Abstract: Authentication of a user initiating a communication may be achieved using a visual indicator of the user. Initiation of a communication may result in the initiator of the communication collecting image data associated with the initiator's identity. Additionally, the initiator may be required to perform a task, wherein a response to the task may be transmitted with the image data to the receiver of the communication. The receipt of the image data may allow a receiver of the communication to reduce spam and verify that the initiator is who it purports to be.

Abstract: Authentication of a user initiating a communication may be achieved using a visual indicator of the user. Initiation of a communication may result in the initiator of the communication collecting image data associated with the initiator's identity. Additionally, the initiator may be required to perform a task, wherein a response to the task may be transmitted with the image data to the receiver of the communication. The receipt of the image data may allow a receiver of the communication to reduce spam and verify that the initiator is who it purports to be.

Abstract: An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface. The out-space user interface may be used to display one or more status panes for providing status information about a document being edited in the in-space user interface. Application features for affecting changes to a given document's status may be exposed in the out-space interface in proximity to associated status information. An out-space communication user interface (UI) component may be temporarily displayed in the document in-space user interface to communicate document status information that is presently available in the out-space user interface. A message bar may be displayed in the in-space user interface for communicating information from the out-space user interface.

Abstract: Method for scheduling and implementing an electronic meeting conducted among remotely-located users communicating with an agenda server, including: accepting a meeting agenda that includes a plurality of topics, a quorum, an identification of resources used by each topic, an identification of data used by each topic, and an identification of data produced by each topic; partitioning the meeting agenda into at least a first and second group of topics; searching for data dependencies between the first and second groups of topics; searching for resource dependencies between the first and second groups of topics; if data dependencies or resource dependencies are found between the first and second groups of topics, then repartitioning the meeting agenda until the data dependencies and resource dependencies between the first and second groups of topics are reduced below a predetermined dependency threshold; and concurrently scheduling and executing the first and second groups of topics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving performance in high-availability systems are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, pages of memory of a primary system that are to be shadowed are initially copied to a backup system's memory, as well as to a cache in the primary system. A duplication manager process maintains the cache in an intelligent manner that significantly reduces the overhead required to keep the backup system in sync with the primary system, as well as the cache size needed to achieve a given level of performance. Advantageously, the duplication manager is executed on a different processor core than the application process executing transactions, further improving performance.

Abstract: Methods to dynamically improve soft real-time task performance in virtualized computing environments under the management of an enhanced hypervisor comprising a credit scheduler. The enhanced hypervisor analyzes the on-going performance of the domains of interest and of the virtualized data-processing system. Based on the performance metrics disclosed herein, some of the governing parameters of the credit scheduler are adjusted. Adjustments are typically performed cyclically, wherein the performance metrics of an execution cycle are analyzed and adjustments may be applied in a later execution cycle. In alternative embodiments, some of the analysis and tuning functions are in a separate application that resides outside the hypervisor. The performance metrics disclosed herein include: a “total-time” metric; a “timeslice” metric; a number of “latency” metrics; and a “count” metric.

Abstract: An out-space actuator is selected to access an out-space user interface for a document editor program. An out-space actuator is associated with an in-space user interface having a displayed document. When the out-space actuator is selected, an out-space user interface is displayed that includes an expanded feature selection surface. The out-space user interface may be used to display one or more status panes for providing status information about a document being edited in the in-space user interface. Application features for affecting changes to a given document's status may be exposed in the out-space interface in proximity to associated status information. An out-space communication user interface (UI) component may be temporarily displayed in the document in-space user interface to communicate document status information that is presently available in the out-space user interface. A message bar may be displayed in the in-space user interface for communicating information from the out-space user interface.

Abstract: A system evaluates callers, into a contact center, for possible employment. The evaluations occur while the caller waits in a contact center queue and provide a rating of the callers as potential employees. Ratings may be generated or accumulated from one or more interactions with the contact center, where each interaction with the caller can provide information about the caller's suitability as an employee. Good candidates may be interviewed automatically and/or by a manager. Those candidates that receive good ratings/evaluations and are interested in the position may be hired or provided incentives to help the call center respond to calls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for changing moderators during a e-conference. To change moderators during an e-conference, a system identifies a departure of the original moderator from the e-conference. A moderator can indicate his intention to leave an e-conference through the conferencing system. A participant to replace the original moderator is identified and subsequently promoted to replacement moderator while maintaining the e-conference. Additionally, changing moderators during an e-conference is accomplished by creating a new conference bridge and transferring each participant to the new conference bridge. This method allows for a seamless transfer between moderators during an e-conference without the inconvenience of reconnecting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for a communication session identifier. A communication session identifier can act as a virtual relay between conference participants, forwarding emails, phone calls, attachments, messages, and other information from a central address associated with the communications session identifier. In this manner, a user who desires to communicate with other conference participants only needs to send the communication to the communication session identifier, which in turn distributes the communication to the other parties. These communications can include emails, social networking messages, instant messaging, voice messages, and other forms of communication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for accomplishing a virtual call on hold. A client communication device, such as a telephone, smartphone, or computer, receives a notification of a communication session to which the user is invited, and establishes a relationship with the communication session. Alternatively, a server associated with the communication session can establish the relationship with the client communication device. Then, the communication device can present an indication of the relationship with the communication session for a duration of the communication session, such that the user can join the communication session at will via a communication channel, and such that the communication channel is not occupied by the communication session unless or until the user joins the communication session. The communication session can be a conference call, video conference, a multi-modal chat wherein multiple users communicate via different modalities.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables mitigating at least some of the problems caused by a packet attack. When a first Internet Protocol (IP)-capable device is subjected to a packet attack, it indicates periodically to a second IP-capable device that certain communications with the first device are to be suspended. The periodic transmitting of the indication is performed at a slower rate than the keep-alive mechanism that is normally used to detect loss of connectivity. When the second device receives the transmitted indication, it refrains from transmitting keep-alive messages to the first device for a predetermined interval. Meanwhile, the first device also refrains from transmitting keep-alive messages to the second device for a similar interval. In transmitting the suspend indication, the illustrative embodiment seeks to prevent pairs of communicating devices that are experiencing packet attacks from continuing their operation under the erroneous assumption that each device is unavailable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving performance in high-availability systems are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, pages of memory of a primary system that are to be shadowed are initially copied to a backup system's memory, as well as to a cache in the primary system. A duplication manager process maintains the cache in an intelligent manner that significantly reduces the overhead required to keep the backup system in sync with the primary system, as well as the cache size needed to achieve a given level of performance. Advantageously, the duplication manager is executed on a different processor core than the application process executing transactions, further improving performance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables the implementation of an embedded firewall at a telecommunications endpoint. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention addresses the relationship between the application, firewall engine, and packet-classification rules database that are all resident at the endpoint. In the variations of the illustrative embodiment that are described herein, the application: (i) directly communicates with the co-resident firewall engine such as through local message passing, (ii) shares memory with the firewall engine, and (iii) makes socket calls to the operating system that are intercepted by a middleware layer that subsequently modifies the rules database, depending on the socket call. The common thread to these techniques is that the application, firewall engine, and rules database are co-resident at the endpoint, which is advantageous in the implementation of the embedded firewall.

Abstract: Methods to dynamically improve soft real-time task performance in virtualized computing environments under the management of an enhanced hypervisor comprising a credit scheduler. The enhanced hypervisor analyzes the on-going performance of the domains of interest and of the virtualized data-processing system. Based on the performance metrics disclosed herein, some of the governing parameters of the credit scheduler are adjusted. Adjustments are typically performed cyclically, wherein the performance metrics of an execution cycle are analyzed and adjustments may be applied in a later execution cycle. In alternative embodiments, some of the analysis and tuning functions are in a separate application that resides outside the hypervisor. The performance metrics disclosed herein include: a “total-time” metric; a “timeslice” metric; a number of “latency” metrics; and a “count” metric.

Abstract: A method for scheduling the execution of tasks on a processor is disclosed. The purpose of the method is in part to serve the special needs of soft real-time tasks, which are time-sensitive. A parameter ? is an estimate of the amount of time required to execute the task. Another parameter ? is the maximum amount of time that the task is to spend in a queue before being executed. In the illustrative embodiment, the preferred wait time ?i for a newly-arrived task Ti is expected to be met though the insertion of the newly-arrived task Ti into a position k in a queue such that position k respects the task's preferred wait time ?i in light of the expected execution times of the other tasks already in the queue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for changing moderators during a e-conference. To change moderators during an e-conference, a system identifies a departure of the original moderator from the e-conference. A moderator can indicate his intention to leave an e-conference through the conferencing system. A participant to replace the original moderator is identified and subsequently promoted to replacement moderator while maintaining the e-conference. Additionally, changing moderators during an e-conference is accomplished by creating a new conference bridge and transferring each participant to the new conference bridge. This method allows for a seamless transfer between moderators during an e-conference without the inconvenience of reconnecting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for scheduling an e-conference for participants with partial availability. Initially, a system identifies a group of participants for the e-conference. The system receives a declaration of availability for the e-conference from at least one participant of the group. The declaration contains the partial availability of the participant based on time restrictions and topics of interest to the participant. Next, a schedule is determined for the e-conference based on the availability of the participants. Finally, the declarations of availability are displayed to the group of participants. In one aspect, participants update their declarations of availability during the e-conference and a schedule is updated to reflect the new declaration of availability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for grouping e-conference participants. A system identifies participants for an e-conference and identifies groups based on e-conference participant characteristics. Participant characteristics such as job function, skill set, department, business unit or physical location are used to group participants. Each of the e-conference participants is associated with at least one group and the system visually displays participants in groups through an e-conference user interface. Additionally, the system retrieves a stored list of e-conference participants and groups from a previous e-conference and restores the list of participants and groups for a current e-conference.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that dynamically improve soft real-time task performance in virtualized computing environments under the management of an enhanced hypervisor comprising a credit scheduler. The enhanced hypervisor analyzes the on-going performance of the domains of interest and of the virtualized data-processing system. Based on the performance metrics disclosed herein, some of the governing parameters of the credit scheduler are adjusted. Adjustments are typically performed cyclically, wherein the performance metrics of an execution cycle are analyzed and, if need be, adjustments are applied in a later execution cycle. In alternative embodiments, some of the analysis and tuning functions are in a separate application that resides outside the hypervisor. The performance metrics disclosed herein include: a “total-time” metric; a “timeslice” metric; a number of “latency” metrics; and a “count” metric.