Abstract: Systems and methods for automating the process of recording, indexing, and searching computer activity are provided. Events resulting from computer activities trigger capturing of contents and association of operational contextual information to form a searchable record of activities. The searchable record can be stored in local computer for use by its user, or on server computer, such as can be used for a tutorial by multiple users. Storage management can be used to manage the storage requirements of the captured information forming the searchable record.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptive remote decision making includes steps of: receiving from an application layer a target range for a level of reporting quality for processed data; setting data collection parameters to meet the target range; collecting the data from a plurality of remote data collecting devices deployed in the distributed computing system, a portion of said data being compromised during the collecting process; processing the collected data to produce the processed data; evaluating the processed data based on observable metrics of current collected data and reported data losses; forecasting an expected reporting quality while continuing to collect the data; comparing the expected reporting quality with the target range; and reporting the processed data when the expected reporting quality falls within the target range for the level of reporting quality.

Abstract: Provides methods and apparatus for accessing and controlling services, such as home automation services, visually employing established wireless, cellular telecommunication technologies for voice communications. In example embodiments, users of personal portable devices connect to services over dial-up, wireless, cellular, circuit-switched voice telephone networks, receive and display listings of available services and use these listings to access and manipulate the services.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a selective instrumentation strategy for monitoring the progress of transactions in a distributed computing system. The monitoring of the transactive processing of jobs is considered through a collection of computer operating stages in a distributed system, using limited information. The monitoring is performed by observing log records (or footprints) produced during each stage of processing in the system. The footprints lack unique transaction identifiers resulting in uncertainties in monitoring transaction instances. The processing stages are selective instrumented to reduce monitoring uncertainty under the given constraints such as limited budget for instrumentation cost.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for dynamically adjusting the workload of an active resource associated with at least one parent workload group. The parent workload group includes a collection of workload units, with each associated to a key identifier such that workload units belonging to the parent workload group share an identical sequence of values at a specified depth value of the key identifier. The active resource independently determines whether an overload condition exists. If an overload condition exists, the depth value of the parent workload group is increased. The active resource may also consolidate a workload group if an under-load condition exists. Dynamically adjusting the workload of an active resource can be used as part of a method or system to dynamically adjust the workload of a distributed computing application across a dynamically varying set of active resources, and subsequently redirecting entities to the dynamically changing target resource.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of automated vehicle traffic management systems by providing a solution for predicting and avoiding traffic congestion before the congestion is experienced. The invention includes a decentralized mechanism for predicting congestion. An exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a system of sensors to determine current traffic flow; the sensors communicate their state to a network of servers and then an algorithm is applied to the collected data to predict traffic congestion; upon detection of congestion, signals are communicated to the system controllers to prevent the traffic congestion.

Abstract: A routing element and method for forwarding multicast traffic in a network includes grouping a collection of path-related multicast information flows from a source and associating each information flow of the collection with a multicast address from a set of multicast addresses. Forwarding information is placed in routers within the network between the sources and destinations wherein the forwarding information includes a single entry in a forwarding table using an identifier, e.g., a representative address, for the collection.

Abstract: A method of analyzing log data related to a software application includes: selectively collecting data log entries that are related to the application; agnostically categorizing the data log entries; and associating the categories of the data log entries with one or more operational states of a model.

Abstract: A method of updating prices, includes automatically and continually adjusting prices of goods and services provided by a company through local outlets located across a geographic area, including activating trigger sources, the trigger sources including static and dynamic causes, inputting additional parameters, the parameters including a competitor's name, location, price of an item, a time and date, and an observed popularity of an item, storing the additional parameters in a historical database, making dynamic decisions for adjusting the prices across the local outlets based on the trigger sources and the additional parameters, the making dynamic decisions being based on the trigger sources, the additional parameters, and company selected criteria, which includes revenue targets, market conditions, market forecasts, and historical data, automatically adjusting a price of goods and services provided by the company.

Abstract: A method for implementing vehicle diagnostics includes: receiving one or more sound signals from a series of sensors distributed and positioned in various operational areas of a vehicle; recording the one or more sound signals in response to a command generated by an operator of the vehicle; storing the one or more sound signals in persistent memory; processing the one or more sound signals; and selecting one or more of the processed sound signals for audio playback in response to a user command; and wherein the audio playback is configured to assist in the diagnosis and prevention of vehicle faults and component defects.

Abstract: A method for switching channels on a video playback device, the device receiving content from a plurality of channels transmitted by a digital video distribution network, the method including establishing a context for selecting additional channels; receiving a selection for another channel; updating the context with the selection; and transmitting the selection to the device and providing the additional channels for fast channel switching.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing automated configuration of computing devices. More particularly, principles of the invention may use anticipated context to precondition a device whose operational mode is alterable via computer controllable operations. Anticipated context may be affected by any number of parameters including, but not limited to, current location, time of day, destination end-point, e.g., phone number to be called, past history, subscription rate plans, power requirements of device, application demands with respect to quality-of-service (QoS), security, calendar information, and so on. Further, principles of the invention may use locally derived knowledge about the intended use of a device and dynamically enable it in a desirable mode of operation using locally reachable configuration parameters stored in advance based on the anticipated context for the operation of the device.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically designing an application-requirement based configuration for a distributed computing system are provided. One or more application-level templates are obtained, wherein the one or more templates are representative of one or more requirements associated with one or more applications. Using the one or more application-level templates, one or more logical flows are created. The one or more logical flows are then used to generate one or more system-level configuration plans of the distributed computing system.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of automated vehicle traffic management systems by providing a solution for predicting and avoiding traffic congestion before the congestion is experienced. The invention includes a decentralized mechanism for predicting congestion. An exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a system of sensors to determine current traffic flow; the sensors communicate their state to a network of servers and then an algorithm is applied to the collected data to predict traffic congestion; upon detection of congestion, signals are communicated to the system controllers to prevent the traffic congestion.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing automated configuration of computing devices. More particularly, principles of the invention may use anticipated context to precondition a device whose operational mode is alterable via computer controllable operations. Anticipated context may be affected by any number of parameters including, but not limited to, current location, time of day, destination end-point, e.g., phone number to be called, past history, subscription rate plans, power requirements of device, application demands with respect to quality-of-service (QoS), security, calendar information, and so on. Further, principles of the invention may use locally derived knowledge about the intended use of a device and dynamically enable it in a desirable mode of operation using locally reachable configuration parameters stored in advance based on the anticipated context for the operation of the device.

Abstract: The invention addresses the disadvantage of automated vehicle traffic management systems by providing a solution for predicting and avoiding traffic congestion before the congestion is experienced. The invention includes a decentralized mechanism for predicting congestion. An exemplary embodiment of the invention uses a system of sensors to determine current traffic flow; the sensors communicate their state to a network of servers and then an algorithm is applied to the collected data to predict traffic congestion; upon detection of congestion, signals are communicated to the system controllers to prevent the traffic congestion.

Abstract: A method and a system for automated verification and status identification (context) of objects using data about the objects captured via computer-enabled sensing elements are provided. The object may include goods tagged with electronic identifiers. The objects are shipped from one location to another, and identified via their electronic identifiers. The objects are scanned at the various locations by a number of sensing devices. The outcome of sensing is then compared with stored information describing the object and pointed at by their electronic identifier. The comparison is used to automatically verify that the scanned object is as identified and evaluate its condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus to protect user privacy while accessing information in public places, using both public and personal devices. This is achieved by employing a mechanism that prevents private information from being displayed on public devices. Instead, this type of information is made available only to a user's personal device(s) that the user carries and/or trusts. An example embodiment of the invention shows relevant parts of the information content, referred to also as information documents or simply documents, to multiple devices based on privacy level and user preferences. Embodiments of the present invention also provide personalized services based on privacy levels defined by users. These users can for example be customers of a retail store. The service provided is sometimes also based on user history of accessing information documents. It permits personalized information to be sent to a customer's personal device.

Abstract: A method and a system for automated verification and status identification (context) of objects using data about the objects captured via computer-enabled sensing elements are provided. The object may include goods tagged with electronic identifiers. The objects are shipped from one location to another, and identified via their electronic identifiers. The objects are scanned at the various locations by a number of sensing devices. The outcome of sensing is then compared with stored information describing the object and pointed at by their electronic identifier. The comparison is used to automatically verify that the scanned object is as identified and evaluate its condition.

Abstract: Provides methods and apparatus for offering tiered application services for access to network services on a pay-per-use basis in public access networks. Using personal devices, the user can access different tiers of application services on demand, without the need of any preexisting association, e.g., subscription, with the service provider of the wireless access system. Such on-demand access is obtained by providing a variety of personal identifiers, such as a credit card number or frequent flier identification. Moreover, the service offering allows a user through a personal device to modify, enhance or degrade the currently established tier of application services during the lifetime of the user's association with the access network. A network-level enforcement mechanism at access points within the access network ensures user access only to application services within the application service tier that they have paid for, and deny service accesses not within that tier.