Abstract: A method and system for discovering dependencies in project plans of a distributed system. Project plans are located by a project plan path. A project plan contains dependency information of a task to be performed, a resource necessary to perform the task, and a prerequisite task to perform the task. The method generates a master project plan containing all dependency information in all project plans in the distributed system, which dictates an order of tasks or task-resource maps in all project plans pursuant to the dependency information in project plans. The method utilizes project plan files in diverse formats in generating the master project plan for the distributed system.

Abstract: A metaverse system and method for allowing a user to control a group of avatars in a metaverse application. The metaverse system includes a client computer, a metaverse server, and a group link engine. The metaverse server hosts a metaverse application over a network. The client computer interfaces with the metaverse application. The group link engine opens a group link connection. A linked group associated with the group link connection includes at least two linked users. At least one user is designated as a leader of the linked group. The group link engine includes a group link controller to allow the leader to control an action of an avatar of at least one other user.

Abstract: A metaverse system and method for allowing a user to attend a recorded past event in a metaverse application. The metaverse system includes a client computer, a metaverse server, and a time travel engine. The client computer interfaces with the metaverse application. The metaverse server records an event environment of a past event in a metaverse application. The time travel engine serves, in response to a request from a user, a playback of the recorded event environment to the client computer to allow the user to attend and to observe the recorded event environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and provide a method, system and computer program product for instant messaging transcript sharing for added participants to an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for instant messaging transcript sharing for added participants to an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include establishing an instant messaging session as between a set of initial parties, aggregating postings from the initial parties into a transcript, adding a new party to the instant messaging session, and sharing at least a portion of the transcript in a transcript view for the new party. Optionally, an ability of the new party to log shared portions of the transcript can be limited or prohibited.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing gameplay in a metaverse application in which players interact with each other and a virtual world by controlling characters that are represented using avatars specified by avatar profiles. The method comprises providing a player with an ability to specify and maintain more than one avatar profile for a character controlled by the player; and allowing an avatar representation of the character to be switched between the more than one avatar profile during gameplay.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing the spatial coordinates and visual attributes of objects within a user interface (UI). A Web UI ruler is executed within a UI comprising a plurality of objects. A first object and second object are selected. The Web UI Ruler then collects the spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second object and their relationship values are determined. The spatial coordinate and visual attribute values for the first and second objects, along with their corresponding relationship values, are modified and the modifications are applied to the target objects. The values are then stored in the Web UI ruler. These values can then be subsequently applied to one or more target objects. Alternatively, the stored values are exported as a cascading style sheet (CSS) class, which can then likewise be subsequently applied to one or more target objects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to e-mail message reply handling and provide a method, system and computer program product for hidden recipient management in e-mail replies. In an embodiment of the invention, a hidden recipients e-mail reply management method can be provided. The method can include composing an e-mail message in a message thread by a composer, identifying and displaying hidden recipients previously blind carbon copied on a progenitor e-mail message for the message thread by the composer, and routing the composed e-mail message to selected ones of the hidden recipients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for e-mail return receipt delegation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for e-mail return receipt delegation can include composing an e-mail message by a sender of the e-mail message, selecting a return receipt for the e-mail message, specifying a delegate for the return receipt other than the sender, and forwarding the e-mail message to an addressed recipient along with a directive designating the delegate to receive the return receipt when the addressed recipient opens the e-mail message. Alternatively, the method can include receiving an e-mail message from a sender of the e-mail message, opening the e-mail message, identifying a request for a return receipt for the e-mail message, locating a delegate for the return receipt other than the sender, and generating and sending a return receipt to the delegate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to question and answer management in a collaborative environment, and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include maintaining an instant messaging session between first and second participants, identifying questions and answers in the instant messaging text, matching each of the answers to a corresponding one of the questions, and displaying the matched questions and answers supplementally to the displaying of the chat transcript, ensuring that a participant does not overlook a question where response on their part is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to discussion forum management and provide a method, system and computer program product for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for instant conversations in a thread within a discussion forum can be provided. The method can include providing a discussion forum and initiating a thread in the discussion forum and measuring a temporal proximity of postings between two or more users in the thread. In response to determining a close temporal proximity, an instant messaging session can be launched between the two or more users and entries in the instant messaging session can be inserted as responses to the thread in the discussion form.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to C&S e-meeting scheduling and provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic agenda updating in a C&S system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for dynamic agenda updating based upon presenter participation in an e-meeting can be provided. The method can include creating a new e-meeting in a collaborative computing environment for attendees and presenters selected from amongst the attendees. The method also can include generating an invite with an agenda for the new e-meeting including a time block and time slots for presentations by different ones of the presenters. Finally, the method can include dynamically changing a view to the agenda for viewing ones of the attendees to reflect changes in the time slots resulting from replies to the invite received by individual ones of the presenters.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for determining the behavioral mood of an electronic messaging system user. User input is provided through one or more input receptors of an electronic device. The user input is collected by the mood identification system. The collected input is processed to generate behavioral biometrics, which are in turn correlated to predetermined behavioral moods, each of which has a corresponding behavioral mood indicator. The behavioral mood of the recipient user is indicated by applying text attributes applied to the user's identifier (ID) or by displaying an icon proximate to the user's ID.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to multi-modal chat logging management in a collaborative environment, and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for generating a unified chat transcript for a multi-modal conversation in an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of generating a unified chat transcript for a multi-modal conversation in an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include establishing concurrent voice messaging and text messaging sessions between two conversants, receiving both voice messages and text messages between two conversants through the voice messaging and instant messaging sessions, and logging the voice messages and text messages in a single transcript of conversation between the two conversants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to return receipt processing for e-mail messages and provide a method, system and computer program product for tracking delivered e-mail messages. In one embodiment of the invention, an e-mail tracking method can be provided. The method can include selecting an e-mail message already sent to a designated recipient, forwarding a status request to the designated recipient to determine a status of the e-mail message already sent to the designated recipient, and receiving in return without the intervention of the designated recipient a return receipt for the e-mail message indicating the status of the e-mail message.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to instant messaging and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for managing e-mail user confidentiality. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing e-mail user confidentiality can be provided. The method can include transmitting an e-mail message for delivery to multiple e-mail users and corresponding e-mail addresses, identifying a privacy preference for a particular one of the e-mail users; and, concealing a display within the e-mail message of an e-mail address associated with the particular one of the e-mail users responsive to the privacy preference.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for managing the sending of electronic mail (email) messages and responding to requests from indirect recipients for related information. An email message is originated with a first recipient and a recipient request prompt, which comprises a unique recipient request identifier (ID) linking it to the originator's email address. An empty recipient request list is generated, likewise linked to the recipient request ID. The message is then sent to a first recipient, who in turn forwards it to a second recipient. The recipient response prompt is displayed to the second recipient, who uses it to generate a recipient request for related information. The recipient request ID of the originated message and the second recipient's email address is appended to the recipient request, which is then sent to the message originator. The recipient request is received by the email system and parsed.

Abstract: A method for processing a digital video recording that includes storing the digital video recording onto a storage, in which the digital video recording is to be subsequently viewed by a user. The method further includes receiving user input selecting the digital video recording for viewing, and responsive to the user input, playing back the digital video recording to the user. The method further includes simultaneously deleting a viewed portion of the digital video recording from the storage as the user views the digital video recording during playback of the digital video recording.

Abstract: Device, method and system for providing shopping assistance information to customers using RFID tagged items in a store equipped with on-board or hand-held shopping cart RFID readers and display devices modified to have a personal product specification criteria data input interface.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for using an interactive progress indicator bar to graphically display the completion status of a plurality of computer operations, modify predetermined operations before they are completed, and then restart the modified operations. An interactive progress indicator bar is implemented in a graphical user interface (GUI) and comprises a plurality of progress indicator segments. As computer operations are completed, the details of their completion status are entered into a computer operation log and indexed to their corresponding progress indicator segments. Details of the completion status of predetermined computer operations are viewed by selecting one or more corresponding progress indicator segments through a user gesture. If a predetermined computer operation is to be modified, a second user gesture opens a dialog box allowing the user to perform predetermined modifications.

Abstract: A system for using one or more criteria in order to calculate a wait-time in a business establishment, the system comprising: one or more checkout lanes located at the business establishment; a display screen positioned at each of the one or more checkout lanes; a bar code reading station; a light switch; a personal shopping assistant device utilized by each customer for receiving and transmitting first information; a central processing station for collecting second information from each display screen, bar code reading station, personal shopping assistant device, and light switch of each of the one or more checkout lanes; wherein the central processing station calculates an estimated wait time for each of the one or more checkout lanes based on the information collected and farther displays the estimated wait time of each of the one or more checkout lanes on the respective display screen.