Abstract: Generating popularity ratings for virtual world artifacts based on how often and in what manner avatars access the artifacts is provided. The popularity ratings for virtual world artifacts may be used to determine what virtual world artifacts are selected to have a prominent presence in a virtual world. When an event caused by an avatar accessing a virtual world artifact in a virtual world is detected, the illustrative embodiments receive information about the event, such as the event type, the avatar identifier (ID), and the time the event occurred. The illustrative embodiments generate a rating score for the virtual world artifact based on the information received about the event. The illustrative embodiments update a rendering of the virtual world artifact in the virtual world based on the rating score.

Abstract: A modification method and system. The method includes presenting by a computing system to a requester, templates associated with a candidate request. The computing system receives from the requester, first data associated with the candidate request. The computing system generates a request document comprising the first data. The computing system transmits the request document to at least one supplier. The computing system receives from the at least one supplier, a list of candidates. The computing system receives from the requester, a request for modifying the request document. The computing system generates in response to the request for modifying the request document, a modified request document comprising a modified version of the request document. The computing system receives from the requester, approval data approving a transmission of the modified request document.

Abstract: A validation system validates the detection of spam based entities in social networking contexts. Suspected spam based social networking entities are detected in a social networking site. A virtual social networking group is created that emulates a plurality of user profiles on the social networking site, including a user profile comprising a suspected spam based entity. A link in an emulated suspected spam based entity in the created virtual social networking group is invoked, resulting traffic is emulated, and the results are monitored. Responsive to the monitored results, it is determined whether to validate the suspected spam based entity. A validation indication specifying at least whether the suspected spam based entity has been validated can be stored for future reference, and/or transmitted to, e.g., the social networking site or a centralized security service.

Abstract: A method for peer-to-peer sharing of job applicant verification data over a network includes a computerized central exchange that interfaces with requesters, providers, and job applicants. The exchange manages the interactions of each requester, provider, and job applicant by providing access to a communication channel depending on the classification of requester, provider, and job applicant. The communication channel may be an online interface, a facsimile interface, or an electronically stored data interface. Data stored in the database is used in completing subsequent verification requests involving that job applicant and provider. Job applicants may review and place holds on verification data before the data are transmitted to the requester. The exchange tracks the status of the verification transaction from the time of its receipt to its final disposition and may send a notice to the requester, provider, or job applicant that informs the recipient as to the status of the request.

Abstract: Method of making airline luggage inspection secure while accommodating the needs of the traveler comprises making a special lock available to airline travelers, the special lock having a combination lock portion and a master key lock, the master key lock portion receiving a master key that can open the master key lock portion of any special lock of this type. The special lock is designed to be applied to an individual piece of airline luggage and has indicia conveying to luggage purchasers that the special lock is “approved”by a luggage screening authority and conveying to the luggage screening authority that the special lock can be opened using the master key. The method includes providing the luggage screening authority directly or indirectly with exclusive access to the master key. The manufacturers and/or provider of the master key and special lock retain copies of the master key.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for displaying to each of a plurality of users, upon each user's request, as to each particular parcel to be shipped by each user, an online interactive graphic comparison of a plurality of shipping rates calculated for each of a plurality of services offered by each of a plurality of carriers to ship a particular parcel, each shipping rate corresponding to a particular service offered by a particular carrier for delivering the particular parcel to a particular delivery destination at a particular parcel delivery time on a particular parcel delivery date, wherein each user accesses the computer system over a global communications network using a client computer device, and wherein each user has an individual electronic connection to the global communications network.

Abstract: An approach that provides product repair assistance using a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a method for providing repair assistance for a real-world product in a virtual universe. The method includes receiving diagnostic information relating to the real-world product, ascertaining repair assistance information for the real-world product from the received diagnostic information, and generating a rendition of the real-world product along with the repair assistance information for display to a resident on-line in the virtual universe.

Abstract: An online, and therefore distributed, technology transfer department accessible by multiple inventive entities is provided. The systems and methods of the invention provide a comprehensive interface to a remote application that collects information related to inventions, ranks the inventions, solicits approval for pursuing intellectual property protection, funding, financing, commercializing or otherwise exploiting the invention, solicits bids from a stable of service providers, manages the award of contracts to provide services, facilitates collaboration between users internal and external to the inventive entities and between different entities, implements security protocols, and reports government funded inventions to the appropriate regulatory agencies, and manages intellectual property portfolios. Each inventive entity may specify the level of control to be retained to utilize the distributed technology office application as a supplement for or as a substitute for full time technology transfer personnel.

Abstract: A method for matching an object with a set of qualifications to an object with a set of requirements includes determining whether one or more predetermined blocks of qualifications are wholly or partially fulfilled by the set of qualifications and matching the object with the set of qualifications to the object with the set of requirements based on the one or more predetermined blocks of qualifications that have been determined to be wholly or partially fulfilled.

Abstract: A computer system for scheduling open houses can include an activity analysis module programmed to analyze one or more characteristics or factors associated with one or more properties that are located within an activity zone. The computer system can also include a schedule optimization module programmed to suggest an optimum time for a seller to schedule an open house on a particular date, and the schedule optimization module being programmed to suggest an open house itinerary for a buyer. The computer system can also include an activity alert module programmed to monitor the computer system and to notify the buyer or the seller of new activities in the computer system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a supplemental product or service may be offered to a user during a transaction, either in addition to products and/or services the user is purchasing, or as a replacement to one or more of the products and/or services that the user is purchasing. The functionality may be implemented, for example, in a retail embodiment where a user is purchasing products and/or services at a cash register or other point-of-sale terminal. One or more embodiments may be implemented online where a user is purchasing products and/or services using a computer, terminal, telephone or other client or user device and accessing a World Wide Web site, online catalog, interactive voice response unit or system, etc.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for assembling a project team is provided. In one embodiment potential team members, such as, for example, retirees from a company, with appropriate qualifications are notified of a project for which team members are needed. The potential team members are identified based on information contained in a database of potential team members. Along with the notification of the project, the potential team members receive a request for bids. The entity then receives a bid from a responding potential team member and compares the bid to bid acceptance criteria. If the bid meets bid acceptance criteria, a bid acceptance is sent to the responding potential team member and the responding potential team member is notified of other members of the project team.

Abstract: Systems and techniques, including computer-implemented techniques, can be used to receive a base schedule that includes multiple rotations that each include one or more segments. A set of itineraries can be generated based upon the segments in the base schedule, and each itinerary can include an origin, a destination, and one or more segments linking the origin and the destination. The set of itineraries can be automatically analyzed to identify one or more valid itineraries within the set of itineraries, such that each valid itinerary complies with one or more constraints.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rating associated members in a social network are set forth. According to one embodiment a method comprising outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories, receiving ratings for the member from the user, associating the ratings with the member, and connecting the ratings for the member with the user is set forth.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides collaboration services to business applications and such a service is provided by a mediator and a collaboration application. The collaboration service offers a user of the business application the ability to collaborate with other users of the business application or one or more responders such that any collaboration that occurs between the user and the responder is correlated to the business application and to the corresponding actions performed by the user with respect to the business application, thus maintaining the context of the collaboration. Another aspect of the present invention provides a collaboration service wherein the user of the business application is provided with at least part of a history of collaboration that occurred between the user and one or more responders.