Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of providing auto-dimming and state transition signal functionality to a telephone system are provided. Generally, when the telephone system is in use, it will have an illuminated screen that may distract others. Because of this, when the telephone system is entering a state that does not require monitoring by the user, the illuminated screen may dim down to decrease the likelihood of distraction by others. However, since the user may want to know when the telephone system is no longer in that state, the telephone system may alert the user when it has transitioned out of that state.

Abstract: A system and method of enhancing a profile of a portable device. The system and method includes defining an event type in a scheduling tool and scheduling a time to initiate the event type. The system and method further includes associating a notification profile of a device with the defined event type and changing a setting of the device to the notification profile in response to the scheduling time and the defined event type.

Abstract: A method, system and program of generating a chronicle of search terms used in a network environment of a community are provided. A term is received from a user in a current search. The term is matched in a search chronicle, wherein the search chronicle is a database comprising a plurality of search terms associated with a search originator. The search chronicle results are then provided to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media to improve employee productivity using radio frequency identification (RFID) are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of transmitting information from RFID tags, receiving the information in an RFID tag reader, analyzing the information to select a number of employees to work in a work area, and dispatching one or more employees to or from the work area according to the selected number of employees. Some embodiments select employees with certain skills, based on the RFID tag information. In other embodiments, an RFID tag reader monitors the movement of employees to ensure that they are moving according to the dispatch and potentially dispatching alternate employees. Some embodiments involve reading information from RFID tags attached to goods, whereas other embodiments involve reading information from RFID tags in cards carried by employees and customers, and RFID tags fastened to shopping carts and shopping baskets.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for storing information in a common information store of a global file storage system are disclosed. Embodiments may include a common information store including a communications module to send and receive information to and from one or more servers in the global file storage system and a pattern database to store a plurality of subfiles for the global file storage system, where each subfile may include an indication of a recognizable pattern. The common information store may also include a common information store manager to analyze newly stored files and to reconstruct stored files of the global file storage system. In a further embodiment, the common information store manager may further comprise a pattern analyzer sub-module to analyze a file for recognizable patterns and to compare the recognizable patterns to the subfiles stored in the pattern database.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for masking traditional grey bars which are produced by displaying wide screen images within a full screen native projector and visa versa. This method allows blocking of light for unused portions of the screen thereby producing higher contrast images. In an exemplary embodiment, a physical shutter is positioned inside the projection system so that the light which would otherwise produce a grey bar area is blocked before it reaches a projection screen. Image data are analyzed to identify grey screen areas which are not being utilized for image display and light which would otherwise produce such grey areas is blocked or shuttered by the projector to eliminate the grey areas.

Abstract: The user of a mobile device such as a cellular telephone can locate a lost or misplaced telephone by remotely adjusting the volume of the ring tone such that it is audible enough to for the user to hear it. The user will be able to call his/her own device. Once connected to the device, the user will be provided with the option to remotely change their ringer tone (e.g., from vibrate or low ringer volume to high ringer volume). Another feature is that the device will be able to provide information about its physical location in the event the owner is not in the same proximate area of the device. Third, the device will also have an emergency amount of power reserved exclusively for this retrieval process.

Abstract: An agent may receive an event from a source calendaring system, wherein the event specifies a person, perhaps including a uniform resource locator, having disparate calendaring system. The disparate calendaring system may use a native event format for coordinating events. The agent may lookup a template to convert the event to a native event. The agent may transmit a message with attributes such as a unique identifier to the disparate calendaring system. If the disparate calendaring system acknowledges the event with a success, the agent may log the occurrence of a success. Agent may transmit additional messages having native events to additional disparate systems.

Abstract: The user of a mobile device such as a cellular telephone can locate a lost or misplaced telephone by remotely adjusting the volume of the ring tone such that it is audible enough to for the user to hear it. The user will be able to call his/her own device. Once connected to the device, the user will be provided with the option to remotely change their ringer tone (e.g., from vibrate or low ringer volume to high ringer volume). Another feature is that the device will be able to provide information about its physical location in the event the owner is not in the same proximate area of the device. Third, the device will also have an emergency amount of power reserved exclusively for this retrieval process.

Abstract: The present invention provides privacy measures in instant messaging systems. A method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: setting a time-out value for a message; sending the message to a receiving user; and displaying the message to the receiving user only for a time period equal to the time-out value. In another embodiment, a stealth delivery mode is provided in which an IM message is displayed to the receiving user only if the receiving user has approved the display of the IM message. In a further embodiment, a predetermined number of elements received prior to a current IM message are displayed in the conversation pane of an IM client, based on a threshold value.

Abstract: A locking digital pen system includes memory means which is available for storing user passwords for a plurality of users. When a user wishes to activate the digital pen, the user is enabled to use the digital pen to enter a password. After verification of the password, the pen is unlocked and the system associates the user with a matching digital signature certificate. When the user wishes to lock the pen, the user is enabled to actuate a button on the pen or provide an entry to a coupled computer to initiate a locking sequence. The system then disassociates the user from the digital signature certificates so the pen can no longer be used to digitally sign documents and the pen enters a locked state. In another embodiment, an authorized user may disable the unlocking function of the pen whereby the pen may not be unlocked by entry of a password but rather only when a special code is entered into the system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for testing computer programs in response to a program upgrade or installation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer executes software to detect when an upgrade or an installation occurs. When an upgrade or installation occurs the computer initiates a test of one or more applications and/or operating systems. The results of these tests are logged in one or more error logs that can be displayed to a program developer or operating system administrator for diagnosis.

Abstract: In a graphical user interface or other similar processing environment, functionality is provided that enables the selecting of multiple portions of non-contiguous content, and enables such functionality within the same application and also across different applications. Further, a “direct save” function is enabled that allows the user to directly save the multiple portions of selected content to a file. In addition, selected content portions can be categorized, and a mechanism is provided to allow the user to conveniently make use of these various categories for effective content viewing.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer communications between vehicles providing warning of a collision or near-collision event and/or collision avoidance is controlled by otherwise underutilized air bag deployment processors in respective vehicles. Direction of reception of warning signals is used to selectively control relaying of warning signals at differentiated warning levels, collision avoidance actions and/or in-vehicle warning alarms to operators of vehicles in the vicinity of an event.

Abstract: A system and method for providing implementing proxy handling of instant messages and the like, wherein proxy recipients are designated by an original recipient, and one or more redirection rules are established indicating conditions under which said designated proxy recipients are to be sent redirected messages. When an instant message is received directed towards the original recipient, the redirection rules are evaluated and the message is redirect to a designated proxy recipient according to the redirection rules, with the display of the received message being suppressed or blocked on the intended original recipient's user interface.

Abstract: A method for facilitating authorized online communication includes receiving sponsor identification information. The method further includes receiving sign up information from at least a first and second user based on the sponsor identification information and receiving a sponsor authorization. Based on the sponsor authorization, communication between users is allowed. A computer usable medium including computer program code for accomplishing similar actions is also disclosed. A system including means for accomplishing similar actions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for performing auto-migration of data among a plurality of memory devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, memory access of application program data is monitored for each of one or more application programs. The data may be stored in one or more of a plurality of memory storage devices, each with its own performance characteristics. Monitored access is evaluated to determine an optimal distribution of the application programs data, typically stored in files, among the plurality of memory storage devices. The evaluation takes into account service level requirements of each application program. Periodically, data may be automatically transferred from one memory storage device to another to achieve the determined optimal allocation among the available memory storage devices consistent with service level requirements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for altering the captured input within a digital pen. One embodiment includes capturing the input by the digital pen, wherein the input comprises dots and measurements. Further, the method includes modifying, within the digital pen, the input based on an attribute selected for the input, wherein the modifying produces a modified input. Such modifying may occur by conversion functions, such as to a preferred input format, e.g., Excel® spreadsheet, or a preferred stylistic format, e.g., black 12 point font, wherein the conversion functions modify the input to affect such preferences based on a position of one or more selectors located on the exterior of the digital pen. Finally, the method includes transmitting the modified input to a computer system in wireless communication, for example, with the digital pen.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for supplying a specified minimum level of power to a laptop computer or other device during a battery replacement procedure. In the system, a first battery has a plurality of terminal pairs, each terminal pair comprising positive and negative terminals. The system further includes a battery interface comprising two pairs of contact points, the contact points of each pair adapted to engage corresponding terminals of one of the terminal pairs to couple power from the first battery to the laptop. The power provided to the device by either of the terminal pairs is sufficient to supply the specified minimum level of power.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for detecting a tailgate event between two vehicles moving in a forward motion is provided. The two vehicles include a first and second vehicle, one of the two vehicles being an offending vehicle and the other of the two vehicles being an affected vehicle. The method includes determining a distance between the two vehicles. The first vehicle is ahead of the second vehicle. The method also includes calculating a safe distance range between the two vehicles based upon one or more of speed, weight, and safe braking range values of at least one of the two vehicles. The method further includes comparing the distance and the safe distance range and activating a recording device on the affected vehicle if the distance is less than the safe distance range indicating an unacceptable range value, the offending vehicle being responsible for causing the unacceptable range value.