Abstract: An alert generation method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor, alert data indicating filters for specified alert types associated with possible future events. The computer processor receives monitor definition data and media generated audio/video data; compares the alert data to the media generated audio/video data; determines a first alert type matches first audio/video data of the media generated audio/video data; and determines that the first audio/video data comprises a primary event. The computer processor broadcasts the primary event.

Abstract: An alert generation method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor, alert data indicating filters for specified alert types associated with possible future events. The computer processor receives monitor definition data and media generated audio/video data; compares the alert data to the media generated audio/video data; determines a first alert type matches first audio/video data of the media generated audio/video data; and determines that the first audio/video data comprises a primary event. The computer processor broadcasts the primary event.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for implementing a virtual keyboard for use with small input devices. A circular keyboard can be graphically displayed, in response to a user input by a user via a small input device. A circular and centrally located key can be graphically located and displayed within the center of the circular keyboard, wherein character keys radiate outward from the centrally located key (i.e., the “central key”). Character keys that are most commonly utilized by the user are preferably located closed to the circular and centrally located key within the circular keyboard. Character keys least commonly utilized by the user are preferably located at the edges of the keyboard, thereby permitting the circular keyboard to function as a self-adapting virtual keyboard for use with small input devices based on the usage of the keyboard by the user.

Abstract: A method and systems for creating a three-dimensional wireframe mesh that represents characteristics of a model of an object moving along a curve in a three-dimensional coordinate system. A processor determines a direction of the object's motion from a starting location to an ending location. The processor performs vector operations to draw pairs of vectors from a common, initial base point. The tips of each pair of vectors identify two corresponding points of the mesh, and the vector operations are functions of the starting location, of the second location, and of the object's direction of motion. The processor adjusts characteristics of the mesh and determines, as a function of the adjusted mesh, a characteristic of the animated object at the ending location, such as its orientation, color, texture, reflectance, size, font, or animation speed.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention provide an approach to proactively adjust timeout settings on a display device based on user activity. Specifically, a system and method are presented to adaptively adjust the inactivity timeout settings on a display device based on the application being used, the content being displayed on the device, and an analysis of the user's history with the application. The present invention calculates an inactivity timeout modifier which is utilized to modify the default operating system timeout value.

Abstract: A method for representing characteristics of an animated object as it traverses a path through a three-dimensional coordinate system. The path is broken into a sequential series of subpaths (or “courses”) and each pair of adjacent courses shares a common boundary point. A processor associates each boundary point with a three-dimensional wireframe mesh defined by a set of vector pairs. Each vector pair is computed as a function of a position of one point on the object's surface when the object traverses the boundary point. When animating the object, the processor may adjust animation or display characteristics along each course as a function of the wireframe meshes at that course's boundary points. Such characteristics may be related to representing the course, the object, a background, or other displayed entities, and may include combinations of attributes like color, texture, reflectance, size, orientation, font, or animation speed.

Abstract: An alert generation method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor, alert data indicating filters for specified alert types associated with possible future events. The computer processor receives monitor definition data and media generated audio/video data; compares the alert data to the media generated audio/video data; determines a first alert type matches first audio/video data of the media generated audio/video data; and determines that the first audio/video data comprises a primary event. The computer processor broadcasts the primary event.

Abstract: An alert generation method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor, alert data indicating filters for specified alert types associated with possible future events. The computer processor receives monitor definition data and media generated audio/video data; compares the alert data to the media generated audio/video data; determines a first alert type matches first audio/video data of the media generated audio/video data; and determines that the first audio/video data comprises a primary event. The computer processor broadcasts the primary event.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the invention provide an approach to proactively adjust timeout settings on a display device based on user activity. Specifically, a system and method are presented to adaptively adjust the inactivity timeout settings on a display device based on the application being used, the content being displayed on the device, and an analysis of the user's history with the application. The present invention calculates an inactivity timeout modifier which is utilized to modify the default operating system timeout value.

Abstract: A method, digital video recording (DVR) device/system and computer program provide a mechanism for recording video content associated with unpredictable events. A user specifies particular event classifications, keywords, or other control parameters from which the occurrence of an event can be determined, and when such event is detected, the DVR is triggered to record content from a specified channel/location. The events can be detected from feeds such as RSS feeds, websites, video content scans or other mechanisms. The event detection may be provided by a remote service that is accessible for user-configuration via a network, or the event detection may be performed in a DVR device or local computer system.

Abstract: A method and systems for creating a three-dimensional wireframe mesh that represents characteristics of a model of an object moving along a curve in a three-dimensional coordinate system. A processor determines a direction of the object's motion from a starting location to an ending location. The processor performs vector operations to draw pairs of vectors from a common, initial base point. The tips of each pair of vectors identify two corresponding points of the mesh, and the vector operations are functions of the starting location, of the second location, and of the object's direction of motion. The processor adjusts characteristics of the mesh and determines, as a function of the adjusted mesh, a characteristic of the animated object at the ending location, such as its orientation, color, texture, reflectance, size, font, or animation speed.

Abstract: A video stream measurement method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a video stream comprising plurality of timestamps located at specified intervals of the video stream. The computing system broadcasts the video stream for a user and decodes a first time stamp broadcasted during a first time period. The computing system monitors a user interaction function performed by the user and associated with the video stream. The computing system generates and transmits a report comprising a description associated with the user interaction function. The computing system receives an analysis associated with the report.

Abstract: A method for representing a moving object as it moves along a path in a three-dimensional coordinate system. A processor determines a direction of an animated motion of a three-dimensional object moving along a path from a starting location to a second location. The processor draws pairs of vectors from the starting location by performing a series of mathematical functions, where the tips of each pair of vectors identify two points of a three-dimensional mesh, and where the mathematical functions are functions of the starting location, of the location of a point on the object when the object is at the second location, and of the direction of motion of the object along the path. The processor further adjusts characteristics of the mesh and determines, as a function of the adjusted mesh, a characteristic of the animated object, such as its orientation in space, at the second location.

Abstract: A method and system for early notification of a pending deletion event of deleting a recording. Notification options are configured. The notification options are maintained with respect to a user profile associated with a user. Configuring the notification options includes (i) configuring a notification interval between successive notifications of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording and (ii) configuring a notification of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording that was recorded by another user. The notification of the pending deletion event of deleting the recording is sent to the user via a notification method.

Abstract: A method and a system for replacement of programs on a video recorder based on preferences and size constraints of a video recorder. The video recorder compares recorded programs in the computer readable storage media and a schedule of programs to be recorded to a plurality of global preferences and program specific preferences specifying preferred recording quality. For each recorded program whose quality does not match a global preference or program specific preference, a listing of future programs is examined for alternate versions of the program which do match a global preference or program specific preference.

Abstract: A method and system for switching media streams of a video in a client system. A first media stream of the video is played in a SHOW mode in the client system as the first media stream is received from a content providing system. During playing the first media stream, an environmental change is detected within or adjacent to the client system and in response, a switch is made from playing the first media stream to playing a second media stream of the video in the SHOW mode as the second media stream is being received from the content providing system. After playing first media stream is paused, the switching may occur upon matching timecodes distributed in the first and second media streams, by transitioning playing the second media stream in a HIDE mode to playing the second media stream in the SHOW mode.

Abstract: A method and system for managing multiple user locks and deletion requests on a digital video recorder (DVR) is disclosed. Files associated with the DVR can be protected from deletion by allowing users to lock a recorded file utilizing a number of locking strategies. The recorded file can also be locked by multiple users and the recording can be deleted when the users specifically remove the lock. A simpler interface for each user can be provided to prevent other users from deleting recorded files, which have not yet been viewed. Such an approach allows for an administrative override to prevent users from locking recordings and never unlocking in order to prevent the DVR exhausting disk space.

Abstract: A method for representing characteristics of an animated object as it traverses a path through a three-dimensional coordinate system. The path is broken into a sequential series of subpaths (or “courses”) and each pair of adjacent courses shares a common boundary point. A processor associates each boundary point with a three-dimensional wireframe mesh defined by a set of vector pairs. Each vector pair is computed as a function of a position of one point on the object's surface when the object traverses the boundary point. When animating the object, the processor may adjust animation or display characteristics along each course as a function of the wireframe meshes at that course's boundary points. Such characteristics may be related to representing the course, the object, a background, or other displayed entities, and may include combinations of attributes like color, texture, reflectance, size, orientation, font, or animation speed.

Abstract: A method for modeling and animating an object trajectory in three-dimensional (3D) space. The trajectory includes at least one course which represents a 3D model mesh. A course includes at least one segment which is a display unit of the 3D model mesh. A segment includes two 3D points. Multiple vertices are generated for a first 3D point of the segment to specify a plane such that a normal vector of the specified plane is parallel to a vector directed from the first 3D point of the segment to a second 3D point of the segment. The generated vertices are added to the 3D model mesh so that the generated vertices can be subsequently displayed as an extension of the 3D model mesh.

Abstract: During performance of a specified computing task data concerning resource consumption regarding that specified computing task is gathered and stored. Upon completion of the specified computing task, the amount of carbon offset required to compensate for resource consumption associated with performance of the completed specified computing task is calculated based upon stored or known resource consumption data. The calculated amount of carbon offset information may be transmitted to a carbon offset function provider, and a carbon offset function provider implements the specified amount of carbon offset based upon the calculated amounts communicated for the completed specified computing task.