Abstract: A method for establishing an index of usability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. The method may include receiving a payment card replacement request in a vending facility. The method may further include identifying at least one possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The method may further include establishing an index of usability for the replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of the index of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The method may also include storing the established index of usability in a database.

Abstract: A method for establishing an index of usability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. The method may include receiving a payment card replacement request in a vending facility. The method may further include identifying at least one possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The method may further include establishing an index of usability for the replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of the index of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The method may also include storing the established index of usability in a database.

Abstract: A system and method for disabling a function of a feature of a vehicle based on a validation request to a centralized validation authority, prior to a use of the feature includes determining that a condition is met as part of a startup sequence of the vehicle, transmitting the validation request to the centralized validation authority, in response to determining the condition is met, wherein the validation request is part of the startup sequence of the vehicle, receiving a validation decision from the centralized validation authority, and disabling the feature of the vehicle as a function of the receiving the validation decision.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product for cognitive elevator advertisements are provided. The embodiment may include identifying one or more passengers utilizing real-time sensor data. The embodiment may also include determining a preference value of each identified passenger for a plurality of product categories based on a plurality of data related to past purchase histories or purchasing patterns received from a plurality of databases simultaneously or almost simultaneously. The embodiment may further include computing corrected passenger preference values for the plurality of product categories based on unprejudiced preference values of the passengers multiplied by the preference values assigned to each product category. The embodiment may also include determining one or more targeted advertisements for one or more targeted passengers based on each computed passenger preference values.

Abstract: Cognitive assistants which use feedback to highlight relevant points of interest to a user so that recommendations can be provided to the user based upon learned knowledge of the users preferences, tastes and customs are provided. For this purpose a computer-implemented method includes capturing user data of a user from a plurality of sensors, determining a cognitive state of the user from the captured data, correlating the user data to the cognitive state of the user, and making recommendations to the user based on the correlation of the user data and the determined cognitive state of the user.

Abstract: A method includes a digital subscription management system (DSMS) receiving from a source system a request to perform an edit of at least one data object, the DSMS sending a request for response (RFR) to subscribing systems having a copy of the at least one data object, the DSMS receiving a response from the subscribing systems, and the DSMS performing the edit.

Abstract: A system and method for energy conservation in a virtual universe, the method comprising: determining, at a server, available energy conservation options associated with an avatar of the virtual universe; determining, at the server, selected energy conservation options of the available energy conservation options; and applying, at the server, the selected energy conservation options to portions of the virtual universe associated with the avatar.

Abstract: A method of caching data at a processing node within a communication network can include predicting a future location of a user. A processing node within the communication network can be selected according to the future location. Data to be sent to the selected processing node can be selected. The selected data can be sent to the selected processing node.

Abstract: Systems and methods to establish and execute market-driven variable price offerings among the lenders and borrowers in a bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage. The method comprises establishing and executing market-driven variable price offerings among lenders and borrowers. A bandwidth-sharing ad hoc network for shared bandwidth usage is formed based on the established and executed market-driven variable price offering.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, including generating one or more ad-avatars in a virtual universe (VU) and monitoring information from the VU. Additionally, the method includes directing the one or more ad-avatars to perform one or more viral advertisements in the VU based on the information.

Abstract: A computing entity storing a user profile data store and an informational content data store receives new event information corresponding to a user. The new event information is associated with a user identifier and is provided via user interaction with an interactive user interface (IUI). Using the user identifier, the computing entity identifies and accesses a user profile from the user profile data store that comprises profile information corresponding to the user. Based on the new event information and/or the profile information stored in the user profile, the computing entity prioritizes a plurality of informational content items stored in the informational content data store. Based on the prioritization of the plurality of informational content items, the computing entity selects one or more informational content items that are of high priority for the user and provides a selected informational content item for presentation to the user via the IUI.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code, including generating one or more ad-avatars in a virtual universe (VU) and monitoring information from the VU. Additionally, the method includes directing the one or more ad-avatars to perform one or more viral advertisements in the VU based on the information.

Abstract: A method for establishing an index of usability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. The method may include receiving a payment card replacement request in a vending facility. The method may further include identifying at least one possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The method may further include establishing an index of usability for the replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of the index of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The method may also include storing the established index of usability in a database.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically controlling a vehicle is provided. The method includes generating an original route of travel for a first vehicle for travel from an original location to a destination location. The vehicle is directed from the original location to the destination location such that the vehicle initiates motion and navigates the original route of travel towards the destination location in accordance with the original route of travel. Monitored vehicular attributes of the first vehicle are received and environmental attributes associated with the original route of travel are monitored with respect the first vehicle. Navigational issues associated with the vehicle traveling along the original route of travel are determined based on the monitored vehicular attributes and results of monitoring the environmental attributes. The navigational issues are used to determine if the vehicle should continue to travel along the original route of travel.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product related to delivery of packages to online shopping customers. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising identifying a pool of candidate delivery drivers; analyzing driving patterns of the candidate drivers in a geographic area; analyzing activities of specified online shoppers in the geographic area; and sending a message to contact one of the candidate drivers to deliver a package or packages to an online shopper based on a defined matching of the analyzed driving patterns of the candidate drivers with the analyzed activities of the online shoppers. In an embodiment, each of the candidate drivers has an associated mobile communications device; and the analyzing driving patterns of the candidate drivers includes using specified changes in locations of the mobile communication devices associated with the candidate delivery drivers to identify the driving patterns of the candidate drivers.

Abstract: A method for establishing an index of usability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. The method may include receiving a payment card replacement request in a vending facility. The method may further include identifying at least one possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The method may further include establishing an index of usability for the replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of the index of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The method may also include storing the established index of usability in a database.

Abstract: A power and frequency regulation meter to which AC power is supplied through an AC power line, including: an AC frequency meter that receives AC power from an AC power line and measures a current AC frequency on the AC power line; an AC power consumption meter that receives AC power from the AC power line and measures a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time; an AC power consumption display that receives AC power from the AC power line and displays power consumption; a frequency regulation credits display that displays a frequency regulation credit; and a case that encases the AC frequency meter, the AC power consumption meter, the AC power consumption display, the frequency regulation credits display. A credit or debit is calculated based on a current power consumption, the current AC frequency, and a power consumption moving average.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves.

Abstract: A method. A power and frequency regulation meter, to which AC power is supplied through an AC power line, includes: an AC frequency meter that receives AC power from an AC power line and measures a current AC frequency on the AC power line; an AC power consumption meter that receives AC power from the AC power line and measures a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time; an AC power consumption display that receives AC power from the AC power line and displays power consumption; a frequency regulation credits display that displays a frequency regulation credit. A power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured by the AC power consumption meter is calculated. A credits or debit is calculated based on a current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average.

Abstract: In an approach to adjusting user permissions based on mental acuity, one or more computer processors determine whether an individual is within a threshold proximity to a monitored location. In response to determining that an individual is within a threshold proximity to the monitored location, the one or more computer processors identify a required mental acuity for the monitored location. The one or more computer processors determine a current mental acuity for the individual. The one or more computer processors compare the determined mental acuity for the individual with the required mental acuity for the monitored location.