Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080204449 | ENABLEMENT OF VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES THROUGH ADVERTISEMENT EXPOSURE - The present invention relates to the enablement of virtual universe functions and features through advertisement exposure. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: viewing, by the avatar, advertising content within the virtual environment; and earning a number of points for viewing the advertising content. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208683 | PROVIDING PREFERRED TREATMENT BASED ON PREFERRED CONDUCT - A method, system and computer program product for encouraging a virtual world user to perform a conduct are disclosed. According an embodiment, a method for encouraging a virtual world user to perform a conduct comprises: monitoring the virtual world user with respect to the conduct; and providing an infrastructural treatment to the virtual world user based on an amount of the conduct performed by the virtual world user. | 08-28-2008 |
20080222024 | AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTING A BID REQUEST FOR A GRID JOB TO MULTIPLE GRID PROVIDERS AND ANALYZING RESPONSES TO SELECT A WINNING GRID PROVIDER - A method, system, and program for automatically distributing a bid request for a grid job to multiple grid providers and analyzing responses to select a winning grid provider are provided. A user at a grid client enters at least one bid criteria for a particular grid job intended for submission to an external grid environment. The grid client automatically selects at least one grid provider for the external grid environment to query for availability to process the particular grid job to meet the criteria for the particular grid job. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the criteria in a bid request for the particular grid job to the selected grid providers. The grid client stores bid responses received from the grid providers, and responsive to reaching a deadline for return of responses for the bid request, the grid client selects a winning bid response from the particular grid job from among the received responses. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the particular grid job from the grid client system to the grid provider submitting the winning bid response. | 09-11-2008 |
20080222025 | AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTING A BID REQUEST FOR A GRID JOB TO MULTIPLE GRID PROVIDERS AND ANALYZING RESPONSES TO SELECT A WINNING GRID PROVIDER - A method, system, and program for automatically distributing a bid request for a grid job to multiple grid providers and analyzing responses to select a winning grid provider are provided. A user at a grid client enters at least one bid criteria for a particular grid job intended for submission to an external grid environment. The grid client automatically selects at least one grid provider for the external grid environment to query for availability to process the particular grid job to meet the criteria for the particular grid job. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the criteria in a bid request for the particular grid job to the selected grid providers. The grid client stores bid responses received from the grid providers, and responsive to reaching a deadline for return of responses for the bid request, the grid client selects a winning bid response from the particular grid job from among the received responses. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the particular grid job from the grid client system to the grid provider submitting the winning bid response. | 09-11-2008 |
20080275692 | SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR NATIONAL LANGUAGE SUPPORT USING A MULTI-LANGUAGE PROPERTY FILE - A system and computer program product for national language support. National language support for an application is provided by recording translations of a text string in corresponding different languages in a single property file so as to allow display of the translations in the property file. One of the translations of the text string recorded in the property file is selected for use by an application based on a locale associated with the execution of the application and the selected one of the translations is used in the execution of the application. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275693 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR NATIONAL LANGUAGE SUPPORT USING A MULTI-LANGUAGE PROPERTY FILE - A method, system, and computer program product for national language support. National language support for an application is provided by recording translations of a text string in corresponding different languages in a single property file so as to allow display of the translations in the property file. One of the translations of the text string recorded in the property file is selected for use by an application based on a locale associated with the execution of the application and the selected one of the translations is used in the execution of the application. | 11-06-2008 |
20080306866 | AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTING A BID REQUEST FOR A GRID JOB TO MULTIPLE GRID PROVIDERS AND ANALYZING RESPONSES TO SELECT A WINNING GRID PROVIDER - A method, system, and program for automatically distributing a bid request for a grid job to multiple grid providers and analyzing responses to select a winning grid provider are provided. A user at a grid client enters at least one bid criteria for a particular grid job intended for submission to an external grid environment. The grid client automatically selects at least one grid provider for the external grid environment to query for availability to process the particular grid job to meet the criteria for the particular grid job. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the criteria in a bid request for the particular grid job to the selected grid providers. The grid client stores bid responses received from the grid providers, and responsive to reaching a deadline for return of responses for the bid request, the grid client selects a winning bid response from the particular grid job from among the received responses. Then, the grid client automatically distributes the particular grid job from the grid client system to the grid provider submitting the winning bid response. | 12-11-2008 |
20090037291 | DYNAMIC VIRTUAL SHOPPING AREA BASED ON USER PREFERENCES AND HISTORY - The present invention is directed to a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history. A method for providing a dynamic virtual shopping area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing user preferences; and dynamically customizing a virtual shopping area for an avatar based on the user preferences, such that the avatar is presented with items the avatar is more likely to purchase upon entering the virtual shopping area. | 02-05-2009 |
20090048918 | ACQUISITION OF AVATAR REWARDS THROUGH ADVERTISEMENT EXPOSURE - The present invention relates to the acquisition of virtual and/or tangible avatar rewards through advertisement exposure. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: viewing advertising content within the virtual environment; and providing a reward to the avatar for viewing the advertising content. | 02-19-2009 |
20090055754 | AVATAR AGGREGATION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that aggregates avatars that are online in a virtual universe into an aggregated avatar is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar identification component configured to identify a plurality of avatars that are online in the virtual universe. An avatar aggregation component is configured to aggregate the plurality of avatars into an aggregated avatar representative of the plurality avatars. | 02-26-2009 |
20090058862 | AUTOMATIC AVATAR TRANSFORMATION FOR A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that automatically transforms an avatar characteristic of an avatar that is online in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar locator component configured to locate an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. An avatar characteristics transforming component is configured to automatically transform the avatar characteristic associated with the located avatar according to predetermined transformation criteria. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063168 | CONDUCTING MARKETING ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO A VIRTUAL WORLD BASED ON MONITORED VIRTUAL WORLD ACTIVITY - A method, system and computer program product for conducting a marketing activity are disclosed. An activity of an avatar in a virtual world is monitored and a key word is extracted from the monitored activity. A marketing activity is determined based on the extracted key word. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070424 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED ALERTING AND AWARENESS SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF AN EAR PIECE OR OTHER USER INTERFACE - The personal information manager system comprises a centralized information manager (CIM) and a personal information manager (PIM) device. The centralized information manager is encoded on a server and is accessable by the PIM device through Internet protocols over a wireless medium. The PIM, to be carried by a user, is connected to the CIM by a wireless transmitter, receives context-sensitive, customized, prioritized, filtered, and aggregated information from the CIM, and can directly receive GPS data and other sources of local information. | 03-12-2009 |
20090077161 | MODIFYING TIME PROGRESSION RATES IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Described herein are processes and devices that intentionally modify time progression rates in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a temporal variation device. The temporal variation device can determine an area, in a virtual universe, in which time progresses at a specific time progression rate. The temporal variation device can modify the time progression rate to be faster or slower in the area. By modifying the time progression rate in the area, rates at which action occur also change in a way that is correlated to the change in the time progression rate. The temporal variation device can maintain areas beyond the borders of the area at a time progression rate that is not modified. Therefore, the temporal variation device can create a relative time dilation between the determined area and other areas in the virtual universe outside of the determined area. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083623 | CREATING DOCUMENTS FROM GRAPHICAL OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Described herein are processes and devices that create and manage documents in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a virtual document converter. The virtual document converter analyzes a set of one or more graphical objects of a virtual document in a virtual universe. The virtual document presents document content. The virtual document converter determines format information for generating a document file. The virtual document converter parses the document content of the virtual document. The virtual document converter generates the document file with the parsed document content and the determined format information. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083624 | CREATING DOCUMENTS FROM OBJECTS WITH TEXT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Described herein are processes and devices that create and manage documents in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a virtual document converter. The virtual document converter can determine a plurality of text objects associated with a document graphic. The plurality of text objects present text, such as of a multiple page virtual document in a virtual universe. The virtual document converter generates a single, multi-page document file, for example, by encoding the text presented by the plurality of text objects into the document file. | 03-26-2009 |
20090089684 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MEDIA FOR TEMPORAL TELEPORT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD ENVIRONMENT - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for providing temporal teleport capability in a virtual world environment are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for temporally teleporting an avatar in a virtual world environment (VWE) may include, at a first time in a VWE, receiving a request from a user associated with an avatar to temporally teleport the avatar to a temporal destination at an earlier, second time in the VWE. Embodiments of the method may also include creating for the avatar a recreated virtual world based on the temporal destination at the earlier, second time. Embodiments may also include receiving input from the user associated with interaction between the user's avatar and the recreated virtual world and allowing the user's avatar to interactively participate in the recreated virtual world during the temporal teleport. | 04-02-2009 |
20090098939 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPENSATING PARTICIPANTS OF VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS - Methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating participants of events or activities of virtual environments, such as on-line games, digital or virtual worlds, and virtual universes are disclosed. One or more embodiments may comprise conducting an event, measuring event participation by the participant, and compensating the participant based upon the measured participation. Various embodiments may compensate the participant based upon the amount of time the participant spends at the event, while other embodiments may compensate the participant based upon amounts or types of activity of the participant while attending the event. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon such activity as chat activity, keyboard activity, and mouse activity. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon one or more referrals that the participant makes other participants. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100076 | CONTROLLING AND USING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE WISH LISTS - Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item. | 04-16-2009 |
20090109229 | REDUCING A DISPLAY QUALITY OF AN AREA IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are processes and devices that reduce a display quality of an area of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines, or selects, an area in the virtual universe. A computing resource processes data for presenting the area in the virtual universe. The virtual resource conserver evaluates significance factors about the area to determine a significance of how the area is being used, or an extent to which an area is being viewed by an avatar. The virtual resource conserver reduces a display quality of the area based on the significance of how the area is being used or viewed. The virtual resource conserver thus reduces usage of the computing resource. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112970 | AUTOMATICALLY UPDATING VIRTUAL WORLDS - Methods and arrangements of automatically updating virtual worlds are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive from a user a specification of a data store of the user external to a virtual world. The method may involve automatically gathering data from the data store of the user, responsive to the receiving; generating a representation of the data, and transmitting the representation of the data. In many embodiments, the representation may contain a designation of a data store of the virtual world to be updated by the representation. In some embodiments, a display of the user in the virtual world may be based upon the data store of the virtual world. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113314 | LOCATION AND PLACEMENT OF AVATARS IN VIRTUAL WORLDS - Methods and arrangements of locating objects in virtual worlds are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive from a user a criterion for gathering information from sources external to a virtual world and automatically gathering information based upon the criterion. The information may include contact information of potential participants in the virtual world. The method may include aggregating data for determining a placement of an avatar of the user in the virtual world and transmitting the data. In some embodiments, the method may involve identifying an avatar of another participant in the virtual world on the basis of the contact information. In many embodiments, the method may involve determining a location for the location of the avatar of the user based upon the contact information. In several embodiments, the information gathering may be performed by a local software agent. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113319 | DEVELOPING USER PROFILES IN VIRTUAL WORLDS - Methods and arrangements of developing user profiles in virtual worlds are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive data from a software agent in a virtual world, directly or indirectly. The data may be based upon information automatically gathered from data stores outside the virtual world, including account data and user profile data. The embodiment may also involve developing a user profile of the user in the virtual world, based upon the data received from the software agent. An embodiment may also involve automatically gathering information from data stores external to the virtual world. The information may include user account data and user profile information. The embodiment may also include aggregating data for generating the user profile in the virtual world, based upon the information; and transmitting the data directly or indirectly to the virtual world. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113338 | COLLAPSING AREAS OF A REGION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are processes and devices that collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines a first area of a region in a virtual universe. The first area has objects or avatars. A first computing resource processes data for presenting and controlling the objects or avatars in the first area. The virtual resource conserver determines a second area of the region that is similar in topology to the first area. The virtual resource conserver moves the objects or avatars from the first area to the second area and transfers data for presenting and controlling the avatars or objects from the first computing resource to a second computing resource. Finally, the virtual resource conserver reduces usage of the first computing resource, thus conserving resources in the virtual universe. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113421 | USING SMART OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are processes and devices that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver reads data that indicates that a resource conservation setting is to be selected for a virtual object in a virtual universe. The virtual resource conserver selects the resource conservation setting for the displayed virtual object. The resource conservation setting comprises data that describes a displayable characteristic about the virtual object, which can be reduced in display quality. The virtual resource conserver reduces the display quality of the virtual object in accordance with the selected resource conservation setting, thus conserving computing resources. | 04-30-2009 |
20090132703 | VERIFYING RESOURCE FUNCTIONALITY BEFORE USE BY A GRID JOB SUBMITTED TO A GRID ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and program for verifying resource functionality before use by a grid job submitted to a grid environment are provided. When a new resource is allocated to a particular execution environment within a grid environment managed by a grid management system, then a grid verification service automatically selects and runs at least one functionality test on the new resource as controlled by the grid management system. Responsive to a result of the functionality test, the grid verification system verifies whether the result meets an expected result before enabling routing of the grid job to the new resource, such that the functionality of the new resource is automatically verified before access to the new resource is allowed to maintain quality of service in processing grid jobs. | 05-21-2009 |
20090138594 | COORDINATING THE MONITORING, MANAGEMENT, AND PREDICTION OF UNINTENDED CHANGES WITHIN A GRID ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and program for coordinating the monitoring, management, and prediction of unintended changes within a grid environment are provided. A grid change controller within a particular grid environment detects an unintended change within that grid environment. In particular, grid change controller monitors potential change indicators received from multiple disparate resource managers across the grid environment, where each resource manage manages a selection of resources within the grid environment. The grid change controller then determines a necessary response to the unintended change within the grid environment and communicates with at least one independent manager within the grid environment to resolve the unintended change, such that the grid change controller facilitates recovery from the unintended change within the grid environment to maintain performance requirements within the grid environment. | 05-28-2009 |
20090150013 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AIRPORT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT - Airport ground traffic management methods, program products and systems provided for a plurality of tags or tag readers distributed throughout an airport each spaced greater than a tag reader scanning distance. A traveling apparatus brings a tag proximate to a tag reader and a traffic manager in communication with the tag reader receives tag data and determines an apparatus location characteristic and formats the characteristic into a presentation provided to an apparatus operator or an airport ground traffic controller. Campus regions are identified in response to an airport campus function characteristic, and an apparatus location is plotted within a region on a graphic representation. In response to location, speed, historic data, data from other read tag and the location of another apparatus, a determined course of action is determined including entering a movement directive into an auto-pilot component. | 06-11-2009 |
20090187461 | MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSES IN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - This description presents techniques for performing market segmentation analyses in virtual universes. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting virtual universe data associated with interactions between avatars, entities, and objects in a virtual universe. The collecting can include recording at least some of the virtual universe data as the interactions occur, determining a criteria with which to perform a market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data, where segmentation divides the virtual universe data into a plurality of groups. The method can also include performing the market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data, and generating a report indicating results of the market segmentation analysis. | 07-23-2009 |
20090198365 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A MANUAL ASSEMBLY SEQUENCE - A computer program product, apparatus and system are disclosed for managing a manual assembly sequence by electronically referencing unique identifiers associated with physical components to be assembled in the sequence. Certain embodiments facilitate management of an assembly of a consumer product. In one embodiment, RFID tags are used as unique identifiers. Such embodiments may use RFID tags to determine the presence of the components before each assembly step in the assembly sequence and to determine that the components are being assembled in sequence. Other embodiments determine whether the components are properly assembled after being assembled, that the distance between the components falls within a predetermined range, and/or that the components for an assembly steps is properly orientation with respect to other components. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198536 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VENDOR-NEUTRAL SUBCONTRACTOR ENABLEMENT - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes receiving information in support of a bid and determining if value-add eligibility criteria is met. Additionally, the method includes calculating a bid price based on the information if the value-add eligibility criteria is met, updating a record indicating the bid price and tracking additions and changes to the record. | 08-06-2009 |
20090210803 | AUTOMATICALLY MODIFYING COMMUNICATIONS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Described herein are processes and systems that automatically modify communications in a virtual universe. One of the systems described is a virtual communication modifier system. The virtual communication modifier system detects a communication intended for use in the virtual universe. The virtual communication has characteristics, such as language, format, sound quality, and text properties that can be modified automatically. The virtual communication modifier system determines whether a characteristic of the communication is different from a characteristic indicated within a user preference. If the characteristic of the communication is different from the indicated characteristic, then the virtual communication modifier system automatically modifies the communication characteristic to comport with the indicated characteristic (e.g., automatically converts the language of the communication from English to Spanish). The virtual communication modifier system then presents the modified communication. | 08-20-2009 |
20090235265 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COST AVOIDANCE IN VIRTUALIZED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENTS - A method includes monitoring a utilization amount of resources within logical partitions (LPARs) of a plurality of servers and identifying a resource-strained server of the plurality of servers, wherein the resource-strained server includes a plurality of LPARs. Additionally, the method includes determining a migration of one or more LPARs of the plurality of LPARs of the resource-strained server and migrating the one or more LPARs of the resource-strained server to another server of the plurality of servers based on the determining to avoid an activation of capacity upgrade on demand (CUoD). | 09-17-2009 |
20090240547 | AUTOMATING RESPONSES BY GRID PROVIDERS TO BID REQUESTS INDICATING CRITERIA FOR A GRID JOB - A method, system, and program for automating responses by grid providers to bid request indicating criteria for a grid job are provided. A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated. Next, a total cost for the total required workload is estimated and the grid service automatically returns a bid response to the client system, where the bid response includes an identifier for the grid provider and the total cost for the job request. In addition, the bid response may include a total time for performance of the grid job described by the job request. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244059 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING VIRTUAL WORLD ENVIRONMENTS BASED UPON EXISTING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS - In general, the present invention provides a system and method for creating and utilizing virtual worlds for enhanced management of an Information Technology (IT) environment. Two dimensional (2D) and/or three dimensional (3D) virtual world renditions are automatically created to replicate the associated real-life IT environment. Such virtual environments can then be used to familiarize staff with remote locations and to securely provide virtual data center tours to others. This invention comprises a system and method of automatically creating a virtual world environment to reflect a real world environment using information stored in databases and floor plans. The virtual world environment is rendered utilizing a Virtual World Rendering Module and is updated utilizing a Virtual Instrument Update Module. | 10-01-2009 |
20090259511 | ESTIMATING FUTURE GRID JOB COSTS BY CLASSIFYING GRID JOBS AND STORING RESULTS OF PROCESSING GRID JOB MICROCOSMS - A method, system, and program for estimating future grid job costs by classifying grid jobs and storing results of processing grid job microcosms are provided. In general, a client side agent estimates future grid job costs by comparing a current grid job of a particular classification with a history of stored costs for other grid jobs of that customer of that particular classification. In particular, the grid client agent for a client system enabled to submit grid jobs to a grid provider that facilitates a grid environment, calculates a ratio of an application based metric to a grid provider metric for processing a particular grid job. Then, the grid client agent creates a table with an entry comparing the application based metric to a cost per grid provider metric for the grid provider based on the calculated ratio. Next, the grid client agent stores the table with the entry. Then, responsive to detecting a next grid job, the grid client agent estimates a cost for the grid provider to process the next grid job based on a particular number of application based metric operations required for the next grid job, translated by the ratio into the grid provider metric and multiplied by the cost per grid provider metric. | 10-15-2009 |
20090271205 | PREFERRED CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATION TO VIRTUAL UNIVERSE CLIENTS - The present invention is directed to presenting customer service representatives to a virtual universe client. A method for presenting a customer service representative (CSR) to a virtual universe client includes obtaining a preference(s) of the virtual universe client, and then presenting a virtual universe customer service representative (CSR) to the virtual universe client, based on the preference that was obtained. The invention allows virtual universe clients (“clients”), or customers, to experience consistent interaction quality with virtual universe CSR's, based on the client's stated preferences and/or interaction history in immersive support centers. This provides for consistency in the CSR experience for the client in that a virtual universe CSR may be staffed by varying human presences “behind” the avatar. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276704 | PROVIDING CUSTOMER SERVICE HIERARCHIES WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to providing customer service hierarchies within a virtual universe. A method for providing customer service hierarchies within a virtual universe includes: receiving a customer need request from an avatar; presenting a virtual interactive menu and/or a web page after receiving the customer need request; and if the menu and/or web page does not satisfy the customer's need request, then providing a customer service representative avatar to the avatar in need of customer service. A system, a program product stored on a computer readable medium, and a method for deploying such an application are also disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276718 | VIRTUAL WORLD TELEPORTATION - The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. | 11-05-2009 |
20090286598 | System And Method Of Deterministic Teleportation Within A Virtual World - A method for deterministic teleportation within a virtual world, comprising creating and storing an association between a set of user conditions and a set of teleporter exit destinations. When a user engages the teleporter entrance, a user condition set is retrieved from the incoming user. The set of retrieved incoming user conditions is stored and compared to the association. A correct teleporter exit destination is selected from the set of teleporter exit destinations corresponding to a data match between the set of retrieved incoming user conditions and the set of user conditions associated with the exit destination. | 11-19-2009 |
20090307051 | CONSUMER RATING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE BASED THEREON WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to providing consumer ratings and customer service based thereon within a virtual universe. A method for providing a consumer rating and customer service within a virtual universe includes: determining a consumer habit(s) of a customer in the virtual universe and then calculating a consumer rating, based on the determination of the consumer habit(s). From the calculated consumer rating, a particular consumer service is selectively providing in the virtual universe. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313229 | AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT OF SOFTWARE IMAGES FOR EFFICIENT RESOURCE NODE BUILDING WITHIN A GRID ENVIRONMENT - A method, system, and program for automated management of software images for efficient resource node building within a grid environment are provided. A grid service detects a current software environment for a grid job within a grid environment, wherein the grid environment includes multiple grid resources. The grid service searches a catalog of multiple software images to determine whether an image for the current software environment matches any software images in the catalog. In particular, each of the software images includes an index into at least one installation image. Further, storage of the software images is structured in the catalog for automated efficient access to each software image by multiple resource nodes within the grid environment. If the grid service does not locate a software image for the current software environment in the catalog, the grid service captures at least one installation image for the current software environment for storage in the catalog as an additional software image. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319286 | PERSONAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A method of providing personal service assistance in a virtual universe is disclosed. The method provides a customer avatar (CA) access to a personal assistance avatar or personal customer service representative (PCSR) avatar, hereinafter PCSR avatar. Through the PCSR avatar, the CA communicates a need or requests for personal service assistance from a business or organization. The communication of the received request is processed to identify an appropriate business, organization or vendor that meets the need or request. The identified business, organization or vendor is contacted for a representative from the business to accede to the request from the CA. The representative from the business is allowed to assume control of the PCSR avatar to conduct the session necessary for rendering the assistance or transaction. Upon completion of the session, control of the PCSR avatar is reverted to that prior to the session. | 12-24-2009 |
20090319390 | COMPETITIVE SALES ENVIRONMENT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for providing a competitive sales environment in a virtual world. In one embodiment, the invention comprises receiving a request for product or service information from a consumer avatar, querying a database of vendors based on the request for product or service information, identifying at least one vendor relevant to the request for product or service information, notifying the at least one vendor of the request, and making available to the consumer avatar a sales environment based on the request for product or service information. | 12-24-2009 |
20100023879 | DISCERNING AND DISPLAYING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AVATARS - The invention relates generally to virtual universe environments and, more particularly, to discerning and displaying information regarding relationships between two or more avatars in a virtual universe environment. In one embodiment, the invention includes determining whether a first avatar and a second avatar have at least one relationship with one or more common avatars in response to the first avatar initiating an interaction with the second avatar, and in the case that the first and second avatars have at least one relationship with at least one common avatar, displaying information regarding the relationship with the common avatar to at least one of the first and second avatar. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036687 | MOBILE TRANSPORT SELECTION AND ACQUISITION - A method, system, and computer program product for improving transportation selection and acquisition. A computer transmits historical fare and rating data of one or more public transportation vehicles (PTVs) within range of a user operating a mobile telecommunication device (MTD). The user may, via the MTD, select a PTV based on the provided historical fare or ratings data. Alternatively, the user may select a PTV based on personal preferences. In response to receiving a PTV selection from the MTD, the computer issues instructions to cause the selected PTV to be dispatched to the user's location. The computer may also receive user feedback for the selected PTV from the user in the form of a rating or as a textual comment. Customer feedback and may be used to update historical record information of a corresponding database entry for the selected PTV. This information may then be referenced by future customers. | 02-11-2010 |
20100057290 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOPERATIVE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS - Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for corroborative vehicle diagnostic. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows a vehicle to detect a fault indicator experienced by a vehicle subsystem. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows the vehicle to compare the fault indicator with similar and/or dissimilar conditions experienced by one or more additional vehicle located within a geographic region. A corroborative diagnostic controller compares the fault indicator with the conditions of the additional vehicle. Based on the comparison of the fault indicator with the condition, an error status of the fault indicator is determined. The error status may be that the vehicle subsystem has failed, that the vehicle subsystem has not failed and/or that the results are inconclusive. The corroborative diagnostic controller may communicate directly with a control system of the vehicle. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058208 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAGGING OBJECTS FOR HETEROGENEOUS SEARCHES - A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching. | 03-04-2010 |
20100066733 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING VIRTUAL WORLD ENVIRONMENTS BASED UPON EXISTING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS - In general, the present invention provides a system and method for creating, managing and utilizing virtual worlds for enhanced management of an Information Technology (IT) environment. Two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) virtual world renditions are automatically created to replicate the associated real-life IT environment. Such virtual environments can then be used to familiarize staff with remote locations and to securely provide virtual data center tours to others. The virtual environments are managed through an information monitor and management module that generates a work order sent to the physical location for reconfiguration of the real-life environment. | 03-18-2010 |
20100082798 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR ACTIVITIES REVIEW - Methods, services, program products and devices are provided for tracking avatar activities within a virtual universe domain. A proximity threshold of an avatar is defined with respect to proximity to an artifact located within a virtual universe domain. Activity by the avatar within the virtual universe domain is tracked, with activity data generated from the tracking. The activity data is analyzed to determine proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold, and a report is generated from the analyzing, the report noting a determined proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold. In one aspect, the report is provided to a supervisory entity. | 04-01-2010 |
20100085155 | LIQUID EXPOSURE DETECTION METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - Methods, systems and program products are provided for monitoring an article for fluid exposure. A plurality of liquid sensors is incorporated into an article beneath an outer layer in a furnishing installation. In response to a fluid-detected or no-fluid-detected state, polling the sensors and sometimes other data, a processor component determines fluid exposure, sensor failure and tampering events and stores event data in a memory. Pairs of the sensors are sometimes provided within expected liquid exposure saturation footprint areas. GPS coordinate, weather condition data and structural component positioning data may also be associated with event data. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085193 | RECORDING STORING, AND RETRIEVING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE RECORDS - A variety of sensors, such as mechanical triggers, light sensors and motion sensors, magnetic sensors, and radio frequency identification tags, are strategically placed throughout a motor vehicle to detect service and maintenance activities relating to the vehicle during the lifetime of the vehicle. A sensed activity then activates a suitable recording device, such as a video recorder, to record the activity. The completion of the activity likewise is sensed and causes deactivation of the recording device. The recorded activity is typically retained in a non-erasable, indexed storage device from which it can be easily retrieved. The sensors may also be used for tamper detection and vehicle motion detection. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085198 | IMMERSION DETECTION METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - A fluid detection system comprises a liquid sensor, an air pump and an atmospheric pressure sensor encased within an air and water permeable casing defining an enclosed air space. The pressure sensor acquires pressure samples within the casing, the air pump expelling additional gas into the casing. In response to determining a flood-status or a non-flood-status state of the fluid detection system and comparing the samples, a failure of the fluid detection system or an immersion of the fluid detection system in fluid is determined. In some embodiments, failure is determined if a second sample is greater than a first sample in a non-flooded state, and in others immersion is determined if a second sample is greater than a first sample value and the determined state is flooded. In some examples, gas is expelled across a liquid detection surface and a third sample value is acquired. | 04-08-2010 |
20100087983 | TRACKING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE USING SENSOR DETECTION - Radio frequency identification is used in cooperation with the computer system aboard a motor vehicle to track service and maintenance activities relating to the vehicle. Each component or part of the vehicle that may require maintenance is provided with a unique passive identification tag. The output data from the tag is read by a reader placed in proximity to the tag, and the data is transmitted to an on-board computer module where it is processed, and the service record is updated. A data stream converter may be used to process the information read by the reader into a format that is acceptable to the on-board computer. The data from the on-board computer is stored in a device external to the computer. Provisions are included for notification to the user, the auto dealer or service other agency as needed. | 04-08-2010 |
20100087985 | DETECTION OF VEHICLE OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS - Details relating to the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions are recorded and collected. This data is particularly useful to forestall catastrophic failures, and to provide valuable information for potential buyers of used vehicles. Among the operating conditions that are considered are high levels of air contaminants, operation in extreme hot or cold temperatures, hauling heavy loads, as well as hard braking, turning and acceleration. In addition to the detection and recording of data, prorated maintenance schedules are recalculated and adjusted to accommodate for the operation of the vehicle under these adverse or less than ideal conditions. Typically, the data is stored in the on-board computers present in most vehicles. Periodic off loading of the data to the dealer and service providers is also provided. | 04-08-2010 |
20100088600 | REDIRECTION OF AN AVATAR - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for redirecting an avatar within a virtual universe or between virtual universes. In one embodiment, the invention includes identifying a region within a virtual universe that an avatar is attempting to access, determining whether the region is available to the avatar, and in the case that the region is not available to the avatar, determining whether the avatar's attempt to access the region is based on an event scheduled in the region, and in the case that the avatar's attempt to access the region is based on an event scheduled in the region, determining whether the event has been relocated to a second region, in the case that the event has been relocated to a second region, offering to teleport the avatar to the second region, and in the case that the avatar chooses to be teleported to the second region, teleporting the avatar to the second region. | 04-08-2010 |
20100107084 | REDUCTION OF COMPUTER RESOURCE USE IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for reducing use of one or more computer resources. In one embodiment, the invention includes monitoring a user's interaction with a virtual universe, determining whether the user's interaction with the virtual universe is consistent with the user's attention being diverted from the virtual universe, determining whether a computer resource allocated to the user should be reduced, and in the case that the computer resource should be reduced, reducing the computer resource. | 04-29-2010 |
20100114417 | VEHICLE FLUID REPLACEMENT TRACKING METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for sensing and tracking vehicle fluid replacement in a vehicle by sensing information indicative of a first fluid draining from a fluid reservoir and/or a second fluid entering the fluid reservoir, recording fluid drain and fill events based on the information, and generating a fluid replacement history based on the recorded events. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114423 | LOCATION-BASED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULING METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for scheduling vehicle maintenance by identifying a future location at which a vehicle is available for a service and electronically providing at least the future location, a time and time duration that the vehicle is estimated to be at the future location, and the identified service to a mechanic. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114426 | MECHANIC CERTIFICATION TRACKING METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for tracking mechanic certification information. In one instance, information related to the certification of the mechanic is received and compared with stored authorized mechanic certification information. If a match is found, indicia indicating that the mechanic is an authorized mechanic is stored with the type of service. | 05-06-2010 |
20100114437 | ADAPTIVE VEHICLE CONFIGURATION - Methods, including service methods, program products and systems are provided for sensing vehicle loads and responsively and automatically configuring a vehicle. Vehicle-mounted load sensors sense vehicle loads, a vehicle processing means calculating a load imparted to the vehicle and comparing imparted loads to load capacity ratings or thresholds and responsively adjusting a vehicle cooling, transmission, braking, suspension or engine system into a revised operating mode. Modifying a component may entail revising a load capacity rating or threshold and repeating sensing, calculating, comparing and adjusting until the revised rating or threshold is met, or progressively adjusting in proportion to a change in a historic sensed load. Adjusting of the vehicle system may be biased to a performance characteristic or a load distribution. A supervisory entity may override automatic adjustment. | 05-06-2010 |
20100138227 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DYNAMICALLY PLACE PRODUCTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A system and method is provided to dynamically place products in a virtual universe and, in particular, to dynamically place products in a virtual universe based on an entity's budget. The system includes a placement location analysis engine configured to identify at least one location within a virtual universe and a placement cost analysis engine configured to determine a cost for displaying one or more items at one or more of the at least one location. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend one or more of the at least one location based on a budget. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCT TRIALS IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT - A system and method to enable product trials and, in particular, to dynamically collect information relating to the product trials. The system includes a tagging engine configured to tag one or more products, which are part of a product trial in a virtual universe. The system also includes a tracking engine configured to track information on the one or more products via a tag and a storage unit configured to collect the tracked information for marketing and/or advertising purposes. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138455 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT IN VIRTUAL WORLDS - A system for detecting inappropriate content in a virtual world environment has and a corresponding method utilizes a rating unit for rating each of one or more virtual objects based upon its content. The system has and the method utilizes a tagging unit for tagging each of the one or more virtual objects with its respective rating, an object tagging database for storing ratings of the one or more virtual objects, and a policy database for storing policies associated with the ratings and the regions. Further the system has and the method utilizes an object monitor for monitoring the movement of each of the one or more virtual objects, a security scanner for scanning each of the one or more virtual objects to determine the rating of each of the one or more virtual objects, and an enforcement module to enforce the policies of the policy database based upon the rating and the respective region. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138530 | COMPUTING COMPONENT AND ENVIRONMENT MOBILITY - Methods, services, devices, and programmable code are provided for moving computing processes without loss of service. Powered components supporting a computing infrastructure executing computing processes are monitored for thermal characteristics, each associated with at least one of the deployed components. A thermal characteristic rule set comprising a threshold is applied to the monitored characteristics, and in response to an association with a monitored characteristic correlating with the threshold, a computing process is moved from one powered component to another having a monitored thermal characteristics not correlated with the threshold, the moving in real-time and without causing an interruption of service to an end user using the moved process. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138740 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC MULTI-CONTENT CARDS - A method and system is provided for creation and distribution of dynamic multi-content cards in a virtual universe. More specifically, the method creates a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card in the VU. Additionally, the system includes a card selection tool configured to create a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card to another resident in the VU. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138755 | USE OF A VIRTUAL WORLD TO MANAGE A SECURED ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides for using a virtual universe (VU) to validate user access and manage activities within a secured environment. The secured environment is associated with a security system. The VU and the security system are generated by a VU simulation engine by inserting an abstraction layer between the VU simulation engine. A plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs) are provided between the VU simulation engine and elements of the security system. | 06-03-2010 |
20100141431 | VEHICLE METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MANAGING ELECTRICAL DEVICE POWER STATE - A system, method, and program product that manages the power state of a portable electrical device located within a monitored region about a vehicle. Information about the portable electrical device such as the power state of the portable electrical device is obtained and used to identify an action for the portable electrical device. Suitable actions include, but are not limited to, transitioning the power state of the portable electrical device and/or providing a notification about the portable electrical device. Other information such as the state of the ignition of the vehicle and/or the proximity of the driver and/or a passenger(s) with respect to the vehicle may additionally or alternatively be used to determine the action. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145563 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE OPERATIONS BASED ON OBJECT PRESENCE - A system, method, and program product controls an operation of a vehicle based on the presence of one or more foreign objects within one or more monitored zones about the vehicle. One or more transceivers receive information about the one or more foreign objects. Based on the received information and the one or more corresponding zones, one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the foreign object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. The system, method, and program product also control an operation of a vehicle based on the absence of an object of the vehicle. Likewise, the one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the missing object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESEARCHING VIRTUAL MARKETS AND OPTIMIZING PRODUCT PLACEMENTS AND DISPLAYS - A system and method for researching virtual markets and using the research to optimize product placements and displays. The system includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor information about user reactions and/or at least one product. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend a location within a virtual universe to display the at least one product based on the information monitored by the monitoring engine and a display engine configured to display the at least one product at a recommended location. | 06-10-2010 |
20100153125 | RANDOM AND DETERMINISTIC TRAVEL FEES - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for randomly setting a travel fee. A usage attribute of vehicle traffic travelling upon a toll thoroughfare is observed and compared to a threshold. As a function of comparing the attribute to the threshold, a plurality of different toll rates are randomly assigned to each of a plurality of vehicles, each of the vehicles either travelling upon the toll thoroughfare or potentially entering the toll thoroughfare. An occupant of a vehicle is notified of a toll rate randomly assigned, and fees or credits associated with travel by the occupant's vehicle are charged (levied or awarded) at the randomly assigned toll rate. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153192 | TRAVEL FEE RATE SETTING BASED UPON TRAVEL MODE AND CONVENIENCE - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for charging a travel fee as a function of an ease of access to a travel option. A plurality of travel options is provided and ranked as a function of different environmental-friendliness values. Each of a plurality of different rates are set for each of the travel options, the rates set progressively lower as a function of a ranking of the travel option environmental-friendliness values. In response to a traveler selecting and using one of the travel options, an ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option is determined and a travel fee charged as a function of the rate set for the selected travel option and the determined ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153193 | VARIABLE-RATE TRANSPORT FEES BASED ON HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS - A system and method are responsive to actual or anticipated weather changes that are likely to have an adverse effect on roadway driving conditions in a given vehicle use area. Based on the anticipated severity of the weather condition, transport-related road and/or parking tolls and fees are increased in order to discourage unnecessary vehicle travel. Using a communication system such as a transponder network, changes in the tolls and fees can be transmitted to toll collection agencies, public parking facilities and other governmental and private enterprises responsible for the collection of vehicle transport fees. Rate change information and details of weather changes can also be transmitted to vehicles likely to be affected by the adverse condition and the consequent change in these fees. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153860 | DYNAMIC LOCATION GENERATION WITHIN A VIRTUAL WORLD - An approach is provided for dynamic loading and rendering of avatar's initial login environment. The approach consists of a method and a system for dynamically rendering locations from a preference list of locations most likely to be visited by an avatar. In one embodiment the method consists of creating a preference list of locations most likely to be visited by the avatar, rendering a dynamically built continuous environment populated from such preference list of locations most likely to be visited by the avatar, and caching and thereafter rendering at least one of the locations from the preference list of locations most likely to be visited by said avatar. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156670 | PREEMPTIVE VARIABLE RATE TRAVEL FEES - Variable thoroughfare toll rates are applied in anticipation of an event impacting traffic flow. An event occurrence is identified and determined to cause a change in a normal traffic flow amount on an impacted section of a thoroughfare. A traveler is notified of the impacted section of the thoroughfare in association with an impacted section-choice toll rate, a bypass choice in association with a bypass-choice toll rate, and a future time period duration for an application of the bypass-choice and impacted section-choice rates. A notified traveler is charged a toll for using the thoroughfare as a function of the bypass-choice rate in response to choosing to travel upon the presented bypass choice, or as a function of an impacted section-choice toll rate in response choosing to travel upon the presented impacted section choice. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161391 | VARIABLE RATE TRANSPORT FEES BASED ON VEHICLE EXHAUST EMISSIONS - This invention provides a system and method of detecting and responding to individual vehicle exhaust emissions such that a vehicle producing exhaust emissions containing pollutants in excess of required standards is assessed a higher toll or other fees than non-offending vehicles. Upon correction of the problem when emissions are determined to be within acceptable ranges, the fees are re-adjusted. Vehicle fees can be assessed on a sliding scale regardless of “acceptable thresholds” whereupon a higher levels of pollution emitted by the vehicle require payment of a higher fee than that paid by a vehicle with a lower level. Sensors may be installed within individual vehicles, or may be externally mounted to detect emissions. The use of a computer program and program code may be used for collecting and quantifying the level of pollution in the emissions and for assessing a suitable fee based on the level. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161392 | VARIABLE RATE TRAVEL FEE BASED UPON VEHICLE OCCUPANCY - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for charging travel fees or awarding benefits as a function of vehicle occupancy. Variable travel fee schedules include a plurality of different rate values, each rate value associated with ride-sharing service points of a vehicle infrastructure and vehicle occupancy counts. Occupants within a vehicle traveling via a vehicle infrastructure are counted, the counting generating discrete occupant counts correlated with the ride-sharing service points. Subsets of variable travel fee schedule rate values are selected as a function of association with discrete occupant counts and correlated ride-sharing service points. Owners, occupants or other parties associated with the vehicle are accordingly charged a travel fee or awarded a benefit as a function of the rate value subset and an amount of the vehicle traveling. | 06-24-2010 |
20100198859 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF EFFORT IN DRAFTING DOCUMENTS - A system and method is provided for avoiding duplication of effort in drafting documents and, in particular, to a system and method for avoiding duplication of effort in preparing patent related submissions. The method is implemented on a computer infrastructure comprises storing disclosure information related to non-public proprietary innovation and receiving terms associated with an innovation. The method further comprises matching the terms with the stored disclosure information and providing an alert to a user that certain of the terms overlap with the stored disclosure information. | 08-05-2010 |
20100199193 | CLIENT-SIDE SIMULATED VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ENVIRONMENT - An invention that provides a client-side simulated virtual universe environment is provided. In one embodiment, there is a simulation tool, including an analysis component configured to identify whether a server-side virtual universe is available; and a construction component configured to provide a client-side simulated virtual universe environment in the case that the server-side virtual universe is unavailable. | 08-05-2010 |
20100205545 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STANDARDIZED VISUAL INDICATORS IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA - Methods and systems for associating a standardized electronic icon with a user and displaying the icon with electronic communications of the user are disclosed. A computer implemented method includes: determining one or more icons to associate with an individual when the individual creates an electronic message; and at least one of selectively and automatically appending at least one of the one or more icons that are associated with the individual to the electronic message. The at least one of the one or more icons is subsequently displayed with the electronic message to a recipient to provide information about the individual to the recipient. | 08-12-2010 |
20100228474 | ENHANCED ADAPTIVE OPTIMIZATION AND PRESENTATION OF ON-LINE MAP DATA - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for presenting map data on a computing device. The map may be dynamically adapted based on a physical characteristic, such as display resolution, of the computing device. The map may be further adapted based on a user activity, such as shopping, that is taking place. Input from a user in response to a rendered map may be used to create a manual override or a learned override to further adapt the map for the computing device. The input may be from the user of the computing device or from users of other computing devices. | 09-09-2010 |
20100229235 | REGION ACCESS AUTHORIZATION IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - The passage of avatars into and out of regions in a virtual universe is regulated through the use of secure communications between and among the avatar, an authority managing of the region and a trusted third party who maintains a database of avatar characteristics. Permission to move from one virtual region to another is determined based upon the avatar characteristics. | 09-09-2010 |
20100332827 | CREATING AND USING SECURE COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS FOR VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - A system and method provides secure channels for communication in a virtual universe by employing a packet interception layer for incoming and outgoing data packets. A data path is defined and is sequentially encrypted with the public keys of servers in the path. Decryption and identification of the next server occurs in a sequential manner in which the path is known only to the sender. | 12-30-2010 |
20110010270 | CONTROLLING AND USING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE WISH LISTS - Described herein are processes and devices that control and use virtual universe wish lists. One of the devices described is a virtual wish list device. The virtual wish list device determines an item in a virtual universe that is a desired by an avatar. The virtual wish list device designates the item as a desired item in a wish list. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. The wish list device determines details about the desired item, such as whether the item is desired in the virtual universe or in the real world. The wish list device stores the details about the desired item in the wish list. The virtual wish list device may use the details to conduct transactions related to the desired item. | 01-13-2011 |
20110010675 | Use of Real Time Location Information for User Authentication and Authorization in Virtual Environments - Provided is a method for authentication and verification of a user in a virtual world (VU) based upon such criteria as the physical location of a user in the real world and the logical location of the user's avatar in the VU. The disclosed technology combines physical and application aspects of security to enhance security options within virtual environments. In addition to traditional credential-based authentication, physical constraints corresponding to the real world and logical locations in a VU are employed, wherein an authentication server requires each component to be in the proper association state location or proximity before authenticating a user. Further, the disclosed technology provides for the termination of a user's authentication if the user moves from an approved physical or VU location to an unapproved location. Techniques are provided to track a user's credentials and real-time physical and logical location of a user. | 01-13-2011 |
20110055136 | Relocation Between Virtual Environments Based Upon Promotional and Alert Conditions - Awards of value are awarded to residents of a virtual universe for consenting to be teleported in response to invitations for teleportation. The consent can he made conditional upon any of a variety of circumstances which can be specified by a resident of the virtual universe for a corresponding avatar and which form rules for auto-teleportation. These conditions can be stored and searched and avatar and location status monitored and compared to the conditions to control issuance of invitations to increase the likelihood that an invitation will be automatically accepted. A delay before acceptance is also preferably provided to provide for graceful conclusion or termination of current avatar activity. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060744 | Method and System for Dynamic Detection of Affinity Between Virtual Entities - A method and system are disclosed for detecting affinity between entities in a virtual universe (VU) using real time access to descriptions prepared from information about objective entities available in VU databases as well as descriptive information made available by the objective entities. Objective entities may be aggregations of virtual entities. Activators for affinity determinations are provided. The information on an objective entity is compared with descriptive information on a VU subject to determine affinity, and corresponding action of the VU subject. In this manner also the comparative affinities of different objective entities may determine actions of the VU subject. | 03-10-2011 |
20110078088 | Method and System for Accurate Rating of Avatars in a Virtual Environment - A method and system applies a rating adjustment to ratings by avatars in a virtual universe. The rating adjustment offsets mutual rating collusion between avatars. The ratings may be adjusted based on a weighted value of indicia of association, and may also be adjusted based on rating frequencies between the same avatars. In a rating system having a fee structure, the ratings may be adjusted by scaling the rating/fee payoff to favor higher fees. Where indicia of association are weighted, the weightings are mapped to discrete levels of association between avatars, from no association to close association, with greater reduction of ratings for closer association. | 03-31-2011 |
20110106326 | POWER CONSUMPTION PROJECTION - The present invention provides a way to more effectively estimate energy usage by devices such as servers, including traditional mainframes as well as other enterprise systems. One core idea surrounds the fact that when detailed power consumption information is unavailable for a specific configuration, power consumption is computed/projected/estimated by de-rating the maximum power rating by a power adjustment factor that would more closely project the true power consumption. Under this approach, the power consumption is then provided as a range specifying probable expected lower and upper limits for a given device. This range is more meaningful for planning and decision-making and shows the client a more likely best and worst case energy consumption scenario for their specific device(s), and hence is helpful for planning or server comparison decisions. Cooling, energy costs, energy efficiency, and energy expanded per MIPS are also projected and given as a range instead of a single number. This gives the IT decision maker more accurate information upon which to base IT decision-making. | 05-05-2011 |
20110131508 | INFORMING USERS OF A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE OF REAL WORLD EVENTS - The present invention provides various approaches for disseminating emergency broadcasting messages or other messages of importance (hereinafter “alerts”) within virtual world environments such that interested virtual world residents can be made aware of matters of importance based on their physical world locations (e.g., without respect to the locale of their current virtual world presence). | 06-02-2011 |
20110131517 | EVALUATING ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Aspects of this invention are directed toward determining the effectiveness of advertising in a virtual universe. Specifically, under the present invention, a visit by an avatar to a region of the VU that includes targeted advertising content is registered. Then, the following avatar attributes are determined: a proximity to the target advertising content by the avatar; an avatar directionality of the avatar with respect to the target advertising content; a camera directionality of a camera object associated with the avatar; and a time with respect to which the avatar may be exposed to the target advertising content in the region. Thereafter, at least one score is assigned to the visit, the proximity, the directionality, and the time. An effectiveness score is then calculated based on the at least one score. The overall effectiveness of the target advertising content is then calculated based on the at least one score. | 06-02-2011 |
20110137805 | INTER-CLOUD RESOURCE SHARING WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides a system and method for establishing inter-Cloud resource sharing agreements and policies such that dynamic expansion/contraction of Cloud resource requests can be seamlessly addressed without requiring physical build-out of the primary Cloud infrastructure and advertising the need for additional resources or the offer to provide additional resources can be brokered through an established marketplace. The financial transaction will support a symbiotic bi-lateral fair-share method that better aligns with an alternating supplier/consumer business model. Using this system and method will decrease the amount of time needed to respond to a given Cloud service request while advantaging a resource sharing model amongst established Cloud providers. | 06-09-2011 |
20110138048 | CLOUD COMPUTING ROAMING SERVICES - The present invention provides a system and method to provide Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requesters that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requesters. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requester required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requester has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, or the primary Cloud provider may delegate services to a partner cloud. The algorithm of the invention shows how the provider decides which requesters have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecasting. Also, from a requester perspective, location, roaming, network bandwidth and requester processing capabilities (not all-inclusive) may be sent to the provider of Cloud services to determine whether a change is needed. | 06-09-2011 |
20110138050 | OPTIMIZING CLOUD SERVICE DELIVERY WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - This invention provides a system or method to provide dynamically packaged Cloud services to customers via a Cloud services registry. The Cloud services registry is dynamic and operates by polling different Cloud service providers and Cloud service databases to ensure that the Cloud services registry is up to date with the latest available Cloud services. The Cloud services registry is available for queries from Cloud customers and abstracts multiple Cloud service providers. By abstracting the Cloud services, the dynamic Cloud services registry creates a modular package of different services from different Cloud service providers based on the query and requested priority for services. The dynamic Cloud registry is dynamically updated based on the level of services that the provider has available. The dynamic registry determines what service best matches the requirements from a Cloud service request (CSR) and returns a personalized set of matching services. | 06-09-2011 |
20110138051 | RESERVING SERVICES WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides a solution for reserving Cloud services within a Cloud computing environment. Under the present invention, a customer/user can select a service for use sometime in the future. By scheduling in the future, the user can guarantee the service will be available for a specific price and set of service levels. One factor is that advanced reservation affects the cost of the service and the bounds by which the service levels of the service may change. The further in advance the job is scheduled, the tighter the bounds of the service level may be for a specific price. Advanced reservation may also guarantee execution on a preferred provider rather than being moved to a partner Cloud. | 06-09-2011 |
20110145042 | VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION BASED ON VEHICLE USAGE PATTERNS - An invention for indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency for at least one vehicle usage pattern is provided. The invention analyzes vehicle usage patterns to discern if the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to the user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. Specifically, the fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze a set of vehicle usage patterns of a vehicle, and a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the set of vehicle usage patterns. The fuel efficiency tool further comprises a notification component configured to provide a notification to a user of the vehicle indicating a vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for at least one of the set of vehicle usage patterns. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145094 | CLOUD SERVICING BROKERING - The present invention provides a solution to perform pricing and brokering of Cloud services. Illustrative pricing/charging plans include “pay as you go (subscription)” and “pay for what you use (dynamic)”. The present invention also provides a way to display a price next to service. In general, a broker agent (hereinafter referred to as “agent”) executes within the environment and queries available and acceptable Cloud resources from a plurality of providers. Based on resources, published rates, and rate projections, the broker schedules, reschedules, moves, and otherwise manages Cloud jobs based on job criteria and optimized execution cost. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145153 | NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides a solution for agreement/contract negotiations within a Cloud computing environment. Specifically, under the present invention, a resource requirement for performing a task for a first Cloud partner is assessed. Once the resource requirement is known, it can be determined whether a shortfall exists between available resources of the first Cloud partner and the resource requirement. If so, a master agreement with a second Cloud partner is identified to address the shortfall. Typically, the master agreement specifies at least a minimum service requirement and a maximum price for the second Cloud partner to provide resources to address the shortfall. If the terms are agreeable to both Cloud partners, a contract between the two can be formed (e.g., digitally) based on the master agreement. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145392 | DYNAMIC PROVISIONING OF RESOURCES WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides a solution (e.g., rules, techniques, etc.) for enabling the dynamic provisioning (e.g., movement) of Cloud-based jobs and resources. Such provisioning may be within a Cloud infrastructure, from Cloud to Cloud, from non-Cloud to Cloud, and from Cloud to non-Cloud. Each movement scenario is assigned a specific technique based on rules, profiles, SLA and/or other such criteria and agreements. Such dynamic adjustments may be especially advantageous in order to balance real-time workload to avoid over-provisioning, to manage Cloud performance, to attain a more efficient or cost-effective execution environment, to off-load a Cloud or specific Cloud resources for maintenance/service, and the like. | 06-16-2011 |
20110145413 | RESOURCE EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - The present invention provides a solution for resource sharing (e.g., inter-Cloud) within a Cloud-computing environment. One objective of the present invention is to better utilize idle public or private Cloud infrastructures and improve the availability of Cloud services by allowing different Cloud service providers to virtually combine their services and infrastructures. In the event that there is not enough capacity for a single Cloud service provider to manage its workload, the workload may be shifted to additional infrastructures within the Cloud. The result of the workload shift may reduce the unavailability of Cloud services to the Cloud end-user by allowing another Cloud service provider to temporarily handle the workload. Based on the resource sharing activities, compensation (e.g., credits/tokens) can be exchanged between the participating Cloud providers to reflect their participation in the resource exchange. | 06-16-2011 |
20110254853 | MODIFYING A DISPLAY QUALITY OF AN AREA IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ACCORDING TO AVATAR CHARACTERISTICS - Described herein are processes and devices that modify a display quality of an area of a virtual universe. Some embodiments include operations to determine a number of avatars that occupy the area, determine a display quality of the area that can be reduced to conserve a computing resource that processes data to present the area and modify the display quality of the area proportionally to the number of avatars that occupy the area. The operations can further modify usage of a computing resource to process data to present the area in response to modification of the display quality of the area. | 10-20-2011 |
20110307299 | MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSES IN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - A method for market segmentation analysis includes a computer collecting virtual universe data associated with interactions between avatars, entities, and objects in a virtual universe. The computer collecting the virtual universe data includes the computer recording portions of the virtual universe data as the interactions occur. The method includes the computer determining criteria with which to perform a market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data. The method further includes the computer performing the market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data, which includes the computer analyzing a plurality of groups of the virtual universe data. The groups are formed based on whether an avatar activity includes social activity and business activity in the virtual universe relative to a time of day. The method further includes the computer generating a report indicating results of the market segmentation analysis. | 12-15-2011 |
20120040616 | INPUT DEVICE WITH SWITCHABLE FREQUENCY CHANNEL - An input device for switchable use between first and second computer systems. A controller of the input device can execute switching logic to direct a radio transceiver of the input device to switch an operating channel of the radio transceiver to a first channel monitored by the first computer system in response to a first event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the first computer system. The controller can execute switching logic to direct the radio transceiver to switch the operating channel to a second channel monitored by the second computer system in response to a second event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the second computer system. | 02-16-2012 |
20120113127 | USING SMART OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are some embodiments that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments describe a first object that detects an indication to reduce resource usage of a computing resource that supports a virtual universe. Some embodiments further describe reducing, based on detection of the indication to reduce resource usage, display quality of the first virtual object according to an order of degrees of display quality reduction that corresponds to one or more degrees of resource reduction required for the computing resource. Some embodiments further describe reducing the display quality of the first virtual object based on the first virtual object being a first category. Further, some embodiments describe a second virtual object that is not reduced in display quality while simultaneously the first virtual object is reduced in display quality. The second virtual object is second category different from the first category. | 05-10-2012 |
20120117233 | USING SMART OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are some embodiments that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments describe a first object that detects an indication to reduce resource usage of a computing resource that supports a virtual universe. Some embodiments further describe reducing, based on detection of the indication to reduce resource usage, display quality of the first virtual object according to an order of degrees of display quality reduction that corresponds to one or more degrees of resource reduction required for the computing resource. Further, some embodiments describe a second virtual object that is not reduced in display quality while simultaneously the first virtual object is reduced in display quality. | 05-10-2012 |
20120166035 | DETECTION OF VEHICLE OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS - Details relating to the operation of a vehicle under adverse conditions are recorded and collected. This data is particularly useful to forestall catastrophic failures, and to provide valuable information for potential buyers of used vehicles. Among the operating conditions that are considered are high levels of air contaminants, operation in extreme hot or cold temperatures, hauling heavy loads, as well as hard braking, turning and acceleration. In addition to the detection and recording of data, prorated maintenance schedules are recalculated and adjusted to accommodate for the operation of the vehicle under these adverse or less than ideal conditions. Typically, the data is stored in the on-board computers present in most vehicles. Periodic off loading of the data to the dealer and service providers is also provided. | 06-28-2012 |
20120179331 | MECHANIC CERTIFICATION TRACKING VALIDATION - Embodiments receive information indicative of a certification of a mechanic performing a service on a vehicle, and responsively determine whether the certification is validated. If validated, service on the vehicle by the mechanic is facilitated by placing the vehicle in a service state and generates a signal that causes an unlocking of a vehicle door, hood, or trunk. If not validated, service on the vehicle is inhibited by disabling a vehicle electrical sub-system and generating a signal that causes a locking of the vehicle door, hood, or trunk, wherein a vehicle owner authorization of the mechanic may supersede and facilitate service by instead placing the vehicle in a service state for executing diagnostic software and generating a signal that causes unlocking of the vehicle door, hood, or trunk. | 07-12-2012 |
20120188097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOPERATIVE VEHICLE ADAPTATION - Techniques for cooperative vehicle adaptation are disclosed. A method according to one embodiment includes the steps of receiving an indicator of a first vehicle, receiving an indicator of a second vehicle when the second vehicle is within a geographic region of the first vehicle, analyzing the indicator of the first vehicle and the indicator of the second vehicle, and determining an external condition based on the analyzed indicators. The indicators may be fault indicators or internal condition indicators. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188278 | COLLAPSING AREAS OF A REGION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are processes and devices that coalesced and/or collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments are directed to detecting an indication to reduce usage of a computing resource in the virtual universe and, in response, determining the first area of the virtual universe for coalescing and collapsing into the second area of the virtual universe. In some embodiments, the first area comprises a plurality of virtual universe objects. Some embodiments are further directed to selecting a first set of the plurality of virtual universe objects for moving from the first area into the second area, coalescing the first set of the plurality of virtual universe objects into the second area from the first area, and, in response, collapsing the first area of the virtual universe. | 07-26-2012 |
20120209451 | CONTROLLING VEHICLE OPERATIONS BASED ON OBJECT PRESENCE - Operation of a vehicle is controlled based on the presence of or absence of one or more identified foreign objects within one or more monitored zones about the vehicle. One or more transceivers receive information about the one or more foreign objects. Based on the received information and the one or more corresponding zones, one or more controllers identify a response, which may include notifying the user about the foreign object and/or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. Controllers identify a response, which may include notifying a user about a present or absent object or generating a signal that inhibits the ignition from turning on. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212483 | CONTROLLING AND USING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE WISH LISTS - Described herein are examples of a virtual universe wish list as well as its control and use. Some embodiments are directed to determining a selection of an object in a virtual universe that is a desired by a user, which user is represented by a first avatar. Some embodiments are further directed to designating the object as a desired item in a wish list for the first avatar. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. Some embodiments are further directed to determining a second avatar in the virtual universe that possesses an instance of the virtual object. Some embodiments are further directed to generating an advertisement to obtain the instance of the virtual object from the second avatar on behalf of the first avatar. | 08-23-2012 |
20120221194 | TRACKING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE USING SENSOR DETECTION - Radio frequency identification is used in cooperation with the computer system aboard a motor vehicle to track service and maintenance activities relating to the vehicle. Each component or part of the vehicle that may require maintenance is provided with a unique passive identification tag. The output data from the tag is read by a reader placed in proximity to the tag, and the data is transmitted to an on-board computer module where it is processed, and the service record is updated. A data stream converter may be used to process the information read by the reader into a format that is acceptable to the on-board computer. The data from the on-board computer is stored in a device external to the computer. Provisions are included for notification to the user, the auto dealer or service other agency as needed. | 08-30-2012 |
20120245975 | System and Method for Researching Virtual Markets and Optimizing Product Placements and Displays - A system and method for researching virtual markets and using the research to optimize product placements and displays. The system includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor information about user reactions and/or at least one product. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend a location within a virtual universe to display the at least one product based on the information monitored by the monitoring engine and a display engine configured to display the at least one product at a recommended location. | 09-27-2012 |
20120271680 | System and Method for Researching Virtual Markets and Optimizing Product Placements and Displays - A system and method for researching virtual markets and using the research to optimize product placements and displays. The system includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor information about user reactions and/or at least one product. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend a location within a virtual universe to display the at least one product based on the information monitored by the monitoring engine and a display engine configured to display the at least one product at a recommended location. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271710 | System and Method for Researching Virtual Markets and Optimizing Product Placements and Displays - A system and method for researching virtual markets and using the research to optimize product placements and displays. The system includes a monitoring engine configured to monitor information about user reactions and/or at least one product. The system also includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend a location within a virtual universe to display the at least one product based on the information monitored by the monitoring engine and a display engine configured to display the at least one product at a recommended location. | 10-25-2012 |
20120290678 | DYNAMIC, USER-DRIVEN SERVICE CATALOG - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a dynamic, user-driven service catalog based on real-time inputs by an end-user based on an automated evaluation process. Authorized end-users may directly submit services into the service catalog that are of value to the end-user, his/her peers, departments, groups, etc. Each service is analyzed to determine its viability as it matches an organization's cost and product offerings. This approach allows for more complex IT service models, wherein concurrent service requests can be compared, analyzed, and eventually fulfilled. Specifically, a catalog update tool provides this capability. The catalog update tool includes a plausibility engine configured to receive a request to add a service to a service catalog and evaluate whether the request can be added to the service catalog based on an analysis of system-integrated criteria. The catalog update tool further includes a cost engine to determine a cost for fulfilling the request, and a service request management module configured to add the service to the service catalog based on the analysis of system-integrated criteria and the cost for fulfilling the request. | 11-15-2012 |
20120297071 | CLOUD COMPUTING ROAMING SERVICES - The present invention provides approaches for Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requestors that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requestors. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requestor required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requestor has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, OR the primary Cloud provider may outsource services to a partner cloud. The algorithm shows how the provider decides which requestors have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecast. Also, location, roaming, network bandwidth and requestor processing capabilities may be sent to the provider of Cloud services to determine whether a change is needed. | 11-22-2012 |
20120317517 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR ACTIVITIES REVIEW - A proximity threshold of an avatar is defined with respect to proximity to an artifact located within a virtual universe domain. Activity by the avatar within the virtual universe domain is tracked, with activity data generated from the tracking. The activity data is analyzed to determine proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold, and a report is generated from the analyzing, the report noting a determined proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold. In one aspect, the report is provided to a supervisory entity. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323945 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR READ-AHEAD ENHANCEMENTS - A method and system are provided for identifying type-ahead candidates. A method includes determining a context of past non-threaded emails of a user. The method further includes generating a context index associating the past non-threaded emails of the determined context with repeatable values within the past non-threaded emails. The method further includes receiving characters in a current email and determining a context of the current email. The method further includes determining matches between the current email and the past non-threaded in the context index. The method further includes identifying the corresponding repeatable values and matching the identified corresponding repeatable values with the received characters. The method further includes presenting the candidate words to the user for inclusion in the current email. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324051 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR ACTIVITIES REVIEW - A proximity threshold of an avatar is defined with respect to proximity to an artifact located within a virtual universe domain. Activity by the avatar within the virtual universe domain is tracked, with activity data generated from the tracking. The activity data is analyzed to determine proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold, and a report is generated from the analyzing, the report noting a determined proximity of the avatar to the artifact within the proximity threshold. In one aspect, the report is provided to a supervisory entity. | 12-20-2012 |
20130002667 | USING SMART OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TO CONSERVE COMPUTING RESOURCES - Described herein are some embodiments that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments describe detecting that a virtual object of the virtual universe enters a resource conservation area in the virtual universe. Some embodiments further include, in response to determining that the virtual object enters the resource conservation area, detecting that the virtual object has a setting that enables automatic reduction of display quality of the virtual object from a first display quality level. Some embodiments further include, in response to determining that the virtual object has the setting that enables the automatic reduction in display quality from the first display quality setting, automatically reducing the display quality of the virtual object from the first display quality level to a second display quality level less than the first display quality level. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006465 | TRACKING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE USING SENSOR DETECTION - Radio frequency identification is used in cooperation with the computer system aboard a motor vehicle to track service and maintenance activities relating to the vehicle. Each component or part of the vehicle that may require maintenance is provided with a unique passive identification tag. The output data from the tag is read by a reader placed in proximity to the tag, and the data is transmitted to an on-board computer module where it is processed, and the service record is updated. A data stream converter may be used to process the information read by the reader into a format that is acceptable to the on-board computer. The data from the on-board computer is stored in a device external to the computer. Provisions are included for notification to the user, the auto dealer or service other agency as needed. | 01-03-2013 |
20130013375 | MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSES IN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - A computer system for market segmentation analysis includes program instructions to be executed. The program instructions are configured to collect virtual universe data about avatars, entities, and objects in a virtual universe. The program instructions are configured to perform a market segmentation analysis on the virtual universe data, wherein the market segmentation analysis comprises a first segmentation across multiple segments of the avatars that is based on an amount of time and an amount of money spent in the virtual universe. The market segmentation analysis further comprises a second segmentation across multiple segments of the avatars that is based on whether activity of the avatars includes social activity and business activity in the virtual universe relative to a time of day. The program instructions are configured to receive, from users, consent allowing collection of the virtual universe data and to present a reward to the users for giving the consent. | 01-10-2013 |
20130019094 | CREATING AND USING SECURE COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS FOR VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - A system and method provides secure channels for communication in a virtual universe by employing a packet interception layer for incoming and outgoing data packets. A data path is defined and is sequentially encrypted with the public keys of servers in the path. Decryption and identification of the next server occurs in a sequential manner in which the path is known only to the sender. | 01-17-2013 |
20130052940 | TRANSMISSION OF BROADCASTS BASED ON RECIPIENT LOCATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for transmitting/broadcasting messages/content (e.g., audio) by routing such messages to an intended audience/recipient(s), and optionally applying audio preferences to broadcast characteristics. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may receive a message/broadcast in a queue, and identify a set of intended recipients of the broadcast (e.g., based on the content therein). Once the intended recipients have been identified, a set of locations of the intended recipients may be determined. Based on the locations, at least one output device is selected (e.g., based on proximity of the output device(s) to the intended recipients). Thereafter, the broadcast may be transmitted to the intended recipients via the selected output device(s), while any associated audio preferences are applied. In one embodiment, if an intended recipient is listening to other content, such content may be muted and/or paused so that the transmitted broadcast may be heard. | 02-28-2013 |
20130185205 | SECURE TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION - Provided is an approach for credit transaction authorization/approval. Specifically, a particular transaction payment device/mechanism (e.g., credit card, etc.) may be associated with a set of purchase authorization criteria/rules that sets forth specific conditions (e.g., an authorization protocol) under which the transaction payment device may be utilized. When a user later attempts to conduct a proposed credit transaction using the transaction payment device, it will be determined whether the proposed credit transaction complies with this set of purchase authorization criteria (e.g., the authorization protocol). Based on this determination, the proposed credit transaction can be approved or declined. | 07-18-2013 |
20130185659 | STANDARDIZED VISUAL INDICATORS IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA - Methods and systems for associating a standardized electronic icon with a user and displaying the icon with electronic communications of the user are disclosed. A computer implemented method includes: determining one or more icons to associate with an individual when the individual creates an electronic message; and at least one of selectively and automatically appending at least one of the one or more icons that are associated with the individual to the electronic message. The at least one of the one or more icons is subsequently displayed with the electronic message to a recipient to provide information about the individual to the recipient. | 07-18-2013 |
20130202216 | OBJECT TAG METADATA AND IMAGE SEARCH - Techniques are disclosed for ordering images. The technique includes receiving a request, the request including keywords and parameters specifying desired image characteristics. Further, the technique includes identifying a set of images responsive to the request based on a match of the keywords to tags associated with objects depicted in the set of images. Finally, the technique includes determining an ordering of the identified set of images by comparing the received parameters with metadata fields associated with respective tags of the objects and returning an indication of the set of images and the determined ordering of the images. | 08-08-2013 |
20130254043 | CONTROLLING AND USING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE WISH LISTS - Described herein are examples of a virtual universe wish list as well as its control and use. Some embodiments are directed to determining a selection of an object in a virtual universe that is a desired by a user, which user is represented by a first avatar. Some embodiments are further directed to designating the object as a desired item in a wish list for the first avatar. The wish list may be stored in the avatar's virtual universe inventory. Some embodiments are further directed to determining a second avatar in the virtual universe that possesses an instance of the virtual object. Some embodiments are further directed to generating an advertisement to obtain the instance of the virtual object from the second avatar on behalf of the first avatar. | 09-26-2013 |
20130268944 | Dynamically Building Application Environments in a Computational Grid - Computing environments within a grid computing system are dynamically built in response to specific job resource requirements from a grid resource allocator, including activating needed hardware, provisioning operating systems, application programs, and software drivers. Optimally, prior to building a computing environment for a particular job, cost/revenue analysis is performed, and if operational objectives would not be met by building the environment and executing the job, a job sell-off process is initiated. | 10-10-2013 |
20130275271 | EXTERNALIZING VIRTUAL OBJECT TAGS RELATING TO VIRTUAL OBJECTS - A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching. | 10-17-2013 |
20130282529 | EXTERNALIZING VIRTUAL OBJECT TAGS RELATING TO VIRTUAL OBJECTS - A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching. | 10-24-2013 |
20130312086 | IDENTITY VERIFICATION IN VIRTUAL WORLDS USING ENCODED DATA - An avatar in a virtual world is provided with credentials for access to various parts of the virtual world by embedding information derived from avatar identification and authorized credential information in the form of a graphic image associated with the avatar. The embedded information is preferably encrypted. | 11-21-2013 |
20130318179 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED ALERTING AND AWARENESS SYSTEM THROUGH THE USE OF AN EAR PIECE OR OTHER USER INTERFACE - The personal information manager system comprises a centralized information manager (CIM) and a personal information manager (PIM) device. The centralized information manager is encoded on a server and is accessable by the PIM device through Internet protocols over a wireless medium. The PIM, to be carried by a user, is connected to the CIM by a wireless transmitter, receives context-sensitive, customized, prioritized, filtered, and aggregated information from the CIM, and can directly receive GPS data and other sources of local information. | 11-28-2013 |
20130346884 | RENDERING OF ARTIFACTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ENVIRONMENT IN RESPONSE TO USER TAGS - An artifact tag includes rendering data and a protocol for applying the tag to an artifact of the virtual universe domain, the protocol including a compliance prerequisite for rendering the tag information to user of the virtual universe domain environment. A user requesting application of the tag to an artifact item within the virtual universe domain causes a setting or updating of a protocol compliance value. An avatar of a user engaging the artifact item causes a virtual universe client of the engaging user avatar to render the item to the engaging user in compliance with the tag rendering data if a set or updated compliance value meets a compliance prerequisite. | 12-26-2013 |
20140026064 | VIRTUAL WORLD TELEPORTATION - The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. | 01-23-2014 |
20140026077 | VIRTUAL WORLD TELEPORTATION - The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. | 01-23-2014 |
20140026078 | VIRTUAL WORLD TELEPORTATION - The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information. | 01-23-2014 |
20140063004 | Collapsing areas of a region in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources - Described herein are processes and devices that coalesced and/or collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. Some embodiments are directed to detecting an indication to reduce usage of a computing resource in the virtual universe and, in response, determining the first area of the virtual universe for coalescing and collapsing into the second area of the virtual universe. In some embodiments, the first area comprises a plurality of virtual universe objects. Some embodiments are further directed to selecting a first set of the plurality of virtual universe objects for moving from the first area into the second area, coalescing the first set of the plurality of virtual universe objects into the second area from the first area, and, in response, collapsing the first area of the virtual universe. | 03-06-2014 |
20140148105 | INPUT DEVICE WITH SWITCHABLE FREQUENCY CHANNEL - An input device for switchable use between first and second computer systems. A controller of the input device can execute switching logic to direct a radio transceiver of the input device to switch an operating channel of the radio transceiver to a first channel monitored by the first computer system in response to a first event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the first computer system. The controller can execute switching logic to direct the radio transceiver to switch the operating channel to a second channel monitored by the second computer system in response to a second event, and thereby, the input device can be utilized to insert data into the second computer system. | 05-29-2014 |
20140164182 | PERSONAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A method of providing personal service assistance in a virtual universe is disclosed. The method provides a customer avatar (CA) access to a personal assistance avatar or personal customer service representative (PCSR) avatar, hereinafter PCSR avatar. Through the PCSR avatar, the CA communicates a need or requests for personal service assistance from a business or organization. The communication of the received request is processed to identify an appropriate business, organization or vendor that meets the need or request. The identified business, organization or vendor is contacted for a representative from the business to accede to the request from the CA. The representative from the business is allowed to assume control of the PCSR avatar to conduct the session necessary for rendering the assistance or transaction. Upon completion of the session, control of the PCSR avatar is reverted to that prior to the session. | 06-12-2014 |
20140195932 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC MULTI-CONTENT CARDS - A method and system is provided for creation and distribution of dynamic multi-content cards in a virtual universe. More specifically, the method creates a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card in the VU. Additionally, the system includes a card selection tool configured to create a card containing contact information for viewing in a virtual universe (VU) and distribute the card to another resident in the VU. | 07-10-2014 |
20140244311 | PROTECTING AGAINST DATA LOSS IN A NETWORKED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - An approach for protecting (e.g., insuring) against data loss (e.g., due to SLA failures) in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment) is provided. In a typical embodiment, a risk table is created that associates cloud/solution providers with a corresponding risk factor and a cost of insuring the providers based on the risk factors. The risk factors are typically calculated using historical data that is based on (among other things), each provider's historical capability of honoring SLA terms, expected performance levels, etc. In any event, each provider may be associated with a cost of insuring that provider against failing to perform/process one or more future jobs/workloads. This allows a consumer who needs a workload to be processed to: view the risk table, select a provider, and/or insure against any failure to properly and/or timely process the workload. | 08-28-2014 |
20140288812 | VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION BASED ON VEHICLE USAGE PATTERNS - Approaches for indicating vehicle fuel efficiency for vehicle usage patterns are provided. Patterns of inefficient operation are detected and conveyed to a user to inform the user of the impact of his/her inefficient operation. In these embodiments, a fuel efficiency tool provides this capability. The fuel efficiency tool comprises: an analysis component configured to analyze usage patterns of a vehicle; a calculation component configured to calculate a vehicle fuel efficiency for each of the usage patterns; and a notification component configured to: provide a real-time notification to a user of the vehicle indicating each of the following via a feedback device within the vehicle: a numerical representation of the vehicle fuel efficiency calculated for each of the plurality of recurring driver habits; and a monetary value indicating an amount of money sacrificed by at least one vehicle usage pattern that is contributing to inefficient vehicle fuel consumption. | 09-25-2014 |
20140297510 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VENDOR-NEUTRAL SUBCONTRACTOR ENABLEMENT - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes receiving information in support of a bid and determining if value-add eligibility criteria is met. Additionally, the method includes calculating a bid price based on the information if the value-add eligibility criteria is met, updating a record indicating the bid price and tracking additions and changes to the record. | 10-02-2014 |
20140344761 | Relocation Between Virtual Environments Based Upon Promotional and Alert Conditions - Awards of value are awarded to residents of a virtual universe for consenting to be teleported in response to invitations for teleportation. The consent can be made conditional upon any of a variety of circumstances which can be specified by a resident of the virtual universe for a corresponding avatar and which form rules for auto-teleportation. These conditions can be stored and searched and avatar and location status monitored and compared to the conditions to control issuance of invitations to increase the likelihood that an invitation will be automatically accepted. A delay before acceptance is also preferably provided to provide for graceful conclusion or termination of current avatar activity. | 11-20-2014 |
20150071599 | STORAGE SPACE SAVINGS VIA PARTIAL DIGITAL STREAM DELETION - A method, computer system, and/or computer program product enables a reuse of media storage space via partial file deletion. Multiple friends in a same social circle, which together have control of multiple media storage devices that are storing all segments of a media file, are identified. A last friend from the multiple friends, who has control of a last media storage device to have a last copy of a particular segment of the media file, is identified. The last media storage device is the only media storage device, from the multiple storage devices, to have a copy of the particular segment of the media file. The last media storage device is prevented from deleting the particular segment of the media file until another of the multiple storage devices stores a copy of the particular segment of the media file. | 03-12-2015 |
20150081573 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF EFFORT IN DRAFTING DOCUMENTS - A system and method is provided for avoiding duplication of effort in drafting documents and, in particular, to a system and method for avoiding duplication of effort in preparing patent related submissions. The method is implemented on a computer infrastructure comprises storing disclosure information related to non-public proprietary innovation and receiving terms associated with an innovation. The method further comprises matching the terms with the stored disclosure information and providing an alert to a user that certain of the terms overlap with the stored disclosure information. | 03-19-2015 |