Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer instructions for organizing threads in an instant messaging session. Instant messages are received from a list of contacts. Each of these messages are stored in a set of folders, wherein each folders in the set of folders stores messages for a contact in the number of contacts. Each file is linked for access though a graphical user interface. Message threads are handled by displaying a primary dialog window, wherein the primary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responsive to a user input identifying a new thread, a secondary dialog window is displayed, wherein the secondary dialog window includes an ongoing conversation pane and an outgoing message pane. Responses to outgoing messages sent from the outgoing message pane are displayed in the primary dialog window in the ongoing conversation pane in the primary dialog window.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing messages. In response to a request by an invitee to add a third party to a messaging session with a number of parties, a stealth invite is sent to the third party. If the stealth invite is accepted, messages sent to and received from the parties are sent to the third party without the number of parties knowing of a presence of the third party in the messaging session. The addition of the third party is not announced or indicated to the other parties. The third party also is unable to send messages to the other parties, but may in some cases send messages to the invitee. A recording feature allows a party to automatically record all messages that the party can see. This feature is initiated at the beginning of a messaging session and can be set as a default.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for notifying a telephone speaker engaged in a call or conference that the audio quality being received by one or more listeners is not acceptable. The notice is provided before the call or conference has ended, so that effective action can be taken to continue the conference. Embodiments of the invention can include both automatic and manual methods for informing a participant in a telephone call that audio distortion is occurring. An automated method uses audio sampling and comparative logic, while a manual method is accomplished using phone programming and a key entry sequence. A further embodiment provides means for any participant on a call to verify the audio quality of his or her own telephone.

Abstract: A data processing system and a computer implemented method is provided for adjusting the transparency of a display screen based on detecting motion in an area obscured by the display screen. When a motion is detected in the area obscured by the display screen, the transparency of the display screen is adjusted so that the motion is visible through the display screen simultaneously with any data being displayed on the display screen. The transparency may be adjusted depending on the location of the motion, pattern of the motion or both. Patterns of motions may be pre-defined to correspond with specific actions relating to the transparency of the display screen. Furthermore, depending on the location or pattern of the motion, one or more areas of the screen may be adjusted for transparency.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing messages. In response to a request by an invitee to add a third party to a messaging session with a number of parties, a stealth invite is sent to the third party. If the stealth invite is accepted, messages sent to and received from the parties are sent to the third party without the number of parties knowing of a presence of the third party in the messaging session. The addition of the third party is not announced or indicated to the other parties. The third party also is unable to send messages to the other parties, but may in some cases send messages to the invitee. A recording feature allows a party to automatically record all messages that the party can see. This feature is initiated at the beginning of a messaging session and can be set as a default.

Abstract: Changes in wireless service user behavior are encouraged and produced to shape utilization patterns among cells within a rate plan region by using shaping rules which define potential discounts from a standard charge rate under certain cell-specific utilization conditions, analyzing the shaping rules and utilization statistics of a cell upon service initiation, generating a discount from the standard rate for underutilized cells. The user is notified of these discount opportunities using text messages, icons, or other means. Over time, the users learn that at certain places and times, significant discounts are offered, and thus changes their behavior to take advantage of those discounts, thereby shaping traffic in a manner desired by the service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for reallocating adapters in a logically partitioned environment. The present invention comprises a Performance Enhancement Program (PEP) and a Reallocation Program (RP). The PEP allows an administrator to designate several parameters and identify donor and recipient candidates. The RP compiles the performance data for the adapters and calculates a composite parameter. For each adapter in the donor candidate pool, the RP compares the composite parameter to the donor load threshold to determine if the adapter is a donor. For each adapter in the recipient candidate pool, the RP compares the composite parameter to the recipient load threshold to determine if the adapter is a recipient. The RP then allocates the adapters from the donors to the recipients. The RP continues to monitor and update the workload statistics based on either a moving window or a discrete window sampling system.

Abstract: A method and system for achieving stability while reallocating resources in a logically partitioned environment. The present invention comprises Performance Enhancement Program (PEP), Classification Program (CP), System Analysis Program (SAP), and System Evaluation Program (SEP). PEP allows a user to enter several performance parameters. CP classifies each of the virtual systems in the managed system based on their workload. SAP analyses the managed system to determine the configuration of the managed system. Managed systems configurations are classified according to the reciprocity of resource allocation and the overall symmetry of the managed systems. SEP evaluates the configuration of the managed system and recommends alterations for improved performance of the managed system. The managed system will be optimized when the functional differentiator (FD) of the virtual systems is small enough to allow reallocation of resources without an unacceptable sacrifice in managed system stability.

Abstract: A method and system for reallocating resources in a logically partitioned environment using hierarchical weighting comprising a Performance Enhancement Program (PEP), a Reallocation Program (RP), and a Hierarchical Weighting Program (HWP). The PEP allows an administrator to designate several performance parameters and rank the priority of the resources. The RP compiles the performance data for the resources and calculates a composite parameter, a recipient workload ratio, and a donor workload ratio. The RP determines the donors and recipients. RP allocates the resources from the donors to the recipients using the HWP. The HWP evaluates and ranks the equivalency of donors and recipients based on the noise factor. HWP then reallocates the resource in each class and subclass from the highest ranked donor to the highest ranked recipient. The RP continues to monitor and update the workload statistics based on either a moving window or a discrete window sampling system.

Abstract: A system and method for managing voicemails using metadata is presented. The metadata includes an audible introduction which a user records and associates the audible introduction to a voicemail. The user is also able to associate other types of metadata to a voicemail, such as a description data flag, a reminder flag, and a retention flag. Once the user associates the metadata with a voicemail, the user is able to retrieve the audible introduction and the voicemail in a sequential manner or through search criteria. The user is able to customize metadata based upon the user's requirements.

Abstract: A methodology for configuring the connection of adapters to bus controllers or other possibly failing components (PFCs) in a logically partitioned environment. The present invention comprises an Adapter Placement Program (APP), two Adapter Threshold Programs (ATPs), three Sequential Ranking Programs (SRPs), and three Weighting Factor Programs (WFPs). The APP determines the criteria the administrator desires to use to place the adapters on the bus controllers or other PFCs and selects the appropriate program to execute the adapter placement. The ATPs classify the adapters as either “hot” or “not hot” based on a traffic intensity threshold and place the adapters to the bus controllers or other PFCs. The SRPs rank the adapters and place the adapters to the bus controllers or other PFCs based on their rank. The WFPs assign weighting factors to the adapters and place the adapters to bus controllers or other PFCs based on the adapters' weighting factors.

Abstract: A method and implementing instant messaging processing system are provided which include means by which a user is enabled to input certain selective details concerning the user's off-line status. Such user selections are stored by an IM server and subsequently made available to other IM users when such other IM users log-on to the IM application. User selections include a listing of common reasons why a user is not available and means are provided for the user to select specific applicable details concerning the user's off-line status. A user is also enabled to input custom text messages to selectively provide even more specific detail to other users of the IM application concerning the user's off-line status. Means are further provided to enable a user to input more than one custom off-line message and also to indicate the timing of each message and when each message shall be made available to other IM users.

Abstract: A method and implementing instant messaging processing system are provided which include means by which a user is enabled to input certain selective details concerning the user's off-line status. Such user selections are stored by an IM server and subsequently made available to other IM users when such other IM users log-on to the IM application. User selections include a listing of common reasons why a user is not available and means are provided for the user to select specific applicable details concerning the user's off-line status. A user is also enabled to input custom text messages to selectively provide even more specific detail to other users of the IM application concerning the user's off-line status. Means are further provided to enable a user to input more than one custom off-line message and also to indicate the timing of each message and when each message shall be made available to other IM users.

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: An example of a solution provided here comprises: receiving a message from a sender; providing the message to a recipient; and in response to a request from the sender, automatically transmitting multiple-party receipt notifications to a number of persons. Thus a number of persons may be notified that the recipient has been provided with the content of the message. In some cases, such a solution may comprise providing limits for the multiple-party receipt notifications.

Abstract: A voice mail system includes a call processing unit to receive incoming calls and access requests, a data storage unit to store digital representations of audio messages on a storage medium, and an administrative unit to enable a user to define a voice mail profile. The profile includes a set of voice mail conditions and a corresponding set of conditional actions. Each condition specifies at least one characteristic of an incoming call or system access request. The voice mail system processes a system access request or incoming call by determining whether at least one of the voice mail conditions is satisfied and, if so, responding to the system access request or incoming call according to the corresponding conditional action.

Abstract: Changes in user behavior of usage of wireless services from a mobile device are encouraged in order to effect shaping of traffic and utilization patterns among a plurality of cells within a rate plan region, wherein a discount indicator disposed in said mobile device is provided to notify a user of a discount available for consuming wireless service from a given cell. A geo-cost policy is established for that user or mobile device in which rules and conditions according to the available discounts and class of service are defined. A service completer queues services and automatically completes queued services upon present conditions meeting said geo-cost policy rules, such as delaying and later delivering messages when the mobile device is relocated to a cell where discounts are being offered.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which replies to originating electronic messages such as email are grouped together in a manner such that the replies may be selectively accessed and presented together with a reference to the originating message for viewing by the sender of the original message. In one embodiment, selected relevant portions of reply messages are extracted or copied from the reply messages and presented as a connected series of individual replies on a display screen which references the originating message. In another embodiment, icons or hypertext references are created and embedded in or otherwise associated with an originating message to enable a user to quickly access replies to an originating message by selecting one or more of the embedded icons or hypertext from the originating message.

Abstract: A method and implementing processing system are provided in which, in addition to normal playback modes, users of voice mail devices are enabled to select a vignette playback mode in which shortened versions of received messages are played back to the user. In one embodiment, a user is able to have the shortened versions or vignettes played back sequentially without interruption. In another embodiment, the user may select to pause after each playback in order to manage or otherwise dispose of the played message. In yet another embodiment, the user is enabled to select vignette mode playback default values including, but not limited to, selecting which portion of received messages are to be played back, and the duration of each vignette message playback. The user is also enabled to input new vignette playback values in place of the default values for each received message or group of received messages.