Abstract: A technique for limiting remote control of a computer system includes receiving user input via an input device associated with the computer system. The user input is encoded, at the input device, using a first coding procedure to provide an encoded signal, which is communicated to an input queue of the computer system. The encoded signal is then decoded, at the input queue, using the first coding procedure to provide the user input.

Abstract: A method of identifying grouped toolbar icons. An application program displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes multiple toolbar icons. The application iteratively determines whether or not a graphical cursor is in proximity to a first toolbar icon. If the cursor is in proximity to the first icon, the application identifies one or more additional related icons, which are currently displayed and are included in a same pre-defined toolbar icon group as the first icon, and displays a graphical border that surrounds the first icon and the related icons. If the related icons are not adjacent to each other, multiple separate borders are displayed. The application displays a first identification tab in close proximity to the border. The first tab includes a toolbar group name and an icon name of the first icon. The application may also display a second tab that includes descriptive properties of the first icon.

Abstract: A method of enveloping a group of toolbar icons. An application program displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that includes multiple toolbar icons. If a graphical cursor is in proximity to a first toolbar icon, the application displays a graphical border that surrounds the first icon and one or more additional related icons included in a pre-defined toolbar icon group. The application displays a first identification tab that includes a toolbar group name and an icon name. The first tab includes a graphical thumbtack icon that generates a moveable hover window that includes the border, the toolbar icon group, and at least the first tab. The first tab also includes a graphical close icon that removes the moveable hover window from view. The application also displays a second identification tab that includes an icon attribute field corresponding to a current setting of a function of the first icon.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group). “On-demand” expiration and revival are preferably provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for protection of optically encoded content using one or more Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags embedded within one or more optical medias. The solution can include an RFID tag embedded within an optical media that can manage the use of the optically encoded content on the optical media. Protection can include access control of optically encoded media by an optical media drive, progressive content based protection, selective content access and the like. In one embodiment the embedded RFID tag can act independently or in concert with hardware/software security mechanisms associated with an optical media drive to provide security.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for protecting RFID encoded content based upon a spin rate of a media within which an RFID tag containing the content is embedded. The solution can include a step of securing tag encoded content stored on an RFID tag embedded in an optical media. A spin rate the optical media can be determined. The tag encoded content can be selectively unprotected when the detected spin rate is approximately equal to a previously established rate or is between a previously established range of values. The spin rate can be based upon a rotational velocity of the optical media and/or a rotational acceleration of the optical media.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving management of user information in instant messaging systems. Expiration criteria are defined, whereby one or more users or user groups may be considered as having “expired” from consideration by instant messaging functions such as presence determination. In particular, instant messaging activity is preferably used as an expiration criterion. Absence of inbound or outbound messages for a specified amount of time (or since a particular date/time) can therefore be used as a trigger for treating a user or group of users as expired. As a result, efficiency of an instant messaging system is improved by omitting the expired users and groups from subsequent management operations. Optionally, an expired user or group may be revived upon occurrence of certain events (such as a newly-arriving instant message from, or a change in presence status of, the user or group). “On-demand” expiration and revival are preferably provided as well.

Abstract: A system and method for managing non-user initiated focus changes in a computing device detects, in one embodiment, an operating system generated message indicating a focus change from a first window to a second window. Once detected, user input is inhibited for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is configurable by the user. After the predetermined time elapses, subsequent user input is permitted to be sent to the second window, which has the focus.

Abstract: A system and method for managing non-user initiated focus changes in a computing device detects, in one embodiment, an operating system generated message indicating a focus change from a first window to a second window. Once detected, user input is inhibited for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is configurable by the user. After the predetermined time elapses, subsequent user input is permitted to be sent to the second window, which has the focus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for firmware network device firmware cloning arc described herein. Exemplary embodiments include firmware cloning systems and methods, including a means for reading firmware code stored in a network device for and copying the firmware code to another network device. In a blade server environment, a firmware-cloning utility is stored in a non-volatile memory of each network device. The firmware-cloning utility becomes a component of the actual firmware. The firmware-cloning utility allows firmware to be installed directly from one network device's non-volatile memory to another network device.

Abstract: A method for managing sleep modes in an ecosystem of components, the method includes: receiving an inactivity signal from at least one component in the ecosystem of components, the inactivity signal indicating that a predefined period of inactivity has been exceeded for that component; sending a sleep command to one or more components in the ecosystem in response to the inactivity signal, thereby establishing a sleep mode in the one or more components; subsequent to establishing the sleep mode, detecting activity in one or more of the one or more components through an awake signal received therefrom; sending an awake message to the one or more components in response to the awake signal, thereby terminating the sleep mode in the one or more components; wherein the sleep mode shuts off defined non-essential features within the one or more components, while maintaining defined essential processing tasks associated with of the one or more components placed into the sleep mode.

Abstract: The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided by securing display of sensitive messages to prevent third parties from viewing sensitive content. For one or more incoming messages designated as sensitive, substitute content to be displayed in place of sensitive content is received from a message recipient. Alternatively or additionally, an indicia to be displayed with any incoming message designated as sensitive is received from the message recipient. A message having sensitive content is designated as sensitive by a sender, a recipient, or an intermediate system. Upon receipt of a message designated as sensitive, a message window is displayed that includes substitute content different from the sensitive content. The substitute content includes an indicia that the sensitive content is not displayed.

Abstract: Detecting wear through use of information-transmitting devices. At least one information-transmitting wireless device is provided for each of one or more wear positions of an item, wherein each of the devices is adapted for transmitting information to a reader, such that each of the devices can transmit information usable for detecting wear of the item as the item wears. When using a plurality of devices for a particular wear position, the devices may be stacked or placed in a depth-wise, end-to-end arrangement. As another alternative, a single device having a plurality of separable areas may be provided for each of one or more wear positions. As yet another alternative, a single device may be provided for each of one or more wear positions such that its failure to transmit indicates wear at the corresponding wear position. An information-transmitting device may become damaged or missing, due to item wear, and an RFID reader may therefore be unable to scan (i.e., receive data from) the device.

Abstract: Search results are organized by grouping child search results with associated parent search terms. Search results are retrieved from a search of an electronic database based on at least one parent search term. At least one child search result in generated that is associated with the parent search term. The generated child search result is grouped with the associated parent search term, and the grouping of the generated child search result with the associated parent search term is presented in a list. Child search results are generated and grouped with associated parent search terms, and the groupings of the generated child results with the associated parent search terms are presented for successively retrieved search results based on parent search terms. Each grouping of child search results with associated parent search terms remains on the list with each successive search.

Abstract: Software and hardware user preferences of a communication device are automatically adapted for different networks. Communication is initiated between a communication device and a first network. The communication is detected, the first network is identified, and the software and hardware preferences are automatically set in the communication device, as predetermined by the user for the first network. For communication with a second network, the communication between the communication device and the first network is suspended, and communication is initiated between the communication device and the second network. The communication between the communication device and the second network is detected, the second network is identified, and the software and hardware preferences of the communication device are automatically adapted to software and hardware preferences, as predetermined by the user for the second network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a cellular phone gateway. Exemplary embodiments include cellular gateway systems and methods, including a cellular phone, a cellular tower and a cellular gateway device disposed between the cellular phone and the cellular tower, the gateway device establishing a connection between the cellular phone and the cellular device in response to a failed connection between the cellular phone and the cellular tower.

Abstract: A computer program product and method for providing a central server having a plurality of displays with consistent displays of graphical content are presented and calls for inputting preferences; polling baseboard management controllers; and formulating the consistent displays of graphical content to provide the consistent displays of graphical content.

Abstract: Task switching among windows on a graphical user interface. Responsive to user action (such as simultaneously pressing the ALT and TAB keys), a task selection window is displayed in which an iconic representation is provided for a plurality of windows, including at least one child window, and the iconic representations are arranged according to how recently the associated window had focus. Responsive to user action (such as pressing the TAB key while the ALT key remains depressed), a selection indicator moves through the selectable iconic representations in the order of the recency of the focus.

Abstract: Detecting wear through use of information-transmitting devices. At least one information-transmitting wireless device is provided for each of one or more wear positions of an item, wherein each of the devices is adapted for transmitting information to a reader, such that each of the devices can transmit information usable for detecting wear of the item as the item wears. When using a plurality of devices for a particular wear position, the devices may be stacked or placed in a depth-wise, end-to-end arrangement. As another alternative, a single device having a plurality of separable areas may be provided for each of one or more wear positions. As yet another alternative, a single device may be provided for each of one or more wear positions such that its failure to transmit indicates wear at the corresponding wear position. An information-transmitting device may become damaged or missing, due to item wear, and an RFID reader may therefore be unable to scan (i.e., receive data from) the device.

Abstract: A computer program product for cloning an authentic master firmware to create a child firmware, the instructions for implementing a method include receiving cloning instructions; locating a secure source including the authentic master firmware; and cloning the authentic master firmware to create the child firmware.