Abstract: A drinking cup for use by individuals in reclined position is disclosed. The cup includes a flexible straw attached to the base of the cup, a lid, and a handle with a groove for receiving and storing the straw. A bight actuated mouthpiece valve is connected to the distal end of the straw. The cup may be of double walled construction and the lid includes a small hole to release any vacuum created as a user sucks on the straw.

Abstract: A method of federating electronic mail (e-mail). A request can be received from a first user to view at least one e-mail of a second user, the request including at least one identifier corresponding to the second user and a criteria indicating a subject matter of the e-mail. The method further can include verifying whether the first user is authorized to access the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria. Responsive to determining that the first user is authorized to view the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria, the first user can be provided access to view the at least one e-mail that satisfies the criteria.

Abstract: A method for intelligently handling abbreviations in text-based electronic communications can begin with the compilation of abbreviation usage history data by an intelligent abbreviation handler component of a text-based electronic communications system. The abbreviation usage history data can indicate a presentation preference for abbreviation elements based upon past usage by the user. An abbreviation element can be an abbreviation, an acronym, or an initialism. The abbreviation element can be presented in a condensed format or an expanded format. Abbreviation elements can be identified in a received text-based electronic communication. The presentation preference of each identified abbreviation element can be intelligently determined for each recipient from the abbreviation usage history data. An abbreviation-adjusted text-based electronic communication can be created for each recipient using the received text-based electronic communication and the determined presentation preference.

Abstract: This invention can be styled infinitely different ways, fit nearly every TV on the market, ship efficiently, and is very easy for the consumer to assemble and install. This unique product is deemed a TV Decorative Accent Wall Panel. This panel is designed to hang behind the wall mounted TV; therefore allowing variations in TV sizes without impeding on the function or appearance. There is a hole in the middle to allow the TV to be mounted directly to the wall. The panels are hinged to allow the product to ship and be inventoried folded up which prevents damage, saves storage space, and is ready for the consumer to unfold and hang on the wall.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product for name resolution in a collaborative environment may include receiving initiation of a collaboration from a user, where the collaboration includes actions from at least two applications. The method may also include determining an identity of the user initiating the collaboration. The method may further include retrieving an alias of the user and attaching the alias of the user to the collaboration.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product for multiple identity recognition includes receiving a first communication from a sender addressed to a recipient using a first identity. A determination may be made as to whether the sender has multiple identities, and in response to determining that the sender has multiple identities, information regarding the identities of the sender is retrieved. The identities of the sender may be associated together so that the recipient may be provided an indication that the sender has at least one identity other than the first identity.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically recognizing a potential recipient of an electronic message. The method includes receiving content input for an electronic communication. The electronic communication includes at least one field of a plurality of fields, including a subject line, a message body, and a recipient address field. The at least one field of the electronic communication is populated with the content input. The method also includes parsing the content input of the at least one field of the electronic communication. The method also includes semantically analyzing the parsed content input of the at least one field of the electronic communication to identify a content qualifier of a recipient rule. The method also includes suggesting a potential recipient of the electronic communication based on the content qualifier of the recipient rule associated with the content input of the at least one of field of the electronic communication.

Abstract: A session invitation can be received from a first communicator for a first communication session. The session invitation can be for a temporary participant to join a sub-session of the first communication session for a sub-session duration specified by the first communicator. The sub-session duration can be less than a duration of the first communication session. The session information can be conveyed to the temporary participant within a session invitation so that the sub-session duration is able to be presented to the temporary participant. Thus, the temporary participant is able to accept or deny the session invitation with full knowledge of the sub-session duration.

Abstract: Enforcing user-defined real-time communication session terminations can begin with a termination enforcement handler identifying termination conditions applicable to a real-time communication session hosted by a unified telephony system. The termination conditions can define a limit for an operational variable for the unified telephony system or the real-time communication session. The identified termination conditions can be evaluated. If a termination condition is satisfied, it can be determined which participants are to be disconnected from the real-time communication session based upon handling rules for the termination conditions and/or termination preferences associated with the real-time communication session. The termination preferences can be defined by an initiating entity of the real-time communication session. The participants can be notified that their connection to the real-time communication session will be terminated in a predefined time limit.

Abstract: A session invitation can be received from a first communicator for a first communication session. The session invitation can be for a temporary participant to join a sub-session of the first communication session for a sub-session duration specified by the first communicator. The sub-session duration can be less than a duration of the first communication session. The session information can be conveyed to the temporary participant within a session invitation so that the sub-session duration is able to be presented to the temporary participant. Thus, the temporary participant is able to accept or deny the session invitation with full knowledge of the sub-session duration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for motivating electronically-scheduled event attendance can include a set of attendance listening components, an attendance prompt, and an attendance prompting tool. The attendance listening components can monitor activities performed in a networked environment. The attendance prompt can represent an electronic message and feedback mechanism that is provided on an electronic device. The attendance prompting tool can interject the attendance prompt into an activity identified by an attendance listening component as being performed by a user-selected member of the networked environment. The attendance prompt can be associated with an electronically-scheduled event the user-selected member is to attend.

Abstract: Enforcing user-defined real-time communication session terminations can begin with a termination enforcement handler identifying termination conditions applicable to a real-time communication session hosted by a unified telephony system. The termination conditions can define a limit for an operational variable for the unified telephony system or the real-time communication session. The identified termination conditions can be evaluated. If a termination condition is satisfied, it can be determined which participants are to be disconnected from the real-time communication session based upon handling rules for the termination conditions and/or termination preferences associated with the real-time communication session. The termination preferences can be defined by an initiating entity of the real-time communication session. The participants can be notified that their connection to the real-time communication session will be terminated in a predefined time limit.

Abstract: A method for associating a calendar invitation for a calendar event to a web conference for a web conference event is provided. Invitees of a calendar invitation for a calendar event are received and are detected. The invitees of the calendar event are associated to a web conference event. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are detected. Modifications relating to the invitees of the calendar event are propagated to the web conference event, and the web conference event synchronizes with the calendar event. Modifications relating to the web conference event for the web conference are detected. Modifications relating to the web conference event are propagated to the calendar event, and the calendar event synchronizes with the web conference event. The invitees of the calendar invitation include first, second, and/or third tiers, and the tiers relate to user roles and privileges, such as a hidden or anonymous presence.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for buddy list pruning for instant messaging system performance enhancement. In one embodiment of the invention, a buddy list pruning method for instant messaging system performance enhancement can include comparing buddy list name entries in a buddy list to entries in a network directory used to authenticate users into a network supporting the instant messaging system. The method further can include characterizing selected ones of the buddy list name entries as either invalid where a buddy list name entry cannot be matched to an entry in the network directory, or as valid where the buddy list name entry can be matched to an entry in the network directory. Finally, the method can include performing presence awareness only on valid buddy list name entries in the buddy list.

Abstract: A method for exploitation of location proximity to derive a location of an employee in a corporation utilizing instant messaging or automatic telephone calls is provided. A search request for a location of an employee is received. A look up of coworkers of the employee in a corporate database is performed. A list of neighbors of the employee is extracted from the coworkers, and the list of neighbors of the employee is generated in accordance with the proximity of neighbors in the list of neighbors to a workspace of the employee. The list of neighbors is presented, in response to the search request. The list of neighbors is polled to locate the employee via instant messaging and/or automatic telephone calls. The location of the employee is received, in response to polling the list of neighbors. The neighbors are alerted that the employee has been located.

Abstract: A method of federating electronic mail (e-mail). A request can be received from a first user to view at least one e-mail of a second user, the request including at least one identifier corresponding to the second user and a criteria indicating a subject matter of the e-mail. The method further can include verifying whether the first user is authorized to access the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria. Responsive to determining that the first user is authorized to view the e-mail of the second user that satisfies the criteria, the first user can be provided access to view the at least one e-mail that satisfies the criteria.

Abstract: Described is a method for allocating a central application resource. Upon a determination that a user has depleted an allocation of the resource, a request for an additional allocation of the resource is generated. The user is a member of a group of users that is a subset of all users of the central application resource. After determining that the request is valid according to a policy defining rules for allocation relevant to the user, the additional allocation is provided to the user. An allocation of the resource is reduced for one or more other users in the group so that a total allocation of the resource for the group remains unchanged.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium for improved load testing of subsystems comprising a larger system by intelligently and stochastically distracting virtual users from healthy subsystems such that they collaboratively converge on a subsystem exhibiting operating health problems. Virtual users are progressively targeted at a degraded subsystem to force it to sustain its respective share of a test workload, thereby exacerbating its behavior to facilitate problem determination and resolution. Virtual users that have failed or terminated in an unhealthy subsystem are replaced by selectively and intelligently redistributing virtual users from healthy systems. As virtual users are redistributed to the degraded subsystem and fail or terminate, additional performance and behavior data is generated as the subsystem degrades to an unusable or non-operational state. By accelerating time-to-failure, test cycle intervals are reduced and the number of identified performance defects are maximized.

Abstract: A method is provided for exploitation of a social network to derive a location of an employee in a corporation utilizing instant messaging or automatic telephone calls. A search request is received for a location of an employee. A social network or acquaintance list of the employee is looked up in a corporate database. A list of contacts of the employee is extracted from the social network or acquaintance list in the corporate database. The list of contacts is presented, in response to the search request. The list of contacts is polled to locate the employee via instant messaging and/or automatic telephone calls. The location of the employee is received, in response to polling the list of contacts. The list of contacts is alerted that the employee has been located.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for managing scheduling of appointments with respect to a quorum requirement. The solution includes scheduling an appointment with each of a plurality of invitees, receiving one or more appointment management requests associated with the appointment from the invitees, the one or more appointment management requests including a change in the appointment, determining that a subset of the appointment management requests constitute a common request, determining that invitees that sent the common request satisfy the quorum constraint for the appointment, and implementing the common request in response to invitees that sent the common request satisfying the quorum constraint. The common request may include an acceptance, a cancellation notice, a cancellation request, and a re-scheduling request.