Abstract: A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy can include a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and, a hierarchical query processor coupled to the logical contact hierarchy. The hierarchical query processor can be configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in the logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy. A boolean operator further can be programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by the hierarchical query processor.

Abstract: A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy can include a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and, a hierarchical query processor coupled to the logical contact hierarchy. The hierarchical query processor can be configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in the logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy. A boolean operator further can be programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by the hierarchical query processor.

Abstract: A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy can include a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and, a hierarchical query processor coupled to the logical contact hierarchy. The hierarchical query processor can be configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in the logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy. A boolean operator further can be programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by the hierarchical query processor.

Abstract: A first and second data handling systems provides for shared resources in a docked mobile environment. The first data handling system maintains a set of execution tasks within the first data handling system having a system dock interface to physically couple to the second data handling system. The first data handling system assigns a task to be executed by the second data handling system while the two systems are physically coupled.

Abstract: Sharing resources in a docked mobile environment comprises maintaining a set of execution tasks within a first data handling system having a system dock interface to physically couple to a second data handling system and assigning a task to be executed by the second data handling system while the two systems are physically coupled. The described method further comprises detecting a physical decoupling of the first and second data handling systems and displaying an execution result of the task via a first display element of the first data handling system in response to such a detection.

Abstract: A system for matching nearest contacts in a logical contact hierarchy can include a logical contact hierarchy disposed in a database; and, a hierarchical query processor coupled to the logical contact hierarchy. The hierarchical query processor can be configured to produce a closest matching contact from among contacts in the logical contact hierarchy based upon a specified anchor contact in the logical contact hierarchy. A boolean operator further can be programmed to select a closest matching contact based upon a boolean expression operating upon multiple closest matching contacts produced by the hierarchical query processor.

Abstract: In a typical computer network, at least some of the managed resources are monitored to determine whether those resources are meeting predetermined performance goals or service level objectives. To simplify the process of configuring a network monitor, information about the service level objectives is loaded into the resource itself. When the resource is detected, the service level objective information is extracted from the resource information and made available to a translating engine. The translating engine converts the extracted information to monitoring directions that are used to configure the network monitor. Embodiments in which new resources are detected either buying a registration process or a polling process are described.

Abstract: Described is a method for administering an online conference. The method includes receiving an electronic communication from a conference participant. A group is determined to be associated with the conference participant. An action is performed on the conference participant based on the group association.

Abstract: Described is a conference management system for administering an online conference. The conference management system receives an electronic communication from a conference participant. A group is determined to be associated with the conference participant. An action is performed on the conference participant based on the group association.

Abstract: An intermediary or intermediaries are provided to allow a service requestor to communicate with a service provider according to a service requirement or service policy set forth by the service provider which the service requester is unable to meet directly. To this end, the service requestor determines whether it can communicate with the service provider according to the service requirement. If the service requestor is unable to satisfy the service requirement, but does have some property which is translatable, then the service requestor finds an intermediary that can translate the service requestor's property in order to satisfy the service provider's service requirement. Once the intermediary is found, the service requestor requests translation of its property to satisfy the service provider's service requirement. Thus, the service requestor receives service from the service provider while adhering to the service provider's service policy.

Abstract: Under the present invention, the performance of a set of system resources is monitored in response to incoming request traffic. When a system resource is approaching an overload condition, a corrective action is identified and implemented. Overload thresholds for each system resource and appropriate corrective actions are contained within a management policy. Based on a performance history of the corrective actions, the management policy can be changed/revised.

Abstract: The invention discloses a computer data processing capacity planning system that utilizes known workload planning information along with hardware and/or software configuration information from the actual operating environment to accurately estimate the production system capacity available for use in carrying out one or more processing task(s).

Abstract: A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for indexing commercials. A viewer may query a search engine for a particular product or service. The index may include descriptors that are provided within a blanking interval within the media stream or within program guide information associated with the stream. The index information may also include Internet hyperlinks. Commercials may also have associated therewith a value that is relative to a value of media content. A viewer may accumulate value by viewing advertisements. Accumulated value may then be used to acquire more content.

Abstract: An instant message (IM) connection is established at an IM server in the usual manner, under the policies and security rules promulgated by the IM service provider. Using this connection to the IM server, an offline IM chat request is made at the IM server for establishing an offline connection directly between consenting IM clients. The request may be included in a message to the IM server from a client, or the request may be in the form of IM session parameter, for the client, that authorizes an offline chat as the preferred type of IM session under certain conditions, such as the IM server being unavailable, IM server loading level or other factors that are under the control of the server. The conditions may also specify the presence of other IM clients as a criterion for establishing an offline chat, whether present in an online chat session or merely available.

Abstract: A first and second data handling systems provides for shared resources in a docked mobile environment. The first data handling system maintains a set of execution tasks within the first data handling system having a system dock interface to physically couple to the second data handling system. The first data handling system assigns a task to be executed by the second data handling system while the two systems are physically coupled.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for autonomically assisting in the creation of an administrative policy. The method can include detecting a stimuli in a system under study and monitoring a response by a systems administrator to the stimuli. The stimuli and the response can be forwarded to a policy maker suited to analyze the stimuli and the response. Also, the policy maker can be queried for a preferred response to the stimuli. Based upon the preferred response to the stimuli, a policy for responding to the stimuli can be formulated. As such, the policy can be enforced in managing the system under study. Moreover, the policy can be forwarded for future consideration to the systems administrator.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for indexing commercials. A viewer may query a search engine for a particular product or service. The index may include descriptors that are provided within a blanking interval within the media stream or within program guide information associated with the stream. The index information may also include Internet hyperlinks. Commercials may also have associated therewith a value that is relative to a value of media content. A viewer may accumulate value by viewing advertisements. Accumulated value may then be used to acquire more content.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for indexing commercials. A viewer may query a search engine for a particular product or service. The index may include descriptors that are provided within a blanking interval within the media stream or within program guide information associated with the stream. The index information may also include Internet hyperlinks. Commercials may also have associated therewith a value that is relative to a value of media content. A viewer may accumulate value by viewing advertisements. Accumulated value may then be used to acquire more content.

Abstract: An autonomic component installation system. The system can include a catalog of host components installed within a computing system and an autonomic installer coupled to the catalog and programmed to determine, when installing an upgraded component, whether the upgraded component provides component capabilities required by the host components in the catalog. The catalog can include both host components and respective publicly accessible data, method implementations and method prototypes provided by the host components. Consequently, the autonomic installer can determine whether the upgraded component will have access to required publicly accessible data and method implementations. The autonomic installer further can be configured to determine whether modifications included in the upgraded component have caused changes in associated method prototypes which differ from the method prototypes in the catalog.