Abstract: Resource management processes are implemented by a computer processor and logic executable by the computer processor. The logic is configured to calculate a performance weight for each end user of an application executing on the computer processor. The performance weight is calculated as a function of an activity level determined for each end user and a type of the application. The logic is also configured to calculate an input/output weight for each end user from a combination of an input/output requirement and the performance weight. The input/output requirement is indicative of an amount of storage resources of a multi-tiered storage system associated with anticipated activities of the end user. The logic is further configured to assign an amount of the storage resources for each end user based on the input/output weight.

Abstract: Resource management processes are implemented by a computer processor and logic executable by the computer processor. The logic is configured to calculate a performance weight for each end user of an application executing on the computer processor. The performance weight is calculated as a function of an activity level determined for each end user and a type of the application. The logic is also configured to calculate an input/output weight for each end user from a combination of an input/output requirement and the performance weight. The input/output requirement is indicative of an amount of storage resources of a multi-tiered storage system associated with anticipated activities of the end user. The logic is further configured to assign an amount of the storage resources for each end user based on the input/output weight.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving communication over a network are provided. A system for improving communication over a network, comprises a detection module capable of detecting data indicating a problem with a communication between at least two participants communicating via communication devices over the network, a management module capable of analyzing the data to determine whether a participant is dissatisfied with the communication, wherein the management module includes a determining module capable of determining that the participant is dissatisfied, and identifying an event causing the dissatisfaction, and a resolution module capable of providing a solution for eliminating the problem.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving communication over a network are provided. A system for improving communication over a network, comprises a detection module capable of detecting data indicating a problem with a communication between at least two participants communicating via communication devices over the network, a management module capable of analyzing the data to determine whether a participant is dissatisfied with the communication, wherein the management module includes a determining module capable of determining that the participant is dissatisfied, and identifying an event causing the dissatisfaction, and a resolution module capable of providing a solution for eliminating the problem.

Abstract: A method for streaming playback within a live video conference. The method includes, a computer detecting access to a video conference using a live interface. The method includes, the computer receiving an indication of an interrupt condition. The method includes, the computer retrieving a selected content. The method includes, the computer inserting the selected content into the video conference, and the computer playing the selected content within the video conference.

Abstract: The disclosed variable pressure touch system includes an information handling system (IHS) that may take many forms. In one embodiment, the IHS may be a tablet with a touch sensor in the form of a touch sensitive display. A user may apply pressure to the touch sensor with a finger, stylus, or other pointing device. The touch sensor may then generate a current pressure indication of the current pressure exhibited by the touch on the touch sensor. In one embodiment, a touch tool of the IHS may receive the current pressure indication and generate a display image on the display of the IHS that changes as the current pressure indication changes. In other embodiments, the touch tool of the IHS may receive the current pressure indication and generate a visual indicator on the display of the IHS that changes as the current pressure indication changes.

Abstract: A tagging event can be detected where a software entity is associated with a tag resulting from a user interaction. At least one situational attribute relating to the tagging event can be automatically determined. The one or more situational attribute can be stored in a data repository so that the stored situational attribute is associated with the tag. The detecting, determining, and storing can be repeated for a set of different tags, each associated with a software entity. A search of tagged software entities can be conducted. The results of the search can be modified based at least in part upon the stored situational attributes of the tagged software entities.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining vehicle accident risk. The approach determines a current vehicle state of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The current vehicle state is based on one or more intra-vehicle factors and one or more extra-vehicle factors that pertaining to the vehicle. The current vehicle state is compared to a number of historic accident-related vehicle states that correspond to a vehicle accidents previously recorded for a number of vehicles. Based on the comparison, the process detects an accident risk that pertains to the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle is then notified of the detected accident risk.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining vehicle accident risk. The approach determines a current vehicle state of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. The current vehicle state is based on one or more intra-vehicle factors and one or more extra-vehicle factors that pertaining to the vehicle. The current vehicle state is compared to a number of historic accident-related vehicle states that correspond to a vehicle accidents previously recorded for a number of vehicles. Based on the comparison, the process detects an accident risk that pertains to the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle is then notified of the detected accident risk.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for constructing a graph pertaining to a specified metric. Measured values of the specified metric are selectively stored, wherein each stored value comprises a data point. The method further includes routing successive data points to a location associated with the graph, wherein a first number of data points are included in a specified graph time period. The method further includes using a value that represents a particular data level of detail to divide the specified graph time period into multiple time intervals, wherein each time interval includes a second number of data points. The method further includes selectively processing the second number of data points of a time interval, in accordance with prespecified criteria, to determine a most representative value for that time interval. The most representative values of respective time intervals are then used to construct the graph.

Abstract: Arrangements to identify, in some form, multiple participants by an interactive surface system utilizing multi-touch technology are disclosed. The interactive surface system could identify, authorize, and allocate space on a surface for a participant based on identifying at least one attribute of the participant such as an object associated with the participant. The method can include searching for a first distinctive attribute of the participant, assigning an identifier to the attribute, and storing the identifier for future use. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An approach for reducing disk space usage on a digital video recorder (DVR) is provided. The approach comprises determining whether a program in a recording queue of programs that are to be recorded by the digital video device is provided by a streaming media source. In response to determining that the program is provided by the streaming media source, the approach further comprises creating, on the digital video device, a placeholder for playing the program, wherein the placeholder links the program to the streaming media source.

Abstract: A metaverse system and method for allowing a user to attend a recorded past event in a metaverse application. The metaverse system includes a client computer, a metaverse server, and a time travel engine. The client computer interfaces with the metaverse application. The metaverse server records an event environment of a past event in a metaverse application. The time travel engine serves, in response to a request from a user, a playback of the recorded event environment to the client computer to allow the user to attend and to observe the recorded event environment.

Abstract: A geospatial and list-based mapping system, including: a mapping engine configured to: present a map display on a display device, wherein the map display includes elements within a viewing area of the map display, wherein the elements include geospatial characteristics; and present a list display on the display device, wherein the list display includes a customizable list having the elements from the map display; and synchronizer configured to: synchronize the map display and the list display to concurrently update the elements according to a user input.

Abstract: A method of augmenting an electronic book (e-book) reading experience on a portable electronic device, and a system to augment are described. The method includes determining, using a processor, a current page and line of the e-book being read. The method also includes obtaining context information associated with the current page and line, the context information including one or more of a genre of the e-book, a type of scene, and one or more objects involved in the scene, and determining features used in the augmenting based on associating the context information with the features, the features including one or more of a text color, font type, font size, music, image, and animation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for displaying documents to a plurality of users of a surface computer, the surface computer comprising a surface, surface computer capable of receiving multi-touch input through the surface and rendering display output on the surface, that include: registering a plurality of users with the surface computer, the plurality of users including a moderator and a plurality of participants; assigning, to each registered user, a portion of the surface for interaction between that registered user and the surface computer; selecting, by the moderator for sharing with the plurality of participants, a document stored in the surface computer; rendering contents of the document on the moderator's assigned portion of the surface; and rendering the contents of the document on each of the participants' portions of the surface.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting affinity between entities in a virtual universe (VU) using real time access to descriptions prepared from information about objective entities available in VU databases as well as descriptive information made available by the objective entities. Objective entities may be aggregations of virtual entities. Activators for affinity determinations are provided. The information on an objective entity is compared with descriptive information on a VU subject to determine affinity, and corresponding action of the VU subject. In this manner also the comparative affinities of different objective entities may determine actions of the VU subject.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product for requesting e-mail messages. Download instructions for sending e-mail messages from an e-mail message database storing a plurality of e-mail messages to an e-mail client are received at an e-mail messaging system, the plurality of e-mail messages having accumulated due to inattention by a user. The e-mail messaging system sends e-mail messages from the e-mail message database to the e-mail client in accordance with the download instructions.

Abstract: In V2V or other networks in which multiple video cameras can share video data, a network participant ordinarily has the option of selecting a particular video data stream (either generated by local cameras or received from other network participants. To facilitate the process of selecting a video data stream for presentation, the user's vehicle (in a V2V network) receives video data streams generated by other network participants along with identifiers indicating the video data stream actually being presented to the sender. The receiving system identifies the received video data stream by the greatest number of network participants and displays the identified video data stream on the user's in-vehicle video display.

Abstract: Intelligent caching includes defining a cache policy for a data source, selecting parameters of data in the data source to monitor, the parameters forming a portion of the cache policy, and monitoring the data source for an event based on the cache policy. Upon an occurrence of an event, the intelligent caching also includes retrieving target data subject to the cache policy from a first location and moving the target data to a second location.