Abstract: Frenzied bidding in an electronic auction is avoided or prevented by receiving by a proxy bidding agent computer one or more counter-bidding control parameters from a bidder console, wherein the counter-bidding control parameters identify an item to watch, counter-bid conditions, and counter-bid patience parameters; during an electronic auction, monitoring one or more conditions of an item in the auction while automatic counter-bidding is performed by the proxy bidding agent; during the monitoring detecting counter-bid conditions being unmet or violated; and responsive to the detecting, preventing counter-bidding by the proxy bidding agent.

Abstract: Vigilance monitoring and a navigation aid are provided to a user in an electronic auction by receiving by a computer a command to watch similar items to a first item in an online or electronic auction; extracting by a computer from the command, from the auction, or from both the command and the auction one or more item descriptive parameters; using by a computer the extracted parameters to query one or more online or electronic sales sources for similar items matching the extracted parameters, the sales sources being electronic sources other than the auction; receiving by a computer at least one price for an available similar item from at least one sales source; and causing prompting by a computer a user of the auction with the similar item price and sales source.

Abstract: A system for automatically completing fields in online forms, such as login forms and new user registration forms, which employs a Master Cookie File containing sets of records associated with the user, his or her accounts or web sites, and registered values associated with form tags (e.g. username, password, address, email, telephone, etc.). When the user encounters another form, the MCF is automatically searched for matching values and form tags, primarily from the same account or web site, or alternatively from other accounts or sites. A flowing pop-up menu is displayed nearby the form fields from which the user can select values to automatically complete the form. Automatic account information updating, value expiration management, mapping of favorite values, and sharing of values are optional, enhanced functions of the invention.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for estimating future grid job costs by classifying grid jobs and storing results of processing grid job microcosms are provided. In general, a client side agent estimates future grid job costs by comparing a current grid job of a particular classification with a history of stored costs for other grid jobs of that customer of that particular classification. In particular, the grid client agent for a client system enabled to submit grid jobs to a grid provider that facilitates a grid environment, calculates a ratio of an application based metric to a grid provider metric for processing a particular grid job. Then, the grid client agent creates a table with an entry comparing the application based metric to a cost per grid provider metric for the grid provider based on the calculated ratio. Next, the grid client agent stores the table with the entry.

Abstract: At least one decision to allocate additional resources to at least one previously submitted job is stored in a decision cache, wherein said the least one decision is stored according to at least one characteristic of the at least one previously submitted job. When another job is submitted to the grid environment needs additional resources, the characteristic of the currently submitted job is compared with the characteristics of previous submitted jobs. If there is a match, then the previously made decision associated with the matching characteristic controls allocation of additional resources for the currently submitted job, such that complex decision making for allocation of additional resources is minimized by reusing previously stored decisions to allocate additional resources.

Abstract: A method and system for reallocating processors in a logically partitioned environment. The present invention comprises a Performance Enhancement Program (PEP) and a Reallocation Program (RP). The PEP allows an administrator to designate several parameters and identify donor and recipient candidates. The RP compiles the performance data for the processors and calculates a composite parameter. For each processor in the donor candidate pool, the RP compares the composite parameter to the donor load threshold to determine if the processor is a donor. For each processor in the recipient candidate pool, the RP compares the composite parameter to the recipient load threshold to determine if the processor is a recipient. The RP then allocates the processors from the donors to the recipients. The RP continues to monitor and update the workload statistics based on either a moving window or a discrete window sampling system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for location-based tuning for a mobile wireless platform. A current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform is determined on a route being traveled by the mobile wireless platform. Radio frequency conditions are sensed in a path of the mobile wireless platform. Radio frequency conditions are detected at the current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform as the mobile wireless platform travels along the route. An optimal channel is determined for the current geographic location. The optimal channel maximizes communications of the mobile wireless platform based on the radio frequency conditions. The mobile wireless platform transitions channels to the optimal channel in response to determining the optimal channel. One or more wireless devices transition to the optimal channel to communicate with the mobile wireless platform.

Abstract: A computer displays a first identifier of a remote user followed by a first numeral and a second numeral in an interface of a messaging program for a local user, the first numeral representing a number of active messaging sessions for the remote user, and the second numeral representing a number of messages present in a queue and to be delivered to the remote user.

Abstract: A client-side on-board computing device is partitioned into a trusted computing module, and a private computing platform. When a metric report is required, the private computing platform retrieves an original data file and transfers the original data file to the trusted computing module. The original data file includes a global positioning system coordinate stream and time information. Communication between the private computing platform and the trusted computing module is via an unencrypted serial link. The private computing platform applies at least one billing algorithm to the original data file to determine a billing charge. The private computer platform signs and hashes the billing charge using a private key of a public-private endorsement key pair to create a signed metric report. The private computer platform forwards the signed metric report to the trusted computing module via the unencrypted serial link.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for blocking specific television commercials from the viewer's television based upon the characteristics of the television commercial and a program to place the blocked television commercials into an archive. An archive interrogation program 10 then acquires the users search criteria and sends the search criteria to the content search program for a list of matches. The matches are displayed to the user and the user can select a segment for viewing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus to project a projected avatar associated with an avatar in a virtual universe. A computer receives a command to project the avatar, the command having a projection point. The computer transmits a request to place a projected avatar at the projection point to a virtual universe host. The computer renders a tab associated with the projected avatar.

Abstract: A method and system for workload balancing to assist in power grid load management. The method includes receiving a request to perform a task at a site powered by connection to an AC power grid, the task comprising either data processing or manufacturing an article; measuring an AC frequency of the AC power grid to obtain a current AC frequency; and performing or not performing the task at the site based on the current AC frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer useable program code to offer to move an avatar in a virtual universe. A computer predicts a location selection to form a prediction. The computer renders a first viewport in a computer display, based on the prediction. The first viewport includes a first user-control; a first coordinate; and a first attitude. The computer renders a second viewport comprising a second user-control, a second coordinate and a second attitude wherein at least one object is rendered in a computer display from a perspective distinct from a perspective of the first viewport. The computer receives an instruction corresponding to the first user-control.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for automating responses by grid providers to bid request indicating criteria for a grid job are provided. A bid controller grid service of a grid provider receives a job request from a client for processing a job within a grid environment of the grid provider, wherein the job request specifies at a least one criteria required for the grid provider to handle a particular grid job. The grid service determines whether the grid environment includes the hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth required by the job request. If the grid service determines that the grid environment includes a sufficient hardware platform class, software platform class, and network bandwidth, then a total required workload for the job request is calculated.

Abstract: A modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a load adjustment modification process associated with the plurality of power consumption devices. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for managing digital video recorder storage for one or more users. Each user in the multi-user environment is assigned an amount of program storage in the digital video recorder. Responsive to receiving a request to record a new program from a user in the multi-user environment, an associated amount of program storage assigned to the use is determined. Responsive to a determination that addition of the new program will not exceed the associated amount of program storage assigned to the user, the new program is recorded to the program storage.

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: An enhanced personal firewall system having an inter-firewall connection listener which binds to a specified communications port and listens for inbound and/or outbound connection requests; and an inter-firewall controller which establishes a trusted communications through a local firewall and a remote firewall by exchanging public keys, a signed trusted computer firewall request, and using the keys to determine if a local key storage indicates previous authorization to trusted communications. If not, then a user of the targeted resource is notified and prompted to authorize the access. If so, then the firewall rules protecting the targeted resource are modified, even if temporarily, to allow the requesting firewall to have trusted access.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method and apparatus to project a projected avatar associated with an avatar in a virtual universe. A computer receives a command to project the avatar, the command having a projection point. The computer transmits a request to place a projected avatar at the projection point to a virtual universe host. The computer renders a tab associated with the projected avatar.

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.