Abstract: Aging of avatars and objects toward eventual removal or removal from the displayed virtual universe through enabling the setting of defined parameters for the aging of said avatars and objects toward eventual removal of said avatars and objects from said virtual universe space; and predetermining a set of events, the occurrence of any one of which events would modify the aging of selected avatars and objects.

Abstract: An approach is provided that that uses an electronic multi-touch floor covering that has numerous sensors to identify shapes. The electronic multi-touch floor covering identifies a shape of an object that is in contact with the surface of the electronic multi-touch floor covering. An entity record is then retrieved from a data store, such as a database, with the retrieved entity record corresponding to the identified shape. Actions are then retrieved from a second data store with the actions corresponding to the retrieved entity record. The retrieved actions are then executed by the computer system.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product for instantiating and executing a bot on an interface system are disclosed. A bot is an agent for the user and includes an animated visual personification. The system includes an interface system including a graphical user interface, a system for instantiating a bot and displaying the bot on the graphical user interface, and a command processing system for causing the bot to execute one of a plurality of actions in response to a user command. The plurality of actions includes at least one local capability and at least one remote capability. The at least one remote capability also includes a system for transferring the bot to a second interface at a remote location.

Abstract: A game manager receives a request from a user to play a cue sport, which includes a table and a plurality of balls. The game manager retrieves user attributes corresponding to the user that include a user skill level. Next, the game manager detects ball locations for each of the plurality of balls, and determines one or more beginning shot opportunities based upon the user skill level and the plurality of ball locations. In turn, the game manager provides the beginning shot opportunities to the user.

Abstract: One or more alcohol inputs are received at the interactive system. Each of the alcohol inputs corresponds to an alcoholic beverage to be consumed by a consumer. The system calculates an estimated blood-alcohol level of the consumer based on the alcohol inputs. The estimated blood-alcohol level is compared with one or more alcohol impairment limits retrieved from an electronic data store. If the comparison reveals that the consumer might be impaired, an alert is automatically signaled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use in association with a computer operated interactive device having a surface, wherein the interactive device is responsive to contact between its surface and persons or objects, and is adapted to selectively display images upon its surface. One embodiment, comprising a method, includes enabling the interactive device to access specified information pertaining to the user. Also, the device is selectively configured for interaction with a user, during a time related to performance of a specified activity. The method further includes using at least some of the specified user information to determine the orientation of the user with respect to a reference position of the surface, at a time related to performance of the specified activity. The method also includes performing a task, wherein performance of the task is related to the determined user orientation.

Abstract: A system for preventing unauthorized viewing of content displayed on a computer display is presented. Once the system is activated, a computer user's eyes are tracked. If some source of interruption enters the vicinity of the user, the computer user will reflexively glance or look at the distraction, which accordingly results in the user removing his focus from the content on the computer display. As the user's focus is diverted from the display due to the interruption, the eye tracking detects this. In response to the detected removal of focus, the computer display is locked out extremely rapidly such that the content is no longer displayed.

Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides an intelligent prediction approach for populating and depopulating multiple applications at the system level across applications. The detection and management of user behavior patterns to anticipate the user's next request is provided. Further the present invention is to account for a situation to relate dynamically to user behavior and where that user behavior changes to adjust so as to more accurately set forth a desired result for a user of the present invention. The present invention in various implementations provides an intelligent prediction scheme for populating and depopulating multiple applications at the system level across a diversity of applications.

Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides an intelligent prediction approach for populating and depopulating multiple applications at the system level across applications. The detection and management of user behavior patterns to anticipate the user's next request is provided. Further the present invention is to account for a situation to relate dynamically to user behavior and where that user behavior changes to adjust so as to more accurately set forth a desired result for a user of the present invention. The present invention in various implementations provides an intelligent prediction scheme for populating and depopulating multiple applications at the system level across a diversity of applications.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing a game console with motion sensing technology is provided. The present invention, in various implementations, provides for a method for generating one or more symbols in response to one or more gestures using an input device of a gaming system. The method comprises providing the input device being capable of generating one or more gesture signals in response to one or more gestures and being operable to select a mode of one or more operational states. The method also provides for generating one or more gesture signals corresponding to the one or more gestures, respectively; mapping the one or more generated gesture signals in relation to one or more symbols, respectively; and, transmitting the one or more symbols corresponding to the respective one or more gesture signals to an output.

Abstract: A method and system of utilizing a game console with motion sensing technology is provided. The present invention, in various implementations, provides for a method for generating one or more symbols in response to one or more gestures using an input device of a gaming system. The method comprises providing the input device being capable of generating one or more gesture signals in response to one or more gestures and being operable to select a mode of one or more operational states. The method also provides for generating one or more gesture signals corresponding to the one or more gestures, respectively; mapping the one or more generated gesture signals in relation to one or more symbols, respectively; and, transmitting the one or more symbols corresponding to the respective one or more gesture signals to an output.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing a game console and an input device is disclosed. The method and system comprise mapping commands to system directives of the game console and generating an input signal having predefined characteristics corresponding to the input device being utilized to engage the system directives. The method and system include performing system functions using an input controller associated with the input device after the system directives are engaged.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for enhancing the computer screen security. The gaze of a user on a screen is tracked. The locations of the screen other than the location of the gaze of the user are distorted. Information is displayed in an area on the screen (“content area”) at the location of the user's gaze. Upon receiving input (e.g., audio, touch, key sequences) from the user to tune the content area on the screen to display information, the received input is mapped to a command for tuning the content area on the screen to display the information. The content area is then reconfigured in accordance with the user's request. By allowing the content area to be customized by the user, the security is enhanced by allowing the user to control what information is to be kept private.

Abstract: A way of delivering recipe preparation instruction to disabled individuals is provided using an interactive cooking preparation device. The device retrieves an instruction delivery preference that corresponds to a user with a disability, such as a hearing or sight disability. The user then selects a recipe from list of recipes. Preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. The retrieved preparation steps are provided to the user using the interactive cooking preparation device that provides the preparation steps in an alternative delivery mode based on the user's delivery preference.

Abstract: An interactive cooking preparation device is presented. The user places ingredients that the user wishes to use in a recipe. The interactive cooking preparation device detects the ingredients placed by the user in the detection area of the interactive cooking preparation device using sensors. The detection results in a set of ingredient identifiers that correspond to the placed ingredients. A recipes database is then searched for the detected set of ingredient identifiers. The database search results in one or more suggested recipes. The suggested recipes are displayed to the user on a display device that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user then selects one of the suggested recipes.

Abstract: An interactive cooking preparation device that includes a flexible horizontal display surface is presented. A set of actuators located under the flexible horizontal display surface that, when activated, cause a tactile sensation on the display surface. A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. A set of preparation steps that correspond to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store. Each of the preparation steps are displayed to the user on the flexible horizontal surface display. A current preparation step that is being performed by the user is identified. The user is directed to an area of the interactive cooking preparation device using a tactile feedback mechanism. The tactile feedback mechanism causes a physical sensation on the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device. The physical sensation is felt by the user when the user is touching the surface of the interactive cooking preparation device.

Abstract: An interactive cooking device is provided. A user selects a recipe from a list of available recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store along with a set of ingredients. The retrieved preparation steps are sequentially displaying to the user on a display that is included in the interactive cooking preparation device. The user's preparation actions are monitored, using one or more sensors. Gestures that correspond to the current preparation step are retrieved from the data store along with thresholds that correspond to each of the gestures. The user's actions are compared to the retrieved gestures using the retrieved thresholds. If the user's actions vary from the gestures by more than the thresholds, an alert is generated. The user is then provided with a suggested course of correction.

Abstract: A user selects a recipe from a list of recipes. Preparation steps corresponding to the selected recipe are retrieved from a data store, such as a database. Each of the retrieved preparation steps is displayed sequentially to the user on a horizontal surface display that is included in an interactive cooking preparation device. During at least one preparation step, a selected kitchen appliance is identified, such as a configurable burner surface. The identified preparation step also includes one or more appliance parameters that correspond to the selected kitchen appliance. The selected kitchen appliance is controlled by sending one or more signals from the interactive cooking preparation device to the selected kitchen appliance. At least one of the signals sent to the appliance includes one of the appliance parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing document-specific widgets in an application program. An application program is launched in a digital device. A document is opened in the application program. Configuration data pertaining to document-specific widgets to be included in the application program user interface is loaded. The document-specific widgets are specific to the opened document. Each document-specific widget defining a document-specific operation to be performed with respect to the document upon activation by a user The document-specific widgets are displayed in the application program user interface and the opened document is displayed to a user of the digital device in accordance with the configuration data.

Abstract: The distribution of audio signals to either a headset or to a base unit (such as a cell phone) is determined by whether the headset is ready for use when a call is made or received. The headset is considered ready for use if it is powered on, has been initialized to exchange signals with the base unit using a standard communications protocol (such as Bluetooth), and is in place on the user's head. The headset includes a proximity sensor that provides a signal indicating that the headset is in place. If the headset is ready for use, audio signals are automatically distributed to the headset. Otherwise, the audio signals were distributed to a cell phone audio system. The invention may also be used by a personal computer user having an audio headset.