Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for conference call communication in a virtual world environment. The mechanisms establish a hybrid conference call by establishing a hybrid conference call communication connection between a data based communication conference call server, that handles data based communications with client computing devices, and a telephone conference call server, that handles telephone protocol communications with telephone devices external to the virtual world environment. Communications between client computing devices and telephone devices are converted from data based communications to telephone protocol communications and vice versa using a data based communication conference call server and a telephone conference call server.

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: A system, method, and program storage device for sharing and exchanging virtual objects from different virtual worlds are disclosed. Virtual objects are centrally managed by an inventory service. The inventory service performs data transmission related to virtual objects and data translation related to virtual objects. The inventory service has a repository for storing virtual objects and applies cache policy(s) to local cache memories in virtual worlds to maintain data consistency across the virtual worlds. Based on a publish/subscribe mechanism, each virtual world publishes and subscribes topic notifications related shared virtual objects. The system, method and program storage device are also used for a separate state management of a shared/exchanged virtual object within identical virtual world(s).

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 system and method enabling the search for a three-dimensional virtual world object across the universe of virtual worlds by utilizing a two-step search process to first identify the object and second, to actively locate and generate a URI to all presently manifest instances of that object.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for composing and managing a presentation in a virtual world can include arranging a set of slides in a presentation, selecting a location in a portion of a virtual world for displaying the slides and also for attendee avatars viewing the slides, composing movements and gestures of a presenter avatar in coordination with a display of slide content of the slides, and presenting the presentation in the location of the virtual world at the location selected for displaying the slides for the attendee avatars placed the selected location for the attendee avatars while applying the composed movements and gestures of the presenter avatar coordinated with a display of slide content of the slides.

Abstract: The present invention provides various approaches for disseminating emergency broadcasting messages or other messages of importance (hereinafter “alerts”) within virtual world environments such that interested virtual world residents can be made aware of matters of importance based on their physical world locations (e.g., without respect to the locale of their current virtual world presence).

Abstract: Aspects of this invention are directed toward determining the effectiveness of advertising in a virtual universe. Specifically, under the present invention, a visit by an avatar to a region of the VU that includes targeted advertising content is registered. Then, the following avatar attributes are determined: a proximity to the target advertising content by the avatar; an avatar directionality of the avatar with respect to the target advertising content; a camera directionality of a camera object associated with the avatar; and a time with respect to which the avatar may be exposed to the target advertising content in the region. Thereafter, at least one score is assigned to the visit, the proximity, the directionality, and the time. An effectiveness score is then calculated based on the at least one score. The overall effectiveness of the target advertising content is then calculated based on the at least one score.

Abstract: A system for centrally managing credential information of a user and a virtual object of a user across a plurality of virtual world (or corresponding virtual world servers) is disclosed. The system includes an identity service module for managing an authentication request (e.g., verifying credential information of a user) from a user and an inventory service module for managing virtual properties of a user. Furthermore, a method for logging in a virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for teleporting a virtual property from a virtual world to another virtual world by using the system is disclosed. A method for logging out from a virtual world by using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for governing a physical device or application service in a real world through a virtual device in a virtual world. The physical device or application service registers at least one virtual adaptor of the physical device or application service to a virtual device broker. A user creates or composes the virtual device with the at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device broker. The user commands to the virtual device through a user interface of the virtual device. The at least one virtual adaptor in the virtual device translates the command to a controlling signal to the physical device or application service. The controlling signal operates the physical device or application service according to the command to the virtual device.

Abstract: A method and system applies a rating adjustment to ratings by avatars in a virtual universe. The rating adjustment offsets mutual rating collusion between avatars. The ratings may be adjusted based on a weighted value of indicia of association, and may also be adjusted based on rating frequencies between the same avatars. In a rating system having a fee structure, the ratings may be adjusted by scaling the rating/fee payoff to favor higher fees. Where indicia of association are weighted, the weightings are mapped to discrete levels of association between avatars, from no association to close association, with greater reduction of ratings for closer association.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing consumer ratings and customer service based thereon within a virtual universe. A method for providing a consumer rating and customer service within a virtual universe includes: determining a consumer habit(s) of a customer in the virtual universe and then calculating a consumer rating, based on the determination of the consumer habit(s). From the calculated consumer rating, a particular consumer service is selectively providing in the virtual universe.

Abstract: A method for providing virtual world functionality to a user of a base virtual world having base virtual world functionality, includes providing a virtual world layer having virtual world layer functionality beyond the base virtual world functionality, encapsulating the virtual world layer to provide a virtual world module and transmitting the virtual world module to virtual world layer infrastructure to provide a transmitted virtual world module. The transmitted virtual world module is executed to provide user access to the base virtual world functionality and the virtual world layer functionality.

Abstract: A method for evaluating system behavior within a grid environment can include the step of identifying a host software object, wherein the host software object includes a user object, an application, and/or a process. The software object can be associated with the host software object. The host actions of the host software object can be replicated within the associated software object. Replicated actions can be recorded. The host software object can move from one grid within the grid environment to a different grid. In response to the moving of the host software object, the associated software object can move from the one grid to the different grid.

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: 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: Computer method and apparatus render views of a computer generated virtual world to a remote viewer. The invention method and apparatus establish an avatar of a resident user as a proxy on behalf of the remote viewer. The computer node of the resident user exports proxy avatar views of the virtual world to the remote viewer. The remote viewer computer renders the exported virtual world views without executing virtual world application programs.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus controls avatar relative to a subject virtual environment, in particular entrance to and/or exit from the subject environment. An entrance/exit specification engine provides a plurality of characteristics of the subject environment and/or of an avatar representing a corresponding user in the subject environment. A script generator responsive to the entrance/exit specification engine generates scripts as a function of the plurality of characteristics. The generated scripts form a script collection executable with the avatar. Execution of the generated scripts on a processor of the corresponding user controls avatar entrance to and/or exit from the subject environment.

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.