Abstract: The processing burden of rendering incident to a full teleportation operation in a virtual universe is avoided while contact with particular teleport destinations is promoted by provision of a partial teleportation facility such as a virtual kiosk as an object within a virtual universe (which may be sponsored or owned by users wishing to promote particular teleportation destinations) at which an avatar can view previously rendered images of portions of one or more teleportation destinations. Limited interaction and simulated travel within the teleportation destination can be achieved through image manipulation and updates rather than rendering. An avatar image can be displayed in connection with both the object and the teleport destination with, preferably control of only one avatar image while the other is displayed using a low resolution image.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods for applying an avatar behavior rule within a virtual universe environment. An avatar behavior rule and a violation threshold for the rule are defined for a virtual universe environment. The behavior of a collective plurality of avatars within the virtual universe is monitored for compliance with the rule, including determining an amount of compliance with the rule and comparing the compliance amount with the violation threshold. If the compliance amount exceeds the violation threshold, then the rule or the violation threshold is revised until the monitored behavior of the collective plurality of avatars within the virtual universe is in compliance with the rule, and in effect does not exceed the violation threshold. Service methods, articles of manufacture comprising a computer readable program, systems, articles and programmable devices for performing one or more method and/or process elements of the current invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, services, articles of manufacture comprising computer readable programs, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for customizing an avatar behavior rule within a virtual universe environment as a function of individual avatar data. It is determined whether the activity of an avatar is relevant to a behavior rule for a virtual universe. If the activity is determined to be relevant to the rule, the rule is customized for the avatar as a function of individual avatar data associated with the avatar, and it is determined whether the activity exceeds a violation threshold of the customized rule. If the activity is determined to exceed the customized rule violation threshold, an appropriate action is taken as specified by the customized rule.

Abstract: An avatar behavior rule is customized within a virtual universe environment as a function of individual avatar data. It is determined whether the activity of an avatar is relevant to a behavior rule for a virtual universe. If the activity is determined to be relevant to the rule, the rule is customized for the avatar as a function of individual avatar data associated with the avatar, and it is determined whether the activity exceeds a violation threshold of the customized rule. If the activity is determined to exceed the customized rule violation threshold, an appropriate action is taken as specified by the customized rule.

Abstract: The present invention provides approaches for Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requestors that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requestors. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requestor required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requestor has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, OR the primary Cloud provider may outsource services to a partner cloud. The algorithm shows how the provider decides which requestors have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecast. Also, location, roaming, network bandwidth and requestor processing capabilities may be sent to the provider of Cloud services to determine whether a change is needed.

Abstract: Scheduling cool air jobs in a data center comprising computers whose operations produce heat and require cooling, cooling resources that provide cooling for the data center, a workload controller that schedules and allocates data processing jobs among the computers, a cooling controller that schedules and allocates cooling jobs among cooling resources, including assigning data processing jobs for execution by computers in the data center; providing, to the cooling controller, information describing data processing jobs scheduled for allocation among the computers in the data center; specifying, by the cooling controller in dependence upon the physical location of the computer to which each job is allocated and the quantity of data processing represented by each job, cooling jobs to be executed by cooling resources; and assigning, by the cooling controller in accordance with the workload allocation schedule to cooling resources in the data center, cooling jobs for execution.

Abstract: Scheduling cool air jobs in a data center comprising computers whose operations produce heat and require cooling, cooling resources that provide cooling for the data center, a workload controller that schedules and allocates data processing jobs among the computers, a cooling controller that schedules and allocates cooling jobs among cooling resources, including assigning data processing jobs for execution by computers in the data center; providing, to the cooling controller, information describing data processing jobs scheduled for allocation among the computers in the data center; specifying, by the cooling controller in dependence upon the physical location of the computer to which each job is allocated and the quantity of data processing represented by each job, cooling jobs to be executed by cooling resources; and assigning, by the cooling controller in accordance with the workload allocation schedule to cooling resources in the data center, cooling jobs for execution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to provide Cloud roaming services. It allows Cloud services to be offered to requesters that are abstracted from the underlying Cloud provider used to fulfill those services. The present invention provides the ability for Cloud providers to be dynamically associated with currently available Cloud services for requesters. The system and method describes two scenarios—a pull and push model—to align requester required services to currently available services from Cloud providers. The requester has a profile determining a prioritized list of Cloud providers that may be used, or the primary Cloud provider may delegate services to a partner cloud. The algorithm of the invention shows how the provider decides which requesters have access to which services—based on current utilization and forecasting.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: Techniques for cooperative vehicle adaptation are disclosed. A method according to one embodiment includes the steps of receiving an indicator of a first vehicle, receiving an indicator of a second vehicle when the second vehicle is within a geographic region of the first vehicle, analyzing the indicator of the first vehicle and the indicator of the second vehicle, and determining an external condition based on the analyzed indicators. The indicators may be fault indicators or internal condition indicators.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for corroborative vehicle diagnostic. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows a vehicle to detect a fault indicator experienced by a vehicle subsystem. The corroborative vehicle diagnostic system allows the vehicle to compare the fault indicator with similar and/or dissimilar conditions experienced by one or more additional vehicle located within a geographic region. A corroborative diagnostic controller compares the fault indicator with the conditions of the additional vehicle. Based on the comparison of the fault indicator with the condition, an error status of the fault indicator is determined. The error status may be that the vehicle subsystem has failed, that the vehicle subsystem has not failed and/or that the results are inconclusive. The corroborative diagnostic controller may communicate directly with a control system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one blower and at least one vent in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis to direct cool air to a section of the data center in need of cooling.

Abstract: In a method of updating virtual worlds, a specification of a data store of a user is received from the user. The data store is external to the virtual world. Data from the data store of the user is automatically gathered in response to receiving the specification. A representation of the data is generated. The representation of the data is transmitted to the virtual world. A data store of the virtual world is updated based on the representation of the data. The data store of the virtual world is displayed in a personal area of the user in the virtual world responsive to updating the data store. An icon representing the data store of the virtual world is displayed in the personal area of the user. The data store of the virtual world is kept private to the user.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to determine at least one data center condition and determine or estimate a current energy cost. Additionally, the method includes dynamically control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the data center based on the determined at least one data center condition and the determined or estimated current energy cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach to manage and control document transmission and electronic communication. Specifically, the present invention provides control over data associated with multiple types of data communication. Along these lines, embodiments of the present invention provide a hub and spoke communication model in order to achieve multiple benefits in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility, and control. This type of granular control is critical for information sharing within a networked computing environment. This approach is also useful for collaboration tools and can be augmented by the creation and management of access control lists (ACL's) for the hub-spoke system. To this extent, embodiments of the present invention provide functionality to automatically update ACL's as documents are being forwarded or otherwise communicated between multiple parties. These ACL's are kept up to date through the analysis of to whom (and where) a document has been sent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution for resource sharing (e.g., inter-Cloud) within a Cloud-computing environment. One objective of the present invention is to better utilize idle public or private Cloud infrastructures and improve the availability of Cloud services by allowing different Cloud service providers to virtually combine their services and infrastructures. In the event that there is not enough capacity for a single Cloud service provider to manage its workload, the workload may be shifted to additional infrastructures within the Cloud. The result of the workload shift may reduce the unavailability of Cloud services to the Cloud end-user by allowing another Cloud service provider to temporarily handle the workload. Based on the resource sharing activities, compensation (e.g., credits/tokens) can be exchanged between the participating Cloud providers to reflect their participation in the resource exchange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution (e.g., rules, techniques, etc.) for enabling the dynamic provisioning (e.g., movement) of Cloud-based jobs and resources. Such provisioning may be within a Cloud infrastructure, from Cloud to Cloud, from non-Cloud to Cloud, and from Cloud to non-Cloud. Each movement scenario is assigned a specific technique based on rules, profiles, SLA and/or other such criteria and agreements. Such dynamic adjustments may be especially advantageous in order to balance real-time workload to avoid over-provisioning, to manage Cloud performance, to attain a more efficient or cost-effective execution environment, to off-load a Cloud or specific Cloud resources for maintenance/service, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to perform pricing and brokering of Cloud services. Illustrative pricing/charging plans include “pay as you go (subscription)” and “pay for what you use (dynamic)”. The present invention also provides a way to display a price next to service. In general, a broker agent (hereinafter referred to as “agent”) executes within the environment and queries available and acceptable Cloud resources from a plurality of providers. Based on resources, published rates, and rate projections, the broker schedules, reschedules, moves, and otherwise manages Cloud jobs based on job criteria and optimized execution cost.