Abstract: A mechanism for determining if images exist before publishing to a web server, and replacing missing images with temporary images for the purpose of providing alternate content while eliminating web server error responses, which prevents needless alerts to site administrators. Upon detecting a modification to a web page, a determination is made as to whether the modification includes a link to an image that does not exist at a location specified by a path in the link to the image. Responsive to a determination that the modification includes a link to an image that does not exist at the location, an image placeholder is created for the image at the location.

Abstract: A mechanism for determining if images exist before publishing to a web server, and replacing missing images with temporary images for the purpose of providing alternate content while publishing a request for a replacement image. Upon detecting a modification to a web page, a determination is made as to whether the modification includes a link to an image that does not exist at a location specified by a path in the link to the image. Responsive to a determination that the modification includes a link to an image that does not exist at the location, an image placeholder is created for the image at the location. A request is then published for a replacement image for the image placeholder. Responsive to receiving a replacement image for the image placeholder, the image placeholder is replaced with the replacement image at the location.

Abstract: A monitoring method and system. The method includes monitoring by a monitoring apparatus, a power configuration for electrical devices and a status for power supplier entities. The monitoring apparatus re-balances a power usage for the electrical devices. The monitoring apparatus generates a first report indicating current loads associated with the electrical devices. The monitoring apparatus transmits the first report to the power supplier entities. The monitoring apparatus generates a group of reports indicating power consumption associated with the power supplier entities. The monitoring apparatus transmits each report of the group of reports to an associated power supplier entity of the power supplier entities. The monitoring apparatus generates a second report indicating updated power consumption associated with the power supplier entities. The monitoring apparatus stores the second report.

Abstract: A system for increasing user interaction with a digital video library. In response to receiving a question by an interactive digital video library server from a user regarding course material being presented from a digital video library, it is determined whether the question is in an audio format. In response to determining that the question is in an audio format, the question is converted into a text format. The course material is searched in a time sliced video index database for an answer to the question using keywords found in the text format of the question. Also, other course materials similar to the course material are searched in a video knowledge base. A weight is assigned to each search result hit found in the course material and the other course materials. Search result hits are outputted in a priority order according to assigned weight and user preference.

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 computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for allowing a user to quickly and directly responds to a turn in an instant messaging conversation. One or more instant messaging chat conversations are displayed to a user. User input is received selecting a turn in the one of more instant messaging chat conversations. Responsive to receiving the user input selecting a turn, a user input region is provided to the user, wherein the user input region is used to receive an instant message from the user. Upon the user entering an instant message into the user input region, the message is sent to a set of participants in the instant messaging chat conversation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method for sending alerts. A distributed sensor receives a sound and determines whether the sound matches a preset criterion. If so, the distributed sensor transmits an event to a central portal device.

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 is a data processing means wherein human perceptible elements of electronic information are gathered, prepared, formatted, or otherwise processed in forming a unified collection of such information storable as a distinct entity. In particular, the invention is a process for composing and displaying a consolidated message document. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer program that configures a general-purpose computer to implement the inventive process. Responsive to a user's selection of a message, the inventive process identifies all related messages that the user has received, inserts the related messages into a consolidated message document, and displays the consolidated message document on the user's output device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for modifying objects in a virtual universe. A user priority controller determines a real world identity of a set of users controlling a set of avatars within a viewable field of an object in a virtual universe. The user priority controller receives user information describing characteristics of the set of users based on the real world identity of each user in the set of users. The user priority controller generates a temporary and dynamic rule to control modification of the object based on the user information. The user priority controller modifies the object in accordance with the temporary and dynamic rule to increase visibility of the object to an avatar in the set of avatars. The temporary and dynamic rule initiates implementation of geometric and texture modifications to modify the object in accordance with the temporary and dynamic rule.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying an object. In one embodiment, the process obtains avatar tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object. The range includes a viewable field. The process then selects a data collection method based on the location of the set of avatars. In response to detecting an event for triggering modification of the object, the process calculates a set of color modifiers based on display setting data to form a modified color. Thereafter, the process renders the object using the modified color when the location of the set of avatars is within the range of the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the process obtains avatar tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object. The range includes a viewable field. In response to the location of the avatar being within the range of the object, the process queries a data structure storing cloning data for a record of a clone of the object. Thereafter, the process instantiates the clone of the object in response to the presence of the record of the clone of the object in the data structure. The process then invokes a set of object methods associated with the record of the clone in the data structure.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for enabling the transmission of data from a mobile device to a target device via one or more carrier mobile devices, in a communication network. A proxy mobile carrier (PMC) utility facilitates transmission of data from the originating mobile device to a target device in a network which is inaccessible to the originating mobile device. The PMC utility employs a collection of enhanced transmission enabling components (ETECs) to enable the data transfer via one or more carrier mobile devices. The ETECs include a message creation component, a network zone identification component, a future forwarding zone prediction component, a message acceptor component, a storage component, an inter-node communication component, and a message delivery component. By initiating specific interactions between the ETECs, the PMC utility facilitates the transmission of data from the mobile device to the target device via carrier mobiles.

Abstract: A method for updating a message on a plurality of devices from a single device comprising a Configuration Program (CP), an Audio Device Update Program (ADUP), and a Text Device Update Program (TDUP). Using the CP, the user may enable and disable the present invention, add or delete devices, create and save messages, select existing messages to play to callers or display to senders, enable automated status updates, enable multiple message levels, or enable availability updates. The automated status update automatically creates messages from the user's calendar. The multiple message levels are a hierarchy of messages in which the message sent to a caller or sender based on their identity. The availability update communicates the user's next available time to the caller or sender. The ADUP and TDUP select the appropriate message to play or send based on whether automated status updates, multiple message levels, and availability updates are enabled.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for fixed path transitions in a virtual universe environment. In one embodiment, tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object in a virtual universe is received. The range comprises a viewable field. In response to the tracking data indicating an occurrence of a trigger condition associated with a fixed path rule, a fixed path defined by the fixed path rule is identified. A speed of movement and an orientation of the object associated with the fixed path rule is identified. Movement of the object along the fixed path defined by the fixed path rule is initiated. The object then moves along the fixed path at the identified speed and with the orientation associated with the fixed path rule.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for floating object transitions. In one embodiment, tracking data identifying a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object in a virtual universe is received. The range comprises a viewable field. In response to the tracking data indicating an occurrence of a trigger condition, a set of flotation rules associated with the trigger condition is identified. An optimal location and orientation of the object is identified for each flotation action in a set of flotation actions associated with the set of flotation rules. The set of flotation actions are initiated to float the object above a surface. The object changes the location and orientation of the object in accordance with the set of flotation actions associated with the set of flotation rules.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for object based avatar tracking. In one embodiment, a range for an object in a virtual universe is identified. The range comprises a viewable field of the object. Avatars in the viewable field of the object are capable of viewing the object. Avatars outside the viewable field of the object are incapable of viewing the object. In response to an avatar coming within the range of the object, an object avatar rendering table is queried for a session associated with the avatar unique identifier and the object unique identifier. The object avatar rendering table comprises a unique identifier of a set of selected objects and unique identifiers for each avatar in a range of a selected object in the set of selected objects. An object initiation process associated with the object is triggered.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying objects. In one embodiment, tracking data is obtained which identifies a location of a set of avatars in relation to a range of the object. The range of the object includes a viewable field. In response to determining that the object requires modification, a size of the object is compared with a set of size constraints to form a comparison. Thereafter, the size of the object is modified based on the comparison to form a set of size modifications.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying an object. In one embodiment, the process obtains avatar tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object. The range includes a viewable field. The process then calculates modified pixel color values to form a modified color in response to detecting a condition for triggering modification of the object. Thereafter, the process modifies a color of the object to form the modified color when the location of the set of avatars is within the range of the object.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, a data processing system and a computer program product for improving voice over Internet Protocol clarity during degradation. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method comprises monitoring a call, determining whether degradation exists; and responsive to a determination that degradation exists, applying a corrective action. The computer implemented method further comprises determining whether a quality of the call has improved and responsive to determining that the quality of the call has improved, further monitoring the call to form a monitored quality. The computer implemented method further comprises, determining whether monitored quality is acceptable, and responsive to determining monitored quality acceptable, removing the corrective action.