Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for efficiently generating a substantially accurate list of available hotspots in geographic locations. A computer system configured with a hotspot location utility operates as a Provider. The Provider receives from a mobile device a hotspot operability/ayailability transmission (HOT), which includes an identification of a currently operating and available hotspot. The Provider concurrently receives a current GPS coordinate of the device transmitting the HOT. Then, the provider stores the HOT and associated GPS coordinate within a hotspot locator database. When the Provider later receives a request from a user searching for hotpots within a particular geographic location, the Provider determines which acceptable entries of the multiple entries are in geographic locations in proximity to the particular geographic location and then provides an output of the acceptable entries to the user.

Abstract: Safe deposit boxes, services, and methods for physically secure data storage are provided that include securing a network-enabled computer within a safe deposit box, receiving, in the network-enabled computer, data transmitted from a remote computer coupled for data communications with the network-enabled computer; and storing the data in the memory of the network-enabled computer. Securing a network-enabled computer within a safe deposit box may be carried out by providing a locked safe deposit box having the networked enabled computer stored within. Securing a network-enabled computer within a safe deposit box may be carried out by providing a lockable safe deposit box having the networked enabled computer integrated within.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for dynamic language checking. Embodiments include identifying questionable language usage; creating a query in dependence upon the questionable language usage; querying a search engine with the query; receiving from the search engine search result statistics describing the search results for the query; and determining, in dependence upon search results statistics returned by the search engine, whether the questionable language usage is proper language usage.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for a portable data processing system for generating a route for completing a set of tasks. A location of the portable device is identified. A route for completing the set of tasks is identified based on a policy and the location to form a completion route. The completion route for the set of tasks is then presented.

Abstract: An improved method, apparatus, and computer instructions in a portable device for obtaining bids for a task. Access to a task in a set of tasks for bidding is provided through a wireless network. The access to the task includes a specification of a selected distance between a bidding entity and a location of the portable device that the bidding entity is required to be located within for generating bids. A bid for the task is received from an entity through the wireless network if the entity is within a selected distance of a location of the portable device. The bid may be accepted for completing the task.

Abstract: One or more stationary wireless readers are used to determine the relative strength of calibration signals sent from fixed locations adjacent to POS terminals. Then, the signal strength of signals being transmitted by wireless devices within range of the one or more wireless readers is evaluated to determine the relative position of each wireless device to the POS terminals. This allows an operator of the POS system to determine the proximity of each wireless device relative to the POS terminals.

Abstract: Several encoders at a broadcast system encode the same audio content. Packets from the resulting streams are immediately decoded and compared against the packets of the original audio stream. The broadcast system dynamically selects the codec that performs the best for the audio in any given packet. The packet produced by the encoder of the best-performing codec devices is selected to be broadcasted/transmitted.

Abstract: An improved electronic whiteboard is provided. The improved electronic whiteboard includes a plurality of toggle switches along a vertical side for drawing vertical straight lines across the electronic whiteboard and a plurality of toggle switches along a horizontal side for drawing horizontal straight lines across the electronic whiteboard. When some or all the switches along the vertical side are turned on, vertical straight lines are drawn across the electronic whiteboard. Likewise, when some or all the switches along the horizontal side are turned on, horizontal straight lines are drawn across the electronic whiteboard. The intersections of the vertical straight lines with the horizontal straight lines form a plurality of grid cells. The electronic whiteboard contains means for determining the location of these cells.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of importing data arranged in a table on an electronic whiteboard into a spreadsheet displayed in a computer system are provided. Generally, the spreadsheet and the table each include a plurality of grid cells. To determine where in the spreadsheet to display the data in the table, the location of the cursor in the spreadsheet is first established. This grid cell is used as a reference point. That is, data in the left-most/top-most grid cell on the table is displayed in the grid cell of the spreadsheet in which the cursor is located.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for user controlled anonymity when evaluating into a role are provided. An anonymous authentication controller enables a user to control anonymity of the user's identity for role based network accesses to resources, without requiring reliance on any single third party to maintain user anonymity. First, a role authentication certificate is received from a role authenticator, wherein the role authentication certificate certifies that the holder of the role authentication certificate is a member of a particular role without allowing the role authenticator issuing the role authentication certificate the ability to track an identity of a user holding the role authentication certificate.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system that adjusts the contents on a display screen based on the distance of the user from the screen. This invention comprises a display screen with a distance approximator mechanism either attached the display screen or positioned in close proximity to the screen. This distance approximator detects user movement and calculates the distance that the user is from the screen. As the distance of the user from the screen increases or decreases, the method of the invention adjusts the contents of the screen. The screen adjustments can comprise enlarging the size of the information on the screen as the user moves further from the screen. The contents can also be reduced as the user returns to a local distance to the display screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for conducting a confidential search. The method comprises accessing one or more terms associated with one or more nodes of a network, encrypting the accessed one or more terms and receiving an encrypted search term from a user. The method further comprises comparing the received encrypted search term with at least a portion of the encrypted accessed terms and providing a result of the comparison to the user.