Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a system for providing product consulting using a transmitted image. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an image capture device for capturing an image of a user and a reference color set. In embodiments of the present invention, the image capture device does not require a provided infrastructure when capturing the image. The system further comprises a categorizing system for determining at least one data category from data comprising the image. A result generator generates a result based upon the determining of the categorizing system. The system further comprises a result reporting system for conveying the product consultation to the user when the result is conveyed.

Abstract: A method for clustering data streams. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for clustering data streams for use in a virtual environment. The embodiment of the method begins by determining a cluster of receiving nodes in the virtual environment. Each of the cluster of receiving nodes have associated values for at least one clustering parameter that as a set satisfies a test. Then, the embodiment continues by generating a common data stream based on the clustering parameter. Thereafter, the embodiment sends the common data stream from a sending node to the cluster of receiving nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for topology adaptation. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for topology adaptation to support communication in a communicative environment. The embodiment of the method begins by measuring at least one performance metric for a plurality of nodes associated with a plurality of collaborators in the communicative environment. Then, the embodiment of the method dynamically adapts a communication topology for linking the plurality of nodes in the communication network to support communication in the communicative environment based on the at least one performance metric.

Abstract: A management system for a rich media environment that enables relatively large numbers of sensing and rendering components to be marshaled for a variety of tasks and services. A management system according to the present teachings includes a service manager that provides a communication service pertaining to the rich media environment by coordinating a set of tasks in the rich media environment and further includes a task manager that manages each task by allocating a set of processing resources and communication resources to each task and performing each task in response to a request for each task from the service manager.

Abstract: A system that enables communication and collaboration among individuals using rich media environments. A system according to the present techniques includes a set of rich media environments each having a corresponding arrangement of sensing and rendering components for sensing of and rendering to a corresponding set of individuals. A system according to the present techniques includes an interest thread detector that uses the sensing and rendering components to detect formation of multiple communication interactions among the individuals and that creates an interest thread for each detected communication interaction and further includes a communication provider that for each interest thread captures a set of media data from a corresponding subset of the sensing components and that combines the captured media data in response to the activities of the corresponding individuals and that communicates the combined media data to a corresponding subset of the rendering components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing a parallel conversational thread during a remote collaboration are described. In one embodiment, a managing entity is utilized to establish a first communications path for a remote collaboration of at least two parties. Then, a request for a parallel conversation is received from at least one of the at least two parties during the remote collaboration. The managing entity then establishes a second communications path for the parallel conversation between the at least two parties. Wherein, the enabling of the parallel conversation on the second communications path is performed without inhibiting the first communications path, such that a portion of a first party can have a parallel conversation with a portion of a second party on the second communications path while the first communications path for the remote collaboration remains active.