Abstract: A method includes generating a cost associated with each of a plurality of tasks to be scheduled, and scheduling the minimum cost task if the minimum cost task successfully executes. Generating may include determining a pair-wise probability representing a probability that two tasks in the plurality of tasks conflict with each other. A system includes a cost generator generating costs associated with a plurality of tasks, the costs based on probabilities that each of the tasks influence the other tasks, and a scheduling engine operable to schedule the task with the least cost.

Abstract: A system-wide selective action management facility is provided. Such a facility can support selective action management for multiple applications executing on one or more computer systems (including the operating system and its components, such as a file system). A system-wide action management facility can log actions performed on the computer system(s) and record relationships between such actions (e.g., between actions of different sources, including different documents, different applications and even different computer systems). When a user discovers a mistake, the tool allows the user to select one or more past actions (i.e., the “mistake”) for removal or replacement with one or more correction actions. The tool can also re-execute dependent actions to restore the relevant state of the system at the time of the designation, absent the “mistake”. As such, actions throughout the system can be selectively undone, fixed and/or redone in an exemplary system-wide selective action management tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an interactive human-machine interface, which includes an input device and comprises a set of states. The set of states form a network through which data can be passed as a token. In a dialogue control unit, future states are assessed to determine allowable user inputs that may be received from the user. Each portion of the user input is stored in an associated node of the token, for use in the current state or in another of the active states. Each node is checked to see if it relates to the current state, and if so, then the portion of the user input stored in the node is processed.

Abstract: A system-wide selective action management facility is provided. Such a facility can support selective action management for multiple applications executing on one or more computer systems (including the operating system and its components, such as a file system). A system-wide action management facility can log actions performed on the computer system(s) and record relationships between such actions (e.g., between actions of different sources, including different documents, different applications and even different computer systems). When a user discovers a mistake, the tool allows the user to select one or more past actions (i.e., the “mistake”) for removal or replacement with one or more correction actions. The tool can also re-execute dependent actions to restore the relevant state of the system at the time of the designation, absent the “mistake”.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an interactive human-machine interface, which includes an input device and comprises a set of states. The set of states form a network through which data can be passed as a token. In a dialogue control unit, future states are assessed to determine allowable user inputs that may be received from the user. Each portion of the user input is stored in an associated node of the token, for use in the current state or in another of the active states. Each node is checked to see if it relates to the current state, and if so, then the portion of the user input stored in the node is processed.