Abstract: Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically and dynamically adjusting travel arrangements based on changes to a traveler's itinerary are provided. With the system and method, a traveler makes initial travel arrangements and stores information regarding these travel arrangements in a travel itinerary database. The itinerary is then registered with a dynamic itinerary monitoring system. The dynamic itinerary monitoring system monitors all registered active itineraries by comparing information gathered regarding the current travel conditions of the traveler to the itinerary information stored in the travel itinerary database. If there are discrepancies between the current travel conditions and the established itinerary, the dynamic itinerary monitoring system determines how to resolve these discrepancies based on a traveler defined rule set.

Abstract: A parking management system is provided for optimizing parking situations based on preferences of individual drivers. A surveyor collects parking information, which identifies whether or not parking spaces are occupied by a vehicle. Parking information may be collected by sensors located near or within the parking spaces themselves. The parking information is stored in a parking data structure, such as a database, which also stores properties for the spaces. A profile data structure, such as a database, contains profiles for users of the parking structure. The parking management system identifies a user and retrieves the profile of the user from the profile data structure. The parking management system then searches the parking data structure for available spots and selects a spot or set of spots that most closely match the user's preferences. The parking management system then presents the spot of set of spots to the driver.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for allocating meeting room resources. A database of meeting room resources is provided. The database includes attributes describing physical characteristics of each meeting room in the meeting room resources. A request for a meeting room is received. The request includes at set of attributes. A determination is made as to whether the meeting room meeting the set of attributes is available. In response to a determination that the meeting room is available, the meeting room is allocated to a user.

Abstract: A transliteration mechanism is provided that allows a user to view a text in one Indian language, to highlight a word or phrase, and to easily transliterate the selected word or phrase into a target language or script. The mechanism may be an application, an applet, or a plug-in to another application, such as a Web browser. The target language and/or script may be stored in a user profile. Preferably, the source language may be any known Indian language in any known script.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for detecting mismatched items purchased together. A data structure includes product information including mismatch information for each product. Mismatch information may be stored as a mismatch list. When-products are selected for purchase, the products are compared to determine whether any one product is identified as a mismatch for any other selected item. If a mismatch is detected, a notification is generated. The data structure may also include match information for each product. Match information may be stored as a match list. If a mismatch is detected, a corresponding item in the match list may be suggested to the purchaser. Location or direction information may also be presented to the purchaser to locate the matching item.