Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a scanned command mark written with a conventional writing implement onto a conventional medium, and recognizing the scanned command mark as a command that may be executed by a processor. The method may further include recognizing a command mark that comprises a notational, transformational and operational mark.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for transparent and dynamic resource allocation in a virtualized environment is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention enables a resource allocation module to dynamically evaluate resource requests from various clients and allocate the resources on a virtual host as available. The resource allocation module may additionally monitor resource usage and dynamically reallocate resources as appropriate.

Abstract: A technique for automatically finding and organizing items similar to example items includes providing related, not related, and suggestions group areas for one organization instance, each in these areas to contain items which may consist of documents. At least one example item for the one organization instance is provided by a user and placed in the related group area of the one organization instance. A database is searched using a relevance algorithm to try to locate at least one item which is related to the at least one item in the related group area based on a predetermined criterion and the located at least one item is placed in the suggestions group area of the one organization instance. The predetermined criterion is modified based on at least one of the user providing at least one additional example item and the user moving an item from one of the group areas to another of the group areas.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a memory storage unit to store an electronic version of a page and a processor coupled to the memory storage unit. The processor is configured to receive data associated with a handwritten notation applied to a printed page and an electronic image of an area of the printed version of the page near the notation, to identify a corresponding passage in the electronic version of the page and to create an electronic notation based on the received data and associated with the corresponding passage.

Abstract: A server receives a request for a service. The server determines if a virtual machine already exists that offers the service. If so, the server returns an identifier of the virtual machine to the requesting client so that the client may access the service from the virtual machine. Otherwise, the server attempts to create an image of a virtual machine offering the service. If successful in creating the image, the image is installed as a new virtual machine in a host machine, and the server returns an identifier of the newly created virtual machine to the client.

Abstract: A system that the tracks a likely object within the user's field of view. This is done by taking a picture of the field of view, and processing that picture to determine likely objects within the picture being viewed. Those likely objects are than correlated against a database, and information about the objects are returned. The information can be either raw information that is sent over an information link, or an address to local information. The information sent back can indicate, for example, more information about a painting being viewed, or more information about a theme park attraction.

Abstract: A method of automatically associating data items residing in diverse applications, including, but not limited to: file system explorer, outlook, email and Web Browser applications that are executable in a host computer system with a data item selected by a user from one of the diverse application, said method comprising: monitoring incoming data items from the diverse applications; creating and maintaining meta-data which stores data items in a compact form, by associating incoming data items from the diverse applications with previously created meta-data of related data items and creating new meta-data for incoming data items not related to items contained in previously created meta-data; locating and displaying data items related to a data item selected by a user upon a command by said user; and updating the meta-data for the displayed data items in response to a user command.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a scanned command mark written with a conventional writing implement onto a conventional medium, and recognizing the scanned command mark as a command that may be executed by a processor. The method may further include recognizing a command mark that comprises a notational, transformational and operational mark.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a memory storage unit to store an electronic version of a page and a processor coupled to the memory storage unit. The processor is configured to receive data associated with a handwritten notation applied to a printed page and an electronic image of an area of the printed version of the page near the notation, to identify a corresponding passage in the electronic version of the page and to create an electronic notation based on the received data and associated with the corresponding passage.