Abstract: The price verification device typically includes a barcode scanner, an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) reader and an optional key pad. To verify a price for an item, a user such as a consumer will scan a barcode printed on a label associated with the item using the barcode scanner, and read the price for the item as printed on the label using the OCR reader. The consumer can then optionally input a quantity for the item using the key pad. Thereafter, the final price for the item will be stored within the device. When the consumer checks-out, he/she can compare the stored price for the item to a register-based price as determined by a (cash) register.

Abstract: A method to distribute policies may include transmitting one of an identification (ID) assigned to a policy template or the policy template associated with each policy to an enforcement point or selected enforcement points for enforcement. The method may also include transmitting one set of parameters to be used in each policy template to the enforcement point.

Abstract: A computer integrated cordless phone. The phone can include a cordless handset transceiver configured for coupling to an antenna shared with a wireless network adapter through a multiplexer/demultiplexer so that both of the cordless handset transceiver and the wireless network adapter transmit and receive data within a common wireless frequency spectrum. In a preferred embodiment, the cordless handset transceiver can include a further configuration for coupling to a central processing unit, audio processing circuitry and power supply within a computing device shared with the wireless network adapter. Notably, the common wireless frequency spectrum can include the ISM frequency band.

Abstract: A system for autonomically configuring a cluster of nodes can include a knowledge base of workload descriptions and associated configuration parameters, a genetic computing processor programmed to produce a selection of configuration parameters for a particular workload based upon a set of existing configuration parameters in the knowledge base, and, a controller coupled to the knowledge base and the cluster of nodes. The controller can include programming for monitoring the cluster of nodes and for applying individual ones of the selection of configuration parameters to the cluster of nodes to achieve an improved state of operation.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for managing system resources. A resource is provisioned for a service based on a demand for the service and one or more attributes of the system. For example, provisioning a resource for the service can be based on the demand for the service as well as a demand for another service sharing the system. The provisioning can be based on any combination of various other attributes of the system along with or instead of the demand for another service.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing instant messages, including the display of windows for incoming messages, as well as for managing status information for instant messaging users. In one aspect, an instant messaging user defines policy information to programmatically determine a response to an arriving instant message. As an example, the policy may control whether a new window will pop up for a newly-arriving message, and may specify other attributes of the window if desired. In another aspect, an instant messaging user defines attributes pertaining to how his instant messaging status will be presented to others.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing instant messages, including the display of windows for incoming messages, as well as for managing status information for instant messaging users. In one aspect, an instant messaging user defines policy information to programmatically determine a response to an arriving instant message. As an example, the policy may control whether a new window will pop up for a newly-arriving message, and may specify other attributes of the window if desired. In another aspect, an instant messaging user defines attributes pertaining to how his instant messaging status will be presented to others.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for autonomically configuring a user interface. The system can include at least one widget programmed to be disposed in the user interface. The widget can include a dynamically configurable presentation field. Additionally, the system can include a policy defined by one or more business rules for configuring the widget in the user interface based upon a context provided by the widget. Finally, the system can include a rules engine configured to process the business rules. Notably, the widget can be a widget configured to be disposed in a markup language document. The business rules which define the policy of the present invention can include a multiplicity of rules which both define and constrain the level of complexity of user interface widgets in the user interface.

Abstract: A method for the autonomic management of autonomic systems can include monitoring a managed system and recommending a course of action to be performed in the managed system. It can be determined whether the recommended course of action has been performed by an administrator. Responsive to the determination, it further can be determined whether an outcome from the course of action comports with a predicted outcome. If so, a point count can be changed responsive to a further determination that the outcome from the course of action comports with the predicted outcome. Conversely, the point count can be oppositely changed responsive to a further determination that the outcome from the course of action does not comports with the predicted outcome. In any case, when the point count crosses a threshold value, the management of the managed system can be transitioned to an adaptive component.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for intelligently handing an impairment to the delivery of e-mail messages to intended recipients in a mail delivery system. The method can include storing received e-mail messages prior to forwarding the messages to inboxes of respective mail servers. An impairment to delivering the messages to the inboxes can be detected and senders for selected ones of the messages can be identified. Subsequently, a notification of the impairment can be forwarded to the identified senders.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for autonomically assisting in the creation of an administrative policy. The method can include detecting a stimuli in a system under study and monitoring a response by a systems administrator to the stimuli. The stimuli and the response can be forwarded to a policy maker suited to analyze the stimuli and the response. Also, the policy maker can be queried for a preferred response to the stimuli. Based upon the preferred response to the stimuli, a policy for responding to the stimuli can be formulated. As such, the policy can be enforced in managing the system under study. Moreover, the policy can be forwarded for future consideration to the systems administrator.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for enforcing the administration policy of a system. The method can include receiving a request to perform an administrative task directed to a resource within a computing network. Responsive to receiving the request, an administration policy including a set of rules for governing the administrative task can be retrieved as can state data for the resource. Subsequently, the retrieved policy can be applied to the retrieved state data. Consequently, the administrative task can be permitted only if the retrieved state data satisfies the set of rules in the retrieved policy.

Abstract: An autonomic system for diagnosing and correcting error conditions among interrelated components and resources. The system can include one or more commonly formatted log files utilizing standardized naming conventions for the interrelated components and resources. Each of the commonly formatted log files can include an association with one of the interrelated components and resources. An autonomic system administrator can be coupled to each of the interrelated components and resources and can be configured to parse the log files to identify both error conditions arising in associated ones of the interrelated components and resources, and also dependent ones of the interrelated components and resources giving rise to the identified error conditions.