Abstract: A computer method and apparatus control virtual environment cameras based on context. Current context is detected in a subject virtual environment. As a function of detected context, a set of predefined camera views is provided and displayed for user selection. Upon user selection of a camera view from the provided and displayed set of predefined camera views, a camera of the subject virtual environment is updated. The camera view is changed to the user selected camera view. There is ongoing detection of context and indicating of candidate camera views based on context, for user selection and update of the camera view.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for shape based scheduling of events for a task in a calendaring and scheduling (C&S) system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for shape based scheduling of events for a task in a C&S system is provided. The method includes defining a shape for a range of days in a calendar view of a C&S system executing in memory of a host computer. The method further includes superimposing the shape over the range of days in the calendar view. The method yet further includes determining a block of time for each of the days in the range upon which a portion of the shape has been superimposed. Finally, the method includes scheduling at least one event for each block of time determined for each of the days in the range upon which a portion of the shape has been superimposed.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.

Abstract: A system is provided for viewing extended text information associated with a particular item in place. A user may invoke a text scrolling area in order to view extended text in place without obstructing the view of other screen items. Multiple scrolling areas may be created to view text associated with multiple items.

Abstract: A transmission method and a transmission mechanism for a toy gun are provided. The method comprises the steps of: moving a firing action backward by means of a gear assembly; moving the firing action forward by disengaging the gear assembly from the firing action and utilizing a spring to drive the firing action to move forward; controlling the movement of the gear assembly by means of a movement control assembly such that the gear assembly cannot mesh with the firing action; re-meshing the gear assembly with the firing action wherein after the firing action moves forward to a locating position, the gear assembly can mesh with the firing action again by the operation of the firing action and the movement control assembly; and repeating the step of moving the firing action backward to the step of re-meshing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy gun mechanism with a sliding bolt assembly that closely resembles a real gun when the toy gun is fired and comprises a housing, a motor, a gear assembly, a bolt assembly, a trigger assembly and a latch. The gear assembly is mounted in the housing and is connected to and driven by the motor. The bolt assembly is mounted slidably in the housing and is selectively moved to a cocked position by the gear assembly. The trigger assembly releases the bolt assembly and drives air from the bolt assembly as the bolt assembly moves forward.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for setting attributes and initiating actions associated with list items. An action icon menu is displayed with options for a user to select related to each item in the list. The user may set an item from the list for a selected action by choosing from the action icon menu or by performing a gesture associated with the desired action.

Abstract: An improved solution for managing a project. In particular, one or more development artifacts for the project can be annotated based on a collaborative session regarding the development artifact(s). The collaborative session can be stored as a collaborative artifact, which also can be stored in the project. As a result, the collaborative session can be readily recalled and/or subsequently resumed by one or more users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy gun mechanism with a sliding bolt assembly that closely resembles a real gun when the toy gun is fired and comprises a housing, a motor, a gear assembly, a bolt assembly, a trigger assembly and a latch. The gear assembly is mounted in the housing and is connected to and driven by the motor. The bolt assembly is mounted slidably in the housing and is selectively moved to a cocked position by the gear assembly. The trigger assembly releases the bolt assembly and drives air from the bolt assembly as the bolt assembly moves forward.

Abstract: A method is provided to enable a user to quickly identify related items in a list environment. A relationship icon is used to identify the presence of related items, such as email messages, occurring before and after a selected item. The relationship icon is used to navigate between the related items.

Abstract: An external source data provider provides separable lists of external data in a virtual environment. The external source data provider and method particularly represent a query for external data in the virtual environment. The query is executed against external sources resulting in a plurality of items collectively forming search results. An output module displays the search results as a stream of discrete objects emanating from the representation of the search query in the virtual environment. Each object corresponds to or otherwise represents a respective search result item and operates as an individual data element Any user may persist, manipulate, share, annotate and modify one or more of the objects corresponding to the external data (i.e., respective search result item). Displayed objects that are left untouched by users disappear from display after a predefined period of time.

Abstract: Computer-based group brainstorming system and method are disclosed. The invention system and method provide a certain area (e.g., a depicted room) as a brainstorming area in a virtual environment. A processor engine enables brainstorming sessions of multiple users in the certain area. For a given brainstorming session, the engine (i) indicates each user in the brainstorming session, and (ii) indicates communications (e.g., chat bubbles, votes, etc.) of each user in the brainstorming session. Color-coding of the users/avatars and communications may be used. Users may arrange indicia (e.g., indicators of project tasks) in the certain area in a manner that provides work flow or work assignments to users. Snapshots of the different states of a brainstorming session are enabled. User interaction with the artifacts of the brainstorming session remains active in the snapshots. Artifacts of a brainstorming session may later be reconstituted (reinstated) from a reloading of a snapshot into a subsequent session.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus persists portions of group conversations in a virtual environment. A group conversation is formed of group member communications. Indications or illustrations, such as chat bubbles, are displayed to end users to represent the group member communications. The invention system enables a user to persist a portion of the group conversation by selecting respective indicators (e.g., chat bubbles) corresponding to one or more of the group member communications. The processor (persist engine) also enables any user to interact with persisted conversation portions. Interactions supported include moving, arranging, tagging with metadata and saving snapshots of the persisted conversation portions, in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A computer method and apparatus control virtual environment cameras based on context. Current context is detected in a subject virtual environment. As a function of detected context, a set of predefined camera views is provided and displayed for user selection. Upon user selection of a camera view from the provided and displayed set of predefined camera views, a camera of the subject virtual environment is updated. The camera view is changed to the user selected camera view. There is ongoing detection of context and indicating of candidate camera views based on context, for user selection and update of the camera view.

Abstract: A system is provided for viewing extended text information associated with a particular item in place. A user may invoke a text scrolling area in order to view extended text in place without obstructing the view of other screen items. Multiple scrolling areas may be created to view text associated with multiple items.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to virtual world management and provide a method, system and computer program product for deploying a virtual world within a productivity application. In an embodiment of the invention, a productivity application can be provided to include each of a document editor, a virtual world client configured to provide a view to a virtual world, presence awareness producing a presence state for an end user of the editor, and an integrator configured to provide a presence state detected by the presence awareness to the virtual world viewed through the virtual world client. For example, the productivity application can be an IDE for source code development.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for virtual world integration with a collaborative computing application. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for virtual world and collaborative computing application integration can be provided. The method can include loading a virtual world, detecting a posting in a collaborative application, and creating an object with the posting in the virtual world. The method further can include detecting a creation of an object in the virtual world including content, and creating a posting in the collaborative application with the content from the object in the virtual world. In one aspect of the embodiment, creating an object with the posting in the virtual world can include determining a topic for the posting, identifying a place in the virtual world corresponding to the topic, and creating the object in the identified place.

Abstract: A computer method and system familiarizes users in a group in shared synchronous environments. As part of operation of a given shared synchronous online environment, the invention generates an icebreaking activity for a group of users. The generated ice breaking activity has content from at least one data source external to the given online environment. The content may be mined user profiles, images and other user information from other data sources that users provide information to. The invention allows free form conversation among the group of users during participation in the generated ice-breaking activity. Such participation by the users in the generated ice-breaking activity and free form conversation among the users enable users to become familiar with each other's human persona.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.

Abstract: A method is provided for viewing extended text information associated with a particular item in place. A user may invoke a text scrolling area in order to view extended text in place without obstructing the view of other screen items. Multiple scrolling areas may be created to view text associated with multiple items.