Abstract: A tagging application (TA) is disclosed that comprises a web interface program (WIP) and a tagging program (TP). The WIP presents the facet tree by displaying elements of the facet tree selected by the user along with a known activation method for the user to select a facet element and to assign a value to the selected facet or facet element. The user may proceed to manually tag each facet and facet element by selecting a value representing the facet element to be tagged. The user may also eliminate manual selection of many of the facets and facet elements by choosing a tagging scenario and then applying the tagging scenario. Once the user has selected a tagging scenario, and has indicated that it is to be applied to the facet element, the TP takes the selected value and applies the selected tagging scenario to populate the tagging for the user in accordance with the tagging scenario. Once the tagging has been populated, the tagging program returns the tagged facet tree to the user at the user interface.

Abstract: A system for automatically tuning a primary broadcast receiver using a secondary broadcast receiver to receive a first broadcast signal corresponding to a source of an origin program, one or more program transition detectors to monitor first broadcast signal tuned by the secondary broadcast receiver to determine and signal a transition from a non-original program content to origin program content while a user views or hears alternate programming from a primary broadcast receiver, and automatically tuning of the primary broadcast receiver to the first broadcast signal upon detection by the program transition detector that one or more of user-specific tune conditions have been met.

Abstract: A centralized method for defining and enforcing strong-typing among domains in RDBMS or ORDBMS is provided to allow flexible, easy, and quick domain creation, as well as facilitating easy implementation and change control on domains. When an application requests data from the database, one or more domains are first identified in the SQL query. A determination is then made as to whether operators for each domain pair in the SQL query are authorized. A determination is also made as to whether functions in the SQL authorized. If the operators and functions in the SQL are authorized, the initial SQL request is rewritten to include a casting formula for each domain pair operation. The rewritten SQL request is then executed.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically segmenting content from an instant messaging transcript and applying commands contained within the content segments is disclosed. The system includes a segment finding program, a command finding program, and a command list. The segment finding program identifies topic shifts in the IM conversation. The command finding program searches the identified topic segments for commands. Upon finding a command, the command finding program locates an appropriate action within the command list and executes it after obtaining user permission if so specified. The system works in conjunction with an IM program having functions to allow each user to control the segment finding and command finding programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for display of chained messages in a single email in different orders allow a user to specify sort criteria to determine the order of display of chained messages. The system includes a message finding program and a message sorting program. The message finding program identifies individual messages within an email and populates a message list with a unique identifier for each message and sorting data contained within each message. The message sorting program receives sorting criteria defined by a user via an email display and sorts the sorting data within the message list pursuant to the sorting criteria. After sorting the message list, the message sorting program provides the email display with the messages in order of their identifiers within the message list for display as a single email in their sorted order.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises receiving a text definition signal, defining a first portion of text for folding, receiving a signal for hiding, and in response to the signal for hiding, displaying to at least one user a text view without the first portion, and a clue as to what is hidden.

Abstract: A Segment Interface Program (SIP) is disclosed that enables a user to choose locations in other applications to receive segments, and to mark segments for manual or automatic transmission to those applications. The SIP comprises an Application Interface Program (AIP), a Segment Creator Program (SCP), a Segment Queue Program (SQP), and a Segment Delivery Program (SDP). The SIP accesses a Rules database, a codes database, and a queue database. The AIP enables a user to select a location in an application and assign an application code and a location code to the location. The SCP enables a user to select a segment in a chat transcript, assign an application code and a location code to the segment, and send the segment to the SQP. The SQP receives the segment, assigns a queue number, and places the segment in a queue table. The SDP reads the user code, the application code and, when the application is active, sends the segment to the location in the application with the corresponding code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automatically detecting display sharing, setting display sharing status, and generating alerts in instant messaging. If the display is shared, the present invention intercepts an instant message before it is displayed and generates alerts to senders. Senders have options to display the message, delete the message, or allow the message to be queued until display is no longer shared. Alternatively, if the sender's instant messaging application supports the functionality, the mechanism of the present invention may present the user with options to display the message or allow the message to be queued until display is no longer shared without sending an alert message. A privacy list of contacts may be automatically built when integrated with a calendar system for controlling instant messaging access and behavior.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises receiving a signal for sending in a side conversation, and in response to the signal for sending, sending a first portion of text, in a side conversation. The first portion of text is new, and the first portion of text is not necessarily revealed to some participants.

Abstract: A monitor service which monitors the content of a plurality of broadcast channels, and characterizes the content of the broadcast programs, operatively coupled to an evaluator which considers the content of broadcast programs over time compared to a personal channel control schema, and further cooperating with a channel change commander to effect changes in channel, signal source, or both, of an enhanced broadcast receiver so as to allow a user to view content from a plurality of sources and channels in real-time according to his or her preferences, whilst automatic changes in the channels and signal sources are made.

Abstract: A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.

Abstract: A method of presenting information to be learned includes enabling a user to select a first column of information to display and enabling the user to select a second column of information to hide. A cell in the first column corresponds to at least one cell in the second column. Responsive to the user performing a first mouse motion event over a cell in the first column, the corresponding cell or cells in the second column are displayed. Responsive to the user performing a second mouse motion event, the corresponding cells in the second column are hidden. The first mouse motion event may include moving the mouse over the cell in the second column. The second mouse motion event may include moving the mouse from a position over the cell to a position not over the cell.

Abstract: A categorization based spending control at the time of purchase is provided. An account holder may establish spending limits for categories of products and/or services, and establish filter limits based on merchant location, time, and day. The merchant may be associated with a spending category. The merchant point of sale device may also encode categories and associated spending amounts into a text string, which is appended to the merchant identifier. When a transaction is initiated, the account provider receives a request for authorization. The account provider may then parse the merchant name, decode the text string, and compare each category and transaction amount to the established spending limits. If the purchase satisfies the established spending limits for each category and filter, then the transaction is approved.

Abstract: A table converter is disclosed that enables a user to convert any table, or portion of a table, displayed on a web page to a spreadsheet control embedded in the webpage. The table converter is a web browser plug-in or feature comprising a table analysis program (TAP); a table conversion program (TCP), a spreadsheet configuration program (SCP), a spreadsheet modificaton program (SMP), a configurable table engine (CTE), and a configurable table template (CTT). The CTE contains a rules database. The TAP interrogates the highlighted hypertext markup language (HTML) table structure <table>, <tr>, <th> and <td> tags, and text for delimiters. The TCP maps the table headings and data to a configurable table engine (CTE). The CTE inserts the headings and data into a configurable table template (CTT), and displays the CTT on the web page at a user configurable location.

Abstract: Previously conducted conversations in real-time collaboration messages are persistently stored, either by client or a server, and then are associated with conversational items presented to a user (e.g. contact names, topics, etc.). An icon is provided near each listed item, which when selected, displays to the user summaries or titles of all transcripts to which the selected item pertains or relates. The user may select one or more summaries or titles for which the conversation is to be resumed, causing the system to retrieve the stored transcript and resume appending new conversational entries to it, so that the user recovers conversational context effortlessly and accurately. Enhanced versions of the invention include sharing of transcripts so that all participants receive the context of the conversation, and server-side or client-side implementations.

Abstract: An improvement to an electronic mail program is disclosed. In particular, the improved electronic mail program enables a user to mark individual action items within a message and set attributes for each action item. In the preferred embodiment, attributes include priority, deadline, abstract, and responsibility. The electronic mail program stores the action items and associated attributes in a database and sends the message to one or more recipients. The electronic mail program then displays the message and action items to the recipients. Message recipients then navigate through the list of action items to read descriptions and to determine the priority and nature of the actions necessary. The responsibility attribute further indicates which recipient should respond to the action item. The improved electronic mail program updates the status of each action item in the database as recipients respond.

Abstract: The invention that meets the needs identified above is a web browser plug-in or feature comprising a modification program (MP), a configuration program (CP), a sorting program (SP), algorithms and rules, that interacts with a web browser to analyze a web page for tables, and to insert controls. The analysis consists of interrogating incoming hypertext markup language (HTML) for table structure <table>, <tr>, <th> and <td> tags, and incoming text for delimiters. The configuration program introduces controls into the text for each column and row delimeter that met a criteria for being sortable. In addition, the configuration program introduces controls into the HTML for each column and row tag that met a criteria for being sortable. The configuration program links the controls to a sorting algorithm so that when activated, the appropriate sorting algorithm will act on the row or column associated with the control. The controls are injected before the web browser renders the web page.

Abstract: A process of segmenting a single email so that portions of it may be directed to or away from select recipients is disclosed. The sender highlights portions of the email and right clicks (or key command, button, or menu item) and selects an option to select recipients. The operator interface then provides the sender with the option of selecting recipients from their address book or the server's address book. To speed the process along, the sender may select those already on the To, Cc, or Bcc distribution lists. The sender then selects whether those chosen will receive the highlighted portion or if they will be excluded from receiving it. Lastly, the sender will have the option of providing text that is unique to each of the selected groups.

Abstract: The invention that meets the needs identified above is a web browser plug-in or feature comprising a modification program (MP), a configuration program (CP), a table reduction program (TRP), algorithms and rules, that interacts with a web browser to analyze a web page for tables. The analysis consists of interrogating incoming hypertext markup language (HTML) for table structure <table>, <tr>, <th> and <td> tags, and incoming text for delimiters. The configuration program introduces controls into the text for each column and row delimeter that met a criteria for being hideable. In addition, the configuration program introduces controls into the HTML for each column and row tag that met a criteria for being hideable. The configuration program links the controls to a hiding algorithm so that when activated, the appropriate hiding algorithm will act on the row or column associated with the control. The controls are injected before the web browser renders the web page.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is an improvement to a demand-based messaging system that enables multiple message recipients to coordinate responses to the message. The improved messaging system comprises a messaging program that provides an interface through which a recipient can indicate an intent to reply to the message.