Abstract: A method of retaining linking pages through a browser session. A browser window presents a first web page that includes one or more links. A user marks the first web page in as a “thumbtacked” web page. A thumbtack utility iteratively determines whether or not a graphical cursor is in proximity to a link among one of the one or more links included in the first web page. When the cursor is in close proximity to one of the links, the thumbtack utility displays a hidden pane in a first portion of the browser window. The hidden pane includes data from a second web page corresponding to the link. The browser also displays the first web page concurrently in a second portion of the browser window. When the cursor is not in close proximity to one of the links, the thumbtack utility removes the hidden pane from view.

Abstract: A technique for associating user defined tasks with electronic files includes associating a custom control with an electronic folder. In this case, the custom control corresponds to a user defined task and the electronic folder includes multiple electronic files grouped according to a defined relationship. The user defined task is then executed on at least one of the multiple electronic files when the custom control, which does not correspond to a system control, is selected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide site browsing history information that pertains to a specified network site user. One embodiment, directed to a method, comprises the step of acquiring data for a database, wherein the acquired data identifies multiple sites that are accessed by the user in an order, during a specified period of time. The method further comprises accessing at least a portion of the data from the database. From the accessed data, a pictorial representation of a plurality of the websites accessed during the specified time period is generated. The pictorial representation further illustrates the order in which at least some of the websites of the plurality were accessed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for executing whole domain searches based on user queries and producing a result list of root nodes. The method and system comprise searching a network containing a plurality of web sites further containing a plurality of pages by examining all pages of a web site and comparing indexed terms to desired search terms. A result list of domain root nodes is returned wherein not all search terms may appear on a single document or associated page of the root page. Pages containing desired search terms may be indexed and mapped to root nodes for access from a result list.

Abstract: A method of retrieving information via a network by initiating a phone call by entering a dialing sequence on a telephone to make a telephone connection. If it is determined that the phone call is a request for web-based information, the requested web-based information is determined as well as a network address associated with the phone call. A network protocol request is the generated for the requested web-based information. The network protocol request is then sent to a network server capable of retrieving the information and the retrieved information is delivered to the network address associated with the phone call. Determining that the phone call is a request for web-based information may include detecting a specified sequence that is appended to the phone number. An IP address associated with the telephone may be appended to the phone call either manually or automatically.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with nutrition information for each kind of food in a restaurant, institutional cafeteria, in food delivery to hospital patients, in hospice, in old age home residents or elsewhere. The food plate is placed on a coaster with an RFID reader and miniature built-in scale. The scale is used to measure the weight of a particular food placed on the plate. In addition, the RFID reader reads the nutritional information from an RFID tag in the serving bin of the cafeteria or the food distribution point. With the nutritional information of each food and the amount of the food that is added to the plate, the nutritional intake of a customer or patient can be calculated. With this the nutrition information now available, the nutritional information, including the amount of vitamins, calories, sugars, carbohydrates, and grams (g) of fat, can be obtained and tracked.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for sending content from a first application to a second application. In response to a user input indicating a selection of content for transfer to the second application, the selection of the content is copied to form copied content. The copied content is then automatically sent to the second application without requiring additional user manipulation of the copy content. Additionally, the destination may be another user. In this case, the second application is employed to automatically transfer the copied content to that second user.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a radio transmitter station that transmits weather prediction information to a geographic region that includes multiple geographic sub-regions. The weather prediction information includes a respective geographic sub-region code for each of the geographic sub-regions for which a weather forecast predicts rain within a predetermined time period. An irrigation apparatus in a particular sub-region activates to water a watering zone at a schedule time. However, if the irrigation apparatus receives the sub-region code for the particular sub-region where the irrigation apparatus is located, the irrigation apparatus does not immediately activate to water the watering zone in one embodiment. The transmitter station may transmit both program content and data content on a common radio frequency signal wherein the data content includes the weather prediction information.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and media are disclosed for replacing an email attachment with a call, and forwarding the email with the call to a user for selective display of the attachment by making a call. One embodiment includes receiving an email on a mail server, wherein the email has the email attachment, and removing the email attachment from the email to produce a stripped email. The embodiment further includes storing the email attachment on a server, adding the call to the stripped email, and forwarding the stripped email with the call for displaying to a recipient.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and media are disclosed for replacing an email attachment with a call, and forwarding the email with the call to a user for selective display of the attachment by making a call. One embodiment includes receiving an email on a mail server, wherein the email has the email attachment, and removing the email attachment from the email to produce a stripped email. The embodiment further includes storing the email attachment on a server, adding the call to the stripped email, and forwarding the stripped email with the call for displaying to a recipient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for storing a language preference and providing the stored language preference automatically without any intervention of a user. The user may have an option to set a desired language preference on the calling apparatus such as a telephone device. A call center may send a query requesting language preference information of the user to the calling apparatus when the user makes a call connection to the call center. The desired language preference saved on the calling apparatus may be sent directly from the calling apparatus to the call center. In this manner, the user may not have to repeat a language selection process for every call made to the call center.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for sending content from a first application to a second application. In response to a user input indicating a selection of content for transfer to the second application, the selection of the content is copied to form copied content. The copied content is then automatically sent to the second application without requiring additional user manipulation of the copy content. Additionally, the destination may be another user. In this case, the second application is employed to automatically transfer the copied content to that second user.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying advertisements. A set of keywords is received from a user. A query is performed in a search engine with the set of keywords. A set of websites comprising ranked search results and ranked advertisements is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user input selecting a first website in the set of websites, modifying the ranked advertisements, based on the content of the first website, to form modified advertisements.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for processing project related communications between users of computers and to provide listening functionality for the users. In one embodiment, a system allows a third party project member to optionally listen in on an electronic conversation between two or more project members. The system further allows the third party project member to conduct a keyword search of messages relating to the project.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that deploys an operating system. The first computer system sends a Wake-on-LAN instruction and boots each of the second computer systems. The second computer system identifies a set of third computer identifiers that corresponds to each of the selected second computer systems. The second computer systems send the Wake-on-LAN instruction to each of the third computer systems, and the third computer systems are booted over the computer network from the second computer systems. A control file lists the first computer system as a “server” of the second computer systems and lists the second computer systems as “servers” of the third computer systems. The control file is transmitted from a server to each of the server's clients. When a client is booted, it checks the control file to determine if the client is also a server to other computer systems.

Abstract: Method for managing temporary settings in an application program and a computer program product including instructions embodied on a computer readable medium for performing the method. The method detects entry of a new application setting, then automatically queries a user to designate the new setting as a default setting or a temporary setting. If the new setting is designated as a temporary setting, then the method automatically queries the user to designate an expiration condition. The application program subsequently uses the temporary setting until occurrence of the expiration condition. In response to the occurrence of the expiration condition, the application program operates using the default setting. Examples of an expiration condition include a time period or an event, such as closing a task pane, closing a document, closing the instantiation of the application, or using the temporary setting more than a set point number of times.

Abstract: Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for authorizing a guest to use an electronic financial transaction card, such as a credit card or debit card, are disclosed. Embodiments may include receiving information about a desired guest transaction (which may be limited in size, timeframe, nature, etc.) from a customer associated with an EFT card, generating a guest PIN number and artifact information for the guest transaction, and transmitting them to the customer. Embodiments may also include receiving from a financial terminal a PIN number and an indication of a supplied artifact associated with a proposed transaction utilizing the EFT card. Embodiments may include determining whether the proposed transaction should be authorized based on the received PIN number and the supplied artifact and, in response to determining that the proposed transaction should be authorized, transmitting approval of the proposed transaction to the financial terminal.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and computer program product for reprioritizing the search results of a search engine. A user, using a search engine performs an initial search. The search engine ranks and displays the search results to the user. The user then accesses one or more links displayed on the page. The improved search engine infers additional information from the links accessed on the displayed page. Based upon the inferred information, the improved search engine reprioritizes the remaining search results.

Abstract: A method for reducing fraudulent usage of credit cards/debit cards, the method comprising: allowing a user owning the credit cards/debit cards to register the credit cards/debit cards to a GPS (Global Positioning System) enabled device, the GPS enabled device connected to a network; allowing the user to define a range at which the credit cards/debit cards are out of range with respect to the GPS enabled device; authorizing use of the credit cards/debit cards owned by the user after it is determined that the credit cards/debit cards and the GPS enabled device are within the user defined range; and denying the authorization of the credit cards/debit cards owned by the user after it is determined that the credit cards/debit cards and the GPS enabled device are outside the user defined range.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for creating and displaying derivative data created from a spreadsheet or table. Templates are used to dynamically create and display the derivative data while viewing the originating spreadsheet.