| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080298238 | FILTERING IN BANDWIDTH SHARING AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for filtering in bandwidth sharing ad hoc networks. A method includes maintaining at least one filtering parameter associated with formation of a bandwidth sharing ad hoc network. The method further includes preventing data transfer across the bandwidth sharing ad hoc network when a parameter of a request to establish the bandwidth sharing ad hoc network corresponds to the at least one filtering parameter. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298282 | EFFICIENCY AND RESILIENCY ENHANCEMENTS FOR TRANSITION STATES IN AD HOC NETWORKS - A method includes establishing an ad hoc network between at least a borrower and at least one lender of bandwidth and downloading requested data from a data source via the ad hoc network. The method further includes leaving the ad hoc network while maintaining some of the downloaded requested data. The method further includes reestablishing a connection to the data source for completing the downloading of the requested data. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298283 | COALITION FORMATION AND SERVICE PROVISIONING OF BANDWIDTH SHARING AD HOC NETWORKS - Method, system, and computer program product for enabling dynamic creation of a coalition of multiplexed ad hoc networks to form larger ad hoc networks for service provisioning, in which multiplexers can be connected together in either a hierarchical structure or a parallel structure. Includes method, system, and computer program product for forming an ad hoc network composed of a multiplexer coupling a borrower to at least one lender and forming a coalition composed of the ad hoc network and at least one other multiplexer. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298284 | MARKET-DRIVEN VARIABLE PRICE OFFERINGS FOR BANDWIDTH-SHARING AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods to establish and execute market-driven variable price offerings among the lenders and borrowers in a bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage. The method comprises establishing and executing market-driven variable price offerings among lenders and borrowers. A bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage is formed based on the established and executed market-driven variable price offering. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298314 | OPTIMIZATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR A HETEROGENEOUS AD HOC NETWORK - Method and system for optimizing selection of a network. The method includes identifying available lenders and existing networks within a vicinity of a borrower, selecting an optimization technique for completing a task of the borrower, calculating, for a plurality of network options, a value for completing the borrower's task according to the optimization technique, and selecting an optimum network option to complete the borrower's task. The plurality of network options includes forming a heterogeneous network composed of both a peer-to-peer network and a multiplexed network. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080298327 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING GATEWAY BANDWIDTH SHARING AD-HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for establishing gateway bandwidth sharing ad hoc networks. In a first aspect, a method includes establishing a relationship with a gateway that retrieves data from a remote location and divides the data into at least a first portion and a second portion. The method further includes establishing an ad hoc network comprising at least one local lender, receiving the first portion from the gateway via the at least one local lender, receiving the second portion from the gateway, and joining the first portion and the second portion to re-create the data. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080299988 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING PEER-TO-PEER BANDWIDTH SHARING AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for establishing peer-to-peer bandwidth sharing ad hoc networks. A method includes: determining a first location and a second location of data; instructing a first device to download a first portion of the data from the first location; instructing a second device to download a second portion of the data from the second location; and receiving the first portion of the data from the first device and the second portion of the data from the second device. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300889 | FORMATION AND REARRANGEMENT OF LENDER DEVICES THAT PERFORM MULTIPLEXING FUNCTIONS - A method comprises establishing an ad-hoc network between a borrower and at least two lenders of bandwidth and establishing one lender of the at least two lenders as a multiplexer to manage data flow over the ad-hoc network between the borrower and lenders of the at least two lenders of bandwidth. The method may include providing a computer infrastructure to perform the steps of the invention. A system is also provided which includes a server having a database containing data associated with one or more lenders and a borrower in an ad-hoc network and at least one hardware and/or software component. The system may further includes computer usable medium having readable program code embodied in the medium to perform processes of the invention. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300890 | PRICE OFFERINGS FOR BANDWIDTH-SHARING AD HOC NETWORKS - Methods and systems to establish and execute price offerings among the lenders and borrowers in a bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage. The method comprises establishing a price offering among a lender and borrower in a bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage. The method further includes executing the price offering upon acceptance of a lender to the bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300891 | RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK - This invention outlines a method that distributes the decision-making process according to the application owners' needs, through the use of chip management and brokering technologies in an auction-like environment which allows for very fluid business need changes. This disclosure describes a master framework for a family of disclosures which allows consumers to more efficiently obtain, modify, and utilize computing resources from providers. These elemental biddable resources are obtained through several brokering algorithms and associated winning bid strategies which redefine how applications and businesses can receive the most appropriate service for the least cost, at the most appropriate interval. The resource management framework includes business units, buyer's agents, resource unit brokers, resource unit capacity planners, and resource allocation software, and an optional change and configuration manager. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300931 | OPTIMIZATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLEXED GATEWAY ARCHITECTURE - Process and system for optimizing one of uploading and downloading of at least one file through at least one lender in multiplexed gateway architecture. The process includes identifying available lenders coupled to a multiplexed gateway within a vicinity of a borrower, selecting an optimization criterion, and selecting a number of the identified available lenders based upon the selected optimization criterion. The method also includes dividing at least one file to be one of uploaded and downloaded into parts corresponding to the number of selected lenders, and assigning a part of the at least one file to each selected lender. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300932 | OPTIMIZATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR NON-MULTIPLEXED PEER-TO-PEER ARCHITECTURE - Process and system for optimizing one of uploading and downloading of at least one file through at least one lender in a peer-to-peer architecture. The process includes identifying available lenders within a vicinity of a borrower, selecting a number of lenders based upon at least one requester optimization criterion, dividing the at least one file to be one of uploaded or downloaded into parts corresponding to the number of selected lenders, assigning a part of the at least one file to each selected lender, and performing one of an upload or a download of the parts through the selected lenders. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300942 | SERVICE REQUESTS FOR MULTIPLE SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - A system, method, program product and service for processing a multiple service level bid in a resource management framework. A buyer's agent is provided to receive a multiple service level request from a business unit and query a resource unit broker for available resource types that can be utilized to provide at least some of the service level requirements of the multiple service level request. A mapping system is provided to map the available resource types to a list of resource sets (i.e., bidding options) and a prioritization system is provided to order the list. Once the list is ordered, a bidding system is provided to submit a bid for the highest priority resource set. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300947 | NON-DEPLETING CHIPS FOR OBTAINING DESIRED SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes non-depleting chips and their use in a Resource Management Framework. In this methodology, chips do not deplete when spent, but rather represent a weighting that each party/business unit (BU) has to accomplish its IT processing needs over time. In this model, BUs are assigned a certain buying power that may be thought of as akin to chips on a roulette wheel. Such a model may be used with either scheduled auctions (i.e., discrete events), or they may be used via a spot market where no scheduled auctions are conducted (i.e., fluid events). In this concept, the chips are never depleted. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300948 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO OPERATIONAL SUPPORT CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of operational support characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the operational support characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300949 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO SECURITY CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of security characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the security characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300975 | DEMAND PULL AND SUPPLY PUSH COMMUNICATION METHODOLOGIES - Systems and methods for determining whether a node in a bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network should advertise as a borrower or a lender of bandwidth, or alternatively not advertise as either a borrower or lender of bandwidth. The method comprises establishing an ad-hoc network between nodes configured to be a borrower of bandwidth or a lender of bandwidth. At least one of the nodes advertises to be the borrower of bandwidth or the lender of bandwidth in the ad hoc network based on at least one selected factor. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080300997 | PAYMENT TRANSFER STRATEGIES FOR BANDWIDTH SHARING IN AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for compensating lenders of bandwidth in an ad hoc network and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing payment strategies for bandwidth sharing in an ad-hoc network. The method comprises establishing an ad-hoc network between a borrower and at least one lender of bandwidth, and providing compensation instructions to compensate the at least one lender of bandwidth for lending the bandwidth to the borrower. The system may be a computer infrastructure for implementing the steps of the method. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301017 | FORMATION AND REARRANGEMENT OF AD HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for the formation and rearrangement of ad hoc networks and more particularly to systems and methods for sharing bandwidth in ad hoc networks. The method comprises broadcasting a table to at least one potential lender requesting pertinent lender information and receiving the table from the at least one potential lender with the pertinent lender information. The method further includes selecting one or more lenders of the at least one potential lender which meet preset criteria and establishing an ad hoc network with the one or more lenders based on the selecting. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301024 | INTELLEGENT BUYER'S AGENT USAGE FOR ALLOCATION OF SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - A system, method, program product and service for managing bidding in a resource management framework. A buyer's agent is provided to manage the bidding process for resources for a client. The buyer's agent includes the ability to submit a bid to a resource broker to acquire a set of resources for the client based on service level requirements of the client. Once the set of resources is obtained, they are monitored to ensure the required service level of the client is being met. If the service level requirements are not met, the buyer's agent automatically resubmits a bid to the resource broker. Finally, collaboration among a plurality of buyer's agents may be utilized to avoid bidding wars and the like. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301025 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO AVAILABILITY CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of availability characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the availability characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301026 | FLUID, DEPLETING CHIPS FOR OBTAINING DESIRED SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - The present invention provides fluid, depleting chips for allocating computational resources for obtaining desired service level characteristics, wherein fluid chips deplete from a maximum allocated amount but may, in an optional implementation, be allowed to be replenished through the purchase of additional chips. A number of chips are assigned to the requestor/party, known as the business unit (BU), which could be a department, or group providing like-functionality services. In one implementation, the chips themselves could represent base monetary units integrated over time. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301027 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SELECTING A BROKERING METHOD FOR OBTAINING DESIRED SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - Under the present invention, a set (e.g., one or more) of requests (e.g., from a single bidder or multiple bidders) for an elemental bidding resource (EBR) is received. Market conditions for the EBR are evaluated from historical data. It is then determined whether a demand for the desired EBR exceeds a supply of the EBR. Based on the market conditions, the supply, and the demand, a brokering strategy (e.g., auction versus non-auction) and associated method are selected to allocate the EBR. A resource unit broker (RUB) will then determine an outcome of the brokering method to fulfill at least one of the set of requests. The outcome and associated metrics can then be logged, it can be determined whether a sales contract was created, the EBR can be allocated, and reports/data can be updated accordingly. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301028 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of performance characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the performance characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301029 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO RECOVERABILITY CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of recoverability characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the recoverability characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301030 | APPLICATION OF BROKERING METHODS TO SCALABILITY CHARACTERISTICS - This application describes an application of resource unit brokering algorithms, chip management methods for automated brokering, chip management methods for live brokering, and chip allocation methods to the brokering of scalability characteristics of service level management within an enterprise. Typically, the scalability characteristics are derived from known capacity values that are provided by configuration managers. Calculations are made on the capacity values and maximum quantities of the availability resource units are provided to resource brokers for spot or periodic sale and auction to one or more buyer's agents. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301031 | SCALING OFFERS FOR ELEMENTAL BIDDABLE RESOURCES (EBRs) - This invention describes the use of a Chip Conversion Factor (CCF) to scale offers for EBRs. The CCFs are a multiplier that will be applied to offers received for the EBRs. In general, the CCF can be computed based on any number of factors such as the cost of the EBRs, the worth of an EBR to a potential buyer (e.g., at a particular time), a customer status (e.g., preferred customer) of a potential buyer, etc. The invention helps to take into account any differences between EBRs that meet a potential buyer's requirements but that may affect the value of the EBRs relative to one another. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301039 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAIR-SHARING IN BANDWIDTH SHARING AD-HOC NETWORKS - Systems and methods for fair-sharing in bandwidth sharing ad-hoc networks. A method includes maintaining a borrower account and lender account of a borrower and a lender of an ad hoc network. The method also includes adjusting at least one of the borrower account and the lender account based upon data transfer by the lender for the borrower. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301144 | AUTOMATIC TRAVEL CONTENT CAPTURE TOOL FOR ADDRESS BOOK ENTRIES - Disclosed are a method of and system for capturing and updating travel directions in a user's local address book application. The method comprises the steps of determining a current location profile of the user, calculating a user trajectory using that profile and an intended destination, and adding the current location profile and the intended destination into a historical database. The user's local address book is checked for an entry for the address of said intended destination; and if that entry is not in the address book, the entry is created in the address book. That entry is then checked to determine if a direction/map field of the entry contains directions/map information. If the entry does not contain this information, then this information is mined from a network source and added to the address book. This direction/map information is then displayed. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301688 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ALLOCATING A RESOURCE - The invention provides a method, system, and program product for allocating a resource among a plurality of groups based on the role of each group within an organizational model. A method according to the invention may include, for example, granting a number of groups a privilege to bid on a resource, the privilege being based on a role of each group within an organizational model, accepting a bid for the resource from one or more of the groups, determining whether two or more groups have made equal, highest bids, in such a case, accepting a second bid from the groups having made equal, highest bids, and awarding a right to the resource to the group making the highest bid for the resource. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080301689 | DISCRETE, DEPLETING CHIPS FOR OBTAINING DESIRED SERVICE LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS - The present invention provides discrete, depleting chips for allocating computational resources for obtaining desired service level characteristics, wherein discrete chips deplete from a maximum allocated amount but may, in an optional implementation, be allowed to be replenished through the purchase of additional chips. A number of chips are assigned to a requestor/party, known as a business unit (BU), which could be a department, or group providing like-functionality services. In one implementation, the chips themselves could represent base monetary units integrated over time. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080317229 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTIVE CALL FILTERING - A method of and system for filtering telephone calls receives a call to a called party from a caller and determines if the called party has an event scheduled. If the called party has an event scheduled, the system determines if the caller is associated with the event. The system completes the call if the caller is associated with the event. The system sends the call to voice mail if the caller is not associated with said event unless the caller is on an exception list associated with the event, in which case the system completes the call. The system completes the call if it is determined that said called party does not have an event scheduled. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080320580 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MEDIA FOR FIREWALL CONTROL VIA REMOTE SYSTEM INFORMATION - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for implementing a firewall control system responsive to remote system information are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include receiving a data request at a firewall where the data request is associated with a program and determining whether a remote system condition exists for the associated program, where the remote system condition includes a condition to be satisfied based on information received from a particular remote system. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining that a remote system condition exists, determining whether the remote system condition is satisfied based on information received from the particular remote system. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining whether the remote system condition is satisfied, performing one or more firewall actions. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080320581 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND MEDIA FOR FIREWALL CONTROL VIA PROCESS INTERROGATION - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for implementing a firewall control system responsive to process interrogations are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include receiving a data request at a firewall where the data request is associated with a program and determining whether a process rule exists for the associated program, where the process rule includes a condition to be satisfied for a process of the user computer system. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining that a process rule does exist, determining a method for evaluating a status of the process and determining a current status of the process. Embodiments may also include determining whether the process rule is satisfied based on the current status of the process and using the determined evaluation method. Embodiments may also include, in response to determining whether the condition of the process rule is satisfied, performing one or more firewall actions. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080320584 | FIREWALL CONTROL SYSTEM - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for implementing a firewall control system responsive to user authentications are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include receiving a data request at a firewall where the data request is associated with a program. Embodiments may include determining whether an authentication plan is required to be matched for the associated program and, if so, accessing a stored authentication plan associated with the program and having one or more authentication records each having expected information relating to user access to a particular server. Embodiments may include accessing a current authentication plan from an authentication store, the current authentication plan having one or more authentication records each having information relating to user access to a particular server. Embodiments may include comparing the stored authentication plan with the received current authentication plan to determine whether they match and, in response, performing one or more firewall actions. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090009333 | System and Method for Measuring RFID Signal Strength Within Shielded Locations - An RFID Probe comprises a pole with a plurality of sensors that indicate RF signal strength attached at regular intervals and marked to indicate distance from an end of the pole. A user employs the RFID Probe by placing the probe between densely packed materials, such as cases on a pallet, and exposing the RFID Probe and packaging to a signal from a RIFD transceiver. After exposing the RFID Probe to the RFID transceiver signal, the user removes the RFID Probe from the packed materials and observes the sensors on the probe. By noting the location on the probe of the sensors indicating low or no RF signal, the user can identify locations where RF signal strength is insufficient to activate an RFID tag. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090015398 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING LOCATION INFORMATION OF CHECKED BAGGAGE - A system and method for notifying an end user of a location of baggage is provided. The method includes providing a computer infrastructure being operable to maintain baggage information and contact information of the end user, read an RFID tag at predetermined locations, and send the location of the baggage to the end user based on the location of the RFID tag and the read baggage information. The RFID tag is encoded with the baggage information. The system comprises an RFID tag encoded with baggage information and at least one RFID reader configured to read the encoded baggage information as it travels past a predetermined location. The system further includes at least one transmitting device to transit a location of the baggage to an end user, as received from an RFID scanner. | 01-15-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090044578 | COMPUTER LOCK SYSTEM - A computing device including a first computer portion pivotally connected to a second computer portion by a hinge. The computing device further includes an element moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free to rotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantially prevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of the element between the first and second positions. | 02-19-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090049184 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STREAMING DATA OVER A DISTRIBUTED INFRASTRUCTURE - A system and method of streaming data in real time and, more particularly, a system and method of real time streaming of data over a grid network or other distributed infrastructure. The method and system comprises updating a content directory of a root server with end resource information. The method and system further includes processing the end resource information to determine connection locations for streaming data to at least one requesting end resource in a network. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090051531 | COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEM TRIGGERED BY MOVEMENT OF A DISPLAY OF A COMPUTING DEVICE - An anti-theft system for portable computing devices, and more particularly, to a countermeasure system and method triggered by movement of a computing screen to prevent the theft of a computing device. The device comprises a base portion, a display portion hingedly attached to the base portion and a sensor configured to detect a motion of the display portion with respect to the base portion. The device further includes a system activated when the sensor detects a motion of the display portion outside a predetermined location. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090054061 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF LOCATING WIRELESS CONNECTION AMONG A PLURALITY OF WIRELESS CONNECTIONS - A system and method of locating a wireless connection among a plurality of possible wireless connections. More particularly, a system and method of locating a user preferred wireless connection among a plurality of possible wireless connections. The method includes scanning for available networks and determining whether the available networks satisfy one or more user preferences. The method further includes establishing a secondary network connection with one of the available networks based on one or more user preferences being satisfied. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090054157 | INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION FOR CONTENT CREATED WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that protects intellectual property rights in content created by users of a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an intellectual property rights protection tool for use in a virtual universe. A receiving component is configured to receive a request to protect intellectual property rights in content created by a user of the virtual universe. A database is configured to store content created by users of the virtual universe that have intellectual property rights therein. A search component is configured to search the database for content created by users of the virtual universe that have intellectual property rights therein that is similar to the content created by the user. An analysis component is configured to determine whether any preexisting intellectual property rights in content stored in the database precludes intellectual property protection of the content created by the user. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055093 | PICTORIAL NAVIGATION METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - Methods, systems and program products provide pictorial information relevant to a geographic location, through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a user, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to a user in association with geographic locations. Characteristic include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives. Formatting pictorial information may comprise synthesizing photographs into a constructs. Associated image data may indicate a distance and direction from a geographic location. Routing system applications are enabled to present pictorial information with each navigation route points. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055386 | System and Method for Enhanced In-Document Searching for Text Applications in a Data Processing System - A system and method for implementing enhanced searching within a document in a data processing system. A search manager receives an original search term, wherein the original search term includes at least two words. The search manager creates a set of alternate search terms by: retrieving from a predetermined thesaurus database at least one synonym for at least one word in the original search term; and inserting at least on wildcard between the at least two words within the original search term. The search manager performs at least one search utilizing the set of alternate search terms and the original search term. The search manager ranks the search results from the at least one search according to a predetermined priority order. The search manager outputs the ranked search results. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055508 | DATA SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method includes a digital subscription management system (DSMS) receiving from a source system a request to perform an edit of at least one data object, the DSMS sending a request for response (RFR) to subscribing systems having a copy of the at least one data object, the DSMS receiving a response from the subscribing systems, and the DSMS performing the edit. | 02-26-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090055799 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOURCE CODE SECTIONAL LOCKING FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT - A system and method of managing source code and, more particularly, a system and method for locking sections of source code to eliminate conflicts during concurrent use by multiple users. The method includes locking a first section of a file and at least a second section of the file to permit editing thereof by different users to the exclusion of other users. The method further includes merging edits of the locked first section with remaining sections of the file including any edits made to the at least second section without overwriting any edits. | 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 |
| 20090063838 | MULTI-OPERATING SYSTEM DOCUMENT EDITING MODE FOR BATTERY POWERED PERSONAL COMPUTING DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a low power document editing mode for mobile computing devices. In an embodiment of the invention, a battery powered computing device can be configured for power optimized document editing, the computing device. The device can include a central processing unit (CPU), both coupled to a battery, memory, fixed storage and a display within a single computing case. The device also can include a primary personal computing operating system and also an auxiliary low-power consumption operating system each stored in fixed storage, each including a configuration to access an editable document in the fixed storage. Finally, the device can include a boot read only memory (ROM) programmed to selectively bootstrap into either the primary personal computing operating system or the auxiliary low-power consumption operating system. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090063839 | LOW POWER DATA TRANSFER MODE FOR BATTERY POWERED PERSONAL COMPUTING DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a low power data transfer mode for mobile computing devices. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for low power data transfer in a battery powered computing device can be provided. The method can include powering up a battery powered computing device, booting into a primary personal computing operating system in the device and storing a document into fixed storage for the device, and subsequently re-booting into an auxiliary low-power consumption operating system in the device, establishing a short range radio frequency communications link between the battery powered computing device and an external pervasive device, and transmitting the stored document to the pervasive device over the short range radio frequency communications link. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090063873 | DOCUMENT VIEWING MODE FOR BATTERY POWERED COMPUTING DEVICES - Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to document viewing within a battery powered computing device and provide a method, system and computer program product for the power optimized use of a battery powered computing device for selective document viewing. In one embodiment, a battery powered computing device configured for power optimized selective document viewing can be provided. The device can include a central processing unit (CPU) and a microcontroller, both coupled to a battery, static memory, and a display within a single computing case. The device further can include a boot read only memory (ROM) programmed to selectively bootstrap into either a personal computing mode powering the CPU and display, or a document viewing mode powering the microcontroller and display. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090070381 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING INFORMATION - Disclosed is a method, computer program product, and system for classifying information includes determining a plurality of management characteristics for an information type, determining a plurality of business characteristics for the information type, determining at least one management tally for the information type based on the management characteristics, determining at least one business tally for the information type based on the business characteristics, and determining a global information class for the information type based on the management tally and the business tally. A computer usable medium with suitable computer program code is employed for classifying information. | 03-12-2009 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20090089364 | ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERACTIVITY BETWEEN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB - In one embodiment, a method for interaction between a web browser and virtual environment applications is disclosed. The method can include creating an attribute file or a cookie file in a virtual universe application and in browser applications, then sharing such files between these applications to enhance a user experience. Both the browser applications and the virtual universe applications can search for the attribute files in numerous locations including local memory, web based memory and even a third party service provider via the Internet. | 04-02-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090102926 | DETECTING AND PROCESSING CORRUPTED VIDEO RECORDINGS - Embodiments of the invention include a method that comprises receiving a request to record television content on a specified channel for a specified period of time. The method can also include tuning to the specified channel at the specified time, and recording the specified content. The method can also include determining that one or more segments of the television content is corrupted. The method can also include presenting a notification indicating that some of the television content is corrupted, retuning to the specified channel made by the request, and acquiring uncorrupted television content for use in replacing the one or more segments of corrupted television content. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090106804 | DETECTING AND PROCESSING CORRUPTED VIDEO RECORDINGS - Embodiments of the invention include a method that comprises recording broadcasted television content and determining if one or more segments of the content is corrupted. The method can also present a notification if the content is corrupted, where the notification can include indicia such as a pop-up window, an icon or symbol in a program guide screen or program recorded content screen, and/or an indicator on the DVR unit. The method can also acquire uncorrupted content to replace one or more segments of the corrupted content. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090109213 | ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENHANCING MULTIMEDIA FEATURES IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - In one embodiment, a method for operating a virtual environment is disclosed. The method can include receiving an interactive virtual universe feed from a network in coordinate format. The method can also include displaying an interactive virtual universe and providing a trigger to a client application responsive to a user interaction. The trigger can change a mode of a user's computer where the computer receives and displays video data or pixel data. Thus, the client machine can display higher quality video. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090112683 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FEEDBACK AMONG CUSTOMERS IN REAL-TIME - A method, system and program product for providing distribution of customer feedback pertaining to an aspect of a retail environment. The method includes creating either a text, an audio or visual tag for inputting into a tool, feedback from customers using a plurality of devices, the tag including either a product-related or a location-related tag that can be used to extrapolate on the feedback. The method further includes identifying respective locations of customers, collecting in real-time the feedback inputted by the customers and providing a user, a customer that has provided feedback or not, access to the feedback collected based on either an inquiry submitted to the tool by the user or based on a current location of the user identified by the tool. The method further includes retrieving in real-time a subset of the feedback collected based on either the inquiry submitted or the current location of the user. | 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 |
| 20090113524 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ACCOUNT PROTECTION - A protection mechanism(s) for a virtual universe account maintains integrity of the virtual universe account as well as the virtual universe. An avatar associated with a virtual universe account may be misappropriated and/or used inappropriately by a non-comporting user against the wishes or without the knowledge of the virtual universe account owner. A non-comporting user (i.e., a user not authorized to use the virtual universe account, an authorized user who misuses a virtual universe account, etc.) can use an avatar to perform potentially damaging and/or damaging activities in the virtual universe (e.g., destroy property, impact reputation associated with the virtual universe account, reduce value of the virtual universe account, etc.) Embodiments of the inventive subject matter detect when a user misappropriates and/or misuses a virtual universe account (i.e., detects a non-comporting user), and attempts to restore state of the virtual universe prior to the misuse and/or misappropriation. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090132600 | DEVELOPING ENTERPRISE INFORMATION LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND SOLUTIONS - A method for determining storage requirements includes receiving a plurality of files to be stored, classifying the plurality of files based on business value, classifying the plurality of files based on contractual obligations, classifying the plurality of files based on empirical characteristics, and determining a storage medium based on the classified business value, classified contractual obligation, and classified empirical characteristics. The method further includes determining storage requirements based on the determined storage mediums. | 05-21-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090175559 | MODIFYING SPACES IN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - Methods arid arrangements of modifying spaces in virtual universes are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive data from a software agent in a virtual universe, directly or indirectly. The data may be based upon information automatically gathered from data stores outside the virtual universe, including account data and. user profile data. The embodiment may also involve developing a user profile of the user in the virtual universe, based upon the data received from the software agent. An embodiment may also involve automatically gathering information from data stores external to the virtual universe. 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 universe, based upon the information; and transmitting the data directly or indirectly to the virtual universe. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090187405 | Arrangements for Using Voice Biometrics in Internet Based Activities - In one embodiment, a method for identifying a user of a virtual universe utilizing audio biometrics is disclosed. The method can include prompting a client application with a request for an utterance, processing the reply to the request and creating a voice profile of the user/speaker. The voice profile can be associated with an avatar and when an utterance is received, the avatar can be identified and in some embodiments authenticated. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 20090204907 | VIRTUAL OBJECT TAGGING FOR USE IN MARKETING - A solution for conducting a marketing activity is provided. Activities in a virtual environment are monitored and descriptions of a virtual object involved in the activities are collected. A tag may be assigned to the virtual object based on the characteristic of the activities and/or the descriptions of the virtual object. The tag may be used in marketing activities conducted in relation to the virtual environment. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090210324 | Tracking of Shared Inventory in a Virtual Universe - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for tracking shared inventory in a virtual universe are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner. Embodiments may also include determining and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared inventory items and tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of the users. Embodiments may also include receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items and performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items. In further embodiments, performing the requested action may include recalling the borrowed shared inventory item and returning it to an item owner associated with the borrowed shared inventory item. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090210449 | Maintenance of Group Shared Inventories in a Virtual Universe - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for maintenance of group shared inventories in a virtual universe are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include receiving usage information for one or more inventory items each shared by a group having a plurality of users and storing the received usage information. Embodiments may also include analyzing the usage information for at least one shared inventory item and performing an action based on the analysis of the usage information. The action performed may include archiving, deleting, changing the price for, or adding to a list of included inventory items the shared inventory item. Further embodiments may include determining whether a rule based on group usage is satisfied and performing the action accordingly. Further embodiments may also include analyzing the usage information to determine trends of usage, comparing the determined usage trends to an established heuristic, and performing an action as a result. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090210513 | ASYNCHRONOUS AUTOMATED ROUTING OF USER TO OPTIMAL HOST - A system and method of automatically routing a user to an optimal data center of a host. A method includes transmitting a web page having measurement code and modification code from one of a plurality of data centers to a computing device. The measurement code determines an optimal data center of the plurality of data centers for the computing device, and the modification code alters at least one link in the web page to point to the optimal data center. | 08-20-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090217171 | METHOD TO MONITOR USER TRAJECTORIES WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to a method to monitor user trajectories within a virtual universe. A method for monitoring a user trajectory of any avatar in a virtual universe may include recording an activity of an avatar within a virtual universe, and then rendering the recording as a visible path. The activity may include movement, duration at a coordinate, time between coordinates, and/or angle of positioning of the avatar. The invention, for example, reminds an avatar a reminder as to where he/she has traversed in the past; shows paths that their team or family members have traversed; and/or gives an indication of popular paths taken by avatars. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090222274 | PREVENTING FRAUD IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A solution for preventing frauds in a virtual universe is disclosed. A user interface may be deployed to a user of the virtual universe which enables the user to report a fraudulent activity of a virtual entity. Such a report is processed by an administration center, and the fraudulent virtual entity may be publically tagged such that further frauds can be prevented. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090222338 | Monitoring and Rewards Methodologies for "Green" Use of Vehicles - Energy-efficiency related data corresponding to dynamic energy-efficiency related operational parameters of a vehicle are collected from in-vehicle sensors and energy-efficiency parameters may be computed therefrom. The energy efficiency-related parameters and energy-efficiency parameters are then transmitted either directly of through a wireless and/or network link(s) to a station at which a transaction with a vehicle operator may be performed. An incentive based on efficiency of vehicle operation is computed and awarded to provide feedback to a vehicle operator to provide information concerning efficient vehicle operation and to encourage efficient and environmentally responsible vehicle operation. Both energy efficiency and environmental effects may be displayed at the station or substantially continuously and in substantially real time within the vehicle. | 09-03-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090235360 | DETECTING A PHISHING ENTITY IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for detecting a phishing virtual entity in a virtual universe is disclosed. A virtual entity may be registered as authentic and be identified with multiple physical characteristics thereof. Another virtual entity will be monitored to detect whether it includes a physical characteristic that is sufficiently similar to that of a registered virtual entity to cause confusion. A phishing virtual entity is detected based on the monitoring and phishing prevention processes may be implemented on the phishing virtual entity. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090240849 | System and Method for Distributing Virtual Input/Output Operations Across Multiple Logical Partitions - The Distributed Virtual I/O Tool replaces dedicated VIO server LPARs by distributing the virtual I/O functions across several application LPARs connected by a high-speed communication channel. The physical I/O devices are distributed across available LPARs. The Distributed Virtual I/O Tool assigns each I/O request to an appropriate I/O device. The Distributed Virtual I/O Tool monitors each I/O request and reassigns I/O devices when performance drops on a specific device or when a device is no longer available. | 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 |
| 20090248503 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PRODUCTS FOR A PERSONAL PORTABLE ADVERTISING AND MESSAGING AGENT - Transmitting targeted advertisements over a communications network to consumers using a plurality of programmable transmitting and receiving devices is accomplished by initiating the programmable transmitting and receiving devices and prompting an advertisement content user to provide and populate the memory of the programmable transmitting and receiving devices with categories, parameters, restrictions and requirements of goods and services to be advertised to consumers and then enabling the programmable transmitting and receiving devices to transmit and receive broadcast advertisements. A portion of the transmission enabled transmitting and receiving devices are placed in proximity to goods and services which are advertised and a portion of receiving enabled transmitting and receiving devices are carried by consumers who when in the proximity of the advertised goods and services, receive advertisements via the receiving enabled device. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249061 | CERTIFYING A VIRTUAL ENTITY IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for certifying a virtual entity in a virtual universe is disclosed. A virtual business may opt to register with a security certificate administration center to obtain a security certificate. A user of another virtual entity is provided with an ability to initiate a verifying process to check whether a security certificate symbol or a graphic resembling a security certificate symbol represents a valid security certificate. Virtual universe client and server software may be modified to enable a secured connection between the user and the security certificate administration center for the verification. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249397 | VIDEO EPISODE ORDER ADHERENCE - Viewing episodes of a video series in order allows for a good viewing experience and understanding of episode content of the individual episodes. Functionality can be implemented in a video recording device and/or at a content provider to collect data about viewing behavior to determine if a user(s) tends to view episodes of a series in order. The video recording device and/or content provider can also keep track of partially or fully viewed episodes and episodes that are ready for viewing to avoid acquiring already viewed episodes Being able to quickly catch up on missed episodes will allow for easier introduction to a video series and prevent viewers from abandoning programs. In addition, requests for particular episodes can be leveraged for dynamic episode scheduling and dynamic setting of advertisement rates. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249409 | DYNAMIC REBROADCAST SCHEDULING OF VIDEOS - Television viewers want to watch previously broadcast videos for a number of reasons. For example, a viewer may have missed one or more episodes of his or her favorite series. As another example, a viewer may have mistaken the broadcast date of a show. Functionality can be implemented in a video recording device to submit rebroadcast requests for previously broadcast videos to a content provider. The content provider can use the rebroadcast requests to determine popularity of the previously broadcast video and dynamically schedule rebroadcasts of the most popular videos. The rebroadcast requests represent intended viewership of the video and can be leveraged by the content provider when assigning advertisement rates for the rebroadcast. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249412 | MANAGING ACQUISITION OF FEE BASED VIDEOS - Purchasing PPV movies and events can be quite expensive for a viewer particularly when multiple PPV videos are purchased. Functionality can be implemented in a video recording device to search for less expensive alternatives for acquiring selected PPV content and other fee based videos. Automatically searching for lower fees and other lower-cost sources of a PPV video removes the tedium of manually checking for fee decreases for the selected PPV video and allows for more cost effective video recording. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090259539 | PROXIMITY-BASED BROADCAST VIRTUAL UNIVERSE SYSTEM - In various embodiments, the proximity of an avatar with respect to a designated focal point object within a virtual universe is determined, and information associated with the designated focal point object is identified. A first of a plurality of representations of the information is selected based, at least in part, on the determined proximity of the avatar with respect to the designated focal point object. The first representation of the information is then transmitted to the avatar. Proximity-based transmission of information can disseminate relevant information to avatars, and can be used by virtual universe businesses to encourage avatars to move near the designated focal point object within the virtual universe so that the avatars can be exposed to products and advertisements. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259946 | DYNAMIC SPAWNING OF FOCAL POINT OBJECTS WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE SYSTEM - In various embodiments, the density of a plurality of virtual universe avatars within a predetermined proximity from a designated focal point object in a virtual universe is determined. One or more auxiliary focal point objects associated with the designated focal point object are dynamically spawned within the virtual universe based on the determined density of the virtual universe avatars. Dynamic spawning of auxiliary focal point objects can reduce the load on virtual universe host servers and the corresponding client devices, and thus may improve performance of the virtual universe system. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090259948 | SURROGATE AVATAR CONTROL IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to providing surrogate avatar control in a virtual universe. The invention enables one resident of the virtual universe to take over the avatar of a second resident. A method for controlling an avatar may include providing the avatar in the virtual universe, where the avatar is controlled by a first entity and then supplying a token that allows for permission for a second entity to control some aspect of the first entity's avatar. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090265755 | FIREWALL METHODOLOGIES FOR USE WITHIN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS - In some embodiments a method comprises receiving a virtual universe request, and determining properties of the virtual universe request. The method can also comprise determining a virtual universe firewall security policy, wherein the virtual universe firewall security policy identifies allowable properties associated with the virtual universe request. The method can also include comparing the properties of the virtual universe request to the properties of the virtual universe firewall security policy, and blocking the virtual universe request based on the comparison of the virtual universe request's properties to the virtual universe firewall security policy's allowable properties. | 10-22-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090273899 | COMPUTER LOCK SYSTEM - A computing device including a first computer portion pivotally connected to a second computer portion by a hinge. The computing device further includes an element moveable between a first position, in which the hinge is free to rotate, and a second position, in which the hinge is substantially prevented from rotating. A lock selectively controls movement of the element between the first and second positions. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090276649 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PRODUCT FOR COMPUTATIONAL DEVICE POWER-SAVINGS - A user may invoke energy savings in the operation of a computational device performing a processing task. The device performs the processing task in the invoked energy savings mode and determines an energy amount expended by the device in performing the processing task in the energy savings mode, creating a net energy savings value as a difference between the energy amount expended and a standard energy expenditure amount predicted as required for the computational device to perform the processing task in high-performance mode. The device displays the net energy savings value to the user, with the user continuing the invoking of the energy savings mode or engaging another performance mode for the computational device as a function of the displaying. | 11-05-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090276707 | DIRECTED COMMUNICATION IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - The present invention is directed to directed communication in a virtual environment. A method for method for providing directed communication between avatars in a virtual environment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining a relative location of a first avatar and a second avatar in a virtual environment; and adjusting an aspect of a communication between the first avatar and the second avatar based on the relative location. | 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 |
| 20090278841 | MANAGING USE LIMITATIONS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE RESOURCE CONSERVATION REGION - A virtual universe can include regions that conserve natural resource usage. A virtual universe natural resource conservation system (“system”) can determine that an avatar is accessing a natural resource conservation region in a virtual universe. The natural resource conservation region is supported with one or more devices that adhere to restrictions on natural resource usage. The system can also apply one or more virtual universe restrictions while the avatar is accessing the natural resource conservation region. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281743 | MANAGING ENERGY USAGE BY DEVICES ASSOCIATED WITH A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE RESOURCE CONSERVATION - A virtual universe can include regions that conserve natural resource usage. A virtual universe natural resource conservation system can determine a measure of comprehensive energy usage of a plurality of devices associated with a controlled energy use region in a virtual universe. The system can determine that the measure of comprehensive energy usage approaches a usage threshold for the controlled energy use region. The system can also impose one or more conservation limitations on at least one of the plurality of devices to maintain the comprehensive energy usage within the usage threshold. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281847 | Method and System For Data Disaggregation - A method and system for migrating source data from a source database to a destination database based on energy efficiency and conservation. A migration server evaluates the source data for usage and requirements and defines data usage and requirement tags for the source data. The source data is disaggregated into one or more source data sets based on the data usage and requirement tags. The migration server then identifies candidate destinations for the source data, wherein each candidate destination has stored data identified with usage and requirement tags. The data migration server compares the first usage and requirement tags of the source data with the second usage and requirement tags of the stored data and identifies an optimal destination database based on the comparing step. The data migration server migrates the source data to the optimal destination database. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281885 | USING VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT INCENTIVES TO REDUCE REAL WORLD ENERGY USAGE - Real world energy usage can be reduced using a virtual environment. A virtual universe energy conservation system (“system”) can determine energy usage from a power grid by energy consuming devices supporting a virtual universe. The system can determine that the energy usage is at a time that corresponds to a peak power usage period on the power grid. The system can determine a virtual universe user account associated with the energy consuming devices. The system can also transmit an offer of a virtual universe award to an electronic device associated with the virtual universe user accounts to entice a reduction in energy usage from the power grid during the peak power usage period. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090281886 | INDICATING PHYSICAL SITE ENERGY USAGE THROUGH A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - Real world energy usage can be reduced using a virtual environment. A virtual universe energy conservation system (“system”) can determine comprehensive energy usage at a physical site where a client accessing a virtual universe is located. The system can determine that the comprehensive energy usage at the physical site exceeds an energy usage threshold. The system can also notify a virtual universe user account associated with the client that the comprehensive energy usage at the physical site exceeds the energy usage threshold. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282044 | Energy Efficient Data Provisioning - A method and system for provisioning data that has been collected and stored in a source database. The source database is a database that consumes a large amount of power and drains the company's database resources. The method and system determine which data should be provisioned and sent to a target server, the target server being more energy efficient than the source database and less exhausting of company resources. Various factors, such as the amount of data being requested and the frequency of change of the requested data, determine whether a transfer of data from the source database to the more energy efficient target database should be performed. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282090 | Method and System For Data Dispatch - A method and system for migrating source data from one or more databases to a destination database, wherein the destination database is selected based on power consumption of the destination database. A data migration server determines which destination database should be selected by selecting a number of candidates and comparing the power consumed, the available space and the maximum monthly power consumption limit. A user intervention policy is created to evaluate which data should be moved to a destination database. A “payback period” is calculated to determine the amount of time that will elapse before savings are realized. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282273 | Method and System For Data Migration - A method and system for migrating source data from one or more databases to a destination database, wherein the destination database is selected based on power consumption of the destination database. A data migration server determines which destination database should be selected by selecting a number of candidates and comparing the power consumed, the available space and the maximum monthly power consumption limit. A user intervention policy is created to evaluate which data should be moved to a destination database. A “payback period” is calculated to determine the amount of time that will elapse before savings are realized. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282327 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT WEB PAGE RENDERING - Web page annotation instructions comprise efficient and alternative instructions for rendering object data to a web page viewer, wherein the efficient instruction renders the object data to a web page viewer with less resource expenditure. An efficient rendering choice may be visually indicated and selectable by a viewer. Annotation instructions may indicate a relevance value of object data determinative of displaying object data. Efficient instructions may instruct a server device to not allocate new central processing units to serve requests to view the web page. Annotations may comprise first and second hypertext resource reference for a data object, wherein using the first results in rendering object data with a smaller resource expenditure than using the second, for example through divergent server efficiencies or divergent referenced object resolution properties. A resource contemplates energy and resource expenditures; generated waste, pollution and heat quantities and environmental impact. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090282472 | SECURE COMMUNICATION MODES IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product for providing secure communications in a virtual universe. A system is disclosed that includes a system for allowing a first avatar to request a secure communication mode and for allowing a second avatar to accept the secure communication mode. Once accepted, a secure session is initiated within the virtual universe between the first avatar and the second avatar and at least one feature of the virtual universe is altered to effectuate the secure communication mode. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090283386 | SYSTEM TO AUTOMATICALLY MOVE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO OPTIMIZE GEOTHERMAL COOLING - A system for selectively moving computer equipment to a naturally cooled underground data center. In one aspect of this disclosure, the system includes at least one movable pod for mounting computer equipment. The pod is electrically connected to a power and communications source to provide power and communications to the computer equipment mounted in the pod. The pod is mounted on a vertical conveyor that is driven by a motor to selectively move the pod to and from the underground data center. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090284548 | DIFFERENTIAL RESOURCE APPLICATIONS IN VIRTUAL WORLDS BASED ON PAYMENT AND ACCOUNT OPTIONS - A system and method for enhancing the rendering of one or more objects based on payment and account options. The system comprises a computer infrastructure configured to control enhancement rendering of an object in a virtual universe by providing at least one augmentation attribute to a tag of the object. The method comprises providing enhancement rendering of an object in a virtual universe by augmenting the object based on a status of a user viewing the object. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287614 | DYNAMIC TRANSFERRING OF AVATARS BETWEEN VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - Interruption and degradation of service within a virtual universe leads to an unsatisfactory experience for users of the virtual universe. Dissatisfaction with service of a virtual universe may lead users to see alternate universes providing higher levels of service. Functionality can be implemented to identify alternate virtual universes that meet a user's service requirements and dynamically move the user's avatar from one virtual universe to another. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287640 | PROVIDING NOTIFICATION OF A REAL-WORLD EVENT TO A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE USER - An approach that provides transmission and notification of a real-world event to a virtual universe user is described. In one embodiment, there is a method for notifying a resident that is on-line in a virtual universe of an occurrence of a real-world event. The method includes receiving an indication of the occurrence of the real-world event, mapping the indication of the real-world event into one of a plurality of communication representations, and notifying the resident in the virtual universe in accordance with the mapped communication representation. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287758 | CREATING A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE DATA FEED AND DISTRIBUTING THE DATA FEED BEYOND THE VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Business transactions are becoming more prevalent in virtual universes. Functionality can be implemented within a VU to allow syndication of data feeds to subscribers outside the VU. Feeds collect and serve data from one or more VU objects and locations based on changes made to the VU either by the VU itself, or by avatars in the VU. A location in a virtual universe can be an area defined by at least three coordinates, as an example. Data feeds from a VU can be used to create a VU application with and/or using the data feeds, to derive data from the data feeds, to monitor use of objects or space and billing for such use based on the data feeds, etc. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287765 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE DESKTOP EXPLORATION FOR RESOURCE ACQUISITION - The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product that allows a user to acquire resources from a local computer during a session with a virtual universe. Disclosed is a system that allows a user to: invocate a local operating system session that displays an operating system interface onto a client computer during a virtual universe session; navigate the operating system interface using an avatar; and acquire resources from the client computer via the operating system interface using the avatar. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090287806 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PRODUCT FOR COMPARATIVE EFFICIENCY DECISIONS IN PRINT OPERATIONS - Methods, devices, services and program products are provided for selecting a printer from a plurality of printers as a function of a printer resource consumption attribute where there is a network environment comprising a plurality of printers, each of the plurality of printers having a resource consumption attribute value. A user invokes a print operation through the network environment and a processing means compares weighted resource consumption attribute values for each of the plurality of printers. Processing means automatically select at least one destination printer from the plurality of printers having a lower resource usage requirement for performing a print operation relative to at least one unselected printer of the plurality of printers. Processing means also automatically choose a destination printer as a function of an availability of each of the destination printers. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090288001 | TRIGGER EVENT BASED DATA FEED OF VIRTUAL UNIVERSE DATA - Business owners in a virtual universe may want to create a data source that transmits a data feed when certain parameters are met. Functionality can be implemented within a virtual universe to create a data feed when a trigger event occurs. The data feed may include data about the trigger event itself and/or about an avatar that caused the trigger. Triggered data feeds can be used to derive statistics, monitor use of objects and space and bill for such use, etc. In such cases, the user may be notified, such as via email, of the new data feed, as well as instructions on how to subscribe to it in their RSS reader or other client. Alternatively, users may be given individual feeds wherein additional feeds are distributed as separate categories of the user's feed as opposed to creating a separate feed. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090288002 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE TELEPORTATION SUGGESTION SERVICE - The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product for providing teleportation suggestions to avatars in a virtual universe. A service is provided that determines the set of teleportation suggestions for the avatar based on at least one of: an inventory analysis of the avatar, a historical teleportation analysis of the avatar, a motion analysis of the avatar, a social network analysis of the avatar, or a ratings analysis of locations within the virtual universe. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090299988 | APPLICATION OF USER CONTEXT TO SEARCHES IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that applies user context to searches in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an enhanced virtual universe search tool that includes a receiving component configured to receive a query from an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. A scanning component is configured to scan a collection of avatar data describing attributes that are relevant to behavioral, search and informational needs of the avatar. A resource search component is configured to return search results for the query that are in accordance with the scanned collection of avatar data. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090300493 | EXPLICIT USE OF USER CONTEXT OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that facilitates explicit use of user context objects in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a user context object tool that includes a user context object retrieving component configured to retrieve the plurality of user context objects for presentation to the avatar. A user context object selection and modification component is configured to receive a user context object selection and any desired modifications made to the user context object selection. A user context object permissions component is configured to permit the avatar to interact with the virtual universe in accordance with the user context object selection. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090300639 | RESOURCE ACQUISITION AND MANIPULATION FROM WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to a system, method and program product that allows a user to access resources on a local computer during a session with a virtual universe. Disclosed is a system that obtains an inventory of resources from the client computer and generates renderings of the resources in the virtual universe. Also included is a resource interaction system for allowing an avatar to interact with the resources in the virtual universe, wherein the resource interaction system provides a transport facility for loading resources from the client computer to the virtual universe. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090301693 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REDIRECT AND/OR REDUCE AIRFLOW USING ACTUATORS - The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302124 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ROUTE AIRFLOW USING DYNAMICALLY CHANGING DUCTS - The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A method includes receiving or obtaining input data, generating at least one actuation signal to change a flow configuration of a re-configurable duct system based upon the input data, and transmitting the at least one actuation signal. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090305625 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ROUTE AIRFLOW THROUGH DYNAMICALLY CHANGING DUCTS - The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306935 | PRODUCT REPAIR ASSISTANCE USING A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that provides product repair assistance using a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a method for providing repair assistance for a real-world product in a virtual universe. The method includes receiving diagnostic information relating to the real-world product, ascertaining repair assistance information for the real-world product from the received diagnostic information, and generating a rendition of the real-world product along with the repair assistance information for display to a resident on-line in the virtual universe. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306998 | DESKTOP ACCESS FROM WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that provides desktop access from within a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a desktop invocation component configured to invoke a client computer desktop from within a virtual universe in response to receiving a request to access the client computer desktop from within the virtual universe. A rendering component is configured to generate a rendition of the client computer desktop in the virtual universe in response to the invoking thereof. An interaction component is configured to permit interaction with the client computer desktop from the rendition in the virtual universe. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090307021 | METHOD FOR INVENTORY GOVERNANCE IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to inventory governance in a virtual universe. A method of inventory governance in a virtual universe (VU) includes: providing an inventory for a virtual universe (VU) resident; and providing means for governing at least one aspect of the inventory, the governing means comprising at least one of: an administrative interface for establishing an authorizing relationship between the VU resident and an authorizing entity; a filtering interface for administering at least one filter to the inventory; or a monitoring interface for providing capability to monitor at least one of: the VU resident or the inventory. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090307023 | PRODUCT CUSTOMER SUPPORT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention relates to virtual universe product customer support. A method for providing customer service in a virtual universe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining that a real-world product may have a problem; collecting information associated with the product; analyzing the collected information at a support location service in the virtual universe to determine a land location within the virtual universe of a product support center for the product; and providing an avatar with a teleportation invitation to the product support center. | 12-10-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090307110 | MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ITEM RETURNS - The present invention relates to relates to the management of virtual universe item returns. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: initiating a return of a item by a user in a virtual universe; granting control of the return of the item to a return agency, the return agency submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor associated with the item; upon approval of the return request by the vendor, sending instructions to the user to destroy the item; and upon confirmation of the destruction of the item by the user, crediting the user for the return. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090307620 | SYSTEM FOR CONCURRENTLY MANAGING MULTIPLE AVATARS - An approach for cloning and merging avatars that are online in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar identification component which is configured to create an identification number associated with a second avatar, a GUI partitioning component configured to partition the graphic user interface of a virtual universe, an avatar rendering component configured to render a second avatar, a communication channel component configured to manage the second avatar's communication channel, and an inventory management component configured to manage the second avatar's inventory. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090309716 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE INTELLIGENT LIGHTING THROUGH REGISTRATION AND EXECUTION LOGIC - The present disclosure is a system and method to control illumination within a data center, so as to efficiently light areas only when necessary. A path of low level light created between the entrance of the data center and the location of the required machine to access may be provided. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090312080 | AUTOMATIC TRANSFORMATION OF INVENTORY ITEMS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that automatically transforms an inventory item of an avatar that is online in a virtual universe without requiring manual changes is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar locator component configured to locate an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. An inventory item transforming component is configured to automatically transform an inventory item associated with the located avatar that is visual, functional, security or linguistic in nature. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090313085 | INTERACTIVE PRODUCT EVALUATION AND SERVICE WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that provides interactive product evaluation and service within a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an evaluation indicating component that is configured to permit an owner of a virtual universe product to indicate a desire to have at least one avatar in the virtual universe evaluate the virtual universe product. An evaluation generating component is configured to generate an invitation that requests an evaluation of the virtual universe product. An evaluation collecting component is configured to collect the evaluation of the virtual universe product. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090313145 | ALLOCATING CARBON OFFSETS FOR PRINTING TASKS - Methods, services, program products and devices are provided for correlating carbon offsetting and printing. Methods comprise a requester initiating a print job on a printing device; analyzing the print job; identifying at least one print job metric relevant to the print job as a function of the analyzing, the metric associated with a carbon offset value; calculating a total amount of carbon offset from the identified at least one metric; printing the print job; and transferring the carbon offset total amount to a carbon offsetting entity for debiting or crediting against a printing entity as a function of the printing. Systems and devices and articles of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program in said medium are provided. Service methods comprise deploying applications for correlating carbon offsetting and printing. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090313207 | IDEA TRACKING AND MANAGEMENT - Disclosure is related to idea tracking and management. The disclosure invokes a method and system for displaying and tracking ideas from a database. The invention accesses a data repository via a data connection, displays the data from the data repository, and allows the displayed data to be characterized as scheduling data, statistical data, action items, current status, and listing of individuals. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090313556 | REDISTRIBUTION OF LICENSED ITEMS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An approach that redistributes licensed items in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a marketplace facilitation tool for use in a virtual universe. A database is configured to store information relating to the virtual universe. A receiving component is configured to receive a request for an item within the virtual universe. An inventory search component is configured to search the database for other avatars within the virtual universe that may possess the requested item. A transfer component is configured to establish a transfer of the item between at least one avatar determined to have possession of the requested item and an avatar requesting the item after there has been a manifestation of an assent to transfer the item. An intellectual property enforcement component is configured to specify and enforce any intellectual property rights restrictions with the item to the transfer component for the transfer to the avatar requesting the item. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090316147 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FAILURE DETECTION IN LIGHTING SYSTEMS - A method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of a light bulb or group of light bulbs. The light emission of a light bulb is compared with known emission failure values for similar types of light bulbs, and a determination of a near failure status for the bulb is made. | 12-24-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090319668 | COMMUNICATION INTEGRATION BETWEEN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AND AN EXTERNAL DEVICE - An approach that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and an external source is described. In one embodiment, there is a real-time communication integration interface tool that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and a communication device external to the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a communication request component configured to receive a request to initiate a communication between a first resident that is on-line in the virtual universe and a second resident that is logged out of the virtual universe via the communication device. A communication link component is configured to establish a communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device in response to receiving the request. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090327775 | USER IMPOSED POWER CONSTRAINTS ON WEB SERVER BASED ON USER PREFERENCES - Web application users are able to specify power constraints for remote web servers. These may be based on individual performance needs and energy-conservation desires. They enable the user to exercise control over the amount of energy that the web server expends in serving the needs of the user. The invention may employ such features as vertical scaling using power capacity on demand (CUoD) type functionality. The method includes providing a user-interactive interface to enable the user to indicate a preference for power restrictions with respect to its web requests. The user then instructs the web site provider to reduce power consumption in response to the user's request. The user specifies a reduction in overall power consumption for the user's needs, such as instructing the web service provider to use an energy-conserving server to handle the user's web requests, or specifying a acceptable delay or fulfilling the user's web requests. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100010678 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL DATA CENTER AIR HANDLING SYSTEMS - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to determine at least one data center condition and determine or estimate a current energy cost. Additionally, the method includes dynamically control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the data center based on the determined at least one data center condition and the determined or estimated current energy cost. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100013828 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING MULTIPLE-STATE AVATARS - A method of rendering an electronic graphical representation of a user of a computerized system includes providing a plurality of states for the electronic graphical representation including first and second differing states, monitoring a measurable quantity to provide a monitored quantity, and changing a state of the graphical representation from the first state to the second state based upon the monitored quantity. The graphical representation is an avatar and the method includes defining a receptor point associated with the avatar and associating an object with the receptor point. The receptor point is located on the avatar. The plurality of states includes a non-hybrid state. The plurality of states includes a hybrid state. The hybrid state is a static image hybrid state and a video hybrid state. The video hybrid state is a live video hybrid state and a pre-recorded video hybrid state. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017242 | POWER STANDARD COMPLIANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM - Methods, systems, devices and program products are provided for effecting compliance with power usage specifications through positive feedback to a monitoring entity. A power usage specification is provided for a device for a task performed by the device using the device to perform the task, embodiments monitoring power used by the device to perform the task to generate power usage data, comparing the power usage data to the power usage specification, and if the power usage data exceeds the power usage specification, automatically providing a reward to a device end-user selected as a function of a value of the specification exceeding and an agreement with the end-user or a third party. Power usage specifications may comprise predicted power usage values and requirements for the device to perform the task during a first power rate period having a lower energy or resource cost than a second power rate period. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017260 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VIRAL MARKETING WITHIN A VIRTUAL WORLD - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, including generating one or more ad-avatars in a virtual universe (VU) and monitoring information from the VU. Additionally, the method includes directing the one or more ad-avatars to perform one or more viral advertisements in the VU based on the information. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017283 | DYNAMIC ADVERTISING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL UNIVERSES - A system and method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes receiving bids for dynamic product placement advertisements in a virtual universe (VU) and performing a bid resolution for the received bids. Additionally, the system and method include rendering an object in the VU as a product placement advertisement by replacing a default texture of the object with a product placement texture based on the bid resolution. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017360 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL EMAIL WHITELISTS - A system and method to control email whitelists by collecting one or more website email addresses parsed from a web page, detecting whether one or more of the user's email addresses are included in a webform of the web page, confirming whether the collected one or more website email addresses are to be added to one or more email whitelists, and updating the configuration of the one or more whitelists in response to a confirmation to add the one or more site email addresses to the one or more email whitelists. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017428 | System, Method, and Computer Readable Media for Identifying and Rating Virtual Universe Objects - A system, a method, and a computer readable media for identifying and rating a VU object in a virtual universe are provided. The method includes displaying first and second VU objects in a region of the virtual universe on a display device at a first time for a first user. The method further includes identifying the second VU object which modifies a view of the first VU object. The method further includes inputting first rating information associated with the second VU object that identifies a user perception of the second VU object. The method further includes inputting user view preference information indicating rating information for selecting VU objects to be displayed in the region of the virtual universe to the first user. The method further includes displaying the first VU object in the region of the virtual universe on the display device for the first user at a second time after the first time, while not displaying the second VU object based on both the first rating information associated with the second VU object, and the rating information of the user view preference information. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100020100 | METHOD FOR EXTENDING A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH REGISTRATION - A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having base virtual world functionality and a base world list of base virtual world users, includes providing a virtual world layer, communicating to the base virtual world that the virtual world layer will overlay the base virtual world and adding the virtual world layer to the base world list in order to register the virtual world layer with the base virtual world. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100023406 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIORITIZATION OF RENDERING POLICIES IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS - A system and method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes receiving one or more bids for at least one of an enhanced rendering quality and an enhanced rendering order of an object in a virtual universe (VU) and performing a bid resolution for the received one or more bids. Additionally, the method includes rendering one or more objects in the VU with the at least one of the enhanced rendering quality and the enhanced rendering order based on the bid resolution. | 01-28-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100026681 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING PARALLEL AUGMENTED FUNCTIONALITY FOR A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having a base virtual world functionality, includes providing first, second and third virtual world layers having respective first, second and third virtual world layer functionalities beyond the base virtual world functionality and providing user access to the base virtual world functionality and to the first and second virtual world functionalities by the second virtual world layer. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100027051 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PRODUCT FOR EFFICIENT PRINT OPERATIONS - A method, apparatus, and product for reducing resource footprints for printer operation outputs, comprising: specifying a print job rendering criteria; receiving a request to print a print job having a page number amount; and automatically selecting and printing a portion of the print job as a function of the print job rendering criteria, wherein the portion has a page number amount smaller than the print job page number amount. The print job rendering criteria may comprise a set maximum number of pages to print during one printing session, where the portion to print is less than or equal to the maximum number of pages. Where the print job comprises a plurality of document components, automatically selecting and printing a portion of the document may comprise selecting a subset of the plurality of components as a function of the identified component relevance to each selected component and printing the representation. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100030854 | VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT MODULE BUNDLE - A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having base virtual world functionality, includes providing a virtual world layer having virtual world layer functionality beyond the base virtual world functionality, encapsulating the virtual world layer to provide a virtual world module and transmitting the virtual world module to virtual world layer infrastructure to provide a transmitted virtual world module. The transmitted virtual world module is executed to provide user access to the base virtual world functionality and the virtual world layer functionality. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100031164 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING A VIRTUAL WORLD LAYER - A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having base virtual world functionality, including providing a virtual world layer having virtual world layer functionality beyond the base virtual world functionality, coupling the virtual world layer to the base virtual world and coupling the virtual world layer to the user. User access to the base virtual world functionality and to the virtual world layer functionality by the virtual world layer is provided. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100036718 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC OPTIMAL ADVERTISING DETERMINATION WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code includes receiving advertising criteria, collecting advertisement cost data, and detecting virtual universe (VU) data. Additionally, the method includes determining optimal advertisement parameters based on the advertising criteria, the advertisement cost data and the VU data, and at least one of displaying the optimal advertisement parameters and invoking an advertisement in the VU in accordance with the optimal advertisement parameters. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036729 | IMMERSIVE ADVERTISEMENTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The invention generally relates to systems and methods for advertising, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing immersive advertising in a virtual universe. In one aspect of the invention, there is a method for presenting a virtual universe advertisement (VU-ad) in a virtual universe (VU), receiving input from a user associated with a user avatar of the VU, and altering the VU-ad in response to the input. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100036735 | TRIGGERING IMMERSIVE ADVERTISEMENTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The invention generally relates to systems and methods for advertising, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for triggering immersive advertising in a virtual universe. In an embodiment, a method includes: obtaining tolerance data about a user who triggers a virtual universe advertisement (VU-ad) in a virtual universe (VU); and presenting a variation of the VU-ad to the user based upon the tolerance data. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100037160 | MANAGING EPHEMERAL LOCATIONS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Systems and methods for advertising, and, more particularly, systems and methods for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe. A method for managing ephemeral locations in a virtual universe (VU) includes causing a computer infrastructure to: render an ephemeral location upon a triggering in the VU; teleport a VU user avatar to the ephemeral location; permit the user avatar to interact in the ephemeral location; teleport the user avatar out of the ephemeral location; and un-render the ephemeral location. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100050004 | INTRODUCING SELECTIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - In some embodiments, a method comprises hosting a virtual universe in which one or more avatars interact with one or more virtual objects. The method can also include presenting energy conservation options that reduce amounts of power consumed in rendering the avatars and virtual objects in the virtual universe, detecting a selection of the energy conservation options, and configuring logic for rendering the avatars and virtual objects according to the selected energy conservation options. The method can also comprise rendering, according to the selection of energy conservation options, the avatars and virtual objects in the virtual universe. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100050180 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GREEN COMPUTING INTERCHANGE SWITCHING FUNCTION - Systems, methods, devices and program products are provided for enabling users of a computing system to measure and compare the green efficiency of a set of resources used in a computing task. With the use of this information, the user can select a desired set of resources to be employed in the computing task to minimize the environmental impact of computing tasks in relation to requirements. In some embodiments, the invention creates metrics for measuring the greenness of a computing task. The metrics are calculated through analysis of the resource computation, energy consumption, consequence of computation, and dimensional characteristics of a computing task. The metrics could be beneficial or other metrics that permit the user or a processing system to make scheduling and execution decisions. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100052872 | POWER METADATA TRANSFER OVER POWER LINES - The transfer and usage of a modulated carrier signal within a power signal on a power line communication system is described. The modulated signal comprises metadata which is transmitted at a different frequency than the transmitted power. The metadata, including such elements as energy costs, providers, renewable source status and originating location, may be used by consumers to make subsequent purchasing decisions. Additionally, the energy costs of any given computer node commonly distributed in a grid architecture may be collected by a workload dispatcher in order to make more accurate cost and energy source based dispatch decisions. The consumer may be able to communicate directly back to the power provider. The use of computer-readable medium and product containing instructions that are implemented on a computer is also covered. Finally, the invention may be deployed on behalf of the consumer by a third party service provider. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY MANAGING BLOWERS AND VENTS - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one blower and at least one vent in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis to direct cool air to a section of the data center in need of cooling. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057415 | COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK FOR MODELING - A modeling solution, which enables various users to create, use, and evaluate models, such as scientific models, in various scenarios is provided. To this extent, the modeling solution can define a model using one or more model components, each of which is configured to implement a modeling function using a set of standard execution rules. Additionally, the modeling solution can manage attribute data for each model/model component, which can include evaluation data for the corresponding model/model component. A user can review the attribute data and decide on a model/model component to use in a scenario. Subsequently, the user can provide initialization data for the scenario. The scenario can be executed, and result data for the scenario can be stored together with the initialization data. Users also can evaluate the scenario. In an embodiment, multiple users are classified into multiple tiers, and evaluation data is managed for each tier, thereby allowing users to effectively evaluate the model/model component among groups of users with similar concerns. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057478 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRIGGERING AND PERFORMING SCANS TO PROTECT VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS - A system and method in a virtual universe system for triggering scans of virtual items and inventories of virtual items and for scanning the virtual items and inventories wherein the scans may be triggered by an avatar moving or teleporting from one region to another, or by an avatar picking up, dropping off, or accepting or purchasing an item. The degree of scanning may depend upon factors such as location where these scan triggers occur. The signature of the item may be identified by the scan process. The item signature may be compared against signatures of known malicious items stored in an inventory item signatures database and a summary of the signature comparison may be sent to a resident and stored in the resident's inventory. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057529 | PROVIDER-REQUESTED RELOCATION OF COMPUTERIZED WORKLOADS - Power or energy providers are enabled to request and initiate the relocation of customer computational workloads to other energy providers or other locations during critical situations, such as weather crises, national emergencies, power distribution interruptions, or equipment upsets. Workloads may be pre-registered and automatically relocated by the provider based on conditions of agreements between the provider and the customer. Alternatively, provider-initiated requests may be broadcast to all customers or specified subscribed customers giving them the ability to redirect the workloads as desired. The workloads may be re-allocated based upon such factors as lower costs, time shifts or quality of service contract provisions. The re-allocation serves to minimize or eliminate the potential adverse impact on the customer while maintaining a level of service that is satisfactory to the customer. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057591 | INVENTORY ITEM EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention relates to inventory item expiration and renewal in a virtual universe. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provides at least one item in the inventory of an avatar with metadata specifying whether the item must be renewed and how often. Instructions are obtained regarding a renewal of the item and the item is renewed based on the instructions. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057625 | NEGOTIATION OF POWER RATES BASED ON DYNAMIC WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION - A consumer initiated automated and dynamic negotiation enables the consumer to obtain more beneficial rates and/or other terms between the consumer and one or more energy providers. The negotiation is based on anticipated computational processing requirements of the consumer, and the current energy costs being offered by each provider. Other elements such as the ability of the provider to timely supply the energy and the differential between the costs of traditional and green energy may also be factored in. The results of the negotiation can produce a shifting of all or part of the workload to another provider or an alternative geographical location to capitalize on lower power rates or conditions of delivery. The negotiation may be based on an auction between more than one competing energy supplier. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100057641 | ANALYSIS OF ENERGY-RELATED FACTORS FOR SELECTING COMPUTATIONAL JOB LOCATIONS - The selection of an optimal data center location for running a computational workload is based on multiple energy criteria. The location is chosen based on multivariate and predictive analysis of total direct and indirect energy costs, and other user-defined factors. Among the direct and indirect costs are power costs and cooling costs as well as structural and other details of a given data center. Among the other factors to be considered that can have an impact on present and future costs are weather patterns, data and forecasts, availability of energy providers, and energy attributes. A forecaster factors these direct and indirect costs along with extrinsic information such as historical trends and predictive sources into a forecast which is then input to a decision engine along with user defined criteria and with anticipated compute tasks and requirements to select a final location or locations for handling the workload. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100058183 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ALLOCATING VIRTUAL UNIVERSE CUSTOMER SERVICE - Virtual universe customer service representatives axe cloned and assigned as a function of observing customer behavior, retrieving historical data and creating a customer profile Preferential subavatar assignment parameters are determined for a customer as a function of the customer profile, choosing a subavatar from a plurality of subavatars as a function of a correlation of a subavatar performance characteristic with the preferential subavatar assignment parameter and a store objective, and the clone is populated with the chosen subavatar Choosing a subavatar may comprise preferentially rating subavatars and determining an appropriateness threshold as a function of the subavatar assignment parameter, the performance characteristics and the stole objective. Some embodiments reset a threshold in response to time-in-queue or to repetitively observing customer behavior, retrieving customer data, determining a subavatar assignment parameter and choosing a highest-rated available subavatar meeting a revised threshold. Subavatars may comprise automated, customer service representative-controlled and jointly-controlled subavatars. | 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 |
| 20100058350 | FRAMEWORK FOR DISTRIBUTION OF COMPUTER WORKLOADS BASED ON REAL-TIME ENERGY COSTS - Energy costs for conducting compute tasks at diverse data center sites are determined and are then used to route such tasks in a most efficient manner. A given compute task is first evaluated to predict potential energy consumption. The most favorable real-time energy costs for the task are determined at the various data center sites. The likely time period of the more favorable cost as well as the stability at the data center are additional factors. A workload dispatcher then forwards the selected compute task to the data center having the most favorable real-time energy costs. Among the criteria used to select the most favorable data center is a determination that the proposed center presently has the resources for the task. A stabilizer is utilized to balance the workload among the data centers. A computer implementation for performing the various steps of the cost determination and allocation is also described. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100063642 | FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGING CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY - This invention discloses an intelligent framework for the overall management of energy allocated to components of a system. When conservation is desired or a shortage occurs, it is desirable to modulate energy to components, or to notify components and allow them to modulate themselves. It also discusses the establishment of a standard communications API between entities and components within the system. Among other things, this framework: manages device and entity enrollment into the system; provides an interface to heterogeneous devices; establishes standard communication methods between entities and components; dictates throttling to entities and components when conservation is required; and monitors energy throttling and compliance with modulate requests. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100063643 | POLICY-BASED ENERGY MANAGEMENT - In general, the present invention discloses a policy-based decision system to manage energy consumption within a complex system, such as a municipality, business or home. These policies help to control energy usage, either for the purpose of conservation or to contend with a shortage situation. In general, policies may be set based on business requirements, including energy demand, energy supply, safety, Quality of Service (QoS) settings per object or groupings, convenience, risk analysis output or events. Among other things the approach described herein discloses the following: creation and management of policies; selection of optimal throttling plan to achieve energy conservation requirements; running of simulation scenarios based on different policies and/or reduction requirements; conducting of risk analysis for different scenarios; etc. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100064155 | MANAGING DEPENDENCIES AMONG OBJECTS OF A SYSTEM FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION - Under the present solution, dependencies and relationships of objects are stored and are updatable by consumers and optionally manufacturers through a local UI or web interface. These dependencies and relationships are stored in a “collection profile” which describes the capabilities of objects. When a request to reduce energy is received the system can query the collection profile to determine the downstream effect of reducing energy to a single object. The collection profile will identify which other objects rely on that object and would also need to have energy reduced. Being able to identify these linkages and effects of changes across the system will be critical for good energy management. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100064359 | USER CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION INDICATION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - User credential verification indication in a virtual universe is disclosed. A method, system and program product are provided that include verifying a credential of the user of a first avatar in the virtual universe; and establishing a zone that causes an indication of the credential of the user of the first avatar to appear in response to an action being taken relative to the zone. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100067718 | MODIFICATIONS OF AUDIO COMMUNICATIONS IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT - A system and method to modify audio communications in an online environment and, in particular, to modifying audio communications using one or more parameters. The system includes a module configured to detect one or more parameters applicable to an incoming audio communication and a weighing engine configured to weigh the one or more parameters and obtain a weighted volume. The system further includes a module configured to transmit the weighted volume to a user participating in a virtual universe. The method determines whether one or more parameters apply to an incoming communication, weighs the incoming communication based on the one or more parameters to determine a weighted volume of the incoming communication, and transmits the incoming communication to a user at the weighted volume. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100070807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SERVER PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A system and method for managing server performance degradation in a virtual universe environment having avatars has a server load detection unit for detecting server load and a failure notification unit for notifying the avatars of imminent server failure. The server load detection unit measures the wall time of the server for determining performance. A memory stores acceptable performance parameters so that if the server is performing unacceptably, the failure notification unit may notify the avatars. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100070883 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ASSISTANCE - Methods, devices and systems are provided for enabling virtual universe users to find and engage subject matter experts within a virtual universe by defining a virtual universe subject matter expert conduit within the virtual universe. A virtual universe user avatar engages the conduit and a user indicates a subject matter expert search term. A data storage is searched for a tag relevant to the search term, and an expert-avatar is identified and located through the relevant tag. The user is enabled to directly communicate with the identified expert-avatar through a conduit communication medium entirely within the virtual universe, without requiring the user to engage a resource outside of the virtual universe or without requiring the user to engage an interface outside of the virtual universe. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100077305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING USER ACCESSIBILITY IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - A system and method to enhance user accessibility in a virtual universe and, in particular, to enhance user accessibility by providing information and/or actions to users participating in the virtual universe. The system comprises an assignment engine configured to assign an accessibility unit to an item within a virtual universe and a detection engine configured to detect a triggering event, which triggers the accessibility unit. The system also comprises an accessibility action engine configured to provide at least one of information and an action to a user when the accessibility unit is triggered. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100079467 | TIME DEPENDENT VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR RENDERING - Methods, devices, program products and systems are disclosed for displaying multiple virtual universe avatar states. Each of a plurality of avatar states of a first avatar of a first virtual universe user are stored in a storage medium as a function of a time of each state. A first avatar is displayed in a current state to a second user of an engaging second avatar, the engaging instigating a selecting and a retrieving of a subset of plurality of states from the storage medium, each of the subset states different from each other and the current state. Selected subset states are visually displayed to the second user, each of the displayed states visually distinct from another and the current state. The first avatar current state is stored in the storage medium associated with the engagement. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100081508 | AVATAR PROTECTION WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Methods, program products, services and devices are provided for protecting a protected avatar from actions of a second avatar within a virtual universe. Protection is implemented for a protected avatar from a second avatar within a virtual universe, including identifying an activity of the second avatar and disqualifying the second avatar from engaging in the identified activity within the virtual universe as a function of a relation of the identified activity to the protected avatar. A protective action is defined, associated with the identified activity and executable against the protected avatar or the second avatar. Activity of the protected avatar or the second avatar is monitored within the virtual universe for an occurrence of the identified activity, and the protective action is executed against the protected avatar or the second avatar in response to detecting the occurrence of the identified activity. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100082178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DYNAMICALLY CHANGE DATA CENTER PARTITIONS - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one partition in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100082309 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY MODELING DATA CENTER PARTITIONS - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium having programming instructions operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to receive a user selection of at least one modeled partition location based on the overlaid thermal analysis and dynamically model a modeled partition for each of the at least one modeled partition location in the data center to create a modeled data center region. | 04-01-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100083107 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING INFORMATION DURING CONTENT BREAKPOINTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing information during content breakpoints in a virtual universe. The system comprises a placement engine configured to detect a content breakpoint within a virtual universe, which is defined as at least one of a login process, a logoff process, a teleportation, a wait state, and during any point where a user changes information streams in the virtual universe. The system also comprises an insertion resolution engine configured to create a list of prioritized information to present to a user within the virtual universe and an information definition engine configured to present the prioritized information to the user of the virtual universe during the content breakpoint. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083138 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE SUPERVISORY PRESENCE - Methods, devices and systems are provided. A virtual universe resident avatar is monitored through an associated supervisory avatar. The engagement of a user avatar representing an agent account of a user within a virtual universe is monitored for an event occurrence. As a function of detecting an event occurrence a symbiont is associated with the user avatar. A symbiont type is selected from a plurality of symbiont types as a function of a user avatar characteristic and an objective of a virtual universe provider, each of the plurality of symbiont types comprising divergent agendas, and the symbiont is populated with the selected symbiont type. The populated symbiont also appears to the user as a supervising avatar. The populated symbiont processes an event occurrence and determines an action as a function of an agenda of a selected symbiont type. The populated symbiont takes an action, including the supervising avatar communicating directly with the user avatar through a communication medium appropriate to the selected symbiont type and to a norm of avatar engagement of the virtual universe. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083139 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATAR COMPANION - Methods, devices, program products and systems are disclosed for providing a virtual universe companion avatar for engagement with a virtual universe user avatar. In some methods a user of a virtual universe instigates a companion request. Profile data associated with the user is accessed from a data storage in response to the companion request, the profile data including a companion preference. A companion avatar is configured to engage a user avatar representing the user in the virtual universe, the configuring a function of processing the profile data, the engaging configured to meet the companion preference and an overriding user benefit agenda. The companion avatar is thus associated with the user avatar, wherein the companion avatar is configured to engage the user avatar by advancing the overriding user benefit agenda ahead of a virtual universe world provider benefit agenda. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083140 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR VARIABLE RENDERING OF VIRTUAL UNIVERSE AVATARS - Avatar appearance attributes for use in rendering a first avatar within a virtual universe are associated with keys, wherein the first avatar is rendered to a second user in a virtual universe graphic user interface display with the defined appearance attribute as a function of a second avatar of the second user possessing the key. The first avatar may be rendered simultaneously to other users with an appearance attribute distinct from the defined appearance attribute rendered to the second user as a function of the other user's avatars not possessing the key. A key may be recognized as a function of an identity characteristic, and appearance attributes selected manually or as a function of a preference. Pluralities of avatar appearance attributes may be broadcast by an avatar for selection by key possession, and keys may be assigned as a function of a unique identity, a trait and an inventory asset. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083148 | AVATAR APPEARANCE TRANSFORMATION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - Methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for configuring a chameleon avatar in response to data associated with a target avatar within a virtual universe. In response to determining that an engagement of a chameleon avatar with a target avatar is indicated, it is determined whether the chameleon avatar should maintain an initial appearance or be auto-morphed for engagement with the target avatar. Auto-morphing may be accomplished by reading an attribute from metadata associated with the target avatar, selecting a baseline avatar template and auto-morphing the baseline template to incorporate the read attribute. Target avatar attributes include gender, interests, outfits attribute, ethnic data, language and preferences, as well as others. The chameleon may mimic an appearance of the target avatar. | 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 |
| 20100088291 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-USABLE MEDIUM FOR EARLY NOTIFICATION OF A PENDING DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER DELETION EVENT - A method, system and computer-usable medium for early notification of a pending deletion event by a digital playback device. Programs associated with the digital playback device can be scheduled for deletion in advance by a digital playback device interface manually and/or automatically. A deletion event can be notified through a remote delivery by analyzing scheduled recordings and hard drive space if the digital playback device recognizes a recording is close to the deletion event. The notification of the deletion event can be enabled by configuring a number of notification options maintained for each user profile by the digital playback device at a predefined time. The deletion event can be modified through the remote means, which allows a user to send information back to the digital playback device after a deletion notification is received. The deleted files can be moved to a deleted programs folder from which the program can be recovered and the recording can be irrevocably removed after a time period. | 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 |
| 20100092160 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE USER LOCKS AND DELETION REQUESTS FOR A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER - A method and system for managing multiple user locks and deletion requests on a digital video recorder (DVR) is disclosed. Files associated with the DVR can be protected from deletion by allowing users to lock a recorded file utilizing a number of locking strategies. The recorded file can also be locked by multiple users and the recording can be deleted when the users specifically remove the lock. A simpler interface for each user can be provided to prevent other users from deleting recorded files, which have not yet been viewed. Such an approach allows for an administrative override to prevent users from locking recordings and never unlocking in order to prevent the DVR exhausting disk space. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100104258 | USER-SPECIFIED EVENT-BASED REMOTE TRIGGERING OF A CONSUMER DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING DEVICE - A method, digital video recording (DVR) device/system and computer program provide a mechanism for recording video content associated with unpredictable events. A user specifies particular event classifications, keywords, or other control parameters from which the occurrence of an event can be determined, and when such event is detected, the DVR is triggered to record content from a specified channel/location. The events can be detected from feeds such as RSS feeds, websites, video content scans or other mechanisms. The event detection may be provided by a remote service that is accessible for user-configuration via a network, or the event detection may be performed in a DVR device or local computer system. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100106982 | ADAPTIVE COMPUTING RESPONSIVE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for adapting the power consumption of a computational device in response to environmental conditions. Operating environmental condition data relevant to the generation of electric power is acquired from an operating environment feed and analyzed to determine a high electric power demand indication. If the analyzing determines a high electric power demand indication, then a computational device automatically reduces an amount of electric power consumption. | 04-29-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100107171 | COMPUTING TASK CARBON OFFSETING - Methods, systems, services and program products are provided for implementing carbon offset computing. During performance of a specified computing task data concerning resource consumption regarding that specified computing task is gathered and stored. Upon completion of the specified computing task, the amount of carbon offset required to compensate for resource consumption associated with performance of the completed specified computing task is calculated based upon stored or known resource consumption data. The calculated amount of carbon offset information may be transmitted to a carbon offset function provider, and a carbon offset function provider implements the specified amount of carbon offset based upon the calculated amounts communicated for the completed specified computing task. | 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 |
| 20100125494 | ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIVE SHIPPING SELECTION - Methods, devices and systems are provided for enabling the selection of a shipping option responsive to an environmental preference. A user indicates a shipping criteria preference including an environmental impact weighting. A cost value of each of a plurality of shipping options is determined including an environmental impact cost. A shipping options is selected and implemented for a shipping of an item as a function of the indicated environmental impact weighting. Each of the plurality of shipping option cost values may be dynamically recalculated and the status of at least one of the shipping options updated, the updating determining a change in value a shipping option cost value, an implemented selected shipping option changed to another of the plurality of shipping options as a function of the status updating. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100127868 | Method and System for Carbon Value Tracking and Labeling - A solution for tracking the carbon footprint value of an object as the object is manufactured and/or transported. This value may be stored in a tag associated with the object. Thus, the object can track its own carbon footprint, e.g., using the tag. Alternatively, the values are stored in a database with an entry associated with a particular object. The final composite value, e.g., the sum of the intermediate values associated with manufacturing steps, components, transportation steps, and disposal, may be used, e.g., seen, by the consumer or retail store. The store may use such values to arrange objects by footprint value on a shelf or in a store, or for other purposes. Therefore, the disclosure enables manufactures of products to track the carbon footprint for their products as the products are being produced and transported. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100131343 | System and Method for Segmenting Items in a Shopping Cart by Carbon Footprint - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to provide a shopping cart for a shopper, and segment items in the shopping cart based on the carbon footprint associated with each item. Additionally, the method may include displaying substitute or complementary items in the shopping cart for selection by the user to reduce total carbon values, and awarding carbon certificates. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100132607 | MERCURY RELEASE ALERTING - Methods provide an alert to the release of mercury. A sealed container containing an odor-producing agent is provided proximate to a sealed breakable enclosure containing mercury, the container and/or the breakable enclosure physically separating the agent from the mercury. In response to a breaking of the breakable enclosure, the agent produces an odor as a function of the breaking, the odor providing an alert to a release of the mercury. Service methods are also provided, for example wherein a service provider provides the sealed breakable enclosure containing mercury and deploys the odor-producing agent. Articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are also provided. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134485 | RENDERING AVATAR DETAILS - The rendering of avatars in a virtual universe is selectively controlled by the avatar owner. Avatar ranking by several criteria, operating either jointly or independently, is employed to control avatar rendering in ways intended to reduce computational loading while not significantly impacting the virtual universe experience. | 06-03-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100145797 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL UNIVERSE RELOCATION THROUGH AN ADVERTISING OFFER - The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing an advertising offer that is configured to relocate an avatar within the virtual environment. The system is configured to ascertain one or more advertisements for display based on at least one of: an inventory analysis of an avatar, a historical teleportation analysis of the avatar, a motion analysis of the avatar, a social network analysis of the avatar, and a ratings analysis of the one or more advertisements within a virtual universe. The system also includes an advertisement display system structured to display the one or more advertisements to the avatar. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100145833 | AUTOMATED TRANSACTIONAL CARBON OFFSETTING - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for linking and utilizing monetary and carbon credit accounts through a programmable arbitrating device providing a transaction interface to the buyer. A composite price is set for an item having a monetary portion and a carbon credit portion, a buyer executing a purchase of the item through an input to the arbitrating device transaction interface, the arbitrating device automatically charging a monetary payments from the buyer's monetary account, carbon credit payments from the buyer's carbon credit account, a difference between the payments and the composite price debited to the buyer's carbon credit account balance for a monetary value of the difference as a function of a monetary-carbon exchange rate, or to the buyer's monetary account for a carbon credit value of the difference as a function of the monetary-carbon exchange rate. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100146402 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT PRESERVATION BASED ON AUTOMATED ITEM REDUCTION - A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, includes detecting one of an absence of a virtual universe (VU) occurrence in a VU within a predetermined time period, a special event in the VU and a change of real world status from a previous real world status. Additionally, the method includes determining a VU asset of a VU resident relevant to the VU occurrence, the special event or the previous real world status. Further, the method includes performing an automated asset reduction of the VU asset based on the determining. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100146406 | ASYNCHRONOUS IMMERSIVE COMMUNICATIONS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention provides asynchronous immersive communication in a virtual universe. In one embodiment, there is a method for transmitting an asynchronous immersive communication in a virtual universe. The method includes receiving an asynchronous immersive communication created by a resident of a virtual universe, transmitting the asynchronous immersive communication to a recipient and enabling the recipient to access the asynchronous immersive communication. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100146408 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MODIFY AUDIO COMPONENTS IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT - A system and method to modify audio components in an online environment based on avatar characteristics and/or inventory items. The system includes a component to allow one or more audio modification algorithms to be selected. The system also includes a component to identify one or more avatar characteristics and a component to identify one or more avatar inventory items. The system further comprises a component to modify an audio communication in a virtual universe based on at least one of the one or more audio modification algorithms, the one or more avatar characteristics, and the one or more avatar inventory items. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100146419 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITEM INQUIRY AND INFORMATION PRESENTATION VIA STANDARD COMMUNICATION PATHS - A method and system is provided for item inquiry and information presentation via standard communication paths. More particularly, the method and system detects an item associated with an avatar of a virtual universe (VU) user in a VU and determine information associated with the item. Additionally, the method and system are operable to display the information in the VU in a high-resolution component of the VU. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100150250 | DIGITAL MEDIA USAGE IN RESPONSE TO IMPACT DATA - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for providing digital media content as a function of embedded environmental impact data. When a digital multimedia item is received, an embedded environmental impact value is decoded and the item is utilized as a function of the decoded embedded environmental impact value. Some methods further comprise accounting for amounts and types of energy used in creating the item to calculate an environmental impact value for the item, and the calculated environmental impact value embedded within digital data of the item. | 06-17-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100153191 | VARIABLE TOLL FEE SELECTION FROM GEOGRAPHIC INDICIA - Methods, including service methods, systems, articles, programmable devices and articles of manufacture are provided for selecting and applying variable thoroughfare travel fees. Each of a plurality of differentiated impacts associated with a toll thoroughfare are determined, each of the impacts different from another. Each of the impacts are correlated with geographic impact regions, each impact region is proximate to the toll thoroughfare and geographically distinct from another. Travel fees are assigned to each impact region, each assigned impact region travel fee different from another. Use of the toll thoroughfare by a traveler is determined, a relation of the traveler to one of the impact regions identified and a toll is charged as a function of the determined toll thoroughfare use and the travel fee of the associated impact region. | 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 |
| 20100153859 | USE OF INFORMATION CHANNELS TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT - The invention generally relates to virtual environments, and more particularly to systems and methods for communicating in virtual environments. A method of providing communication in a virtual universe (VU) includes instantiating and assigning an information channel to a first client of the VU, associating at least one additional client of the VU to the information channel, and conveying data placed on the information channel to the first client and the at least one additional client. | 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 |
| 20100153868 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MODIFY AVATAR CHARACTERISTICS BASED ON INFERRED CONDITIONS - A system and method to modify avatar characteristics and, in particular, to modify avatar characteristics based on inferred conditions. The system comprises a collection engine configured to collect one or more inputs and at least one rule set. The system also comprises an emotion engine configured to accept the one or more inputs and operate on the at least one rule set by comparing the one or more inputs to the at least one rule set, the emotion engine configured to modify at least one characteristic of a user participating in a virtual universe when the comparing produces a match. | 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 |
| 20100156899 | PRIORITIZED RENDERING OF OBJECTS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for prioritized rendering of objects in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a prioritization tool including a value component configured to assign a value to each of a set of items within an inventory of an avatar. A priority component is configured to compare a set of objects in the virtual universe to the value assigned to each of the set of items within the inventory of the avatar to determine a priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe. A rendering component is configured to render the set of objects in the virtual universe based on the priority of each of the set of objects in the virtual universe. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161368 | MANAGING ENERGY IN A DATA CENTER - An approach that manages energy in a data center is provided. In one embodiment, there is an energy management tool, including an analysis component configured to analyze an operating state of each of a plurality of systems within a data center to determine a set of systems from the plurality of systems within the data center that is currently using energy. The energy management tool further comprises a priority component configured to prioritize a routing of a workload to the set of systems from the plurality of systems within the data center that is currently using energy. | 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 |
| 20100161413 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSE EXCHANGES BASED ON REAL-WORLD TRANSACTIONS - An invention that establishes a virtual universe benefit based on a real-world transaction is provided. In one embodiment, there is a benefit establishing tool, including a linking component configured to link a user of a virtual universe with a business entity. The benefit establishing tool further includes a benefit component configured to establish a virtual universe benefit to the user based on a real-world transaction between the user and the business entity. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161439 | ASSET DISCOVERY AND TRANSFER WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for discovery and transfer of assets in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an asset transfer utility, including an inventory component configured to display to a user within a virtual universe an inventory containing a plurality of assets owned by other users within the virtual universe, each of the plurality of assets listed anonymously. A search component is configured to search the inventory containing the plurality of assets. A selection component is configured to select a set of assets from the plurality of assets based on the search. A transfer component is configured to transfer the set of assets between the user and an owner of each of the set of assets. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161788 | MONITORING USER DEMOGRAPHICS WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention that provides discovery and transfer of assets in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an asset transfer utility, including an inventory component configured to display to a user within a virtual universe an inventory containing a plurality of assets owned by other users within the virtual universe, each of the plurality of assets listed anonymously. A search component is configured to search the inventory containing the plurality of assets. A selection component is configured to select a set of assets from the plurality of assets based on the search. A transfer component is configured to transfer the set of assets between the user and an owner of each of the set of assets. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100161906 | PRE-FETCHING VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE BASED ON PREVIOUS TRAVERSALS - An approach is provided for pre-fetching of virtual content in a virtual universe based on previous traversals. In one embodiment, there is a pre-fetching tool, including a ranking component configured to rank each of a plurality of parcels of locations previously visited by an avatar according to predefined ranking criteria. The pre-fetching tool further includes a pre-fetching component configured to pre-fetch a virtual content of said parcels of locations based on the ranking. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162136 | DEGRADING AVATAR APPEARANCES IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention that degrades avatar appearances in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a degradation tool, including a visual obstruction component configured to: identify an object in the virtual universe as an object of interest, and determine whether a set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to an avatar. The degradation tool further comprises a modification component configured to degrade an appearance of at least one of the set of avatars within the virtual universe if the set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to the avatar. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162403 | SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE FOR IDENTIFYING SPAM AVATARS BASED UPON AVATAR MULTIMEDIA CHARACTERISTICS - A system and method in a virtual universe (VU) system for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatars' multimedia characteristics may have a table that stores multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars. It further may have an analysis unit that compares the multimedia characteristics of avatars against the multimedia characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon the similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score. Multimedia characteristics include graphics, audio, movement, interactivity, voice, etc. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162404 | IDENTIFYING SPAM AVATARS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE (VU) BASED UPON TURING TESTS - A virtual universe system has a system and method for identifying spam avatars based upon the avatar's behavior characteristics through the use of Turing tests. The system may provide a Turing test unit for performing Turing tests and an analysis unit that compares the behavior characteristics of new or newly changed avatars against the behavior characteristics of known spam avatars to determine if the avatar has known spam avatar characteristics. It may further have a scoring system to calculate a spam score based upon similarities of the comparison and identifying the avatar as a spam avatar based upon the calculated spam score. It may further compare the calculated spam score with a spam score threshold wherein the avatar is identified as a spam avatar if the calculated spam score is equal to or greater than the calculated spam score. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100164947 | PRE-FETCHING VIRTUAL CONTENT IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention that pre-fetches virtual content in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a pre-fetching tool, including a ranking component configured to rank each of a plurality of members belonging to a social network of an avatar according to predefined ranking criteria. The pre-fetching tool further includes a pre-fetching component configured to pre-fetch a virtual content within a proximity of each of the plurality of members belonging to the social network of the avatar based on the ranking. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169184 | COMMUNICATION INTEGRATION BETWEEN USERS IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for communication integration between users of a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a communication integration interface tool that provides communication integration between users within the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a response component for identifying an object of interest in the virtual universe, the object of interest comprising at least one of the following: a first user, or an asset associated with the first user that is within the virtual universe, and generating a response from the object of interest in the virtual universe. The communication integration interface tool further includes a communication link component for establishing a communication link between a second user and at least at least one of the following: the first user, a representative of the first user, or a third user in the virtual universe associated with the asset based on the generated response. | 07-01-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100199047 | EXPIRING VIRTUAL CONTENT FROM A CACHE IN A VIRTUAL UNINERSE - An invention that expires cached virtual content in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is an expiration tool, including an identification component configured to identify virtual content associated with an avatar in the virtual universe; an analysis component configured to analyze a behavior of the avatar in a region of the virtual universe; and an expiration component configured to expire cached virtual content associated with the avatar based on the behavior of the avatar in the region of the virtual universe. | 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 |
| 20100217631 | CONSERVATION MODELING ENGINE FRAMEWORK - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices provide a conservation modeling engine framework. Programmable conservation modeling engines in communication with different customizable resource conservation modules, each resource conservation module customized to a distinct resource, select one of the modules customized to a resource identified for conservation, and user-defined criteria as a function of the identified resource and the selected module. Input data is selected and collected as a function of the resource identified and the selected module and used to weight the input data. Different optimized conservation plans are created as a function of the weighted input data and the selected module, each of the optimized conservation plans displayed having a different implementation cost, a different time for implementation and a different total amount of the identified resource saved. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100220097 | ALTERING AVATAR APPEARANCES BASED ON AVATAR POPULATION IN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - An invention for the alteration of avatar appearances based on avatar population in a virtual universe is provided. In one embodiment, there is a degradation tool, including an identification component configured to count an amount of a plurality of avatars within a region of a virtual universe. The degradation tool further comprises a modification component configured to degrade the appearance of a set of avatars from the plurality of avatars in the virtual universe based on the amount of the plurality of avatars within the region of the virtual universe. | 09-02-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100239227 | GENRE-BASED VIDEO QUOTA MANAGEMENT - A method, digital video display and digital video recording (DVR) device/system and computer program provide a mechanism for controlling an amount of differing types of media viewed by users. A number of time quotas are set for various media types and/or programs and viewing or recording of video media is monitored to determine whether any of the quotas has been exceeded. If a quota is exceeded, the viewing or recording can be immediately halted, or a warning or alert can be issued. If an absolute limit is exceeded after an alert is issue, further viewing or recording can be halted. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100281433 | Computer Method and Apparatus Specifying Avatar Entrance and Exit - Computer method and apparatus controls avatar relative to a subject virtual environment, in particular entrance to and/or exit from the subject environment. An entrance/exit specification engine provides a plurality of characteristics of the subject environment and/or of an avatar representing a corresponding user in the subject environment. A script generator responsive to the entrance/exit specification engine generates scripts as a function of the plurality of characteristics. The generated scripts form a script collection executable with the avatar. Execution of the generated scripts on a processor of the corresponding user controls avatar entrance to and/or exit from the subject environment. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100298998 | Dynamic Specification of Power Supply Sources - A method, a system and a computer program product for specifying the source of power and provider of carbon offsets for an electrical device or service. A power supply specification (PSS) utility enables a user or program to specify a preferred blend of power sources and preferred carbon offset provider via a set of programmable requirements and the utility dynamically configures the electrical device or service, based on those requirements. The PSS utility determines the instantaneous power consumption of the device based on the outputs of sensors that measure voltages and currents associated with the operation of the device. The PSS utility compares the device's power consumption with the power from available power generating sources against the set of programmable requirements. When the available power is unable to satisfy the programmable requirements and/or is not sufficient to fully power the device, the PSS utility automatically places the device into a reduced power state. The PSS utility reports information about the device's power consumption to the power supplier. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100306737 | Techniques for Providing Environmental Impact Information Associated With Code - A technique for providing environmental impact information associated with code includes determining, based on execution of the code on a computer system, an environmental impact of a code execution sequence included in the code. A section of the code that is associated with the code execution sequence is then annotated with environmental impact information associated with the environmental impact of the code execution sequence. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100321378 | Computer Method and Apparatus Providing Interactive Control and Remote Identity Through In-World Proxy - Computer method and apparatus render views of a computer generated virtual world to a remote viewer. The invention method and apparatus establish an avatar of a resident user as a proxy on behalf of the remote viewer. The computer node of the resident user exports proxy avatar views of the virtual world to the remote viewer. The remote viewer computer renders the exported virtual world views without executing virtual world application programs. | 12-23-2010 |
| 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 |
| 20100333031 | MANAGING MULTIPLE VIRTUAL WORLD ACCOUNTS FROM A SINGLE VIRTUAL LOBBY INTERFACE - A virtual lobby client automatically interfaces with multiple virtual world instances, each provided by a separate virtual world provider from among a plurality of virtual world providers, each interfaced with to access a separate one from among a plurality of virtual world accounts, to retrieve a separate selection of inventory items from each of the plurality of virtual world accounts. The virtual lobby client renders an inventory directory index of each separate selection of inventory items collectively within a single lobby interface of the virtual lobby client with at least one selectable option for managing each of the items in the inventory directory from the single lobby interface. The virtual lobby client renders, within the single lobby interface, a separate graphical portal from among a plurality of graphical portals for each of the plurality of virtual accounts, wherein entry of each of the separate graphical portals from the single lobby interface triggers the virtual lobby client to automatically open a virtual world specific interface window into a particular virtual world instance from among the plurality of virtual world instances provided under the particular virtual world account associated with the entered graphical portal. | 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 |
| 20110010309 | INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS BASED ON COMPONENT BUSINESS MODELS - An embodiment of the invention provides a method for IP assessment based on a component business model (CBM). The method assesses components in the CBM via a component assessment module, which interrogates an entity (e.g., a user, a third party consultant, and an information database) with questions. Output (including answers to the questions) from the component assessment module is sent to a component detection module. Scores (e.g., numerical scores and/or low, medium, or high scores) are assigned to the components via the component detection module based on the output from the component assessment module. The output from the component assessment module and/or the scores are analyzed to determine whether a gap, a duplication, a conflict, and/or an over-investment exists in at least one of the components. | 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 |
| 20110050699 | Teleport Preview Provisioning In Virtual Environments - Upon a request for a teleportation operation, a user of a virtual universe is provided with an interface for specification of image resolution parameters for initial rendering of a teleportation destination and the user's avatar which are degraded from a full resolution rendering of the teleportation destination and avatar. Degradation of resolution can be in regard to any of a plurality of image qualities such as spatial resolution, temporal resolution colors or color depth, light modeling and rendering style or the like or combinations thereof. Alternatively, a degraded copy of the teleportation destination can be provided as an alternative initial teleportation destination image. Since a rendering of a degraded image can be done with reduced response time, the user is thus provided with full control over a trade-off between image quality and response time and teleportation operations are thus encouraged. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055135 | Deferred Teleportation or Relocation in Virtual Worlds - A user of a virtual universe system is provided with the option of deferring a response to an invitation for an avatar to be relocated (including relocation by performing a (exportation operation) by providing for selective storage of received invitations in a queue with a priority determined based on one or more rules which can preferably be developed by conversion from an invitation. Status of issuers of invitations can be monitored or the issuers polled and the current status can be displayed to a user to determine actions to be taken in manipulating priority in the queue. The user is also provided with the capability of editing priority of stored invitations including the ability to accept, reject or forward the invitation or convert the invitation to a landmark. Invitations having similarities may be grouped in accordance with any desired metadata contained in the invitation. Rules can also be set from the virtual universe system independently of a user in regard to priority and thus provides a new form of advertising. | 03-03-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20110055267 | Virtual Universe Rendering Based on Prioritized Metadata Terms - After a change of location of an avatar in a virtual universe, an avatar is encouraged to remain at that location and avoid an immediate further or return change of location (e.g. by teleportation) by prioritizing rendering of objects such that objects most likely to be of interest to the avatar is performed prior to rendering of objects less likely to be of interest. Prioritization is performed by comparing metadata concerning objective(s) of the avatar and metadata of preferences of the avatar and objects in the avatar's inventory and/or implied from the avatar's activity history with metadata corresponding to objects at the location to which the avatar moves. Preferably, the metadata corresponding to the avatar is ranked in order of the number of occurrences of metadata terms and synonyms in metadata of the avatar. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055727 | System and Method for Using Partial Teleportation or Relocation in Virtual Worlds - The processing burden of rendering incident to a full teleportation operation in a virtual universe is avoided while contact with particular teleport destinations is promoted by provision of a partial teleportation facility such as a virtual kiosk as an object within a virtual universe (which may be sponsored or owned by users wishing to promote particular teleportation destinations) at which an avatar can view previously rendered images of portions of one or more teleportation destinations. Limited interaction and simulated travel within the teleportation destination can be achieved through image manipulation and updates rather than rendering. An avatar image can be displayed in connection with both the object and the teleport destination with, preferably control of only one avatar image while the other is displayed using a low resolution image. Full teleportation can be initiated automatically upon detection of a particular condition such as duration of an avatar presence at the location of the partial teleportation facility object. When full teleportation is initiated, the processing intensive rendering can be supplemented from image data representing the portion or the teleportation destination, thus hiding rendering delays and simulating seamless, instantaneous response to the full teleportation operation. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055728 | Method and System for Filtering Movements Between Virtual Environments - In response to a teleport request, teleport destination characteristics are determined and compared against preferences, characteristics and restrictions of an avatar as indicated by metadata or tags to determine if the teleport destination is suitable for teleportation of that avatar. If the destination is found unsuitable, a search is conducted, preferably based on unmatched metadata of the avatar or the destination to suggest or directly substitute a suitable teleportation destination. Metadata for the avatar and the destination can include metadata which is dynamic (such as destination occupancy or processing capacity) adaptively developed or based on current or historical usage and virtual universe system status. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055732 | Creation and Prioritization of Multiple Virtual Universe Teleports In Response to an Event - Useful work or services can be automated or otherwise facilitated or solutions to real world events developed by emulation of a real-world environment (which can contain objects representing virtual objects) with a virtual environment and generating a prioritized sequence of locations and associated tasks in accordance with resources related to the event in a virtual universe. Performance of the prioritized tasks at the prioritized locations is facilitated in the virtual universe by locally generating teleportation invitations corresponding to locations in the ordered sequence of locations. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055733 | System and Method for Locating Missing Items in a Virtual Universe - The present invention provides a system and method for tagging Virtual Universe items as owned by a particular user and to use such tags to enable users and/or system administrators to locate lost or stolen items in a Virtual Universe. When items identified are located, the user/owners may be notified of the location or missing items; alternatively, the items may be automatically returned to the user/owners' inventories. By enabling differentiation between items that may be lost, stolen, or left intentionally in a Virtual Universe, the present invention addresses difficulties that may arise in managing the various items that populate a Virtual Universe, especially as a Virtual Universe expands or as Multiple Virtual Universes expand and partner with additional Virtual Universes. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055919 | System and Method for the Designation of Items in a Virtual Universe - The present invention enables items in a Virtual Universe to be tagged as available for pickup by one or more designated users. The present invention permits a designated user to be alerted that there is an item designated for that user/avatar and available for pick-up at a location in the Virtual Universe. A user may designate another user (or user's avatar), for example, a minor for whom the designating user has responsibility, as an “item” to be tracked. For privacy and other reasons, this and other features may be implemented on an opt-in basis. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110055927 | UPDATING ASSETS RENDERED IN A VIRTUAL WORLD ENVIRONMENT BASED ON DETECTED USER INTERACTIONS IN ANOTHER WORLD - A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database. The virtual world controller renders the at least one particular asset within the particular virtual world environment in a virtual location within the particular virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling. | 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 |
| 20110077085 | Apparatus and Method to Transition Between a Media Presentation and a Virtual Environment - A virtual universe application and a media (e.g. 3-D movie) presentation application communicate with each other to obtain a location of a current activity application and find, using a search engine or a content addressable index developed during use, a corresponding location accessible from the other application to synchronize the location and time of location and time of scenes in both applications. Point of view can optionally be synchronized and additional search criteria or parameters can be applied to find the best match of views presented to a user when the user toggles between the VU location and the media presentation. | 03-31-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20110087522 | METHOD FOR DEPLOYING A PROBING ENVIRONMENT FOR PROVISIONED SERVICES TO RECOMMEND OPTIMAL BALANCE IN SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT USER EXPERIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL METRICS - A system and method of determining performance metrics for inclusion in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between a customer and a host computing service provider. The method comprises: receiving a provisioning request from a customer including receiving computing performance requirement parameters and environmental parameters for inclusion in the SLA from the customer; deploying discovery tools to identify relevant infrastructure components based on performance metrics. Based on identification of the customer's relevant infrastructure components, probes are deployed and installed. Then, data is obtained from the probes while changing infrastructure components for simulating and assessing impact of one or more different customer scenarios for different performance policies. In one aspect, the obtained data is used to identify and implement an a priori risk sharing agreement between the customer and service provider. In a further aspect, the data obtained for simulating and assessing impact of one or more different customer policies include data for simulating and assessing different environmental policies. | 04-14-2011 |
| 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 |
| 20110106865 | DYNAMIC EDITING OF DATA REPRESENTATIONS USING CASCADING WEIGHTS - A method and system for representing data includes providing a data representation according to defined variables and a functional relationship between the defined variables and receiving an assigned weight assigned to a defined variable. The method includes receiving a modification of a selected defined variable, and providing a further data representation according to a recalculation of an unselected defined variable, based upon the functional relationship, the assigned weight and the modified variable. Assigned weights and a plurality of modifications of the weighted variable are received. A further data representation is provided according to a further recalculation of the weighted variable based upon a weight selected from the assigned weights according to a previous modification of the weighted variable. The recalculating is performed according to a number of modifications performed since the previous modification of the weighted variable and according to a period of time since the previous modification of the weighted variable. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110130884 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISCOVERY, VALIDATION AND DELIVERY OF POWER THROUGH A UNIVERSAL POWER CENTER - A system and method of discovery, validation and delivery of power to an electronic device through a universal power center is provided. The method comprises providing a power tip for an electronic device with a unique identification and broadcasting the unique identification to a power center. The method further includes verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device, determining power requirements for the connected electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location, and delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110131226 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ABSTRACTION OF OBJECTS FOR CROSS VIRTUAL UNIVERSE DEPOLYMENT - A system and method for abstracting objects in a virtual universe (VU) deployment is provided. The system and method abstracts VU objects for editing in a common abstraction utility and for deploying to one or more VU grids containing one or more VU architectures and/or platforms (servers). The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having programming instructions operable to: obtain an object associated with a first virtual universe server; translate the object with syntax specific to at least a second virtual universe server, the syntax being different than that used with the first virtual universe server; and deploy the translated object to the second virtual universe server. | 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 |
| 20110131634 | Digital Rights Management - A method for digital rights management includes receiving a selection input from a user, associating a customer number with a file based on the selection input, embedding the customer number and a file identifier associated with the file in the file, and sending the file with the embedded customer number and file identifier to the user. One embodiment includes receiving a customer number change request, revising the central database in response to the customer number change request, determining a new customer number responsive to the customer number change request, and embedding the determined new customer number in the file. Another embodiment includes receiving an authorization request associated with a file, determining an authorization based on the central database and authorization request, and sending an authorization notice response to the determined authorization. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110138047 | PROVISIONING SERVICES USING A CLOUD SERVICES CATALOG - The present invention provides a system and method for provisioning Cloud services by establishing a Cloud services catalog using a Cloud service bus within a Cloud computing environment. In one embodiment, there is a Cloud services catalog manager configured to connect a plurality of Clouds in a Cloud computing environment; maintain a catalog of integrated Cloud services from the plurality of connected Clouds; and display an index of the integrated services on a user interface. Using this system and method will allow for multiple disparate services, offered by different partners, across unrelated, physically distinct Clouds to be presented as an index of integrated services. | 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 |
