Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080228495 | Enabling Dynamic VoiceXML In An X+ V Page Of A Multimodal Application - Enabling dynamic VoiceXML in an X+V page of a multimodal application implemented with the multimodal application operating in a multimodal browser on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, the multimodal application operatively coupled to a VoiceXML interpreter, including representing by the multimodal browser an XML element of a VoiceXML dialog of the X+V page as an ECMAScript object, the XML element comprising XML content; storing by the multimodal browser the XML content of the XML element in an attribute of the ECMAScript object; and accessing the XML content of the XML element in the attribute of the ECMAScript object from an ECMAScript script in the X+V page. | 09-18-2008 |
20090091529 | Rendering Display Content On A Floor Surface Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for rendering display content on a floor surface of a surface computer, the floor surface comprised in the surface computer, the surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the floor surface and rendering display output on the floor surface, that include: detecting, by the surface computer, contact between a user and the floor surface; identifying, by the surface computer, user characteristics for the user in dependence upon the detected contact; selecting, by the surface computer, display content in dependence upon the user characteristics; and rendering, by the surface computer, the selected display content on the floor surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091539 | Sending A Document For Display To A User Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for sending a document for display to a user of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering at least two users with the surface computer, the users including a sender and a receiver; allocating to each registered user a portion of the surface for interaction between the registered user and the surface computer; receiving, from the sender, a user selection specifying a document; receiving, from the sender, a sending instruction to send the selected document to the receiver for display; and rendering, in response to receiving the sending instruction, contents of the selected document on the receiver's allocated portion of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091555 | Non-Intrusive Capture And Display Of Objects Based On Contact Locality - Methods, apparatus, or products for displaying an image of an object placed on a surface computer, the surface computer including a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, the surface computer including a scanner, that include: detecting, by the surface computer, an object placed on the surface; identifying, by the surface computer, a region of the surface upon which the object is placed; scanning, by the surface computer using the scanner, the identified region of the surface to create an object image of the object; and rendering, by the surface computer, the object image within the identified region without modifying portions of any other images rendered on the surface outside the identified region. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094515 | Displaying Documents To A Plurality Of Users Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for displaying documents to a plurality of users of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering a plurality of users with the surface computer, the plurality of users including a moderator and a plurality of participants; assigning, to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; selecting, by the moderator for sharing with the plurality of participants, a document stored in the surface computer; rendering contents of the document on the moderator's assigned portion of the surface; and rendering the contents of the document on each of the participants' portions of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094551 | ENHANCEMENTS TO PREVENT SPLIT ENTRIES IN THE EVENT OF A WINDOW FOCUS SHIFT - The present invention discloses a solution to prevent split entries in an event of a window focus shift while still permitting the focus shift event to occur. The solution utilizes a number of different configurable techniques to accomplish this goal, all of which are designed to permit a user to finish directing input to an original window element, when an automatic focus shift event occurs that directs focus to a different window element. Techniques for preventing split entries can include, but are not limited to, a pause-triggered target shifting technique, a pause-triggered focus shifting technique, a password control focus retention technique, a password control focus shift alter technique, an entry continuation blocking after focus shift technique, an entry continuation alert after focus shift technique, and an entry continuation buffering after focus shift technique. The solution is not to be construed limited to these enumerated techniques. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094561 | Displaying Personalized Documents To Users Of A Surface Computer - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for displaying personalized documents to users of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering a plurality of users with the surface computer; assigning, to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; selecting a user profile for each registered user; creating, for each registered user from a content repository, personalized display content for that registered user in dependence upon the user profile selected for that registered user; and rendering the personalized display content for each registered user on that user's assigned portion of the surface. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099850 | Vocal Command Directives To Compose Dynamic Display Text - Methods, apparatus, products are disclosed for displaying speech for a user of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, the surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering, by the surface computer, a plurality of users with the surface computer; allocating, by the surface computer to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; detecting, by the surface computer, a speech utterance from one of the plurality of users; determining, by the surface computer using a speech engine, speech text in dependence upon the speech utterance; creating, by the surface computer, display text in dependence upon the speech text; and rendering, by the surface computer, the display text on at least one of the allocated portions of the surface. | 04-16-2009 |
20090109030 | USING A PHYSICAL OBJECT AND ITS POSITION ON A SURFACE TO CONTROL AN ENABLEMENT STATE OF A SURFACE BASED COMPUTING DEVICE - The present invention can include a solution for toggling an enablement state of a surface based computing device using a physical object. In the solution, a physical object external to a surface based computing device can be identified, which is able to be placed on a surface of the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can detect a change in a positioning of the physical object relative to the surface. Responsive to the change of positioning, an enablement state of the surface based computing device can be changed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109180 | ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING USERS IN A MULTI-TOUCH SURFACE ENVIRONMENT - Arrangements to identify, in some form, multiple participants by an interactive surface system utilizing multi-touch technology are disclosed. The interactive surface system could identify authorize and allocate space on a surface for a participant based on identifying at least one attribute of the participant such as an object associated with the participant. The method can include searching for a first distinctive attribute of the entity and assigning an identifier to the attribute and storing the identifier for future use the operating the interactive surface based on the participant's identity and location. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112991 | INSTANT CONVERSATION IN A THREAD OF AN ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to discussion forum management and provide a method, system and computer program product for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum can be provided. The method can include providing a discussion forum and initiating a thread in the discussion forum and measuring a temporal proximity of postings between two or more users in the thread. In response to determining a close temporal proximity, an instant messaging session can be launched between the two or more users and entries in the instant messaging session can be inserted as responses to the thread in the discussion form. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113451 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113452 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119254 | Storing Accessible Histories of Search Results Reordered to Reflect User Interest in the Search Results - Responsive to each user interaction of at least one user interaction with search results to separate network locations returned from a search request, the search results are reordered to reflect predicted user interest in the search results based on the user interactions. The reordered search results are stored. Responsive to a request for the stored reordered search results, the stored reordered search results are presented in a separate interface. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119278 | Continual Reorganization of Ordered Search Results Based on Current User Interaction - Responsive to each user interaction with search results to network locations returned by a search engine, a search result reorganizer predicts user interest in the search results from each dynamic user interaction. Responsive to each prediction of user interest while a user interacts any of the search results, the search result reorganizer reorders the search results to reflect the user interest. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125838 | BANDWIDTH USAGE AND LATENCY REDUCTION OF REMOTE DESKTOP SOFTWARE BASED ON PREFERRED RENDERING OF A USER SELECTED AREA - The present invention discloses a solution for bandwidth usage reduction of remote desktop software based on preferred rendering of a user selected area. The solution can allow a user to select a specified region of a remote desktop to gain precedence over non-selected regions. An area preference engine can be configured to convey user preference, settings, and selection areas. Selected regions can be user configured to render with different settings than non-selected regions such as resolution, color depth, frame rate, update frequency, and the like. Non-selected regions can be configured to receive lower priority updates than selected regions. | 05-14-2009 |
20090138299 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC PHONE ADVERTISEMENTS - A method of operating a communications service, including detecting that a user dials a phone number to initiate a current phone call, querying a dynamic advertising service which analyzes available data regarding the dialed phone number, receiving an advertisement from the dynamic advertising service that is selected based on the dialed phone number, the available data regarding the phone number and, optionally, other information, and playing the advertisement to the user. | 05-28-2009 |
20090144233 | System and method for automotive image capture and retrieval - A system and method for implementing automotive image capture and retrieval. An image manager receives an image from a vehicle-mounted camera. The image manager determines, based on a set of preferences, whether to store the image. In response to storing the image, the image manager associates at least one form of metadata with the image, wherein the at least one form of metadata includes global positioning system (GPS) coordinates at the time of image capture, speed of a vehicle at the time of image capture, direction of travel at the time of image capture, and user annotations. In response to receiving a query for the image, image manager presents the image to a user. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147003 | Conversion of Two Dimensional Image Data Into Three Dimensional Spatial Data for Use in a Virtual Universe - Arrangements are disclosed herein that can capture image data reflecting real world objects and/or interactions and convert this data into a format that is usable in a virtual universe (VU). In one embodiment, a method can include receiving sets of image data that capture an object or a setting from different viewing angles. The image can be in multiple data sets where the sets have at least one common feature. The image data can be analyzed using the common features in the image data and a spatial map can be created. The spatial map can be modified (if required) such that a VU engine can use the modified data to provide a VU that has a representation of the real world object and/or interaction. This allows a participant to customize objects and/or activities in the VU, and provide a unique “persona” for their avatar and their VU. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147008 | Arrangements for controlling activites of an avatar - Systems are disclosed herein that allow a participant to be associated with an avatar and receive a transmission from the participant in response to a participant activated transmission. The transmission can include a participant selectable and time delayed mood and/or activity command which can be associated with a user configurable command to avatar activity conversion table. The associated avatar activity table can provide control signal to the VU system controlling the participant's avatar for extended time periods, where the activity commands allow the avatar to exhibit a mood and to conduct an activity. The preconfigured time controlled activity commands allow the user to control their avatar without being actively engaged in a session with a virtual universe client or logged on and the control configuration can be set up such that a single mood/activity control signal can initiate moods and activities that occur over an extended period of time. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147025 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODIFICATION OF TURF TV PARTICIPANT DECORATIONS BASED ON MULTIPLE REAL-TIME FACTORS - A method of modifying sporting event participant decorations displayed on a fiber optic “Turf TV” playing surface based on multiple real-time factors. A decoration utility calculates a direction of movement of a player or object in proximity to the playing surface, which is configured to display images, during a live sporting event. The utility adds a graphical aura to a real-time graphical image displayed in proximity to the player on the playing surface. The utility animates the aura in response to wind and/or noise in proximity to the playing surface. The utility modifies the aura based on pre-defined custom attributes, penalties, errors, and/or player status. If the player moves, the utility adds a graphical player trail to the image. The utility also adds a graphical object trail that includes previous locations of an object. The object trail may also include spin and a visual appearance corresponding to an object height. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150802 | Rendering of Real World Objects and Interactions Into A Virtual Universe - Systems are disclosed herein that can capture image data reflecting real world objects and/or actions and convert this data into a format that, is usable in a virtual universe (VU). Thus, image data representing real world/actual objects and actions can be acquired, converted into virtual universe compatible data, sent to a VU server where the actions and objects can be associated with a virtual area or an avatar, and a recreation of the objects and actions can be displayed to a user in the VU. This allows a participant to customize activities and objects in the VU, and provide a unique “personality” for their avatar and their VU. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 06-11-2009 |
20090160780 | SELF-HEALING AND DIAGNOSTIC SCREEN - A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 06-25-2009 |
20090172150 | COORDINATED DEEP TAGGING OF MEDIA CONTENT WITH COMMUNITY CHAT POSTINGS - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to deep tagging of media content and provide a method, system and computer program product for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for coordinating deep tagging of media content with chat postings can be provided. The method can include monitoring a group chat of participants co-browsing media content, identifying a token in the group chat appearing a threshold number of times within a temporal window, and creating a deep tag in the media content in association with a portion of the media content played back concurrently with the temporal window. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177984 | CALENDAR ENTRY DISPLAY METHOD - A method of displaying a calendar entry of an electronic calendar application is disclosed. The method includes determining if a user of the electronic calendar application is within a specified distance of a location of an appointment corresponding to the calendar entry at a specified time prior to the appointment. In response to determining that the user is within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is face-to-faceable. In response to determining that the user is not within the specified distance at the specified time, displaying an indication with the calendar entry that the appointment is not face-to-faceable. | 07-09-2009 |
20090213067 | INTERACTING WITH A COMPUTER VIA INTERACTION WITH A PROJECTED IMAGE - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to user interfaces and provide a novel and non-obvious system for interacting with a computer via a projected image. In one embodiment of the invention, the system includes a projector for generating a projected image onto a surface, wherein the projected image corresponds to a first image on a display of the computer. The system further includes a sensor for sensing a human interaction with the projected image and generating a first information representing the human interaction and a transmitter for transmitting the first information to the computer. The system further includes a program on the computer that receives the first information and translates it into a second information representing a human interaction with the first image. | 08-27-2009 |
20090251285 | USING PHYSICAL OBJECTS TO CONTROL ENABLEMENT/DISABLEMENT OF DEVICE FUNCTIONALITY - At least one N-sided physical object proximate to a computing device can be detected. Each side of the N-sided physical object can be associated with at least one enablement state for a functionality of the computing device. A side of the N-sided object that faces a reference plane can be sensed. An enablement state of a functionality of at least one computing device can be programmatically changed to correspond to an enablement state indicated by the N-sided physical object. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251420 | SLIDE BASED TECHNIQUE FOR INPUTTING A SEQUENCE OF NUMBERS FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE - A contact with a point of a touch input component of a computing device can be sensed. A continuous contact from the point to a different point on the touch input component can be detected that is caused by a first slide based motion of a contact instrument maintaining contact with the touch input component. A first input character associated with the slide based motion can be determining based at least in part upon a direction of the slide based motion. A second slide based motion of the contact instrument can be detected from the different point to another point, wherein the contact instrument remains in contact with the touch input component during the first slide based motion, during the second slide based motion, and between the first and second slide based motion. A second input character associated with the slide based motion can be determined based at least in part upon a direction of the second slide based motion. | 10-08-2009 |
20090271716 | System and method for real-time scheduling - A system and method for dynamically scheduling a meeting time in association with an instant messaging client. The system includes a chat server, a grid scheduling server, a local instant messaging client, a remote instant messaging client, and a grid scheduling client. The instant messaging client facilitates a chat session in conjunction with the chat server. The grid scheduling server generates a representation of scheduling information from a scheduling matrix including a list of times arranged transversely to a list of participants to the meeting. The grid scheduling client in conjunction with the grid scheduling server hosts a grid scheduling session in real-time on the local and remote instant messaging clients and schedules the meeting time according to real-time input from participants on the local and remote instant messaging clients. | 10-29-2009 |
20090284480 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR A MULTI-POINT TOUCH-SENSITIVE SENSOR USER INTERFACE USING DISTINCT DIGIT IDENTIFICATION - A computer program product for a multi-point touch-sensitive sensor user interface using distinct digit identification. The computer program product may include a relationship module, an assignment module, a receiving module, a determination module, and an initiation module. The relationship module may determine a relationship between at least two digits. The assignment module may assign a distinct digit identity to each digit of the at least two digits. The receiving module may receive a digit event comprising at least one digit interaction. The determination module may determine a digit identity for each digit involved in the digit event and a digit interaction associated with each digit of the digit event. Finally, the initiation module may initiate a digit event function associated with the determined digit identity and the digit interaction. Therefore, a user has greater control over a device through the interface with each digit having a distinct function and identity. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292686 | DISAMBIGUATING TAGS IN FOLKSONOMY TAGGING SYSTEMS - Allowing users of a folksonomy tagging system to use any phrase they feel is relevant to the resource can lead to ambiguities within the system. For example, a user may tag a picture of a gift with the keyword “bow”. Another user may tag a picture of a bow and arrow with the keyword “bow”. This may cause a problem for someone searching with the keyword “bow” when looking for information about making a bow for a gift. The user looking for gift bows does not want to see search results for bows and arrows. Functionality can be implemented in a folksonomy tagging system to disambiguate tags by associating them with definitions. Associating ambiguous tags with appropriate definitions will increase search accuracy for users of folksonomy tagging systems, thus allowing users to find relevant information more efficiently. | 11-26-2009 |
20090292776 | SELECTING EMAIL SIGNATURES - In some embodiments, a method comprises detecting a request to append a signature to an outgoing email, wherein the email is addressed from a sender to a recipient. The method can also comprise determining one or more temporal conditions associated with the email and determining one or more social relationships associated with the recipient. The method can also include selecting the signature from a predefined list of signatures, wherein the selecting includes comparing a group of signature rules to the one or more temporal conditions and the one or more social relationships. The method can also comprise appending the signature to the outgoing email and transmitting the email to the recipient. | 11-26-2009 |
20090299629 | PREVENTATIVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION SOCIAL NETWORKING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN A COMMUNITY - A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting traffic congestion routing data to a community of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Community routing logic of a community routing system (CRS) receives a route request containing the current location and desired destination of a GPS device. The CRS may use the community routing logic to determine a path that the user of the GPS device should travel on to best minimize driving time and traffic conditions for a community of users of the CRS. The CRS considers road capacity, current traffic conditions, and historical traffic data for roads and alternate roads along a preferred route. The CRS also considers routes previously taken by the GPS device. Additionally, the CRS may receive information about routes taken by other GPS devices to further improve future routes of the community of GPS devices. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299725 | DEEP TAG CLOUD ASSOCIATED WITH STREAMING MEDIA - In some embodiments, a method for providing access to media segments using a tag cloud comprises receiving a request to play streaming media, identifying deep tags associated with the streaming media, and determining preferences of a user based on information provided by the user. The method can also comprise selecting a group of the deep tags based on the information provided by the user and displaying the group of the deep tags in a tag cloud, wherein the deep tags hyperlink to segments within the streaming media. The method can also include presenting, in response to activation of a deep tag in the group, one of the segments within the streaming media. | 12-03-2009 |
20090307345 | AUTOMATED DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT FILTRATION BASED ON RELATIONSHIP MONITORING - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated digital media content filtration based on relationship monitoring. The method determines a plurality of user relationships based at least in part on an online association between a user and a content producer. The method monitors each user relationship with each content producer for a relationship interaction between the user and the content producer. Furthermore, the method also identifies digital media content published by a content producer having a relationship with the user. A determined relevancy may be based on a strength factor derived at least in part on monitored relationship interactions between the user and the content producer that published the digital media content. The digital media content is presented to the user, with that having a greater relevancy weight having a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from other content producers. | 12-10-2009 |
20090313334 | INSTANT MESSENGER CONVERSATION TOPIC TABS - A method and system provides for separating conversation topics within a user's chat by tabs. Authorized users may organize and control access to IM conversations organized by topics. An existing instant messaging user with access to an instant messaging conversation may tag one or more portions of the instant messaging conversation as their tagged conversation topics. Existing instant messaging users may control access to the tagged conversation topics by inviting one or more new instant messaging users to selectively participate in the tagged conversation topics and not the instant messaging conversation in its entirety. | 12-17-2009 |
20100005106 | ASSISTING USERS IN SEARCHING FOR TAGGED CONTENT BASED ON HISTORICAL USAGE PATTERNS - A tagging event can be detected where a software entity is associated with a tag resulting from a user interaction. At least one situational attribute relating to the tagging event can be automatically determined. The one or more situational attribute can be stored in a data repository so that the stored situational attribute is associated with the tag. The detecting, determining, and storing can be repeated for a set of different tags, each associated with a software entity. A search of tagged software entities can be conducted. The results of the search can be modified based at least in part upon the stored situational attributes of the tagged software entities. | 01-07-2010 |
20100011053 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING AND FILTERING EMAILS BASED ON CONTENT - An apparatus and system are disclosed for regulating emails in an enterprise email system by marking, demarcating and referencing a content-context field in the header of the email. The content-context field designates the email as business or non-business in nature. Non-business emails are rejected, relayed elsewhere, or destroyed in response to positively identifying the email as non-business. The claimed invention prevents intermingling of non-business emails with business emails in business environments, and helps avoid potential liabilities that may result from associating business matters with personnel non-business matters. | 01-14-2010 |
20100013676 | PRESENCE RECOGNITION CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES USING A MULTI-TOUCH DEVICE - Controlling external electronic devices using presence recognition through a multi-touch device is provided. An indication of the presence of at least one of an object or a gesture on a surface of the multi-touch device is received. A plurality of characteristics associated with the object or gesture are identified. Using the plurality of physical characteristics, a data structure is searched to determine the existence of a single object or a single gesture with characteristics that matches the plurality of characteristics. Responsive to a match, a determination is made as to whether the single object or the single gesture has an associated function. Responsive to the existence of the associated function, the associated function is executed on one of a plurality of external electronic devices. | 01-21-2010 |
20100017215 | PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION STANDING AND SITTING ROOM NOTIFICATION SYSTEM - A method, system, and computer program product for transmitting, in real time, notification of the number of passengers riding on a public transportation vehicle. A passenger count is transmitted by an electronic counting system on a public transportation vehicle. The passenger count is received by a passenger notification device in real time. The passenger notification device then transmits a notification message containing the passenger count and a known capacity of the public transportation vehicle to a remote telecommunication device. The notification message transmitted by the passenger notification device may also contain supplemental information of additional features of the public transportation vehicle, and suggest alternative route options to the user. Additionally, the notification message may contain predictive information of the number of available spaces on the public transportation vehicle by referencing historical passenger data to further determine the likelihood that a person will be able to board. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020365 | METHOD OF PRESSURE DETECTION FOR SELECTIVE SCANNING OF A DOCUMENT - A method of scanning comprises detecting a document on a scanning device scanning surface, and detecting pressure on the scanning device scanning surface to scan a region of the document. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023877 | CONVERSATION DETECTION IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to virtual world management and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for conversation detection in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for conversation management in a virtual world data processing system can include detecting a sequence of statements from at least two avatars in a virtual world, and locating the avatars in the virtual world, computing a temporal proximity of the statements. The statements can be grouped in the virtual world if the avatars are geographically proximate to one another in the virtual world and if the statements have occurred within a threshold temporal proximity of one another. Thereafter, the grouped statements can be persisted in the virtual world as a conversation. | 01-28-2010 |
20100023881 | DEFINING SECTIONAL BOUNDARIES OF A WEBPAGE - Disclosed are a method, system and computer program product for defining sectional boundaries of a webpage to enable efficient navigation of the content on a user device. Logical sections in a webpage are defined by comparing structured content in the webpage, analyzing patterns in a markup of the webpage, or allowing a user to identify sectional boundaries manually using an assistive user interface. A user, via a user interface, can verify or modify the sections by comparing structured content or analyzing patterns in a markup in the webpage. Indices are created by marking sectional boundaries at a beginning of each section. The webpage can be navigated by section marked by the sectional boundaries using a button pair, a user interface marker that allows direct access to sections, or a proxy for manual input by a user, such as voice input. | 01-28-2010 |
20100036888 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING TAGS - A method and system manage one or more tags for an item. The tags reside in a datastore. The method and system include associating the tag with at least one expiration condition and determining whether the at least one expiration condition has been met. If the expiration condition(s) have been met, then corrective action is taken for the tag while retaining the at least one item. | 02-11-2010 |
20100037141 | ENHANCING USER INTERACTION BY DISPLAYING IMAGES FROM A NETWORK - In a user-interactive method and system, a display application for enhancing user interaction over a network is provided. The method includes receiving preference information from a first user, the preference information indicating at least one type of image the first user wishes to view. In response to a network interaction being established between at least the first user and a second user, the method further includes retrieving a plurality of images associated with the second user based on the preference information. The method further includes displaying the plurality of images based on the preference information. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042285 | Modifying an Appearance of a Vehicle Based on Content of the Vehicle - A mechanism is provided for controlling an output of a vehicle mounted display based on the current cargo loading of the vehicle so as to change the appearance of the vehicle. The mechanisms may identify at least one identifier of contents of a current cargo loading of the vehicle. The at least one identifier may identify at least one product currently being transported by the vehicle. The mechanisms may further correlate the at least one identifier with display data to be rendered on the vehicle mounted display. The mechanisms may further output the display data to the vehicle mounted display such that the display data is rendered on the vehicle mounted display. | 02-18-2010 |
20100052930 | ACTIVITY PATTERN BASED BATTERY CHARGING ALERTS FOR MOBILE DEVICES - A method for providing activity pattern based battery charging alerts for mobile devices, the method includes: monitoring usage patterns of a mobile device; determining periods of activity and inactivity for the mobile device's usage; creating an activity log detailing the determined periods of activity and inactivity; monitoring levels of available battery charge for the mobile device; correlating the levels of available battery charge with the activity log; and generating a charging advisory alert in response to at least one of: an available battery charge dropping below a threshold value prior to a period of device inactivity, or toward the end of a period of activity. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054430 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT SHORTCUTTING - A system, method and program product for providing voice response unit (VRU) shortcuts. A system is provided that includes: a user interface for allowing a user to input a targeted VRU, a goal, and call-specific information; a data mapping system for mapping the call specific information and user information pre-stored in a database to a VRU map associated with VRU; a VRU interface system for initiating a call with the targeted VRU and navigating the targeted VRU to an option associated with the goal; and a system for telephonically connecting the user with the targeted VRU when the option associated with the goal is reached. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057456 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT MAPPING - A system, method and program product for mapping voice response units (VRUs). A system is provided that includes: an interrogation system for interrogating a VRU and gathering a hierarchical set of options associated with the VRU; a map building system for converting the hierarchical set of options into a VRU map suitable for display; and a user interface for displaying the VRU map to an end user. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057861 | Dynamic Email Recipients Based on Entered Subject - A method is provided for dynamically inserting email recipients based on entering a subject. A subject is received being typed by a user for an email. The subject being typed is parsed. It is recognized that the subject has been previously stored with corresponding email addresses related to the subject. In response to recognizing that the subject has been previously stored, the previously stored corresponding email addresses that relate to the subject are inserted. The subject and the corresponding email addresses were previously typed by the user, such that the subject and the corresponding email addresses could be stored. The corresponding email addresses are respectively inserted in TO fields, carbon copy (CC) fields, and/or blind carbon copy (BCC) fields of the email in accordance with a manner in which the corresponding email addresses were previously typed by the user. | 03-04-2010 |
20110239228 | Processing Event Notifications with an Event Sink - Applications generating events, and system facilities generating events, send notifications of the events to a system event sink. The event sink is preferably associated with an operating system, and provides an application programming interface for registering listeners. (In one alternative approach, the event sink operates as a centrally-accessible or network-accessible entity, where it may concurrently interact with more than one client.) Upon receiving a notification of an event, the event sink forwards the notification to any registered listeners. Optionally, filters may be used to specify criteria to be met before a notification is forwarded to the listener. An event does not rely on a particular application for displaying the event to an end user. As one example, notification of a newly-arrived e-mail message might be presented in a chat window of an instant messaging client. | 09-29-2011 |
20120136966 | Background File Sharing in a Segmented Peer-to-Peer Sharing Network - A peer-to-peer file sharing client with background file sharing is provided in a segmented peer-to-peer file sharing network. Each file sharing participant may designate an amount of bandwidth and/or storage space for background file sharing. Peer-to-peer file sharing clients then share file data and content in the background automatically. The client may participate in additional swarms, in the background, to generally increase the number of peers in file sharing networks, thus increasing the speed of downloading desired files for other users. | 05-31-2012 |
20120223904 | Self-Healing and Diagnostic Screen - A method, system, and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 09-06-2012 |
20120242699 | MODIFICATION OF TURF TV PARTICIPANT DECORATIONS BASED ON MULTIPLE REAL-TIME FACTORS - A method, system and compute program product for modifying sporting event participant decorations displayed on a fiber optic “Turf TV” playing surface. A utility calculates a direction of movement of a player or object in proximity to the playing surface, which is configured to display images, during a live sporting event. The utility adds a graphical aura to a real-time graphical image displayed in proximity to the player on the playing surface. The utility animates the aura in response to wind and/or noise in proximity to the playing surface. The utility modifies the aura based on pre-defined custom attributes, penalties, errors, and/or player status. If the player moves, the utility adds a graphical player trail to the image. The utility also adds a graphical object trail that includes previous locations of an object. The object trail may also include spin and a visual appearance corresponding to an object height. | 09-27-2012 |
20120314848 | VOICE RESPONSE UNIT SHORTCUTTING - Call specific information input by a user and user information pre-stored in a database are mapped to a voice response unit (VRU) map associated with a targeted VRU. A call with the targeted VRU is initiated and the targeted VRU is navigated to an option associated with a user goal input by the user. The VRU map is displayed and progress of the navigation of the targeted VRU is displayed to the user during the call on the displayed VRU map as the VRU is navigated. | 12-13-2012 |
20120331141 | AUTOMATED DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT FILTRATION BASED ON RELATIONSHIP MONITORING - Automated digital media content filtration is performed by establishing automatically, according to a tolerance parameter, a plurality of user relationships, each user relationship based on monitoring an online association between a user and a content producer. Filtration is also performed by monitoring determined user relationships, interacting with a plurality of independent servers to identify digital media content published by content producers having a user relationship with the user and determining a relevancy weight for each published digital media content item, the relevancy based on a strength factor. Filtration is still further performed by presenting the digital media content published by one or more of the content producers to the user such that digital media content having a greater relevancy weight receives a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from the plurality of content producers. | 12-27-2012 |
20130300701 | Self-Healing and Diagnostic Screen - A device and computer program product for determining a level of cleanliness of a multi-touch screen display, characterizing objects that make contact with the screen, and initiating a specific maintenance action on the screen, based on screen cleanliness and the object(s) characterization(s). A screen diagnostic and maintenance (SDM) utility initiates a number of procedures to determine the type of object(s) and a set of characteristics of object(s) that make contact with the touch screen. Based on the results of the procedures, the SDM utility characterizes/identifies the object(s). In addition, the SDM utility initiates maintenance screen check(s) based on information stored in maintenance configuration file(s). Based on the results of the maintenance check(s), configuration file(s) data and type and characterization of the object(s) that have made contact with the screen, the SDM utility determines the type of maintenance that is performed and the timing/schedule of the maintenance action(s). | 11-14-2013 |