Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to determine at least one data center condition and determine or estimate a current energy cost. Additionally, the method includes dynamically control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the data center based on the determined at least one data center condition and the determined or estimated current energy cost.

Abstract: Web application users are able to specify power constraints for remote web servers. These may be based on individual performance needs and energy-conservation desires. They enable the user to exercise control over the amount of energy that the web server expends in serving the needs of the user. The invention may employ such features as vertical scaling using power capacity on demand (CUoD) type functionality. The method includes providing a user-interactive interface to enable the user to indicate a preference for power restrictions with respect to its web requests. The user then instructs the web site provider to reduce power consumption in response to the user's request. The user specifies a reduction in overall power consumption for the user's needs, such as instructing the web service provider to use an energy-conserving server to handle the user's web requests, or specifying a acceptable delay or fulfilling the user's web requests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of a light bulb or group of light bulbs. The light emission of a light bulb is compared with known emission failure values for similar types of light bulbs, and a determination of a near failure status for the bulb is made.

Abstract: A method of providing personal service assistance in a virtual universe is disclosed. The method provides a customer avatar (CA) access to a personal assistance avatar or personal customer service representative (PCSR) avatar, hereinafter PCSR avatar. Through the PCSR avatar, the CA communicates a need or requests for personal service assistance from a business or organization. The communication of the received request is processed to identify an appropriate business, organization or vendor that meets the need or request. The identified business, organization or vendor is contacted for a representative from the business to accede to the request from the CA. The representative from the business is allowed to assume control of the PCSR avatar to conduct the session necessary for rendering the assistance or transaction. Upon completion of the session, control of the PCSR avatar is reverted to that prior to the session.

Abstract: An approach that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and an external source is described. In one embodiment, there is a real-time communication integration interface tool that provides real-time communication integration between a virtual universe and a communication device external to the virtual universe. In this embodiment, there is a communication request component configured to receive a request to initiate a communication between a first resident that is on-line in the virtual universe and a second resident that is logged out of the virtual universe via the communication device. A communication link component is configured to establish a communication link between the virtual universe and the communication device in response to receiving the request.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for providing a competitive sales environment in a virtual world. In one embodiment, the invention comprises receiving a request for product or service information from a consumer avatar, querying a database of vendors based on the request for product or service information, identifying at least one vendor relevant to the request for product or service information, notifying the at least one vendor of the request, and making available to the consumer avatar a sales environment based on the request for product or service information.

Abstract: An approach that redistributes licensed items in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a marketplace facilitation tool for use in a virtual universe. A database is configured to store information relating to the virtual universe. A receiving component is configured to receive a request for an item within the virtual universe. An inventory search component is configured to search the database for other avatars within the virtual universe that may possess the requested item. A transfer component is configured to establish a transfer of the item between at least one avatar determined to have possession of the requested item and an avatar requesting the item after there has been a manifestation of an assent to transfer the item. An intellectual property enforcement component is configured to specify and enforce any intellectual property rights restrictions with the item to the transfer component for the transfer to the avatar requesting the item.

Abstract: Disclosure is related to idea tracking and management. The disclosure invokes a method and system for displaying and tracking ideas from a database. The invention accesses a data repository via a data connection, displays the data from the data repository, and allows the displayed data to be characterized as scheduling data, statistical data, action items, current status, and listing of individuals.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a system and method to control illumination within a data center, so as to efficiently light areas only when necessary. A path of low level light created between the entrance of the data center and the location of the required machine to access may be provided.

Abstract: An approach that provides interactive product evaluation and service within a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an evaluation indicating component that is configured to permit an owner of a virtual universe product to indicate a desire to have at least one avatar in the virtual universe evaluate the virtual universe product. An evaluation generating component is configured to generate an invitation that requests an evaluation of the virtual universe product. An evaluation collecting component is configured to collect the evaluation of the virtual universe product.

Abstract: An approach that automatically transforms an inventory item of an avatar that is online in a virtual universe without requiring manual changes is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar locator component configured to locate an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. An inventory item transforming component is configured to automatically transform an inventory item associated with the located avatar that is visual, functional, security or linguistic in nature.

Abstract: Methods, services, program products and devices are provided for correlating carbon offsetting and printing. Methods comprise a requester initiating a print job on a printing device; analyzing the print job; identifying at least one print job metric relevant to the print job as a function of the analyzing, the metric associated with a carbon offset value; calculating a total amount of carbon offset from the identified at least one metric; printing the print job; and transferring the carbon offset total amount to a carbon offsetting entity for debiting or crediting against a printing entity as a function of the printing. Systems and devices and articles of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable program in said medium are provided. Service methods comprise deploying applications for correlating carbon offsetting and printing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to inventory governance in a virtual universe. A method of inventory governance in a virtual universe (VU) includes: providing an inventory for a virtual universe (VU) resident; and providing means for governing at least one aspect of the inventory, the governing means comprising at least one of: an administrative interface for establishing an authorizing relationship between the VU resident and an authorizing entity; a filtering interface for administering at least one filter to the inventory; or a monitoring interface for providing capability to monitor at least one of: the VU resident or the inventory.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A system includes a first structural element and a second structural element spaced apart from first structural element to define a space between the first and second structural elements. The system also includes a plurality of partitions moveable into the space between the first and second structural elements and a controller arranged to control movement of the plurality of partitions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing consumer ratings and customer service based thereon within a virtual universe. A method for providing a consumer rating and customer service within a virtual universe includes: determining a consumer habit(s) of a customer in the virtual universe and then calculating a consumer rating, based on the determination of the consumer habit(s). From the calculated consumer rating, a particular consumer service is selectively providing in the virtual universe.

Abstract: An approach for cloning and merging avatars that are online in a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar identification component which is configured to create an identification number associated with a second avatar, a GUI partitioning component configured to partition the graphic user interface of a virtual universe, an avatar rendering component configured to render a second avatar, a communication channel component configured to manage the second avatar's communication channel, and an inventory management component configured to manage the second avatar's inventory.

Abstract: An approach that provides desktop access from within a virtual universe is described. In one embodiment, there is a desktop invocation component configured to invoke a client computer desktop from within a virtual universe in response to receiving a request to access the client computer desktop from within the virtual universe. A rendering component is configured to generate a rendition of the client computer desktop in the virtual universe in response to the invoking thereof. An interaction component is configured to permit interaction with the client computer desktop from the rendition in the virtual universe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to virtual universe product customer support. A method for providing customer service in a virtual universe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: determining that a real-world product may have a problem; collecting information associated with the product; analyzing the collected information at a support location service in the virtual universe to determine a land location within the virtual universe of a product support center for the product; and providing an avatar with a teleportation invitation to the product support center.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A method includes receiving or obtaining input data, generating at least one actuation signal to change a flow configuration of a re-configurable duct system based upon the input data, and transmitting the at least one actuation signal.