Abstract: A method, digital video recording (DVR) device/system and computer program provide a mechanism for recording video content associated with unpredictable events. A user specifies particular event classifications, keywords, or other control parameters from which the occurrence of an event can be determined, and when such event is detected, the DVR is triggered to record content from a specified channel/location. The events can be detected from feeds such as RSS feeds, websites, video content scans or other mechanisms. The event detection may be provided by a remote service that is accessible for user-configuration via a network, or the event detection may be performed in a DVR device or local computer system.

Abstract: A method, device and system for responsive load management using frequency regulation credits. The method includes using an AC frequency measuring device, measuring a current AC frequency on an AC power line; using a power consumption measuring device, measuring a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time equal to a sampling interval; calculating a power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; generating credits or debits based on the current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average; adding the credits or debits to a frequency regulation credit; and for each next sampling interval repeating measuring the current AC frequency, measuring current power consumption, calculating the power consumption moving average, generating the credits or debits, and adding the credits or debits to the frequency regulation credit.

Abstract: A computer system and computer program product for implementing a method for configuring an improved computing system containing a first computing device. The method includes: creating a logical layer and a physical layer within the first computing device; installing a software operating system (OS) in the logical layer of the first computing device; configuring a first basic input/output system (BIOS) based on installation in the physical layer of the first computing device; relocating all first hardware device drivers for the first hardware devices from an OS image in the logical layer to a first Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) in the physical layer of the first computing device; installing the first BIOS in the physical layer of the first computing device; and loading the first hardware device drivers from the first EEPROM into the first BIOS during a boot phase for the first computing device.

Abstract: A power profile management method and system. The method includes retrieving by a computer processor input data associated with a user of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computer processor retrieves power consumption data comprising power consumption levels for the power consumption devices. The computer processor generates and transmits a mobile usage portfolio associated said user and the power consumption devices. The computer processor generates a load usage prediction report associated with the user and the power consumption devices. The load usage prediction report is generated based on the mobile usage portfolio and said power consumption data. The computer processor transmits the load usage prediction report to a power provider utility for analysis.

Abstract: A charging method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computer processor, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering power consumption devices at a first specified location. The computer processor generates frequency level data associated with the monitoring. The computer processor receives a request to enable a charging process for charging a rechargeable power source and power source data associated with the rechargeable power source and a user. In response to the request, the computer processor enables a customized charging process associated with charging the rechargeable power source based on the frequency level data and/or the power source data.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring greenhouse gas emission from a vehicle. The vehicle is monitored for greenhouse gas emission, which includes identifying a running total of greenhouse gas emitted by the vehicle into an external environment that is external to the vehicle and activating a payment triggering condition when the emission exceeds the expected total. Satisfaction of a payment triggering condition that triggers collection of a required payment pertaining to the identified running total of greenhouse gas emitted is detected. Responsive to detecting the satisfaction of the payment triggering condition the required payment is computed as a function of the stored running total of greenhouse gas emitted.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for modifying objects in a virtual universe. A user priority controller determines a real world identity of a set of users controlling a set of avatars within a viewable field of an object in a virtual universe. The user priority controller receives user information describing characteristics of the set of users based on the real world identity of each user in the set of users. The user priority controller generates a temporary and dynamic rule to control modification of the object based on the user information. The user priority controller modifies the object in accordance with the temporary and dynamic rule to increase visibility of the object to an avatar in the set of avatars. The temporary and dynamic rule initiates implementation of geometric and texture modifications to modify the object in accordance with the temporary and dynamic rule.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying an object. In one embodiment, the process obtains avatar tracking data that identifies a location of an avatar in relation to a range of an object. The range includes a viewable field. The process then calculates modified pixel color values to form a modified color in response to detecting a condition for triggering modification of the object. Thereafter, the process modifies a color of the object to form the modified color when the location of the set of avatars is within the range of the object.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying object styles in a virtual universe. An object is rendered in accordance with a first contextual style template from a plurality of contextual style templates. The first contextual style template comprises first geometric and texture data to display the object with a first style. In response to detecting a set of contextual changes associated with the object, a second contextual style template is identified from the plurality of contextual style templates. The set of contextual changes triggers implementation of the second contextual style template to change the first style of the object to a second style. The object is rendered in accordance with second geometric and texture data in the second contextual style template to form a modified object, wherein the modified object is displayed with the second style.

Abstract: Computing environments within a grid computing system are dynamically built in response to specific job resource requirements from a grid resource allocator, including activating needed hardware, provisioning operating systems, application programs, and software drivers. Optimally, prior to building a computing environment for a particular job, cost/revenue analysis is performed, and if operational objectives would not be met by building the environment and executing the job, a job sell-off process is initiated.

Abstract: A method, program product and system are provided for optimizing recording requests to minimize electricity usage for a network of DVRs. The disclosed methodology analyzes upcoming recording requests against a schedule guide including both local and networked DVRs. Overlaps in requested recordings and broadcasts during same or close proximity time slots are identified. Requested recordings are then rescheduled to optimally overlap recording times based upon the number of tuners in each DVR system. Changes in recording schedules are then communicated to other interconnected DVRs in a network.

Abstract: A DeepQA engine is enhanced to provide a digital medical investigation tool which assists a medical professional in researching potential causes of a set of patient conditions, including clues, facts and factoids about the patient. The DeepQA engine provides one or more answers to a natural language question with confidence levels for each answer. If a confidence level falls below a threshold, the enhanced DeepQA engine performs a crowd sourcing operation to gather additional information from one or more domain experts. The domain expert responses are provided to the medical professional, and are learned by the enhanced DeepQA system to provide for better research of similar patient conditions in future queries.

Abstract: A method, program product and system are provided for controlling the amount of power consumed by DVR devices in recording and playing broadcast video events. In an exemplary embodiment, upcoming recording requests are compared against a schedule guide for both local and networked DVRs. The system enables a user to make a selection to delay a scheduled recording up to a selected time in the future. The system then reschedules recordings to optimally overlap other scheduled recording to enable optimal usage of DVR tuners for a given period of time based upon the number of tuners in a DVR. In another separate embodiment or in combination with tuner optimization, recording events are rescheduled, within an authorized delay period, to a time when power rates are lower.

Abstract: A method, programmed medium and system are provided for an enhanced interface connection for a primary electronic device such that system storage devices (e.g. hard drives, solid state drives, flash drives, etc.) within the primary device may be made available to other nearby devices in the event of a power supply failure or battery failure or to preserve-battery power in the primary system whereby the data on a storage device within a primary system becomes accessible by external devices, without necessitating the removal of the storage medium or full powering-up of the primary system.

Abstract: Auctions with socially-connected private advance offerings are provided by by a social auction integration server by receiving at least one parameter regarding an item to be offered in an online auction by an offeror user; using the parameter and an identifier of the offeror user, searching at least one social network server for identifies of friends and associates that have a recorded affinity for the item or for similar items; preparing a list of the friend users and associate users; configuring a restricted auction wherein only the friend users and associate users are allowed to review and bid on the offered item; and providing the friend users and associate users a digital means for accessing the restricted auction.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program provide a mechanism for playing damaged digital video media and optionally notifying a service agency of the damage. When a defect is located on media, the DVD player reads the media to determine damaged portions of the video program. Once the damaged portion is identified, the DVD player downloads content from a remote content provider, such as the content producer, a rental agency, or a third party provider. The content may be downloaded during or prior to video playback. Rental agencies or other providers may be notified of damaged media by network message. When a defect is located during playback and content is downloaded, the DVD player transmits user and disc identification data encoded in the DVD player and on the media across the network to the agency. The agency may use the information to flag the media for removal from circulation upon return.

Abstract: A team selection tool intelligently selects prospective team members in an objective manner to form a team. The team selection tool receives goal information including a goal for the team to achieve. The team selection tool may also receive historical performance information relating to tasks to be performed by the team to achieve the team goal. The team selection tool selects a subset of the prospective team members as selected team members in response to the historical performance information and the goal information to provide an objective selection of team members.

Abstract: A dynamic competition tool varies the competition level that one or more competing users experience while working to reach a goal or objective. The dynamic competition tool receives performance information from each of a number of activity stations with which respective users may interact to achieve a goal. The dynamic competition tool commands a user interactive device within an activity station to vary the level of difficulty experienced by the user of the interactive device as that user progresses toward the goal.

Abstract: A power management method and system. The method includes retrieving and storing by a computer processor, identification data identifying power consumption devices. Each power consumption device receives an input voltage signal and consumes power. The computer processor monitors a power consumption level for each power consumption device. The computer processor disables each power consumption device from receiving and consuming power. The computer processor generates an association list associating each power consumption level with the identification data. The computer processor generates and stores a prioritization list indicating an order of priority for disabling the power consumption devices.

Abstract: A level of certainty associated with a hypothetical price of an item to be listed in an online or electronic auction is provided to a user of the auction by receiving at least one descriptive parameter corresponding to an item for potential offering in an auction; using the descriptive parameter to query historical auction results for items relevant to the item for potential offering; analyzing the historical auction results retrieved by the query to determine a likely first price of sale of the item for potential offering, and determining a confidence value for the first price; and conveying the first price and the confidence value to an offeror console.