Abstract: A system, method, and service associated with a computing grid or a virtual organization include a request for proposal (RFP) generator, where the RFP describes a data processing task. The RFP is provided to multiple resource providers via the computing grid where each of the resource providers is potentially suitable for performing the data processing task on behalf of the resource consumer. An RFP response processor receives and evaluates RFP responses generated by one or more of the resource providers. An exception processor accessible to the RFP response processor evaluates any exception in the RFP to determine if the exception disqualifies the RFP response. The exceptions may include, for example, job time limit exceptions, resource requirement exceptions, hardware/software platform requirement exceptions and others. Exception rules may be defined to guide the evaluation of the exception.

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: Computing environments within a grid computing system are dynamically built in response to specific job resource requirements from a grid resource allocator, including activating needed hardware, provisioning operating systems, application programs, and software drivers. Optimally, prior to building a computing environment for a particular job, cost/revenue analysis is performed, and if operational objectives would not be met by building the environment and executing the job, a job sell-off process is initiated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the automated tracking of time spent executing computer applications and processes, the associating of the time with accounting categories, and the reporting of the time spent. The system provides a variety of modes for tracking the time. In an embodiment, the user can specify a stop time for the association of a computer application with an accounting category. In an embodiment, the user can specify information about the billing rates of the time spent executing an application. In an embodiment, the user can associate an application with an accounting category for a period of time.

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: The present invention provides a method and system to alert the recipient of an electronic message of some action that is required from the recipient. The invention also provides a method to alert the sender of the electronic message of the completion of the action required in the original electronic mail message. In the method of the present invention, the originator or recipient of an electronic mail message can choose to designate the message as one that requires an action by the message recipient. The recipient will notice the ‘Action Required’ icon and will be alerted to the fact that an action is required with this message. At the completion of the action, the sender of the original message will receive a notification that the requested action has been taken by the recipient.

Abstract: The performance of one or more resource vendors in a grid computing environment are automatically rated by receiving one or more resource self-reports, a set of client-driven performance criteria, and job results from a grid resource. Rating logic performs an analysis of the job results against the client-driven performance criteria and the self-reports, and produces a grid resource rating table which allows for future selection of grid resources to be performed based upon actual historical performance of the available resources and vendors.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided for dynamically routing traffic routs based on traffic reports. Utilizing current in-car navigation systems, a new implementation of that system can be developed where alternate routes can be plotted around varying traffic events. By receiving radio or Radio Frequency (RF) communications regarding current traffic conditions, the in-car navigation system can be modified to plot alternate routes. Also, the in-car navigation systems could utilize computer memory to develop histories of events so that reoccurring traffic events such as rush hour conditions can be avoided.

Abstract: A computing resource allocation system allocates hardware and software resources among employees, based upon a combination of the employee level, job function, and demonstrated workstation performance within the context of the job requirements of the employee and usage patterns of the computing resource. The system collects various performance data for computing resources. A set of policy rules is applied to the collected performance data and processed by the present system. Consequently, the present system automatically identifies and prioritizes employees in need of technology upgrades and replacements based on business needs and available resources. Performance data of a computing resource is captured and transmitted to a central collection agency. From the performance data, the present system determines when partial upgrades, such as memory additions or faster adapters are appropriate based on system performance or errors.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing patrons waiting in a service provider's queue with information as to their status in the queue are provided. While a patron is in the queue, at time intervals specified which may be user selectable, an estimate of the time remaining is calculated based on the patron's current position in the queue. The estimated time and/or other queue order information may be transmitted to the patron using the patron's own device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, etc. When the patron reaches the head of the queue, a notification may be similarly transmitted. Additionally, the party may be provided with the option to sacrifice its position in the queue for a later position.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing escalating resource needs within a grid environment are provided. A job is submitted into a first selection of resources in a grid environment from among a hierarchy of discrete sets of resources accessible in the grid environment. Discrete sets of resources may include locally accessible resources, enterprise accessible resources, capacity on demand resources, and grid resources. The performance of the first selection of resources is monitored and compared with a required performance level for the job. If the required performance level is not met, then the discrete sets of resources are queried for available resources to meet the required performance level in an order designated by said hierarchy. Available resources in a next discrete set of resource from the hierarchy of discrete sets of resources are added to a virtual organization of resources handling the job within the grid environment.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided for improving the performance of a disk drive. Due to the problem of file fragmentation that occurs with multiple, writes, deletes, and rewrites, the performance of a storage drive can be drastically affected. Typically, the performance is as a result of increased access times to files. To alleviate the problem, a method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided to track file fragmentations and actively defragment storage drives when the computer system using the drive is idle. Thus, the drive performance is maintained without lengthy engagement of defragmentation programs initiated by user.

Abstract: A method of restoring catalytic activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst that has a first carbon concentration. The concentration of carbon on the spent hydroprocessing catalyst is reduced to provide a carbon-reduced catalyst having a second carbon concentration that is less than the first carbon concentration. The carbon-reduced catalyst is exposed to a solution, comprising a chelating agent and a solvent, for an aging time period sufficient to provide for a restored catalytic activity thereby resulting in an aged catalyst having incorporated therein the chelating agent and the solvent. The aged catalyst is exposed to conditions, including a drying temperature, so as to remove from the aged catalyst a portion of the solvent without removing a significant portion of the chelating agent from the aged catalyst thereby resulting in a dried aged catalyst. The dried aged catalyst is then sulfur treated to thereby provide a restored catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for restoring catalytic activity to a hydroprocessing catalyst that has become spent due to its use or to the deposition of carbon thereon. The method includes a carbon reduction step whereby carbon is removed from the spent hydroprocessing catalyst in a controlled manner to within a specifically defined concentration range. Following the carbon removal step, the resulting catalyst, having a reduced concentration of carbon, is subjected to a chelation treatment whereby the resulting carbon-reduced catalyst is contacted with a chelating agent and aged for a time period necessary for realizing the benefit from the controlled carbon reduction step. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst resulting from the chelation treatment is subjected to a sulfurization treatment involving the incorporation of elemental sulfur therein and contacting therewith an olefin.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for minimizing complex decisions to allocate additional resources to a job submitted to a grid environment are provided. First, at least one decision to allocate additional resources to at least one previously submitted job is stored in a decision cache, wherein said the least one decision is stored according to at least one characteristic of the at least one previously submitted job. When another job is submitted to the grid environment needs additional resources, the characteristic of the currently submitted job is compared with the characteristics of previous submitted jobs. If there is a match, then the previously made decision associated with the matching characteristic controls allocation of additional resources for the currently submitted job, such that complex decision making for allocation of additional resources is minimized by reusing previously stored decisions to allocate additional resources.

Abstract: This present invention provides a teleconferencing method and system in which that places the contact responsibility on the conference host, rather than passively requiring individuals to connect to the conference. This invention creates a participant profile for each potential conference participant. The user profile would include a primary point of contact, such as an office telephone, and secondary choice, such as a home office telephone, cellular telephone, or text capable Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). As the system proceeds through the options, in the event the participant is not reached, a message appropriate to that media (voicemail, text message, etc.) can be left as a reminder. Further, the invention would provide to all participants any softcopy materials deemed critical by the leader of the meeting, in a format based on user preferences also contained in the profile database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring subsystem that would capture all incoming MDN messages (return receipts), and rather than posting individual MDN notes in the user's in-box, a tracking and update subsystem would correlate the incoming responses by reading the appropriate fields in the captured MDN message, and would then use this data to update/create the new functionality

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products for voicemail searching that include storing, in association with voicemail messages, voiceprints of callers who leave voicemail messages for voicemail users in a voicemail system; storing caller speech tags in association with the voiceprints; identifying, in dependence upon caller voiceprints, callers who leave new voicemail messages; receiving, from a particular voicemail user, search keywords entered as speech and converted to text through automated speech recognition; and selecting, in dependence upon the search keywords and the caller speech tags, one or more selected voicemail messages from a multiplicity of voicemail messages for the particular voicemail user.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an audio system and a control system configured to mute the audio system output automatically in response to input signals indicating an incoming call to any of two or more recognized cell phones or pagers. A digital input implementation employs a wire or cable from the cell phone directly to the control system. The cable carries a signal that is asserted whenever an incoming call is detected. An audio input implementation uses a set of audio detectors throughout the vehicle. The control system is “trained” to listen for a cell phone ring that matches any of a list of previously learned cell phone rings. The control system may support infrared and radio frequency implementations as well. In another embodiment, the control system detects the incoming call through the motor vehicle's external antenna in parallel with the detection of the incoming call by the cell phone.

Abstract: The present invention introduces unique functionality whereby there is a substantial reduction in the storage and replication requirements for the locally initiated electronic mail messages, which include locally sourced attachments. In the method of the present invention, at the origination location of an electronic message, there is an identification of electronic messages containing locally sourced attachment documents. During the storage of the transmitted message, there is determination of whether any attachment to the message was a locally sourced attachment. If the attachment was a locally sourced attachment, the attachment may not be stored with the message. Instead a pointer or link can be created to the original or locally sourced document. This approach will reduce the storage space required by electronic messages.