Abstract: In one aspect and form of the invention, a converter receives first visual information from a computer system. The first visual information is conventionally used for generating an image for a first display element. The converter receives first selection data from the computer system identifying at least a first portion of the image, and generates second visual information for generating a second image for a second display element. The second image corresponds to the first portion of the first image. The size of the second image relative to the second display element is controllable by a user and may be selected to be different than the size of the selected portion of the first image relative to the entire first image or relative to the first display element. For example, the second image may be of a size corresponding to the size of substantially the entire second display element.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from a failure in a clustered environment sharing a common nonvolatile storage device. The first computer reserves the device by identifying itself in a reservation key associated with the device. The first device sends a signal to one or more backup computers informing the backup computers that the first computer is operational. When the first computer fails to operate, one of the backup computers breaks the first computer's reservation to the storage device and writes a new reservation key to the reservation storage area identifying the backup computer as the reservation holder of the storage device. When the first computer is reinitialized, it reads the reservation storage area and does not attempt to break the reservation made by the backup computer. One embodiment provides for the first computer to request control from the backup computer upon being reinitialized whereupon the backup computer releases its reservation and relinquishes control.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing light from a light source through a bundle of optic fibers, wherein the optic fibers are so arranged in the bundle such that at the end of the bundle opposite the light source, the optic fibers may expand into a display of an image generated by the light source. The apparatus comprises a bundle of optic fibers having a base end and a viewing end. The base end has a first angle across the bundle and is arranged so that light from the light source may be directed into the base end of each of the optic fibers. The light entering each of the optic fibers is carried to the viewing end. At the viewing end, each of the optic fibers is cut to expose an interior side face as a pixel viewing area having approximately a 1:1 aspect ratio.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for consolidating telephone calls from more than one individual to a single, remote conference call provider through a telephone switch such that the multiple calls utilize a single telephone connection between the individuals' location and the conference call provider. A private branch exchange (PBX) or other type of switch detects attempts by multiple local callers to reach a designated conference call number and multiplexes those calls. In one embodiment, at least one of the conference call participants is coupled to the switch via a network, such as the Internet, using an Internet protocol (IP) telephone connection.

Abstract: Automated data mining using domain-specific analytic applications for solving predefined problems, including populating input data schema, the input data schema having a format appropriate to solution of a predefined problem. Production training a predefined data mining model to produce a trained data mining model, the predefined data mining model comprising a predefined data mining model definition, production training having an output of a knowledge base. Executing a preselected data mining algorithm in production training mode. Production scoring input data from the input data schema. The method typically includes scheduling the steps of populating input data schema, production training, and production scoring. Typically the analytic application includes predefined problems, predefined data mining algorithms, predefined data schema, and at least one predefined data mining model definition.

Abstract: A system for efficiently generating keys for subsequently objects during object creation and for finding and activating objects using the generated keys in an object oriented system includes one or more processors, a storage system, one or more I/O controllers, a system bus, operatively connecting the processors, the storage system and the I/O controllers, a system control program for controlling the operation of the system, and an extensible instance manager which generates keys and manages instances of objects under the control of the system control program.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for identifying parties to a call to an incoming calling party are provided. A context for a current call is identified, wherein the context comprises at least an identity of a caller and an identity of a callee to the current call. An identifier for an incoming calling party to the current call is identified. The context is filtered according to the identifier for the incoming calling party. Output of the filtered context to the incoming calling party is controlled.

Abstract: A device and a method is provided for protecting a laptop computer or other shock-sensitive electronic devices from impact while being transported within conventional luggage along with personal articles by securing one or more collapsible and lightweight bands of material having external hook and loop fasteners to the laptop computer and securing a plurality of pads along the edges of the electronic device by coupling the pads to the external hook and loop fasteners of the band of material. The pads are secured using a plurality of easily secured and removed straps, such as an elastic band or harness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for using a localized voice mail system that allows voice mail messages on a cellular telephone network to be stored on a remote server or other computer. These messages can be stored on a server of the cellular network or of the cellular telephone service subscriber. The method further entails downloading copies of the stored messages into another computer or a cellular telephone's memory. In this embodiment, a cellular telephone can retrieve voice mail messages even when the cellular telephone is roaming or cannot pick up a carrier signal. In another embodiment, a method is described for organizing voice mail messages stored in a cellular telephone's memory into convenient groups, directories or folders formatted to be compatible with the computer and cellular telephone.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a preferred viewing library of programs are disclosed. Electronic program guide data is searched for a program satisfying a criterion, and a determination is made whether the program satisfies the criterion. The criterion may be based upon the viewing activity profile of the user or may be based upon a criterion entered into the program guide by the user. In the event a program satisfies the criterion, the recording of the program is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time. The time is monitored, and a determination whether the present time is the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the program is recorded and organized in a program library such that a user may select the program from the program library and view the recorded program at an appropriate time.

Abstract: Storing data mining clustering results in a relational database for querying and reporting, including reading, from a hierarchical clustering node, clustering data describing a clustering, and recording the clustering data in a relational clustering record; reading, from a hierarchical cluster node embodied in the hierarchical representation of data mining results, cluster data describing a cluster, and recording the cluster data in a relational cluster record; reading, from a hierarchical cluster attribute node embodied in the hierarchical representation of data mining results, cluster attribute data describing a cluster attribute, and recording the cluster attribute data in a relational cluster attribute record; reading, from a hierarchical cluster attribute bin node embodied in the hierarchical representation of data mining results, cluster attribute bin data describing a cluster attribute bin, and recording the cluster attribute bin data in a relational cluster attribute bin record.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for controlling advertising output during hold periods are provided. A context for a call on hold is detected. An advertisement is selected for output during a hold space a hold period of the call according to the context. Output of the advertisement during the hold space is controlled, wherein the advertisement is specified according to the context. The advertisement may include text messages, audio messages, video messages, for advertising a product or service or making an announcement.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an electronic program guide wherein a first information handling system obtains program information from a program information source and generates a program guide based upon the obtained program information. The first information handling system searches a worldwide network for information regarding a transitory broadcast event and incorporates the transitory event information into the generated program guide prior to transmitting the program guide to the second information handling system. The transitory broadcast event information may be added to the program guide as additional, temporary channels that include links to the nodes from which the transitory broadcast event may be obtained. The program guide is thereby augmented with the additional, transitory broadcast event information. A second information handling system receives the program guide from the first information handling system.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a wardrobe previewing system that allows a person to preview how clothing items will look on her without having to put on the clothing items. The wardrobe previewing system includes a portable device, clothing tags for identifying clothing items, and a means for storing clothing item images. The portable device further includes a scanner capable of reading the clothing tags, a display, and an application software for enabling the portable device to display a preview of clothing items on the person. In addition, an image of the person is stored in the memory of the portable device. The person scans the clothing tag of a potential clothing item with the scanner, and retrieves a clothing item image corresponding to the scanned clothing item. The application software overlays the retrieved clothing item image onto the image of the person stored in the memory of the portable device to produce a composite image.

Abstract: A device mounting and retention mechanism is disclosed, comprising a guide disposed on a device so that the guide is capable of slidably moving along a guide channel so that a retention mechanism may engage the guide thereby providing a restraining force and ground for the device. A device retention assembly is also disclosed, comprising a guide mounted on a device so that the guide is capable of slidably moving along a guide channel disposed on a housing so that the retention mechanism is capable of flexibly engaging the guide, thereby providing a restraining force. A device mounting assembly is also disclosed, comprising a first guide mounted on a device and a second guide mounted on a device wherein a guide channel is formed so as to selectively accept the first guide and exclude acceptance of the second guide.

Abstract: A method and a system of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source are disclosed. Usage of the battery is monitored. Based on this monitored usage, a user of the electronic device is notified of the need for performing a conditioning or deep discharge cycle on the battery. The user is provided with a user interface for scheduling the conditioning cycle on the battery. The conditioning cycle is then performed as scheduled, provided that the electronic device is coupled to an external power source and/or is in a mode appropriate for performing the conditioning cycle on the battery (e.g., shut down or standby mode). Further, the life capacity of the battery may be monitored, and the user may be notified of the need to replace the battery if the life capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method, system, signal and software which maintains an electronic program guide (EPG) that includes episode identifiers associated with program information. The method includes keeping a database of selected information and using the information in the database to specify programs or actions associated with specified programs. These programs may include, but are not limited to, recording a program that has not been previously recorded, or re-recording a program of lesser recording quality or reproduction quality if a better quality recording can be made.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system and method for an information handling system provides an internal power storage device for supplying power to an information handling system and a detector for detecting the condition of an external power supply and/or the power level of the internal power storage device, wherein the power management system prevents the information handling system from resuming operation until the detector detects that an external power supply has been stable for a predetermined period of time and/or that the power level of the power storage device is sufficient to permit the information handling system to perform a data saving function.

Abstract: An electrical connector has an inner dielectric housing adapted for mounting a plurality of electrical contacts and including at least one forwardly projecting mating portion having opposite sides. The connector has a metallic shield surrounding a major portion of the inner dielectric housing. An outer dielectric cover has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The outer dielectric cover surrounds a major portion of the metallic shield and includes first and second integrally formed spring latches. The first integrally formed spring latch extends forwardly from the back along the top and the second integrally formed spring latch extending forwardly from the back along the bottom. The first and second spring latches each comprise a spring portion and a distal grip, said distal grips being constructed and arranged to compress the spring latches when a user urges them inwardly toward each other to install the connector in a computer case.

Abstract: An information handling system for utilizing an electronic program guide and a method for generating a future program guide are disclosed. A processor executes a program of instructions for the information handling system, and a memory stores the program of instructions that comprises a program guide for causing the information handling system to obtain current program guide information, to compare the current program guide information to previous program guide information, to thereby generate future programming information, and to generate a future program guide based upon the future programming information. The current program guide information is obtained from a program information source, and the previous program guide information is stored in an information storage medium of the information handling system.