Abstract: A system and method is provided to track events related to shortcuts. These events include moving shortcuts from one location (menu) to another location (menu), renaming a folder in which a shortcut resides, and changing the name of a shortcut. Changes related to shortcuts generate operating system events. The system and method includes a process that is registered with the operating system in order to receive data regarding events that relate to shortcut changes. When a shortcut event is received by the process, the process updates applicable configuration files and references. Installation scripts are automatically updated so that the uninstall process (when eventually executed) can locate all shortcuts that pertain to the application and remove the shortcuts along with the uninstalled application.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying structural stress conditions for computer hardware. The apparatus includes a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of monitoring a physical condition affecting a computer hardware component, recognizing a potential damage condition based on a threshold, and responding to the potential damage condition. These modules in the described embodiments include a monitoring module, a recognition module, and a response module. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would identify potential damage conditions and alert a user to the potential damage condition before physical damage to the computer hardware component occurs. The user can then alleviate the physical condition affecting the computer component and avoid component damage.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the efficiency of a thermal management profile includes a central repository. The central repository is for receiving data for power consumption and location from equipment, combining the data with a current temperature near the equipment, and adjusting the current temperature based on the combined data.

Abstract: Automatic display of a pop-up window on a computer is delayed until a time period has elapsed since the last user keyboard entry or mouse manipulation, to avoid distracting the user while the user is busy inputting data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing the use of card skimmers on electronic card terminals are disclosed. Embodiments include a method that generally includes ejecting from a card slot in a rear faceplate an electronic card and determining the relative movement between a front faceplate and the card slot. Embodiments also include before receiving a second electronic card, changing the relative position of the card slot and the front faceplate. Embodiments may include moving the rear faceplate or moving the front faceplate. Further embodiments may include detecting an error during the changing of the relative position of the card slot and the front faceplate and, if an error is detected, moving the card slot to a lockdown position. Movements between the front faceplate and the card slot may be vertical, horizontal, radial, etc., and may be randomly generated.

Abstract: A system and method that limits the number of concurrent instant messaging sessions at a given time is provided. The system and method allows a user to configure the number of instant messaging sessions that are allowed at a given time. When a new request for an instant messaging session is received, a determination is made as to whether there are already the maximum number of allowed sessions. If the maximum number of sessions has been reached, the requestor receives a message indicating that the user is currently busy with other instant messaging sessions and inviting the requestor to join the queue. If the requestor joins the queue, then the requestor moves up in the queue when one of the user's instant messaging sessions terminate.

Abstract: A system and method that gathers activity level from users and provides a “busy gauge” to others that indicates the user's activity level. In one embodiment, the user's activity is computed automatically based upon the user's interaction with their computer system. In the automatic method, an input tracking routine records the user's input frequency, such as mouse clicks, voice inputs, keyboard inputs, and other inputs in order to determine the user's activity level. The recorded activity data is compared with activity level thresholds that can be either default thresholds or user-specified. The user can select to use a manual input level in which the user specifies the user's activity level despite the number of input actions received at the user's computer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for finding an application compatible with a file. An identification module is included to associate an identifier with a file within a computing device, the identifier configured to identify an application compatible with the file. An access module is included to access the identifier in response to selection of the file. A reference module is included to reference an application external to the computing device using the identifier. In an alternate embodiment, the access module accesses the identifier in response to selection of the file and failure to locate an application registered with the computing device compatible with the file.

Abstract: A system and method that allows multiple threads, or topics, to be managed and displayed within a single instant messaging session is provided. When an instant messaging session commences, an initial, or first, thread commences to which both parties to the instant messaging session can add comments. Two input areas are provided—one for inputting text to the first conversation thread and a second for inputting text that will commence a new (second) thread. When a second thread is started, three input areas appear for both parties of the instant messaging session: (1) the input area to add text to the first thread, (2) a new input area for adding text to the newly created second thread, and (3) the input area for adding text to a new (third) thread. In this manner, a virtually unlimited number of conversation threads can be included in a single instant messaging session.

Abstract: Controlling access to a computerized device includes deriving a hash from two pieces of information, signing the hash to create a signed password and storing the password in the device. In response to an initial access attempt, the user is prompted to enter two input values. A local hash is then derived from the two input values and compared to a hash derived from the stored password. Upon detecting a match between the hashes, the user is granted access to the device, where the match indicates equivalence between the two pieces of information and the two input values. The input values may include information specific or personal to the user and information unique to the device. A public/private key pair may be used to sign and optionally encrypt and decrypt the stored password.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for disabling the capturing of chat session text. A chat session participant may store a profile for informing other chat session participants of preferences regarding the capture of chat session text. A chat session user may disable another user's ability to capture text. A chat session user may request that another user not capture text.

Abstract: Handedness settings for an embedded point and click input device are automatically established based on signals that are generated when a user rests his hand on the device. For example, the device can be a joystick or a button-like trackpoint element on the keyboard of an IBM Thinkpad®.

Abstract: Handedness settings for a mouse-like point and click input device are automatically established based on signals that are generated when a user rests his hand on the device.

Abstract: If a chat user has multiple chat services, a chat partner can list the user name of each service under a single generic user name for display. The service user name with the “best” service as indicated by heuristics including, e.g., activity, security, etc. is invoked whenever the chat partner uses the generic user name to address the chat user.

Abstract: Real time quality of service (QoS) of a link between Internet chat users is gathered and displayed to the users.

Abstract: Traffic signal data is broadcast, for receipt by vehicles traversing the roadways controlled by the traffic signals. If desired, traffic lights are provided with the capability to broadcast their location, status, changing cycles and timing data continuously. A receiving system in a vehicle is configured to receive the traffic signal data and display, to a user of the vehicle, visual display information and/or audible information informing the user of a speed range which, if followed, optimizes the use of the highway and minimizes the number of starts and stops that must be made.

Abstract: An intelligent battery charger is disclosed which tracks usage of the computer by the user and the charging and usage habits of the user. This tracking includes dates, times, and elapsed usage time, as well as dates, times, and elapsed charging time. Parameters regarding the specific battery being charged are also known by the intelligent battery charger. This information is utilized to develop a usage and charging profile for a particular battery in the device for which it is used.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and accessing an object in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system including an application and an operating system. The system and method comprises a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs) calls in the operating system. The plurality of API calls being utilized to obtain and set state information related to the application. The system further comprises a record/playback application on the computer, the record/playback application being capable of generating and reading script based upon the API calls to record actions that represent the operations of the applications and to reply actions that represent operations of the application. A system and method in accordance with the present invention utilizes existing accessibility screen reader technologies in order to create automated script files to launch program events.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing unauthorized copying of a film using a recording device is disclosed. The film is played using a projector residing on a first side of the screen. At least one image from the film is thus displayed on a screen. The method and system include providing at least one signal to the screen from a second side of the screen. The second side of the screen is opposite to the first side. The signal(s) are preferably invisible to the human eye but visible to a recording device used in copying the film. The signal(s) are also sufficient to wash out at least a portion of the image to the recording device.

Abstract: A method for providing an image of software installed on a computer system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deconstructing the image into at least one portion and creating at least one module from the at least one portion of the image. The deconstructing step can include the steps of scanning an image and identifying at least one portion of the image to be modularized. The creating step can include the steps of extracting the at least one portion of the image identified to be modularized and generating at least one module from the extracted portion of the image. The modules that are created in accordance with the present invention can be formatted for use in a new image or part of a new image to be used with a software program such as with a hardware-independent imaging tool.