Abstract: A method and data processing system are disclosed for audio media boundary traversal. In one embodiment, the invention transforms a multimedia data stream or file to an audio stream that is understandable to humans and then transforms the audio output back to the original multimedia data stream or file without loss of information. The embodiment processes an input file including both audio or audible, and non-audio components; writes the audio components to an output file; determines locations among the audio components of the non-audio components; transforms the non-audio components to audio components; writes the audio components and the locations of the non-audio components to the output file separately from the audio components; and produces an audio output file. The audio or audible components of the input file remain understandable by humans in the produced output.

Abstract: A confirmation of delivery message display enhancement provides user definable correlation and/or statistical summaries of numerous confirmation of delivery (COD) acknowledgement messages corresponding to requested, automatically generated acknowledgements of receipt of electronic mail messages. The format of the multimedia display is user-definable and selectively provides detail information with expanded icons or overlaid windows. Performance of user specified or default processing of COD information is initiated by receipt of each COD message by the sender and the resulting summary and correlation is displayed at the will of the operator. Animation of display templates is also provided to assist in understanding of patterns of COD messages. A preferred embodiment includes transmission of user-defined information with a message (or local storage thereof) which is accumulated when the information is returned with (or locally accessed in response to) a COD message.

Abstract: A method and data processing system are disclosed for automatically creating voice processing template entries. In one embodiment, the invention automatically assembles a plurality of commands received by the data processing system, at least one of said commands having a voice recognition criteria component associated therewith, counts the occurrences of the plurality of commands, assembles voice recognition criteria components associated with the plurality of commands, and, as a result of the occurrence count exceeding a predefined minimum, constructs a voice recognition template entry by associating the assembled voice recognition criteria components with the assembled plurality of commands.

Abstract: Calendar objects on a data processing system include an item, a due date and a priority value. The objects are reprioritized according to their due dates and priority values. For each object, a difference between the respective due date and a selected date is determined. The selected date is typically the current date. An importance value is determined by combining the difference with the priority value of each object. The objects are sorted and ranked according to their importance values. The sorted objects are then displayed to a user. If the due date is passed the selected date, then a past due notification is provided to the user for that object.

Abstract: A data processing system has a security mechanism to lock up a secured input device, such as a keyboard, after the secured input device has been inactive or unused after a predetermined event, such as the expiration of a period of time, has occurred. Multimedia input devices are used to provide alternatives to the secured input device. Activation of the security mechanism is delayed when using an alternate or multimedia input device by providing an emulating input to the security mechanism. The emulating input simulates an input produced by the secured input device. The emulating input is produced before the predetermined event occurs if the alternate input device has produced an input. Furthermore, some alternate input devices, such as voice recognition systems, have general input properties and provide non-user inputs, such as background noise. Therefore, user inputs are distinguished from non-user inputs so that non-user inputs do not delay activation of the security mechanism.

Abstract: An action contained within an electronic mail object is communicated from a data processing system to another data processing system via an audio device. The action is executable on a data processing system. At the sending data processing system, the action is converted to a predetermined audio pattern. The electronic mail object may contain text in addition to an action. The text is also converted to an audio pattern. The audio patterns are then communicated to the audio device over telephone lines or other communication medium. At the receiving end, the audio device records the object. A user can provide the recorded object to a data processing system, which then executes the action and converts the text audio patterns back to text. In addition, the action can be converted to text and displayed on the data processing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for graphical manipulation of encryption. In one embodiment, the invention provides an encryption work area window within a graphical user interface. A user may encrypt an unencrypted object by dropping an icon associated with the unencrypted object on the encryption work area. An encrypted object located within the encryption work area is decrypted when opened and encrypted when closed. An encrypted object located within the encryption work area is decrypted if it is dragged and dropped outside the encryption work area and decryption is selected; alternatively, the encryption of the encrypted object is maintained if it is dragged and dropped outside the work area and maintain encryption is selected.

Abstract: A network and methodology provides transmission of documents with accompanying translation loss information. The originator of a document translates the document from a native language into a second language capable of reception by a recipient. Loss information is generated and presented to the originator who inputs loss criteria information restricting and/or enforcing specified translations of the document by the recipient. The loss criteria information may be attached to the original document in the native language of the originator and transmitted to the recipient. The document is translated into the second language recognizable by the user based on the loss criteria information attached to the document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing assistance to a user in a distributed data processing system. The distributed data processing system includes a plurality of applications and has a multiple users enrolled therein, wherein a plurality of expert users are present within the multiple users enrolled in the data processing system. Each expert user within has an expertise in a selected area. One of the expert users is selected in response to a request for assistance by a user. The selection of the expert user is based on the context sensitive criteria. Next, a communications channel to the selected expert user is established to provide help to the user.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention permit users to associate conditions of interest, such as keywords or originator identities. In response to the sending of a message, the data processing system determines which user conditions are met by the message input into the system and may associate the identities of such users with the message. In one embodiment, the system returns to the sender of the message the identities of users whose conditions are met by the message. In another embodiment, the system routes the message to users whose conditions are met by the message and, optionally, returns a confirmation of the delivery of the message to the sender. In either embodiment, a user can designate himself as "invisible", so that the system will not report the invisible user's identity to the sender.

Abstract: Multimedia distributions (documents, messages, etc.) on a data processing network are automatically assigned specific attributes based on the specific types of media (audio, text, etc.) contained in the distribution. First, specific attributes are associated with specific types of media. Then, the distribution is searched to determine the types of media contained therein. The attributes that are associated with those types of media present in the distribution are assigned to the distribution. The distribution may contain multiple objects. The search for media types can be limited to those objects in the distribution having predetermined relationships.

Abstract: A method and a data processing apparatus are disclosed for marking characters of a character string, which string is resident in the data processing system. The disclosed invention finds, in the string, a first character that matches a character of a predefined set of characters; as a result of finding the first character, identifies a character predefined as paired with the matched character of the predefined set of characters; finds, in the string, a second character that matches the paired character; and marks the characters of the string between the first character and second character.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention are provided for enhancing the processing of audio messages. A user first creates a plurality of selectable audio messages including standard format salutations, originator identification material or other such messages. The selectable audio messages are then stored within the data processing system. Thereafter, the user may explicitly or automatically designate any of the selectable audio messages to be associated with a primary message. The audio messages are then distributed, utilizing the data processing system, to designated recipients. The recipient may then utilize the associated audio message to derive additional information regarding the originator of the primary message and may also obtain access to a repository of selectable audio messages associated with the originator and request a distribution of any or all of these selectable audio messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for playback conflict detection. In one embodiment, the invention determines a time interval for the playback of the isosynchronous data object, said time interval including both a beginning time and a duration, and determines whether any calendar event falls at least partially within the time interval for playback. The invention may be initiated by opening the isosynchronous data object for playback. The user who requested the playback will be notified of any potential conflict between the complete playback of the data object and any events scheduled on the user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first document format to a second document format via multiple format type transformation applications. Each document format type within a data processing system is identified and associated with a node within a format type network. An expenditure cost associated with each format type transformation application, such as time cost or information loss cost, is identified and associated with a link between two associated nodes in the format type network. An optimal path from a first node within the format type network to a second node is then calculated by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith. In one depicted embodiment of the present invention an optimal path from a selected node to all other nodes within the format type network is calculated and utilized for all future desired transformations.

Abstract: Predefined and recurring facility attributes are stored and associated with a graphical object/icon on a computer system. When an event is to be scheduled and the facility requirements match one of the icons previously created, the icon, may be dropped onto an on-line scheduler program. The scheduler will then search all available facilities to obtain a results list containing those facilities that match the required attributes.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, providing a group query. An Interrogator Process provides an interface to a requesting user and formulates appropriate queries. Queries may be of the form of a single user query, a multiple user query, a group query, or a physical area query. A group is a collection of users who share a common characteristic. This common characteristic may be the same department, the same surname, the same job title, using the same device, executing the same process or application, etc.

Abstract: In a data processing system having plural processes being executed concurrently thereon, with each process producing audio responses, there is provided a method and system for synchronizing the audio responses so that only one process at a time "speaks" to a user through an audio output device. The audio responses of a process are intercepted by a sequencer which determines if the audio output device is available for accessing. If the audio output device is available, then the sequencer provides the intercepted audio responses to the audio output device. If the audio output device is not available, then the sequencer delays the provision of the audio responses until the audio output device becomes available. Furthermore, notification is given to the user so that the particular process which is speaking through the audio output device can be identified. Notification can be by aural characteristics, such as frequency or pitch, or by graphically displaying the identifying information to the user.

Abstract: Method of, and apparatus for, providing automatic detection of the physical presence of a user of a data processing system. The present invention comprises an Event Detection Process, a Presence Detection Process, and an Interrogator Process. The Event Detection Process detects presence indicating events. The Presence Detection Process evaluates the presence indicating events to determine the physical presence of a user or someone else other than a user. The Interrogator Process provides an interface to a requesting user and formulates appropriate queries to be sent to one or more Presence Detection Processes.

Abstract: A method for document administration within a data processing system which utilizes iconic representations. A bit image or graphic iconic representation is created for selected textual documents and stored as a bit image or graphic object at a selected memory location within the data processing system. A reference or pointer to the memory location of each iconic representation is then stored within a descriptive profile associated with each document. Thereafter, the textual document may be transferred to a user location where graphic or bit image objects may or may not be supported. Upon an examination of the descriptive profile, a subsequent user supporting graphic or image objects may elect to retrieve the iconic representation by utilizing the reference stored therein.