensure the QoE of particular content, a content owner embeds a list of required or preferred components that must be employed to render the content. The content owner's list of required or preferred components specifies specific components “trusted” to correctly process the content. The specified chain of preferred components is compared to possible devices in the system that processes the content. If there are multiple acceptable devices for a specific link, a preference system is employed to determine the device that executed the particular part of the chain. The preference system is based upon a number of factors, such as, but not limited to, performance characteristics, user preferences, expected stability, power requirements and system preferences. | 12-16-2010 |
20110010216 | SOFTWARE LICENSE USAGE AMONGST WORKGROUPS USING SOFTWARE USAGE DATA - An approach is provided that receives a message from a first user. The first user's message requests a license to a licensed product that has previously been purchased by the organization. The system identifies current users in the organization that currently have licenses to the licensed product. A need score is calculated that reflects a needs analysis of the first user to the licensed product. Current user need scores are calculated and these need scores correspond to the needs of the current users pertaining to the licensed product. The first user's need score is compared to the current user product need scores and a second user is selected based on the comparison where the first user's need score is better than the second user need score. The second user's license to the licensed product is revoked and the first user is granted a license to the licensed product. | 01-13-2011 |
20110010350 | AUTOMATED VIEWABLE SELECTABLE CHANGE HISTORY MANIPULATION - A set of edited changes associated with an editable file is displayed on a display associated with a computing device in response to receipt of a request via a user input device to display the plurality of edited changes. A contextual representation of the editable file is displayed. A context indicator is displayed within the contextual representation of the editable file that represents a location within the editable file associated with a first of the displayed set of edited changes. The context indicator is iteratively updated to represent a location within the editable file associated with each selected element of the displayed set of edited changes in response to detection of user selections of elements of the displayed set of edited changes received via the user input device. | 01-13-2011 |
20110023007 | Associating Workflows With Code Sections In A Document Control System - Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for facilitating workflow control for a document. In one embodiment, a portion of computer program source code is associated with a workflow. The computer program is monitored for reference to or by the portion of the computer program source code. In response to a reference to or by the computer program source code, the workflow is fired off. | 01-27-2011 |
20110023110 | Interactive Video Captcha - Provided is a Captcha Access Control System (CACS) for generating an improved captcha that are based, in one described embodiment, upon a command in one format and a response in a different format, one or both of which are rendered in a format that is difficult for an automated system to interpret. A computer system or program to which a user is requesting access generates a textual or audible command. A video device captures the user's response and transmits the response to a response evaluation device. Based upon an analysis of the transmitted video and a comparison between the analyzed video and the command, the computer or program either enables access or denies access. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025716 | ENABLING A USER TO CHOOSE A REPRESENTATIVE LANDMARK TO DISPLAY AT A PARTICULAR ZOOM LEVEL ON A DIGITAL MAP - A user is enabled to choose a particular landmark to display on a particular view of a digital map instead of a landmark chosen by a digital map designer. This particular landmark may then represent all landmarks that are in close proximity to each other within a geographical area on the digital map when only one of the landmarks can be displayed on that particular view of the digital map. | 02-03-2011 |
20110029226 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR FINDING A LOCATION BASED ON AN IMAGE AT ANOTHER LOCATION - A computer system displays an image of a first geographic location by a computer system, receives a user selection of a portion of the image of the first geographic location, processes the user-selected image portion to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion, computes a logical connection between the computer system identified meaning and a second geographic location, and directs the user to the second geographic location. Computing the logical connection may include finding a match between a significance of the second geographic location and the meaning identified for the user-selected image portion. Receiving a user selection of an image portion may include receiving a user selection identifying an ad within the image and wherein the processing to identify a meaning for the user-selected image portion includes identifying a meaning for the ad. | 02-03-2011 |
20110047503 | FILE CONTENT NAVIGATION USING BINARY SEARCH - Scrolling through a large file using a small scroll handle can be challenging for users. Using the small scroll handle to navigate through the large file rarely produces accurate results. Functionality can be implemented to navigate through file content without the user having to locate, click on, and drag the scroll handle. Content navigation can be achieved by employing knowledge of a current focus in the file and performing scroll jumps in accordance with binary search techniques. Navigation scope for the file can be refined at each iteration, based on a user indicating whether to move up or down in the file after each intermediate position. Such a technique for content navigation can help users locate content in a file with greater speed and accuracy. | 02-24-2011 |
20110060796 | E-MAIL ADDRESS VERIFICATION SYSTEM - A system for verifying a sender's intent to send an e-mail message to a recipient includes a sender computer having memory and a processor, a sender mail server having memory and a processor, wherein the sender mail server is connected to the sender computer, an e-mail program, wherein the e-mail program is stored in the sender computer's memory, an e-mail message, wherein the e-mail message is stored in the sender computer's memory, an e-mail address verification program, wherein the e-mail address verification program is stored in the sender computer's memory, and a sender correspondence database, wherein the sender correspondence database is stored in the sender computer's memory. A method for verifying a sender's intent to send an e-mail message to a recipient is also disclosed. | 03-10-2011 |
20110138321 | ZONE-BASED FUNCTIONS IN A USER INTERFACE - Initiating a predefined function responsive to detecting a selected graphic control moved into a zone within a user interface. One or more zones may be defined, and a corresponding function is defined for each zone. Responsive to movement of the selected graphic control in an orthogonal direction and releasing the control in a particular zone, a particular function is invoked, the particular function corresponding to the zone in which the control is released. | 06-09-2011 |
20110145687 | Method and System For enabling Access To Data Files Unsupported by A Computing Device - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing access to data files. A first computer device sends a data file to a web server which hosts the data file. Responsive to sending the data file to the web server, the first computer device receives from the web server a web page link to the data file hosted at the web server. The first computer device creates, in a web browser application in the first computer device, a bookmark associated with the web page link. The first computer device then synchronizes the bookmarks in its web browser application with the bookmarks in the web browser application of a second computer device to allow a bookmark associated with the web page link to also be created in the web browser application of the second computer device. | 06-16-2011 |
20110161795 | INTER-APPLICATION DOCUMENT ACCESS - An operating system can be extended to allow open documents to be automatically transferred from one application to another without saving the open documents. When a request is received to use an open document from a first application in a second application, an open document unit can determine if the open document has not been saved. The open document unit can create a temporary file based on the open document. The open document unit can open the temporary file in the second application. In addition, the open document unit can convert the temporary file into a format compatible with the second application if the temporary file's format is not compatible with the second application. | 06-30-2011 |
20110238828 | REDIRECTING WEB CONTENT - A peer group can be established for sharing Web cache data among a set of computing devices through a peer-to-peer network. The Web cache data can be used by each of the computing devices to respond to requests issued over a client-server network from a Web browser running on that computing device. Web cache data can be exchanged among the peers of the peer group via the peer-to-peer network. A client request issued from a Web browser of one of the computing devices can be satisfied using Web cache data obtained from a different one of the computing devices in the peer group. The client request can be a request to one of the Web servers for Web content. The server associated with the request may never provide the Web content responsive to the client request, which is obtained instead from the different one of the computing devices. | 09-29-2011 |
20110239228 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely on a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 09-29-2011 |
20120030564 | Domain-Specific Spell Check Overlays - The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for using a domain-specific spell check overlay. An overlay application determines a domain. The overlay application retrieving a domain-specific overlay for the domain, the domain-specific overlay comprising domain-specific modifications for a spell check word list. Then, the overlay application modifies the spell check word list according to the domain-specific overlay. | 02-02-2012 |
20120030576 | REDUCING THE VALUE OF A BROWSER FINGERPRINT - A method, operable on a processing device, for reducing the value of a browser fingerprint may include receiving, by the processing device, a request to provide a list of plugins installed on a browser. The method may also include generating, by the processing device, a fake list of plugins installed on the browser. The method may additionally include communicating, by the processing device, the fake list of plugins installed on the browser in response to the received request to provide a list of plugins installed on the browser. | 02-02-2012 |
20120096084 | SHARED MEDIA EXPERIENCE DISTRIBUTION AND PLAYBACK - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for providing a shared user experience during media playback. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for providing a shared user experience during media playback is provided. The method includes selecting for a particular user a media file for playback in a media player executing in memory by a processor of a computer. The method also includes retrieving a shared user experience audio file recorded for a different user during a previous playback of the selected media file. Finally, the method includes playing back for the particular user both the selected media file and the retrieved shared user experience audio file concurrently in the media player. | 04-19-2012 |
20120151416 | CONTROLLING THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEWS OF SELECTED PORTIONS OF CONTENT - Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to presenting a first portion of content and a second portion of content in a two-dimensional view via a graphical user interface and detecting an input associated with one or more of the first portion of the content and the second portion of the content. Some embodiments are further directed to selecting the first portion of the content in response to the detecting of the input, and changing the presenting of the first portion of the content from the two-dimensional view to a three-dimensional view in response to the selecting the first portion of the content. Some embodiments are further directed to continuing to present the second portion of the content in the two-dimensional view while changing the presenting of the first portion of the content to the three-dimensional view. | 06-14-2012 |
20120158881 | Software License Agreement Amongst Workgroups Using Software Usage Data - A license handling information handling system receives an electronic message from a first computer system utilized by a first user. The first user's message requests a license to a licensed product that has previously been purchased by the organization. The license handling information handling system identifies a second user in the organization that currently has a license to the licensed product, and requests that the second user relinquish the license to the licensed product. The second user indicates that the second user's license will be relinquished for a temporary time period. The licensing handling information handling system sends an electronic message, including the temporary time period, to the first user. In response to the first user accepting the temporary time period, the second user's license to the licensed product is revoked, and the first user is granted a license to the licensed product. | 06-21-2012 |
20120159351 | MULTIPLE REVIEWS OF GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES - Embodiments includes a method comprising generating a User Interface (UI) application, based on instructions from a developer using a software development tool. The UI application includes an edit layer configured to enable multiple reviewers of the UI application to graphically overlay multiple reviews of the UI application over a display of the UI application, wherein the multiple reviews comprise a markup of at least one of a design, a layout and a wording of text of the UI application. The method also includes receiving the multiple reviews of the UI application from the multiple reviewers. The method includes displaying, for review by the developer, the UI application and the multiple reviews graphically overlaid on the UI application. | 06-21-2012 |
20120169834 | View Selection in a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Network - In V2V or other networks in which multiple video cameras can share video data, a network participant ordinarily has the option of selecting a particular video data stream (either generated by local cameras or received from other network participants. To facilitate the process of selecting a video data stream for presentation, the user's vehicle (in a V2V network) receives video data streams generated by other network participants along with identifiers indicating the video data stream actually being presented to the sender. The receiving system identifies the received video data stream by the greatest number of network participants and displays the identified video data stream on the user's in-vehicle video display. | 07-05-2012 |
20120173489 | ATTRIBUTE SELECTABLE FILE OPERATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for attribute based file operation implementation selection. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for providing selectable implementations of a file operation is provided. The method includes receiving a directive to perform a file operation on a particular file stored in fixed storage of a computer and identifying an attribute of the particular file. An implementation of the file operation can be selected amongst different implementations of the file operation that maps to the identified attribute. Thereafter, the selected implementation of the file operation can be invoked to perform the file operation upon the particular file. | 07-05-2012 |
20120174020 | INDICATION OF ACTIVE WINDOW WHEN SWITCHING TASKS IN A MULTI-MONITOR ENVIRONMENT - Exemplary embodiments disclose methods and systems for indicating a location of an active window when switching tasks performed by an application executing on a computer that is coupled to multiple monitors, including a primary monitor and at least one secondary monitor, wherein the primary monitor displays a task switching application showing running tasks. Aspects of the exemplary embodiments include: querying an operating system of the computer for monitor configuration, including a physical arrangement of the multiple monitors; in response to a user bringing to focus a task displayed in the task switching application, determining on which one of the one or more secondary monitors the task is running; and displaying a direction indicator indicating a direction of the one or more secondary monitors on which the in focus task is currently running with respect to the primary monitor. | 07-05-2012 |
20120179822 | TECHNIQUES FOR PROVISIONING CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT RESOURCES BASED ON SOCIAL MEDIA ANALYSIS - A technique for provisioning computing environment resources based on social media analysis includes monitoring, using a data processing system, references (e.g., hyperlinks) provided by a first website to detect an anticipated flash crowd for a web-accessible resource (e.g., second website). The technique also includes generating, using the data processing system, a notice to allocate resources associated with the web-accessible resource to service the anticipated flash crowd. | 07-12-2012 |
20120183185 | PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION USING IMAGE ANALYSIS AND USER INTERACTION - A product identification service uses image analysis and user interaction. The product identification service includes functionality to compare a first portion of a retail product image to a plurality of candidate retail product images. The retail product image includes a pictorial likeness of a plurality of manufactured retail products. The first portion of the retail product image corresponds to a first retail product. The product identification service also includes functionality to generate a candidate product set comprising candidate retail product images satisfying image comparison criteria. Each candidate retail product image is representative of a retail product having a plurality of product characteristics. The product identification service also includes functionality to determine, based on at least one candidate retail product image in the candidate product set, one or more product identity queries configured to solicit additional product identity information from a user. | 07-19-2012 |
20120197912 | Sorting E-Mail Documents Based on Free Text Field Content - A request is received to sort multiple e-mail documents according to least frequently used words in the multiple e-mail documents. The multiple e-mail documents are analyzed to identify which of the multiple e-mail documents use at least one of the least frequently used words. The multiple e-mail documents are sorted, according to the least frequently used words, to create alphabetically sorted e-mail documents, and the alphabetically sorted e-mail documents are then displayed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120201418 | DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT OF CAPTURED CONTENT BASED ON CAPTURE ASSOCIATED LOCATIONS - A certification is received from a user stating that captured content does not comprise a particular restricted element and a request from the user for an adjustment of a digital rights management rule identified for the captured content based on the captured content comprising the particular restricted element. At least one term of the digital rights management rule is adjusted to reflect that the captured content does not comprise the particular restricted element. The usage of the captured content by the user is monitored to determine whether the usage matches the certification statement. | 08-09-2012 |
20120242699 | MODIFICATION OF TURF TV PARTICIPANT DECORATIONS BASED ON MULTIPLE REAL-TIME FACTORS - A method, system and compute program product for modifying sporting event participant decorations displayed on a fiber optic “Turf TV” playing surface. A utility calculates a direction of movement of a player or object in proximity to the playing surface, which is configured to display images, during a live sporting event. The utility adds a graphical aura to a real-time graphical image displayed in proximity to the player on the playing surface. The utility animates the aura in response to wind and/or noise in proximity to the playing surface. The utility modifies the aura based on pre-defined custom attributes, penalties, errors, and/or player status. If the player moves, the utility adds a graphical player trail to the image. The utility also adds a graphical object trail that includes previous locations of an object. The object trail may also include spin and a visual appearance corresponding to an object height. | 09-27-2012 |
20120272166 | SPATIALLY-ORIENTED TRAVERSAL ANIMATIONS FOR NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSITIONS - Embodiments include a method that includes receiving a destination Internet address for a destination web page into a graphical web browser that is displaying a current web page having a current Internet address on a display. The method includes determining a relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method also includes determining a spatially-oriented traversal animation based on the relationship between the destination Internet address and the current Internet address. The method includes animating bringing the destination web page onto the display using the spatially-oriented traversal animation. The method also includes displaying the destination web page after the spatially-oriented traversal animation. | 10-25-2012 |
20120314848 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT SHORTCUTTING - Call specific information input by a user and user information pre-stored in a database are mapped to a voice response unit (VRU) map associated with a targeted VRU. A call with the targeted VRU is initiated and the targeted VRU is navigated to an option associated with a user goal input by the user. The VRU map is displayed and progress of the navigation of the targeted VRU is displayed to the user during the call on the displayed VRU map as the VRU is navigated. | 12-13-2012 |
20130007028 | DISCOVERING RELATED FILES AND PROVIDING DIFFERENTIATING INFORMATION - Related files are discovered, and the discovered information is provided for a user. Informative annotations and/or information that differentiates among the discovered files may also be provided. In one aspect, user-provided criteria are used to determine whether files are related. Examples include: same (or similar) file name; modified near in time to one another; use of similarity hashing; similar file size; and event(s) performed on the files. | 01-03-2013 |
20130007214 | Content Protection Continuity Through Authorized Chains of Components - Provided is techniques for the distribution and control of digital content such that Quality of Experience (QoE) is maintained. Content is protected from when the content is encrypted to when it is used. To ensure the QoE of particular content, a content owner embeds a list of required or preferred components that must be employed to render the content. The content owner's list of required or preferred components specifies specific components “trusted” to correctly process the content. The specified chain of preferred components is compared to possible devices in the system that processes the content. If there are multiple acceptable devices for a specific link, a preference system is employed to determine the device that executed the particular part of the chain. The preference system is based upon a number of factors, such as, but not limited to, performance characteristics, user preferences, expected stability, power requirements and system preferences. | 01-03-2013 |
20130007614 | GUIDE MODE FOR GESTURE SPACES - A gesture system executes actions or commands based on gesture inputs. The system includes a detection subsystem and a gesture processing device. The detection subsystem monitor a plurality of gesture spheres, including a participant gesture sphere and a guide gesture sphere. The participant gesture sphere corresponds to a first user and a participant domain on a display device. The guide gesture sphere corresponds to a second user. The gesture processing device implements a guide mode to execute an action within the participant domain based on a gesture from the guide gesture sphere. | 01-03-2013 |
20130007616 | GUIDE MODE FOR GESTURE SPACES - A gesture system executes actions or commands based on gesture inputs. The system includes a detection subsystem and a gesture processing device. The detection subsystem monitor a plurality of gesture spheres, including a participant gesture sphere and a guide gesture sphere. The participant gesture sphere corresponds to a first user and a participant domain on a display device. The guide gesture sphere corresponds to a second user. The gesture processing device implements a guide mode to execute an action within the participant domain based on a gesture from the guide gesture sphere. | 01-03-2013 |
20130007769 | Tracking File-Centric Events - File-centric events are tracked and recorded in a system-wide event log. Preferably, the tracking is controlled by the operating system, and applies to all executing applications. Various types of information may be recorded for a particular event, and this information may vary depending on the application to which the event pertains and/or on the type of event. Event information for a particular file can be retrieved upon request, and may be displayed to a user. | 01-03-2013 |
20130184982 | GENERATING ROUTES - A method, data processing system and computer program product for generating a route. A beginning location is received. A set of preferences for generating a set of routes is received. A set of routes is generated based upon the set of preferences, wherein each route in the set of routes starts and ends at the beginning location, and wherein at least a portion of a specified route in the set of routes does not overlap any other portion of the specified route in the set of routes. | 07-18-2013 |
20130191740 | Content Volume Throttling in Feed Aggregators - Methods and systems of managing feed items may involve receiving a feed item and determining an estimate of an amount of time to read the feed item. In addition, the feed item can be prioritized in a feed aggregator based at least in part on the estimate of the amount of time to read the feed item. | 07-25-2013 |
20130326331 | RECEIVER SIDE INDICATION OF PREVIEW CONTENT FOR TEMPLATE EMAILS - A computer implemented method, a computer program product, and a data processing system display a user-defined email preview within a mail folder of an email client. A user can enter a user-defined preview text into a preview field associated with a particular email. When a preview of the email is shown in a mail folder, the user-defined preview text is shown as the email preview instead of a truncated portion of the email body. | 12-05-2013 |
20140005926 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM EFFICIENTLY UTILIZES POWER BY PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DRIVER FOR ONLY THE DRIVER SELECTED PORTION(S) OF ROUTE | 01-02-2014 |
20140013281 | CONTROLLING THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEWS OF SELECTED PORTIONS OF CONTENT - Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to determining that at least a portion of content would be obscured by a border of a graphical user interface if the content were to be presented in a two-dimensional state via the graphical user interface, and presenting the at least the portion of the content in a stereoscopic three-dimensional state in response to the determining that the at least the portion of the content would be obscured by the border of the graphical user interface, wherein a stereoscopic depth effect of the stereoscopic three-dimensional state makes the at least the portion of the content appear to extend beyond the border of the graphical user interface. | 01-09-2014 |