Abstract: A method of saving and retrieving client-specific information in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). A Serving Call Session Control Server (S-CSCF) receives information from a first client initiating a call to a second client. The information includes identification information corresponding to the first client and a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) invite to the second client. If a profile of the first client in a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) includes a trigger value, the S-CSCF forwards the SIP invite to an Application Server (AS). If a local AS archive does not include valid profile information corresponding to the first client, the AS fetches valid profile information from the HSS, and the AS stores the profile information in the local archive. The AS sends the profile information corresponding to the first client from the local archive to the second client by embedding the profile information within the SIP invite.

Abstract: A method for serving applications including receiving a component status publication and acquiring a client request. The component status publication can specify a usage level for an application component. A server response for the client request can be selected from among a multitude of possible server responses based at least in part upon the component status publication. Each possible server response can differentially utilize application components. The client request can be response to by conveying the selected server response.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a method for restricting resources consumed by ghost agents. The method can include the step of associating a ghost agent with a host. A resource utilization value can be ascertained for the ghost agent and the host combined. The ascertained resource utilization value can be compared with a usage threshold. A determination can be made as to whether operations of the ghost agent are to be executed based upon the previous comparison.

Abstract: A method for evaluating system behavior of an application domain within a grid environment can include the step of identifying a host software object within the application domain. A software object can be associated with the host software object. Within the associated software object, host actions can be replicated. Replicated actions can be recorded. The host software object can move from one grid within the grid environment to a different grid. The associated software object can responsively move within the grid environment in accordance with movement of the host software object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting a future location of a mobile node can include determining a current location of a first mobile node, determining a location of at least a second mobile node, wherein the second mobile node is associated with the first mobile node via a social network, and generating a list including at least one candidate destination determined, at least in part, according to the location of the first mobile node and the location of the second mobile node. For each candidate destination on the list, a probability that the first mobile node is in route to that candidate destination location can be calculated. A candidate destination can be selected, according to the probabilities, from the list as a predicted future location of the first mobile node. The predicted future location of the first mobile node can be output.

Abstract: Methods, systems and program products provide pictorial information relevant to a geographic location, through selecting characteristics relevant to geographic locations, searching pictorial image databases for images having an embedded tags associated with the characteristics, retrieving image files from databases having embedded tags correlated to characteristics and visually depicting a physical appearance or an attribute of a location, analyzing characteristics image files and responsively selecting preferred image data, formatting preferred image data for presentation to a user, associating formatted preferred data with geographic locations, and presenting associated formatted data to a user in association with geographic locations. Characteristic include global positioning satellite coordinates. Image data may be selected having preferred image resolutions or perspectives. Formatting pictorial information may comprise synthesizing photographs into a constructs.

Abstract: Within a wireless computing device, a method of conducting commerce can include receiving a user input in the wireless computing device specifying an account to which a proposed transaction is to be billed and identifying contact information for a billing entity according to the user specified account. The billing entity can manage the account. An authorization can be requested from the billing entity via a wireless communications link established using the contact information. The method also can include receiving the authorization from the billing entity via the wireless communications link, generating a visual image which identifies the billing entity and represents the authorization received from the billing entity, and presenting the visual image upon the display screen of the wireless computing device. Accordingly, a visual image reader can read the displayed visual image.

Abstract: A testing method including the step of identifying multiple hosts located within multiple grids of a grid environment, wherein each host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with each identified host. Actions of the host can be replicated within each ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded. Test input can be generated from the recorded data. Tests can be conducted within the grid environment using the test input.

Abstract: A method for gathering operational metrics can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host can be a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The ghost agent can replicate actions of the host. Operational metrics for at least a portion of the replicated actions can be determined. The operational metrics can be recorded. The host can move within the grid environment. The ghost agent can responsively move in accordance with movement of the host.

Abstract: A system for merging electronic and printed information is provided. The system includes a computing device having a visual display. Additionally, the system includes a handheld electronic memory device containing at least one information file with information corresponding to printed information that is presented on a separate physical medium. The memory device also includes a processing file comprising stored computer-readable instructions. The system further includes an electrical connector that is attached to the handheld electronic memory device. The electrical connector connects to the computing device having the visual display so that the at least one information file and the processing file are conveyed via the electrical connector to the computing device when the electrical connector is connected to the computing device.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a method for restricting resources consumed by ghost agents. The method can include the step of associating a ghost agent with a host. A resource utilization value can be ascertained for the ghost agent and the host combined. The ascertained resource utilization value can be compared with a usage threshold. A determination can be made as to whether operations of the ghost agent are to be executed based upon the previous comparison.

Abstract: A method for restricting resources consumed by a ghost agent can include the step of identifying a host, which is a software object operating within the grid environment and movable from one grid to another grid within the grid environment. The method also can include the step of associating a ghost agent with the host. The ghost agent is configured to replicate and record at least one action of the host and follows the movement of the associated host. Additionally, the ghost agent can be registered with a ghost registry of the domain in which it is disposed. Once registered, a containment policy for the domain can be received by the ghost agent. The ghost agent can be configured according to the received containment policy. The containment policy can be utilized to restrict resources that are available to the ghost agent.

Abstract: A method for serving applications including receiving a component status publication and acquiring a client request. The component status publication can specify a usage level for an application component. A server response for the client request can be selected from among a multitude of possible server responses based at least in part upon the component status publication. Each possible server response can differentially utilize application components. The client request can be response to by conveying the selected server response.

Abstract: A gateway serving as an interface between a mobile network and a wireless network can be configured to send a signal strength indicator to the mobile network thereby causing the mobile network to recognize the gateway as a valid path for handing off a call. The wireless network can be configured according to one of the 802.11 wireless communications protocols. The gateway can route the call from the mobile network to a wireless access point of the wireless network via a packet-switched network, such that the call is conducted via a wireless communications link with the wireless access point.

Abstract: A gateway serving as an interface between a mobile network and a wireless network can be configured to send a signal strength indicator to the mobile network thereby causing the mobile network to recognize the gateway as a valid path for handing off a call. The wireless network can be configured according to one of the 802.11 wireless communications protocols. The gateway can route the call from the mobile network to a wireless access point of the wireless network via a packet-switched network, such that the call is conducted via a wireless communications link with the wireless access point.

Abstract: A method of identifying incidents using mobile devices can include receiving a communication from each of a plurality of mobile devices. Each communication can specify information about a detected sound. Spatial and temporal information can be identified from each communication as well as an indication of a sound signature matching the detected sound. The communications can be compared with a policy specifying spatial and temporal requirements relating to the sound signature indicated by the communications. A notification can be selectively sent according to the comparison.

Abstract: A method of caching data at a processing node within a communication network can include predicting a future location of a user. A processing node within the communication network can be selected according to the future location. Data to be sent to the selected processing node can be selected. The selected data can be sent to the selected processing node.

Abstract: A method for supporting an application can include the step of receiving a problem indication relating to the application. The method can also identify a host within a grid environment, wherein a host can be a software object used by said application. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated for use by the ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded using the ghost agent. The indicated problem can be responded to, where the response can be based at least in part upon the recorded data.

Abstract: A method for providing communications network security can include receiving a round-trip network latency for a client specifying an open port duration. A port can be opened to receive a request from the client. The port can be closed when an amount of time at least as great as the open port duration has passed since the opening of the port.

Abstract: A method for supporting an application can include the step of receiving a problem indication relating to the application. The method can also identify a host within a grid environment, wherein a host can be a software object used by said application. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated for use by the ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded using the ghost agent. The indicated problem can be responded to, where the response can be based at least in part upon the recorded data.