Abstract: An approach to enrich skeleton-driven animations with physically-based secondary deformation in real time is described. To achieve this goal, the technique described employs a surface-based deformable model that can interactively emulate the dynamics of both low- and high-frequency volumetric effects. Given a surface mesh and a few sample sequences of its physical behavior, a set of motion parameters of the material are learned during an off-line preprocessing step. The deformable model is then applicable to any given skeleton-driven animation of the surface mesh. Additionally, the described dynamic skinning technique can be entirely implemented on GPUs and executed with great efficiency. Thus, with minimal changes to the conventional graphics pipeline, the technique can drastically enhance the visual experience of skeleton-driven animations by adding secondary deformation in real time.

Abstract: An improved user interface is provided for displaying a gallery of images showing different formatting options combinations that may be applied to a selected object. When a particular image is selected an associated formatting options combination is automatically applied to the selected object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, tables are created in such a way that allows rich querying using standard database routines and other tools. This is accomplished by providing developers and repository users with a set of schema guidelines that describe how the software related items are to be categorized in the tables and how to use such tables for rich querying. For example, one such guideline provides for course-grained versioning of items (e.g., artifacts, metadata, etc.)—as opposed to the fine grained object principle of unit change found in most repository systems such as the entity-property-value scheme. The developers or providers then use these guidelines to optimally categorize, in a natural way, their metadata and other software related items for storing copies thereof in the repository.

Abstract: A method for transmitting records of changes to data from a production location to a storage location. The method stores in a log, records of changes to data stored at a production location. Those records are transmitted and a transmitted records checkpoint is generated that is transmitted at the end of the transmitted records. A records checkpoint conformation is received and the plurality of transmitted records are purged from the log.

Abstract: Safe file transmission and reputation lookup. As a part of the safe file transmission and reputation lookup methodology, a data file that is to be made available to a data file receiver is accessed and it is determined whether the data file needs to be provided a protective file. The data file is wrapped in a protective file to create a non-executing package file. Access is provided to the non-executing package file where the associated data file is prevented from being executed until data file reputation information is received.

Abstract: Video send and receive capabilities of participants are determined by the respective machines determining available combinations, as well as preferences for the receivers. Receiver capabilities are forwarded to the source for computation of negotiated video capabilities through a logic intersection of the determined capabilities based on desired number of streams and resolutions. If a resolution of a send capability exists within the receive capability, the highest frame and/or bit rate may be selected for transmission.

Abstract: Media and methods are provided for creating and operating a keyword expression language. Syntax is generated as an abbreviation to represent a list of keywords. The syntax is executed as part of the keyword expression language to provide keywords. The syntax includes tokens that substitute for groups of information. Advertisers generate syntax which is subsequently used by a third-party to match to search queries and ads. The third-party may also generate keywords to match to the search queries and ads. The keywords are used to trigger advertising over the Internet.

Abstract: A method and system for discovering, defining, and implementing an application topology through the user of a graphical user interface is provided. A topology system may analyze the topology of an enterprise and provide a graphical representation of the application topology. The topology system may discover the application topology of an enterprise by accessing various configuration data stores of the enterprise. The topology system provides a graphical representation of the application topology and allows a user to modify the topology using a graphical user interface. The topology system may then control the implementation of the application topology.

Abstract: Dynamic transcoding of media content based on transcoding parameters. Upon receiving a request for media content to be delivered to a client, various parameters for transcoding the media content are identified. Such transcoding parameters might be tailored to the particular capabilities of the client presentation system. It not already done, the requested media content may then be transcoded in accordance with the identified parameters. The resulting media stream may then be provided to the client presentation device. In one example, if another request for that same media content is made and the transcoding parameters are identified to be the same, a second media stream may be provided to the second client presentation system.

Abstract: Detecting the absence of tagged objects near a computing device and attempting to locate the absent, tagged objects using other computing devices in a power-efficient manner. The computing device is monitored for triggering conditions. Upon occurrence of at least one of the triggering conditions, the computing device polls for the tagged objects expected to be proximate to the computing device. By polling responsive to occurrence of the triggering conditions, power consumption by the computing device is reduced. The triggering conditions include, for example, time-based transitions, movement of the computing device, or a geographic location of the computing device. Upon detecting the absence of at least one of the objects, the computing device, or a web service, identifies other computing devices to which the absent object may be proximate. The other computing devices determine whether the absent object is proximate, and notify the computing device.

Abstract: A plurality of access units may be established with varying levels of privilege and access rights, such that the user may perform tasks carrying with them a high risk of viral infection in an access unit with a low level of privilege and access rights. When an authenticated user desires to perform tasks requiring a higher level of privilege and access rights, the user may switch to an access unit having a higher privilege and access rights level by instigating a physical action. The physical action may include selecting a button (included in either a UI or on a peripheral device), or inputting biometric data to switch among running access units. A signal instigated by the physical action is transmitted along a trusted path between the isolation kernel and where the physical action was instigated.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media for maintaining transactional link-level consistency between a database and a file system. A file system change is logged in a record of a database log and a file corresponding to the file system change is created in a file system folder. During a restart recovery process, an analysis operation and a conditional redo operation are performed based on the database log, and a conditional redo operation and an undo operation are performed based on the files in the file system folder. An undo operation is then performed based on the database log.

Abstract: An implementation of automated location estimation using image analysis is described. In this implementation, an image of a place is obtained and matched with previously stored images. The matching may be achieved by employing methods based on key feature extraction algorithm, color histogram analysis, pattern matching or other image comparison techniques. Upon determining a match, the location information associated with the matched previously stored images provides the location. The location information may be in the form of location tags or location keywords and the location information may be used by the user or other applications for the purposes of location determination. The above technique also allows for the user to enter location information to improve accuracy. The location information may also be assigned to the previously stored images residing in local and remote databases for users and applications to automatically assign information or keywords to images.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates entering a character via an input device. An interface can receive a portion of input data from an input device, wherein the input data is at least one of an analog input from an analog directional input associated with the input device or a button input from a button associated with the input device. An enhanced input component can utilize a user interface (UI) overlay corresponding to the input device to select a character in which the UI overlay includes a segmented ring with each sector having two or more characters. The enhanced input component can enter a character for data entry based upon an analog directional input that selects a sector on the segmented ring and a button input that selects a corresponding character within the segment.

Abstract: Exposing functionality from a line of business application as a web service. A method includes receiving user input requesting information about objects exposed by a line of business application. Metadata is gathered about a first set of objects exposed by the line of business application. The metadata is returned to the user. User input is received selecting a second set of objects from among the first set of objects to be exposed as a web service. A web service model is constructed that exposes the second set of objects. The web service model includes a service description, metadata map, and configuration information. The web service model is published to allow for web service clients to access the second set of objects by accessing the web service model. The web service can then be used to translate messages between a line of business application and one or more web service clients.

Abstract: An extensible activation exploit scanner may have a modular structure, such that capabilities of the activation exploit scanner may be updated easily. The extensible activation exploit scanner may include an exploit data file, at least one detection module, at least one response module, and a base scanner. The exploit data file may have a number of entries, each of which may include information about a respective activation exploit or a respective class of activation exploit, as well as information about a detection module and a response module. The activation exploit scanner may read an entry of the exploit data file, may execute a detection module, corresponding to the entry, to detect a respective activation exploit or class of activation exploit, and may execute a response module, corresponding to the entry, to perform an action when the respective activation exploit or the class of activation exploit is detected.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to systems and methods that enable dynamic programming and execution of an electronic communications dialog. In one aspect, a configurable messaging system is provided. The system includes a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, wherein the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file. A state controller executes the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session. The configuration file can also describe prompt elements to solicit information from users or applications.

Abstract: A method and system for combining tabs of a tabbed document interface (“TDI”) is provided. A combinable TDI system allows tabs of a TDI to be combined to form a single tab of the TDI. To combine tabs, the combinable TDI system generates a combined tab name from the tab names of the tabs to be combined and combined tab content from the content of the tabs to be combined. If the width of the content is greater than what can be currently displayed in the window, the combinable TDI system may add a scroll bar to the TDI so that the user can scroll and make visible portions of the content that were previously not visible. The combinable TDI system then displays the combined tab and removes the tabs that have been combined. The combinable TDI system may also allow a user to split a combined tab into separate tabs.

Abstract: To avoid extensive time during which servicing of clients' requests is stopped for updating a piece of software or a data structure, various embodiments of the invention update an instance of the piece of software or an instance of the data structure instead of updating the original piece of software or the data structure. This allows the original piece of software or the data structure to service clients' requests without interruption. The updated instance begins to service clients' requests without losing context while the original piece of software or the data structure is terminated from further operation.