Abstract: A method and system are provided in which teleconference calls are scheduled in advance and, at an appropriate predetermined time, calls are automatically made to the designated participants of the conference calls thereby avoiding the need for the participants to call into a teleconference center. In a preferred embodiment, when teconferences are scheduled, the telecon participants are designated and their phone numbers are input or otherwise determined, for example, through access to a centralized database. A calendar is monitored and at a predetermined time relative to the scheduled start of the telecon, a server system application initiates the calling of the participants for connection to the telecon. The system may be configured to require participants to enter a password before the connection is completed. The status of the called participants is determined and displayed on individual display devices of the other participants in the telecon.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided wherein a printer used with a host device is operated to generate print batch separator pages using the same blank sheets as are used to print respective pages of successive print jobs. The printer is directed to print a visually distinctive graphic indicator, such as a separator border, trim, header, visible banner or other visual indicator or markings. This eliminates the need for an additional printer separator page tray. Usefully, a host device is operated to generate a separator command in a specified PDL language. A printer control device receives the page separator PDL command, and software contained in the printer control converts the PDL command into a printer readable format (PRF). A printer component responsive to the PRF command then operates the printer to print the specified separator page.

Abstract: Systems and media for awarding credits based on provided usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for collecting and disseminating usage information related to electronic documents and for awarding usage credits to users in exchange for providing usage information are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving an indication of the usage of an electronic document by a user and aggregating the received usage indication for the document with usage indications relating to other users. Embodiments may also include creating document utilization information for the electronic document based on the aggregated usage indications and awarding usage credit to the user based on the user's providing statistics on the usage of the electronic document.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for utilizing electronic document usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software utilizing electronic document usage information to respond to user search requests with search engines are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving a search request from a requesting user and receiving document utilization information associated with one or more electronic documents, where the document utilization information provides an indication of the usage of the electronic documents by one or more users. Further embodiments include generating search results based at least partially on the search request and the document utilization information and transmitting an indication of the search results to the requesting user. Further embodiments include generating statistical information regarding the search results for electronic documents and transmitting the generated statistical information.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for updating an instant messaging system on a network are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for updating status indicators such as ‘away’ messages of an instant messaging system are disclosed. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred and automatically transmitting an indication of the change in status to instant messenger system manager via a network. Embodiments include determining that a change in status of the user has occurred based on receiving an indication that the user's status has changed, such as from user input on a keyboard, mouse, etc. Other embodiments include determining that a change in status has occurred based on determining that the user's status has changed based on an electronic calendar, expiration of a time period, etc.

Abstract: A Centralized Authentication & Authorization (CAA) system that prevents unauthorized access to client data using a secure global hashtable residing in the application server in a web services environment. CAA comprises a Service Request Filter (SRF) and Security Program (SP). The SRF intercepts service requests, extracts the service client's identifier from a digital certificate attached to the request, and stores the identifier in memory accessible to service providers. The client identifier is secured by the SP using a key unique to the client identifier. When the web services manager requests the client identifier, the web services manager must present the key to the SP in order to access the client identifier. Thus, the present invention prevents a malicious user from attempting to obtain sensitive data within the application server once the malicious user has gained access past the firewall.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user (author or creator) of a document to specify that certain portions of a document be selected for encryption while other portions of the document remain displayed as created. The user could employ a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to be encrypted. The highlighted portion would then be ‘tagged’ with a surrounding attribute indicating to the word processor that this highlighted portion of the document is to be encrypted. This process is similar to the existing word processor capability to highlight areas on a document and then assign rich text attributes, such as BOLD, ITALICS, etc., to those areas. With proper authorization, any encrypted portion of a document would be displayed as part of the document. Without proper authorization, the display of the document would only contain the unencrypted portions of the document.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for determining and aggregating electronic document segment usage information from different versions of a document are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for determining the aggregate segment usage for an electronic document received from one or more users are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving from one or more users an indication of their usage of segments of different versions of the electronic document, aggregating the segment usage indications received, and creating document utilization information for the electronic document. Further embodiments include transmitting the document utilization information to one or more users. Other embodiments include displaying to the user an electronic document and indications of the document utilization information. Electronic documents may be in PDF format, HTML format, etc.

Abstract: The invention is a new and useful improvement to navigation system software that, when combined with conventional navigation system hardware, provides an operator with a means for modifying a course generated by a navigation system, and for saving the modified course for future trips. More specifically, the invention comprises an improvement to navigation system software that provides several manual means for modifying a computer-planned course according to real-time operator preferences; and an improvement to navigation system software that provides an automatic means for adapting navigation system planning to conform to a course that an operator has used repetitively.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user (author or creator) of a document to specify that certain portions of a document be selected for encryption while other portions of the document remain displayed as created. The user could employ a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to be encrypted. The highlighted portion would then be ‘tagged’ with a surrounding attribute indicating to the word processor that this highlighted portion of the document is to be encrypted. This process is similar to the existing word processor capability to highlight areas on a document and then assign rich text attributes, such as BOLD, ITALICS, etc., to those areas. With proper authorization, any encrypted portion of a document would be displayed as part of the document. Without proper authorization, the display of the document would only contain the unencrypted portions of the document.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which teleconference calls are scheduled in advance and, at an appropriate predetermined time, calls are automatically made to the designated participants of the conference calls thereby avoiding the need for the participants to call into a teleconference center. In a preferred embodiment, when teconferences are scheduled, the telecon participants are designated and their phone numbers are input or otherwise determined, for example, through access to a centralized database. A calendar is monitored and at a predetermined time relative to the scheduled start of the telecon, a server system application initiates the calling of the participants for connection to the telecon. The system may be configured to require participants to enter a password before the connection is completed. The status of the called participants is determined and displayed on individual display devices of the other participants in the telecon.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, computer usable program code, and system for managing special requests of meeting attendees through an electronic calendar application. A host lists prospective attendees to a meeting in an electronic calendar application. The calendar application searches the attendees' profiles for any special requests the attendees may have. Upon finding a special request, the calendar application contacts an appropriate special requests service vendor and arranges for the special requests service. The calendar application then follows up by confirming the meeting with the special requests service vendor and inviting the meeting attendees.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for detecting a presence of metal objects placed in a microwave cooking unit. A metal detection unit is activated to scan for the presence of a metal object placed into a cooking area of the microwave cooking unit. In response to receiving an indicator of the presence of a metal object from the metal detection unit, the process generates an alert indicating the presence of the metal object.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus and computer usable program code for coordinating electronic conferences. A server determines a presentation latency period in a set of attendee computers. A server transmits the presentation latency period to a presenter computer. The server receives screen content update. The server transmits the screen content update to the set of attendee computers.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided for enabling management of restricted parking spaces for vehicles. In an example, a sensing system senses the presence of vehicles in predetermined parking spaces and stores that information for subsequent processing. Particular parking restrictions, or limited parking indicia, for given parking spaces are displayed and viewable to vehicle operators. The posted parking restriction indicia are selectively changeable to accommodate various parking demand situations. The displayed limited parking indicia may be changed from one type of limited parking to other types of limited (or unlimited) parking from a remote server location, either selectively by an administrator or in accordance with a stored parking authorization plan or schedule. Vehicles are scanned for proper authorization for predetermined types of parking spaces.

Abstract: The present invention creates a method, apparatus and system by which a telephone unit volume control provides instantaneous coupling to and controlling of a connected telephone unit's microphone gain and noise cancellation circuitry. With this invention, an increase in the volume control on the first unit, will result in an automatic adjustment of the second unit's microphone gain control. This microphone gain adjustment is an amount corresponding to the adjustment of the volume of the first unit. The noise cancellation circuitry on the second unit is adjusted to filter more of the background noise before transmission instead of after the receipt of the signal at the destination telephone.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for utilization within a client that provides an optimal connection between the client and a network. The method, system and program product provides a graphical user interface for receiving user selection and connection requests and a connection utility for connecting the client system with a selected server of the network. The selected server and connection route is dynamically selected from a plurality of servers in response to the receipt of a connection request, based on a determination of a best route for completing the connection request. The client is provided with multiple connection media and the determination of the best route includes a selection of the connection medium to utilize for the connection. Also, a table of connection information is stored within the client and utilized in evaluating which connection route is optimal.

Abstract: Content label categories and associated user restrictions for desired access control may be entered by a privileged user in any communications programs (such as a browser) within a system, and are automatically distributed to all other communications programs (such as a different browser or a newsreader) within the system regardless of whether the same communications protocol is utilized. Communications programs being installed check for access control settings within other communications programs or via a common API in a centrally located operating system access control support function, and employ such settings in configuring internal access controls. Content-based access control is thus implemented uniformly across the system without work arounds being available to the nonprivileged users.

Abstract: A system for routing different data types along different client-to-network connection paths. A connection utility, at the client, monitors a data type being transmitted. When a first data type is being transmitted, the connection utility selects a most optimal (or efficient) connection route for that data type. The connection utility then assigns a next connection route for a second data type with different characteristics and/or routing requirements than the first data type. Differences in routing path that are factored into the criteria for selection include: wired versus wireless, level of security, transfer protocol, connection cost, speed, etc.

Abstract: A system for providing continuous connection between a client and a network during a session. The system comprises of a connection utility, which monitors a network session for an occurrence of a pre-defined event and/or condition. The system is particularly advantageous in scenarios where a session's connection is lost and the session has to be reconnected to the network. The system also finds applicability with several other types of events/conditions, including a connection break, a slow or congested connection or a change in the type of data being transmitted. When any one of the pre-defined events/conditions occur, the session is automatically routed from the present connection route to another connection route, and is completed on the other connection route. In order to complete the re-routing of the sessions, session information is cached on the client and the server. The session data is tagged with the original session ID.