Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs. An input device allows the user to add and/or delete songs from this preferred playlist. In an exemplary embodiment, songs playing on several radio stations are monitored and when a song from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station other than the station to which the user is currently tuned, an audio and/or visual signal is provided to alert the user, and the user may change stations manually or tune to the new station automatically.

Abstract: Provided is a computer implemented method, apparatus and computer usable program code for sending alerts. A distributed sensor receives a sound and determines whether the sound matches a preset criterion. If so, the distributed sensor transmits an event to a central portal device.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying emergency responders, family, and other contact parties of an urgent vehicle condition such as a breakdown or crash, by using a short-range wireless communicator mounted on the vehicle to employ a peer-to-peer communications capability to find and co-opt a nearby long-range communication device, such as a Bluetooth enabled phone, which is not mounted on the vehicle, such as a passer's-by telephone. The invention obtains authorization from the co-opted device to use it as a forwarding proxy, and transmits a notification message to one or more parties, such as emergency dispatchers, family members, etc., via the short-range link to the co-opted device, which then transmits the message to the recipient via the long-range network, such as via a telephone network.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an instant messaging contact list. The method includes determining if at least one group member of the instant messaging contact list is active. A timestamp is assigned to the group member based on a determination of activity. It is determined whether the group member is inactive for a predetermined period of time. The instant messaging contact list is updated based on the determination of the inactivity.

Abstract: A method and system of managing an instant messaging contact list. A contact list is provided for each member of a user group. A status update is received relating to a target member. A determination is made whether the target member is contained on at least one user group member's instant messaging contact list based on the status update. The target member is removed from the instant messaging contact list of the at least one user group member based on the determination.

Abstract: A log manager for tracing a user or process in a data processing system is provided. A user inputs various criteria in the log manager, indicating exactly what is to be traced. A tracer key is created based on this information. The tracer key is then transmitted to the appropriate applications in the system, which then gather the relevant information. The applications then forward this information to a log receiver. The receiver stores the information. The log receiver can then produce a trace report for the user at any time the user wishes.

Abstract: The Hyperlinked Document Find Tool (“HDFT”) is a tool for recursively searching textual content of a first file and a hyperlinked file embedded in the first file and stored under the same root directory as the first file. The HDFT selects the first file, enters a search term, searches for the search term in the first file, identifies the hyperlinked file embedded in the first file stored under the same root directory as the first file, and searches for the search term in the hyperlinked file.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs or types of video presentations. An input device allows the user to add or delete items or key words of a song title or video presentation to or from the favorites list. In an exemplary video application, a user is enabled to indicate by using a digital video recorder, a specific type of broadcast such as “Sports” or “Basketball”. In an exemplary radio application, the user is enabled to list songs, or key words of the title if the user is unsure of the exact title, on the preferred playlist. Video signals or songs playing on several channels or stations are monitored and when a listed video type or song having the input key words from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station, the song and the full song title which is acquired from the received broadcast data, are automatically saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing by the user.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to record, for example, a song or other radio and/or video content, on demand, and to account for and process appropriate payment for the use of the recorded content. The recorded material is saved and indexed by title and is retrievable for subsequent review, tabulation and/or playing at the user's convenience. In one example, a user is enabled to record received media content by pressing a single “ADD” button at any time while a favorite song is being received and played. The song then being played together with the title of the song or video presentation are then saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing. The received content is accounted for and tabulated and a payment for the use of the recorded song is processed by the user in accordance with a predetermined payment schedule.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs. An input device allows the user to add and/or delete songs from this preferred playlist. In an exemplary embodiment, songs playing on several radio stations are monitored and when a song from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station other than the station to which the user is currently tuned, an audio and/or visual signal is provided to alert the user, and the user may change stations manually or tune to the new station automatically.

Abstract: A print preparation assistant for a web browser system which allows a user to select multiple links within a top page for printing. The system automatically retrieves the documents and web pages pointed to by the selected links, searches for printer-friendly versions of each document, and prints the collection of retrieved documents, web pages, and printer-friendly versions to a single print job.

Abstract: The invention is an improved integrated development environment (IDE). In particular, the improved IDE comprises a text editor, a source code analyzer, a rule database, and a solution database. The rule database stores source code patterns that represent classes of bugs, while the solution database stores source code patterns that represent corresponding alternative source code that corrects the bugs. The source code analyzer dynamically evaluates source code as a programmer develops the source code in the text editor, periodically comparing source code with the patterns in the rule database. If the source code analyzer matches a pattern with any source code, the source code analyzer displays the corresponding source code pattern from the solution database. The source code analyzer further gives the programmer the option to select the source code pattern from the solution database, at which time the editor changes the source code to conform to the appropriate pattern.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions of generating SQL statements at run time from generic and abstract XML request and response messages is provided. A set of generic and abstract XML schemas are provided for a client to send request XML messages for performing actions on information of objects in a data store. An adaptor processes the request XML messages and generates the SQL statements to submit to the data store. Upon receiving results, the adaptor sends response XML messages that adhere to the generic and abstract XML schemas to the client, which then obtains values of results from response XML message.

Abstract: A method in a data processing system for generating return data responsive to a database request is provided. A response from a data store is detected. A merge reference section in a singleton in-memory object is located. A merge reference of the merge reference section is identified. A reference column from the merge reference is determined and data is merged with the reference column to form a merged value according to an order. The merged value is then placed in the response.

Abstract: A mesh screen capable of providing a barrier for protecting a drainage gutter from ingress of debris; the screen comprising a generally planar sheet of mesh having a first face and a second opposite face; wherein, the first face comprises strands disposed parallel to each other; the second face comprising strands disposed parallel to each other and at an angle other than 90 degrees to the strands on the first face.

Abstract: An automated method for creating only the necessary joins in a SQL query. The present invention comprises a Query Program (QP), a Query Generation Program (QGP), and a Clause Generation Program (CGP). The QP accepts the query fields, filters, and sort criteria from the user, generates the query, sends the query to the database, and displays the query results. The QGP creates the query clause strings and inserts the strings into the SQL template. The QGP generates the SELECT, (filter) WHERE, and ORDER BY clauses. The QGP analyzes each parameter in a parameter list to determine if the parameter is on the added aliases list. If the parameter is not on the added aliases list, the QGP runs the CGP for the parameter. The CGP generates the FROM, JOIN, and (join) WHERE clauses and adds the clauses to the appropriate clause strings.

Abstract: A data dictionary is provided that specifies the entities and corresponding attributes for the application program interface developers to use. An extensible markup language interface is provided for customers to perform operations on the data. Application program interfaces receive extensible markup language requests and generate extensible markup language response documents that may return data from the database. A set of classes is also provided that correspond to the entities that are defined in the data dictionary. These classes define utility methods for use in retrieving data. The application program interface then appends the returned response object at the depth necessary in order to generate an extensible markup language document.