Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms, or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing network errors communicated in a message transaction with error information using a troubleshooting agent. A network facilitates message transactions between a requester and a responder for facilitating web services. When a non-application specific error occurs in relation to a particular message transaction, such as a network error, a protocol layer assigns an error code and either the requester or responder encodes the error code in the body of an envelope added to the particular message transaction. In particular, the message transaction is an XML message with a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) envelope encoded with the error code to which the XML message is then attached. The error encoded message transaction is forwarded to a troubleshooting agent.

Abstract: A tracking method and system. The method comprises receiving by a tracking apparatus, data comprising informational data segments and associated tracking data segments. The tracking apparatus is moved within a specified proximity of a first location. The tracking apparatus senses the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves a first informational data segment associated with the first location based on a first tracking data segment. The tracking apparatus requests an updated informational data segment associated with the first informational data segment, the first tracking data segment, and the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves the updated informational data segment. The tracking apparatus broadcasts a specified portion of the updated informational data segment. The specified portion is dependent on a specified condition of the tracking apparatus.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automated management of software images for efficient resource node building within a grid environment are provided. A grid service detects a current software environment for a grid job within a grid environment, wherein the grid environment includes multiple grid resources. The grid service searches a catalog of multiple software images to determine whether an image for the current software environment matches any software images in the catalog. In particular, each of the software images includes an index into at least one installation image. Further, storage of the software images is structured in the catalog for automated efficient access to each software image by multiple resource nodes within the grid environment. If the grid service does not locate a software image for the current software environment in the catalog, the grid service captures at least one installation image for the current software environment for storage in the catalog as an additional software image.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for estimating future grid job costs by classifying grid jobs and storing results of processing grid job microcosms are provided. In general, a client side agent estimates future grid job costs by comparing a current grid job of a particular classification with a history of stored costs for other grid jobs of that customer of that particular classification. In particular, the grid client agent for a client system enabled to submit grid jobs to a grid provider that facilitates a grid environment, calculates a ratio of an application based metric to a grid provider metric for processing a particular grid job. Then, the grid client agent creates a table with an entry comparing the application based metric to a cost per grid provider metric for the grid provider based on the calculated ratio. Next, the grid client agent stores the table with the entry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing applications installed on a smartcard. The invention comprises a Smartcard Management Program (SMP), a User Action Program (UAP), a User Command Program (UCP), an Application Status Update Program (ASUP), and a Card Status Update Program (CSUP). The SMP interfaces with smartcard communications system and accepts the user commands. The UAP obtains applications from external sources, updates the user profile, and transmits the user profile to the user for viewing on a graphical user interface. The UCP breaks the user commands into card actions and application actions and executes the card actions and application actions. The ASUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in an application name column, an application status column, a user action column, and an information column. The CSUP updates the user profile by changing the entry in the card status field.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automating responses by grid providers to bid request indicating criteria for a grid job are provided. A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated.

Abstract: A grid service detects a current software environment for a grid job within a grid environment, wherein the grid environment includes multiple grid resources. The grid service searches a catalog of multiple software images to determine whether an image for the current software environment matches any software images in the catalog. Each of the software images includes an index into at least one installation image. Storage of the software images is structured in the catalog for automated efficient access to each software image by multiple resource nodes within the grid environment. If the grid service does not locate a software image for the current software environment in the catalog, the grid service captures at least one installation image for the current software environment for storage in the catalog as an additional software image.

Abstract: A client side agent estimates future grid job costs by comparing a current grid job of a particular classification with a history of stored costs for other grid jobs of that customer of that particular classification. The grid client agent for a client system enabled to submit grid jobs to a grid provider that facilitates a grid environment, calculates a ratio of an application based metric to a grid provider metric for processing a particular grid job. The grid client agent creates a table with an entry comparing the application based metric to a cost per grid provider metric for the grid provider based on the calculated ratio. The grid client agent stores the table with the entry.

Abstract: A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated. Next, a total cost for the total required workload is estimated and the grid service automatically returns a bid response to the client system, where the bid response includes an identifier for the grid provider and the total cost for the job request.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a service that monitors the time a space is occupied. The time period for occupation of the space may be prepaid or the fees may accumulate while the space is occupied. The system detects when an occupant enters the space and starts a timer. The system further provides a user interface whereby a user may prepay for an allotted period of time or may accumulate time in the space and then be billed later. Identifying information about the occupant may be acquired by an imaging device. The imaging device may further poll the space to determine if and when the occupant departs from the space. Identifying information may also be acquired through a user interface in which a user may enter identifying information, such as a credit card, a license number, a VIN, a driver's license, etc. The fact that the space has been occupied, the identifying information, and any prepaid amounts are transmitted via a communication device to a control station.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a service that monitors the time a space is occupied. The time period for occupation of the space may be prepaid or the fees may accumulate while the space is occupied. The system detects when an occupant enters the space and starts a timer. The system further provides a user interface whereby a user may prepay for an allotted period of time or may accumulate time in the space and then be billed later. Identifying information about the occupant may be acquired by an imaging device. The imaging device may further poll the space to determine if and when the occupant departs from the space. Identifying information may also be acquired through a user interface in which a user may enter identifying information, such as a credit card, a license number, a VIN, a driver's license, etc. The fact that the space has been occupied, the identifying information, and any prepaid amounts are transmitted via a communication device to a control station.

Abstract: A system, a method, and service that monitors the time a space is occupied. The time period for occupation of the space may be prepaid or the fees may accumulate while the space is occupied. The system detects when an occupant enters the space and starts a timer. The system further provides a user interface whereby a user may prepay for an allotted period of time or may accumulate time in the space and then be billed later. Identifying information about the occupant may be acquired by an imaging device. The imaging device may further poll the space to determine if and when the occupant departs from the space. Identifying information may also be acquired through a user interface in which a user may enter identifying information, such as a credit card, a license number, a VIN, a driver's license, etc. The fact that the space has been occupied, the identifying information, and any prepaid amounts are transmitted via a communication device to a control station.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for coordinating the monitoring, management, and prediction of unintended changes within a grid environment are provided. A grid change controller within a particular grid environment detects an unintended change within that grid environment. In particular, grid change controller monitors potential change indicators received from multiple disparate resource managers across the grid environment, where each resource manage manages a selection of resources within the grid environment. The grid change controller then determines a necessary response to the unintended change within the grid environment and communicates with at least one independent manager within the grid environment to resolve the unintended change, such that the grid change controller facilitates recovery from the unintended change within the grid environment to maintain performance requirements within the grid environment.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for verifying resource functionality before use by a grid job submitted to a grid environment are provided. When a new resource is allocated to a particular execution environment within a grid environment managed by a grid management system, then a grid verification service automatically selects and runs at least one functionality test on the new resource as controlled by the grid management system. Responsive to a result of the functionality test, the grid verification system verifies whether the result meets an expected result before enabling routing of the grid job to the new resource, such that the functionality of the new resource is automatically verified before access to the new resource is allowed to maintain quality of service in processing grid jobs.

Abstract: A grid change controller within a particular grid environment detects an unintended change within that grid environment. In particular, grid change controller monitors potential change indicators received from multiple disparate resource managers across the grid environment, where each resource manage manages a selection of resources within the grid environment. The grid change controller then determines a necessary response to the unintended change within the grid environment and communicates with at least one independent manager within the grid environment to resolve the unintended change, such that the grid environment to maintain performance requirements within the grid environment.

Abstract: An apparatus, and a computer program are provided for securing transmitted text. Once text has been produced by an application, the potential exists for an unintended third party to obtain sensitive data transmitted over computer networks. However, a parsing function can then operate either on an individual computer or on a network to scan text at an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 1 to assist in the prevention of sensitive data transmission. By utilizing the parsing function, text can be scanned for potentially sensitive data by using a variety of techniques, such as a learning algorithm. The sensitive data can then be verified by a user, bypassed, or autostripped.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program are provided for securing transmitted text. Once text has been produced by an application, the potential exists for an unintended third party to obtain sensitive data transmitted over computer networks. However, a parsing function can then operate either on an individual computer or on a network to scan text at an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layer 1 to assist in the prevention of sensitive data transmission. By utilizing the parsing function, text can be scanned for potentially sensitive data by using a variety of techniques, such as a learning algorithm. The sensitive data can then be verified by a user, bypassed, or autostripped.

Abstract: A system and method for path saturation in a storage area network so that the throughput of the storage area network may be determined. The system and method includes a software utility suite that uses either a system administration scripting language, e.g., Perl or Korn shell, or by compiled or machine language software. The software utility suite includes a set of software tools to be installed on one or more computer systems sharing access to a data storage system, such as a storage area network (SAN). The software tools running on these separate computer systems communicate and collaborate in a peer-to-peer fashion in order to coordinate loading, testing and measurement of storage throughput on the shared data storage system. The software tools further coordinate the collection, storage and presentation of results data obtained through such loading, testing and measurement of the storage throughput of the shared data storage system.

Abstract: When a new resource is allocated to a particular execution environment within a grid environment managed by a grid management system, then a grid verification service automatically selects and runs at least one functionality test on the new resource as controlled by the grid management system. Responsive to a result of the functionality test, the grid verification system verifies whether the result meets an expected result before enabling routing of the grid job to the new resource, such that the functionality of the new resource is automatically verified before access to the new resource is allowed to maintain quality of service in processing grid jobs.