Abstract: The system disclosed uses policy directives to establish and regulate connectivity on a computer system. A policy profile is applied to the computer system that determines how and when connections can be made, and the devices on which the connections can be made.

Abstract: Consistent and systematic location of program files and associated data files is enhanced by use of a software module that carries out migration of program files and associated data files in accordance with a stored set of policies on what programs are acceptable: what versions are current and/or obsolete and what locations for program and data files are acceptable. An optional feature is a resident program that monitors the installation process for programs and the creation process for files and carries out organization policies with regard to whether the program in question is approved and/or whether the file in question is located in an approved location.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for automatically configuring a user's portable device, include a module for inferring a current location of the user, and a module for configuring the portable device based on information contained in a configuration of the current location.

Abstract: A technique for automatically installing software on one or more network-connected computer systems is disclosed. A user makes a request through a World Wide Web (WWW) site to install software on one or more computer systems. Software agents residing on the computer systems, under the direction of the server underlying the WWW site, collect installation information and install and configure the software.

Abstract: An encrypted audio decryption system for decrypting encrypted audio sound. The system includes a hearing device and a key FOB. The hearing device is adapted to receive the encrypted audio sound, decrypt the encrypted audio sound, and transmit signals corresponding to the decrypted audio sound to a speaker of the hearing device. The key FOB is adapted to transmit a decryption key to the hearing device. The hearing device is adapted not to decrypt the encrypted audio sound without receipt of the decryption key, corresponding to the encrypted audio sound, from the key FOB.

Abstract: A system for adjusting audio output including a transmitter unit adapted to be carried by a user and a sound generating system. The transmitter unit includes a memory and a signal transmitter. The sound generating system includes a sound generator, a signal receiver, means for altering a sound signal from the signal generator based upon a signal transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver, and speakers connected to the altering means.

Abstract: A display security system including a display device and a key FOB. The display device includes an electrical display, a file with encrypted information, a system for displaying the encrypted information on the display, and a decryption key receiver. The key FOB is adapted to transmit a description key to the decryption key receiver of the display device. The display device is adapted to display the encrypted information on the display in a decrypted form when the receiver receives the decryption key from the key FOB. The display device is adapted to not display the encrypted information on the display in a decrypted form when the receiver does not receive the decryption key from the key FOB.

Abstract: A software facility for administering and executing connectivity and information management tasks for a portable device, includes a module for selectively adding, deleting, and editing a location object, and a module for selectively initiating a request for a connection, disconnection, and information synchronization, based on the location object. The location object represents all location-specific information for the portable device and includes an information object including information management tasks that must be performed for a specific location for the portable device to connect to a remote network.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing rights to a service in a data processing system. A request is received from a user for the service. The rights to the service are identified. Content for the service is received. The content is selectively modified based on the rights identified. The content is sent to the user.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for determining the location of a portable data processing system is provided. In one embodiment, the portable data processing system determines resources that are geographically proximate to the portable computer and generates a location syndrome. The location syndrome is then compared to a set of location profiles, wherein at least some of the location profiles correspond to different geographic locations. Responsive to sufficiently matching the location syndrome to one of the set of location profiles, a label corresponding to the matched one of the set of location profiles is returned as the current location of the portable data processing system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing services in a data processing system. A request is received for a service from a client. A location of the client is identified in response to receiving the request. Based on the location of the client, a determination is made as to whether the service is to be provided. If the service is provided, the client is billed for the service based on the location of the client.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for backing up data in a data processing system. In response to a request to backup data associated with an application, a data store is queried containing meta data regarding files associated with the application in which the data store includes meta data describing the files accessed by the application. A result is received in response to querying the data store, and contains information about files that need to be backed up. The information is then used to drive the backup program. The files are then subsequently backed up to a storage system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for an organization to provide anonymity to a user in a data processing system. A request is received from the user for an anonymous identity. The anonymous identity is generated for a user, wherein the anonymous identity includes contact information for the organization. The anonymous identity is associated with the user, wherein the user uses the anonymous identify to provide information on a network data processing system. Contacts received under the anonymous by the organization are selectively forwarded to the user.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and network data processing system for identifying, locating, and deleting viruses is provided. In one embodiment, the network data processing system includes a local server, several client data processing systems, and a bait server. The address of the bait server is not published to the clients. Thus, any attempt to access the bait server would indicate the presence of a virus on the client attempting access. The bait server monitors itself and, responsive to an attempt from a client to access the bait server, broadcasts an indication that a virus attack is underway to all devices within the network. The bait server then ignores all further access requests by the offending client until it receives an indication that the offending client has been disinfected and directs the local server to disconnect the offending client(s) from the network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing event routing services for a subscriber-based system determines subscribers to which information of predetermined message types are provided and monitors a communication link which carries event messages communicated to a service provider by client systems. New messages are routed from the service provider to destinations based on the event messages and in accordance with the message types of the event messages. The new messages are mapped at the destinations to commands to perform services at the client systems or the service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for routing and servicing events provides a communication link which carries event messages communicated to a computer network. A router listens for the event messages of a given type and routes the event messages to a destination corresponding to the given type. A service controller is coupled to the at least one router, and the service controller maps the event messages routed thereto by the at least one router to commands to perform services.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an estimated time of arrival based marketplace are provided. The apparatus and methods solicit bids from one or more service providers for a requested service. The service providers may respond with bids that may include a price for providing the requested service along with an estimated time to perform the requested service in a location associated with the service provider. The bids are used, along with travel data obtained from a travel data provider, to generate service search results that are provided to a client device. The service search results include the price charged by the service provider as well as estimated times of completion (ETAs) for obtaining the service from the service provider. The ETA may be a combination of travel time determined from the travel data and time of performance determined from the bid submitted by the service provider.

Abstract: According the present invention, there is provided a method and system for automatically launching an application in a computing device (e.g. Internet appliance, or the like) by authenticating a user via a digital camera in the computing device, comprising: obtaining a digital representation of the user via the digital camera; filtering the digital representation with an digital edge detection algorithm to produce a resulting digital image; comparing the resulting digital image to a pre-stored digital image of the user; retrieving user information including an application to be launched in response to a successful comparison result, the user information being associated with the pre-stored digital image of the user; and launching the application.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing context-aware automatic e-mail filtering and reply generation based on message semantics, sender's e-mail ID, and the user's identity is provided. In one embodiment, e-mail received from objectionable sources as determined by the sender's ID or the IP address from which the e-mail originate are deleted. In other embodiments, e-mail containing objectionable content as determined by the presence of objectionable words or phrases or by an objectionable score determined by assigning weights to various words and phrases that exceeds a threshold value. Other embodiments allow for attachments to be forwarded to a parent or system administrator and approval received from the parent or system administrator prior to allowing access to the attachment by the recipient.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for handling a virus in a network data processing system. A client data processing system monitors for the virus. In response to detecting the virus, the client data processing system sends notification of a presence of the virus on the data processing system to a server, wherein the notification includes an identification of an action taken in response to detecting the virus. Further, the client data processing system may take actions to eliminate or quarantine the virus. In a server data processing system, a notification of a presence of a virus on a client data processing system is received through a communications link. The communication with the client data processing system through the communications link is severed in response to receiving the notification. Virus removal processes may be executed on the server data processing system.