Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for a surface based computing device to return passed objects. That is, software of the surface based computing device can permit software objects appearing within a display of a surface based computing device to be passed among users positioned about the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can also include software maintaining linkages between passed software objects and return positions defined for each of the passed software objects. Further software can be configured to automatically return at least one of the passed software objects from a current position on the display to an associated return position responsive to an occurrence of a return object event relating to that passed software object. Visual representation of the linkages can be optionally shown on the surface based computing device and the passing objects can be optionally animated.

Abstract: A meeting initialization request for a meeting can be identified. The meeting initialization request can specify a prompt time for attendance intentions. A programmatic trigger, referred to as a prompt trigger, can be established for the prompt time. A firing of this prompt trigger can occur when a current time equals the prompt time. At this time, at least one potential attendee for the meeting can be determined. A set of potential attendees is typically defined by the meeting initiator within the meeting initialization request. An intention message can be sent to the determined potential attendee responsive to a firing of the programmatic trigger. This intention message can be sent at a time close to the prompt time. The intention message can prompt the potential attendee to indicate whether the potential attendee intends to attend the meeting.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for initiating a session in a virtual world. An instant messaging system (IMS) comprises a registry of IMS user identifiers cross-referenced to their corresponding virtual world user identifiers. A first IMS user implements a virtual world invitation module as a result of an IMS session to invite a second IMS user to participate in a virtual world session. The first IMS user selects the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, followed by selection of a target virtual world and a virtual world identifier. Once completed, the invitation is sent the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, who receives the invitation and signifies their acceptance or declination. If accepted, the cross-referenced virtual world user identifiers of the first and second IMS users are used to log them into the agreed-upon virtual world venue and initiate a virtual world session.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for associating a virtual instant messaging client, of an avatar, with a standard instant messaging account. When a communication transcript is completed in a virtual instant messaging session, the communication transcript is stored. Wherein the stored communication transcript is an archived virtual world (VW) communication transcript. The archived VW communication transcript is associated with one or more instant messaging clients. A request is received to continue communication, with one or more avatars, when a virtual instant messaging session is completed. When the request is received a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically displayed. One or more of the following selections are enabled: communicate via the instant messaging session or do not communicate via the instant messaging session.

Abstract: An e-commerce transaction can be identified that includes at least one item to be shipped to a postal address of a recipient. A user interface involved in the e-commerce transaction can prompt for an email address. An email address can be received as an address for the recipient. A postal address can be programmatically determining by querying a data store using the email address as a recipient identifier. A shipment of the at least one item can be initiated to the determined postal address.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for associating a virtual instant messaging client, of an avatar, with a standard instant messaging account. When a communication transcript is completed in a virtual instant messaging session, the communication transcript is stored. Wherein the stored communication transcript is an archived virtual world (VW) communication transcript. The archived VW communication transcript is associated with one or more instant messaging clients. A request is received to continue communication, with one or more avatars, when a virtual instant messaging session is completed. When the request is received a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically displayed. One or more of the following selections are enabled: communicate via the instant messaging session or do not communicate via the instant messaging session.

Abstract: The present invention can allow for private interactions with game players on a single game console. The present invention can include a game controller enhancement to include a private screen, which can display information to each player that should be private. The game controller enhancement can also include private audio support, which can allow the player to hookup an audio device, such as a headset, to receive audio only intended for the user. These enhanced game controllers can be used with supported game software. In some embodiments, the game controllers can have multiple modes of input. The game controller can include a toggle mechanism to switch between modes. One mode can allow the game controller controls to be sent to the game console. Another mode can allow the game controller control over (I/O control) to what is being privately shown to the user. In some embodiments, a toggle mechanism can be omitted and game software can switch the input modes appropriately.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for initiating a session in a virtual world. An instant messaging system (IMS) comprises a registry of IMS user identifiers cross-referenced to their corresponding virtual world user identifiers. A first IMS user implements a virtual world invitation module as a result of an IMS session to invite a second IMS user to participate in a virtual world session. The first IMS user selects the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, followed by selection of a target virtual world and a virtual world identifier. Once completed, the invitation is sent the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, who receives the invitation and signifies their acceptance or declination. If accepted, the cross-referenced virtual world user identifiers of the first and second IMS users are used to log them into the agreed-upon virtual world venue and initiate a virtual world session.

Abstract: A meeting initialization request for a meeting can be identified. The meeting initialization request can specify a prompt time for attendance intentions. A programmatic trigger, referred to as a prompt trigger, can be established for the prompt time. A firing of this prompt trigger can occur when a current time equals the prompt time. At this time, at least one potential attendee for the meeting can be determined. A set of potential attendees is typically defined by the meeting initiator within the meeting initialization request. An intention message can be sent to the determined potential attendee responsive to a firing of the programmatic trigger. This intention message can be sent at a time close to the prompt time. The intention message can prompt the potential attendee to indicate whether the potential attendee intends to attend the meeting.

Abstract: A static communication can be presented efficiently in different languages to facilitate propagation of the static communication across language boundaries. A static communication object that represents a static communication can be loaded with different language encodings of the static communication. When a trigger occurs (e.g., an avatar accesses the static communication object), a language encoding of the static communication that can be understood by the avatar is presented to the avatar. As the static communication propagates throughout the virtual universe, additional language encodings can be added to the static communication object.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution for a surface based computing device to return passed objects. That is, software of the surface based computing device can permit software objects appearing within a display of a surface based computing device to be passed among users positioned about the surface based computing device. The surface based computing device can also include software maintaining linkages between passed software objects and return positions defined for each of the passed software objects. Further software can be configured to automatically return at least one of the passed software objects from a current position on the display to an associated return position responsive to an occurrence of a return object event relating to that passed software object. Visual representation of the linkages can be optionally shown on the surface based computing device and the passing objects can be optionally animated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solution where images are associated with missed calls and are presented within a missed called interface. The images can include images contained within a mobile device data store that is associated with the missed call number, such as images that often appear in a display of a mobile phone when a call attempt is made. The images can also include ones that are conveyed by the caller to the called device. A set of configurable interlace options can exist that permits a mobile phone user to establish how a missed call interface should behave when a locally stored image and a caller-provided image both exist and are associated with a missed call. In one implementation, the interface can be associated with voice mail messages, so that images are also associated and presented with received voice mail entries.