Abstract: In various embodiments, the density of a plurality of virtual universe avatars within a predetermined proximity from a designated focal point object in a virtual universe is determined. One or more auxiliary focal point objects associated with the designated focal point object are dynamically spawned within the virtual universe based on the determined density of the virtual universe avatars. Dynamic spawning of auxiliary focal point objects can reduce the load on virtual universe host servers and the corresponding client devices, and thus may improve performance of the virtual universe system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing surrogate avatar control in a virtual universe. The invention enables one resident of the virtual universe to take over the avatar of a second resident. A method for controlling an avatar may include providing the avatar in the virtual universe, where the avatar is controlled by a first entity and then supplying a token that allows for permission for a second entity to control some aspect of the first entity's avatar.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the proximity of an avatar with respect to a designated focal point object within a virtual universe is determined, and information associated with the designated focal point object is identified. A first of a plurality of representations of the information is selected based, at least in part, on the determined proximity of the avatar with respect to the designated focal point object. The first representation of the information is then transmitted to the avatar. Proximity-based transmission of information can disseminate relevant information to avatars, and can be used by virtual universe businesses to encourage avatars to move near the designated focal point object within the virtual universe so that the avatars can be exposed to products and advertisements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to attaching an external virtual universe to an existing virtual universe. A method for enhancing a preexisting virtual universe (VU) in a computerized system may include providing an external virtual universe in a second computerized system, where the external virtual universe is configured so as to be attachable to the first, preexisting virtual universe. As a result, residents of virtual universes can create, run, and/or host their real estate, inventory items, and/or avatars (including all necessary geometries, textures, scripts, etc.) using their own computing devices, which may be inserted, attached, and detached from the VU grid.

Abstract: Energy-efficiency related data corresponding to dynamic energy-efficiency related operational parameters of a vehicle are collected from in-vehicle sensors and energy-efficiency parameters may be computed therefrom. The energy efficiency-related parameters and energy-efficiency parameters are then transmitted either directly of through a wireless and/or network link(s) to a station at which a transaction with a vehicle operator may be performed. An incentive based on efficiency of vehicle operation is computed and awarded to provide feedback to a vehicle operator to provide information concerning efficient vehicle operation and to encourage efficient and environmentally responsible vehicle operation. Both energy efficiency and environmental effects may be displayed at the station or substantially continuously and in substantially real time within the vehicle.

Abstract: A rail car sensor network, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes at least one rail car having a main body portion including a first and section, a second end section and an intermediate portion. The rail car network further includes a sensor assembly mounted to the rail car. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor positioned to detect a rail car parameter, and a wireless communication device configured to transmit data corresponding to the rail car parameter. A receiver assembly, mounted remote from the at least one rail car, includes a wireless communication monitor configured to receive the data corresponding to the rail car parameter from the wireless communication device.

Abstract: Methods arid arrangements of modifying spaces in virtual universes are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to receive data from a software agent in a virtual universe, directly or indirectly. The data may be based upon information automatically gathered from data stores outside the virtual universe, including account data and. user profile data. The embodiment may also involve developing a user profile of the user in the virtual universe, based upon the data received from the software agent. An embodiment may also involve automatically gathering information from data stores external to the virtual universe. The information may include user account data and user profile information. The embodiment may also include aggregating data for generating the user profile in the virtual universe, based upon the information; and transmitting the data directly or indirectly to the virtual universe.

Abstract: A mapping system and method. The mapping system comprises an electromagnetic field generator, a layer of electromagnetic field absorbing material over an object, and an infrared camera. The electromagnetic field generator is adapted to generate an electromagnetic field and expose the electromagnetic field absorbing material and object to the electromagnetic field. The layer of electromagnetic field absorbing material is adapted to absorb the electromagnetic field and generate areas of thermal differences within the electromagnetic field absorbing material. The infrared camera is adapted to detect the areas of thermal differences.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that reduce a display quality of an area of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines, or selects, an area in the virtual universe. A computing resource processes data for presenting the area in the virtual universe. The virtual resource conserver evaluates significance factors about the area to determine a significance of how the area is being used, or an extent to which an area is being viewed by an avatar. The virtual resource conserver reduces a display quality of the area based on the significance of how the area is being used or viewed. The virtual resource conserver thus reduces usage of the computing resource.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that collapse areas in a region of a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver determines a first area of a region in a virtual universe. The first area has objects or avatars. A first computing resource processes data for presenting and controlling the objects or avatars in the first area. The virtual resource conserver determines a second area of the region that is similar in topology to the first area. The virtual resource conserver moves the objects or avatars from the first area to the second area and transfers data for presenting and controlling the avatars or objects from the first computing resource to a second computing resource. Finally, the virtual resource conserver reduces usage of the first computing resource, thus conserving resources in the virtual universe.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that use smart objects in a virtual universe to conserve computing resources. One of the devices described is a virtual resource conserver. The virtual resource conserver reads data that indicates that a resource conservation setting is to be selected for a virtual object in a virtual universe. The virtual resource conserver selects the resource conservation setting for the displayed virtual object. The resource conservation setting comprises data that describes a displayable characteristic about the virtual object, which can be reduced in display quality. The virtual resource conserver reduces the display quality of the virtual object in accordance with the selected resource conservation setting, thus conserving computing resources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a dishwasher, including sensing weight, volume, and location of items disposed in dishwasher compartments, communicating sensed data to a controller, calculating duration of a washing and drying cycle and an amount of cleaning solution to be used based on the sensed data, implementing the washing and drying cycle for the length of time, wherein a smaller sensing of the weight and volume results in a shorter amount of time than would be spent based on a larger sensing of weight and volume, directing cleaning solution to each compartment, wherein any of the compartments including fewer or none of the items will receive less cleaning solution than any of the compartments including more items, transmitting efficiency data based on the calculating, implementing, commanding, and sensing to a viewable medium, and minimizing usage of electrical energy and water via the implementing, commanding, and transmitting.

Abstract: A method for receiving light from a plurality of light sources using an apparatus configured to analyze the time dependence of the light intensity to determine a type of light bulb and light intensity from the plurality of light sources based upon a detected frequency of variation of the light intensity.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that intentionally modify time progression rates in a virtual universe. One of the devices described is a temporal variation device. The temporal variation device can determine an area, in a virtual universe, in which time progresses at a specific time progression rate. The temporal variation device can modify the time progression rate to be faster or slower in the area. By modifying the time progression rate in the area, rates at which action occur also change in a way that is correlated to the change in the time progression rate. The temporal variation device can maintain areas beyond the borders of the area at a time progression rate that is not modified. Therefore, the temporal variation device can create a relative time dilation between the determined area and other areas in the virtual universe outside of the determined area.

Abstract: A method for activating a device operatively coupled to an activation circuit includes steps of: receiving a password-protected instruction sent by wireless communication to the device; decoding the instruction using the password; and activating the activation circuit by permanently changing the state of the activation circuit from an off state to an on state.

Abstract: A system including an RFID tag reader and a hole punch apparatus to punch a hole in an RFID tag. The hole punch punches a hole in the RFID tag to affect the functioning of said RFID tag. The system may also interrogate the RFID tag before and after the hole punching to confirm the affect on the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of sharing telematics data for a vehicle with service providers can include receiving the telematics data for the vehicle, where the telematics data dynamically changes over time, and comparing the telematics data with a privacy policy associated with the vehicle. The privacy policy can specify rules for selectively releasing items of the telematics data to one or more service providers. Data items of the telematics data can be selectively provided to the service providers according to the comparing step.

Abstract: The invention includes various systems, architectures, frameworks and methodologies that can securely enforce a privacy policy. A method is included for securely guaranteeing a privacy policy between two enterprises, comprising: creating a message at a first enterprise, wherein the message includes a request for data concerning a third party and a privacy policy of the first enterprise; signing and certifying the message that the first enterprise has a tamper-proof system with a privacy rules engine and that the privacy policy of the first entity will be enforced by the privacy rules engine of the first enterprise; sending the message to a second enterprise; and running a privacy rules engine at the second enterprise to compare the privacy policy of the first enterprise with a set of privacy rules for the third party.

Abstract: The invention provides an approach for automatic and dynamic mapping of zone boundaries for position-determination systems. The system of the present invention utilizes beacons (“position determining devices”) to identify the boundaries and limits of device area coverage (“zone”) for tracking objects with a position-determination system. Beacons, used both to identify zone boundaries and to tag assets to be tracked, are distributed within the zone. The beacon locations are then detected and displayed in the visualization application. Three or more beacons may be linked together, either manually or automatically, to establish a detection zone. Using beacons to establish detection zone boundaries eliminates guesswork and its associated errors, and produces a zone boundary that is actually valid.

Abstract: A circuit (200) for powering a high intensity discharge lamp (10) comprises first and second input terminals (202,204), first and second output terminal (206,208), first and second inverter switches (SW1,SW2), a transformer (240), first and second buck capacitors (CBUCK1,CBUCK2), first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2), an ignitor (216), and a diode subcircuit (250,260). Transformer (240) includes a primary winding (242) and a secondary winding (244). During operation of circuit 200, primary winding (242) functions as a buck inductor, while secondary winding (244) operates in conjunction with diode subcircuit (250,260) to provide enhanced low frequency open circuit voltage (OCV) during the lamp starting phase and during steady-state powering of the lamp (10). Circuit (200) also allows for a lamp current having a non-zero average value. Circuit (200) is realizable with first and second low-side capacitors (CLOWSIDE1,CLOWSIDE2) having a relatively low capacitance value.