Abstract: A virtual world management system may access multiple virtual world programs. The virtual world management system is configured to transfer points between the system and at least one of the virtual world programs. A virtual world program may be any online game with membership accounts. The virtual world management system, in one embodiment, accesses the virtual world program with various limitations, allowing the virtual world management system to control, access, or edit only parts of the virtual world programs. For example, the access may be limited to viewing the information related to the membership accounts. Specifically, the virtual world management system may be limited to viewing individual account balances of the virtual world accounts. Furthermore, the limited access may allow transfer of points and/or limiting access of the user playing the online game. The points may be at least one of currency, membership points, reward points, or loyalty points.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing data for a carousel from which iTV pages may be obtained including defining a plurality of information templates, each information template specifying content for an iTV page, defining a plurality of presentation templates, each presentation template specifying the presentational appearance for an iTV page, assigning a presentation template to an information template, and modifying the information template as required for presentation by the presentation template and outputting, for a carousel, data representing the presentation template and the modified information template, an iTV page being obtained from the carousel by displaying the content specified by the modified information template with the presentational appearance specified by the presentation template.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing data for a carousel from which iTV pages may be obtained including defining a plurality of information templates, each information template specifying content for an iTV page, defining a plurality of presentation templates, each presentation template specifying the presentational appearance for an iTV page, assigning a presentation template to an information template, and modifying the information template as required for presentation by the presentation template and outputting, for a carousel, data representing the presentation template and the modified information template, an iTV page being obtained from the carousel by displaying the content specified by the modified information template with the presentational appearance specified by the presentation template.

Abstract: A method, program and system for application event notification are provided. The invention comprises, responsive to detection of an error within an application, sending error data from the application to an event logger facility, which formats the error data according to requirements of target destinations. The event logger facility send the error data to a support service, which may use the error message as a lookup key into a log file containing application state data.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing security at a portal server. The portal server provides a client with access to backend applications, where the backend applications are stored at backend servers separate from the portal server. Associated with each backend application are privileges and other security features. The privileges and the security features are stored at a database in the portal server. The portal server receives a request from a client and constructs a list of allowable interactions for a plurality of the backend applications, by consulting the database. The portal server sends a page containing the list of allowable interactions to the client. The client selects an interaction and requests the portal server for a result of the interaction. The portal server requests a backend server to provide the result, and returns the result to the client, along with a set of new allowable interactions for the client to select.

Abstract: A method, program and system for application event notification are provided. The invention comprises, responsive to detection of an error within an application, sending error data from the application to an event logger facility, which formats the error data according to requirements of target destinations. The event logger facility send the error data to a support service, which may use the error message as a lookup key into a log file containing application state data.

Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing security at a portal server. The portal server provides a client with access to backend applications, where the backend applications are stored at backend servers separate from the portal server. Associated with each backend application are privileges and other security features. The privileges and the security features are stored at a database in the portal server. The portal server receives a request from a client and constructs a list of allowable interactions for a plurality of the backend applications, by consulting the database. The portal server sends a page containing the list of allowable interactions to the client. The client selects an interaction and requests the portal server for a result of the interaction. The portal server requests a backend server to provide the result, and returns the result to the client, along with a set of new allowable interactions for the client to select.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing data for a carousel from which iTV pages may be obtained including defining a plurality of information templates, each information template specifying content for an iTV page, defining a plurality of presentation templates, each presentation template specifying the presentational appearance for an iTV page, assigning a presentation template to an information template, and modifying the information template as required for presentation by the presentation template and outputting, for a carousel, data representing the presentation template and the modified information template, an iTV page being obtained from the carousel by displaying the content specified by the modified information template with the presentational appearance specified by the presentation template.

Abstract: A chimney reinforcement device to be secured to a damaged or sound chimney comprising two front corner brackets and two rear corner brackets, which are bolted together to reinforce the upper portion of the chimney. Two wall mounting members are connected between the front corner brackets and the building so as to allow the front corner brackets to be firmly anchored to the building structural materials adjacent the chimney just below the roof line. The chimney reinforcement device further comprises two inclined arm member connected between the rear corner brackets and the roof such that the corner brackets are firmly anchored to the roof structure adjacent to the chimney. When the chimney reinforcement device is properly secured to a chimney, the chimney reinforcement device adds strength to the existing framework of the chimney and thereby prevents severe cracking or falling thereof during an earthquake.

Abstract: A received signal is sampled and a mean is calculated. A zero crossing sample is then located and used to locate a starting sample and the samples are read from that point forward, using sampling intervals and mean crossings, to decode the bit stream. Alternatively, first and second derivatives of the signal are calculated. A sign (.+-.) of the first derivative sample at the first zero crossing of the second derivative is used to determine the sign of a sample. The second derivative of the signal is then read, using sampling intervals and the sign of the first derivative, to decode the bit stream. In another alternative, samples are used to calculate a rolling average of the samples. The rolling average of the sample is compared to the sample to determine the logic value of the sample based upon whether the sample is above or below the rolling average.

Abstract: A broad-band beam buncher is disclosed, comprising an evacuated housing, an electron gun therein for producing an electron beam, a buncher cavity having entrance and exit openings through which the beam is directed, grids across such openings, a source providing a positive DC voltage between the cavity and the electron gun, a drift tube through which the electron beam travels in passing through such cavity, grids across the ends of such drift tube, gaps being provided between the drift tube grids and the entrance and exit grids, a modulator for supplying an ultrahigh frequency modulating signal to the drift tube for producing velocity modulation of the electrons in the beam, a drift space in the housing through which the velocity modulated electron beam travels and in which the beam is bunched, and a discharge opening from such drift tube and having a grid across such opening through which the bunched electron beam is discharged into an accelerator or the like.