Abstract: Searching for information in a distributed data processing system, including providing a semantics-based search index by storing in the semantics-bases search index search keywords from documents according to semantics from selected document structure templates, the document structure templates selected in dependence upon the structures of the documents and upon model document structures in the document structure templates; establishing a search scope corresponding to semantics supported by the semantics-based search index; receiving from a client a search query message comprising search terms and, optionally, the search scope; retrieving, from the semantics-based search index, index entries satisfying the search terms and the search scope; creating from the retrieved index entries a search result message; and transmitting the search result message to the client.

Abstract: A graphical component determines its appearance and runtime behavior based upon the type of container to which it belongs is provided. The container type corresponds to an implementation construct such as a class in C++ and Java, or a struct in C. This implementation construct is referred to as the classtype. The graphical component determines the classtype of it's parent container at runtime and dynamically alters its appearance and behavior based upon a programmatic heuristic or a configuration file. For example, a smart graphical component placed inside of a container with a classtype of “desktop” may display descriptive text, however, the same component may not display the descriptive text when in a toolbar. Runtime behavior may also be determined based upon the classtype of the parent container. Component behavior resulting from user activation can also vary depending upon the parent container classtype.

Abstract: A system and method that allows an administrator to provide application extensions in a platform-neutral shell environment is provided. The administrator defines a graphical interface, such as an icon, used to launch the platform dependent software application. The administrator centrally manages the application extensions by defining the extension and including the extension definition in self-contained desktops. The administrator defines the executables and directories used to launch the corresponding application. The administrator selects desktop components, including application extensions, needed for a particular job role and packages the components into the self-contained desktop package file. The desktop packages and included application extensions are received and loaded on a platform-neutral desktop shell application. The shell application exists in a platform-neutral environment such as a Java virtual machine.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a platform-neutral shell application for a user interface is provided. The platform neutral shell application is performed in a way that prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system. The desktop shell application executes in a middleware application. The operating system residing on the client computer system is booted. The middleware application is loaded on the operating system platform. The middleware application is programmed for the particular operating system being used by the client. The shell application is loaded on the middleware application. The shell application prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system by maximizing the window in which the shell application is running, pinning the shell application window to the foreground, and removing controls from the desktop window would otherwise allow the user to bypass the desktop shell.

Abstract: A system and method in which a graphical component determines its appearance and runtime behavior based upon the type of container to which it belongs is provided. The container type corresponds to an implementation construct such as a class in C++ and Java, or a struct in C. This implementation construct is referred to as the classtype. The graphical component determines the classtype of it's parent container at runtime and dynamically alters its appearance and behavior based upon a programmatic heuristic or a configuration file. For example, a smart graphical component placed inside of a container with a classtype of “desktop” may display descriptive text, however, the same component may not display the descriptive text when in a toolbar. Runtime behavior may also be determined based upon the classtype of the parent container. Component behavior resulting from user activation can also vary depending upon the parent container classtype.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically generating code, in particular high level source code for remotely accessing functionality running in a remote process is provided. Given a specified set of functionality, which may be defined via an interface, for providing functionality to a local process, the mechanism generates, in source code form, software for remotely accessing the functionality by an application running in another process, that is, for accessing the functionality by an application running a second process. The code may be generated at build time but before the actual build of a software product implementing the functionality.

Abstract: A system and method in which a graphical component determines its appearance and runtime behavior based upon the type of container to which it belongs is provided. The container type corresponds to an implementation construct such as a class in C++ and Java, or a struct in C. This implementation construct is referred to as the classtype. The graphical component determines the classtype of its parent container at runtime and dynamically alters its appearance and behavior based upon a programmatic heuristic or a configuration file. For example, a smart graphical component placed inside of a container with a classtype of “desktop” may display descriptive text, however, the same component may not display the descriptive text when in a toolbar. Runtime behavior may also be determined based upon the classtype of the parent container. Component behavior resulting from user activation can also vary depending upon the parent container classtype.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling vehicle operation based on a driver's facial expressions and physical state are provided. In particular, a system and method for differentiating between different types of emergency situations and applying an appropriate set of safety operations to ensure the safety of the driver, any other passengers, and others outside the vehicle are provided. With the system and method, facial expression recognition is used to distinguish between different types of emergency situations. For each of these emergency situations, a predetermined set of safety operations may be established. Once a particular emergency situation is detected based on the facial expression recognition, the corresponding set of safety operations are applied by sending appropriate control signals to vehicle control systems to cause the operation of the vehicle to be modified.

Abstract: Searching for information in a distributed data processing system, including providing a semantics-based search index by storing in the semantics-bases search index search keywords from documents according to semantics from selected document structure templates, the document structure templates selected in dependence upon the structures of the documents and upon model document structures in the document structure templates; establishing a search scope corresponding to semantics supported by the semantics-based search index; receiving from a client a search query message comprising search terms and, optionally, the search scope; retrieving, from the semantics-based search index, index entries satisfying the search terms and the search scope; creating from the retrieved index entries a search result message; and transmitting the search result message to the client.

Abstract: Indexing information in a distributed data processing system, including providing document structure templates comprising model document structures and semantics for the model document structures; identifying the structure of a document; selecting a document structure template in dependence upon the structure of the document and the model document structures in the document structure templates; and storing search keywords from the document in records in a semantics-based search index according to the semantics from the selected document structure template. Selecting a document structure template in dependence upon the structure of the document and the model document structures in the document structure templates typically further comprises comparing the structure of the document and the model document structures in the templates; and selecting a template whose model document structure matches the structure of the document.

Abstract: A system and method that allows an administrator to provide application extensions in a platform-neutral shell environment is provided. The administrator defines a graphical interface, such as an icon, used to launch the platform dependent software application. The administrator centrally manages the application extensions by defining the extension and including the extension definition in self-contained desktops. The administrator defines the executables and directories used to launch the corresponding application. The administrator selects desktop components, including application extensions, needed for a particular job role and packages the components into the self-contained desktop package file. The desktop packages and included application extensions are received and loaded on a platform-neutral desktop shell application. The shell application exists in a platform-neutral environment such as a Java virtual machine.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a platform-neutral shell application for a user interface is provided. The platform neutral shell application is performed in a way that prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system. The desktop shell application executes in a middleware application. The operating system residing on the client computer system is booted. The middleware application is loaded on the operating system platform. The middleware application is programmed for the particular operating system being used by the client. The shell application is loaded on the middleware application. The shell application prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system by maximizing the window in which the shell application is running, pinning the shell application window to the foreground, and removing controls from the desktop window would otherwise allow the user to bypass the desktop shell.

Abstract: A system and method that centrally manages desktop packages is provided. The administrator assigns applications to users and workstations. The administrator selects desktop components needed for a particular job role and packages the components into a self-contained desktop package file. The self-contained desktop package is sent to a user that is using a particular workstation. Roles that are allowed for both the workstation and the user are enabled to be used by the user using the workstation. In one embodiment, the components are packaged in different sets of self-contained desktop packages, with each package corresponding to a different role. In one embodiment, the self-contained desktop package files are transmitted to a user when the user logs into the network using a particular workstation.

Abstract: A system and method in which a graphical component determines its appearance and runtime behavior based upon the type of container to which it belongs is provided. The container type corresponds to an implementation construct such as a class in C++ and Java, or a struct in C. This implementation construct is referred to as the classtype. The graphical component determines the classtype of it's parent container at runtime and dynamically alters its appearance and behavior based upon a programmatic heuristic or a configuration file. For example, a smart graphical component placed inside of a container with a classtype of “desktop” may display descriptive text, however, the same component may not display the descriptive text when in a toolbar. Runtime behavior may also be determined based upon the classtype of the parent container. Component behavior resulting from user activation can also vary depending upon the parent container classtype.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of providing a user-configurable desktop are provided. The system, apparatus and method include allowing a user to specify a desktop configuration to use from a plurality of configurations and displaying the desktop using the user-specified configuration. The plurality of desktop configurations contain each at least one icon and a text label describing the icon. In each configuration, the text label is placed at a different location relative to the icon. In the case where a configuration is not specified, a default one is used when displaying the desktop. When a desktop that has more than one icon is displayed, all the icons are placed at the same relative location in their respective windows and the text label for each icon is placed at the location specified by the option.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of configuring a desktop based on text labels' directional properties are provided. The desktop includes a plurality of icons associated each with a text label. The text labels are used to describe the icons. The system, apparatus and method entail determining the directional property of the text labels and configuring the desktop based on the determined directional property. A different configuration is used for each different directional property. For example, if the directional property of the text labels is from left-to-right a first configuration is used. If instead the directional property of the text labels is right-to-left, a second configuration is used. Further, if the directional property of the text labels is top-to-bottom a third configuration is used.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically generating code, in particular high level source code for remotely accessing functionality running in a remote process is provided. Given a specified set of functionality, which may be defined via an interface, for providing functionality to a local process, the mechanism generates, in source code form, software for remotely accessing the functionality by an application running in another process, that is, for accessing the functionality by an application running a second process. The code may be generated at build time but before the actual build of a software product implementing the functionality.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for presenting web content according to a determined learning style is provided. Specifically, an updatable presentation profile will be developed for a user based on previous and current navigational choices made by the user. Once developed, the profile can be manipulated based on an algorithm to determine the user's learning style. Then, any web content corresponding to a current navigational choice made by the user will be presented in a format that best pertains to the user's learning style.