Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: A system implements dishonest policies for managing unauthorized access requests. The system includes memory management hardware to store a set of dishonest policy bits, each dishonest policy bit that is configured to a predetermined value indicating disallowed access for one of a set of memory ranges. When a processor receives an access request for a location in a memory range to which access is not allowed as indicated by a set dishonest policy bit, the processor returns a false indication according to a dishonest policy that the requested access has been performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting physical objects from real physical life into virtual worlds. Briefly stated, the method includes receiving characteristic and structure data from an object constructed in the real world. The characteristic and structure data is obtained from the object using a plurality of sensors placed in the vicinity of the object to sense the characteristics and structure of the object. The characteristic and structure data of the object is used to produce code necessary to create an equivalent representation of the object in a virtual world.

Abstract: A system implements dishonest policies for managing unauthorized access requests. The system includes memory management hardware to store a set of dishonest policy bits, each dishonest policy bit that is configured to a predetermined value indicating disallowed access for one of a set of memory ranges. When a processor receives an access request for a location in a memory range to which access is not allowed as indicated by a set dishonest policy bit, the processor returns a false indication according to a dishonest policy that the requested access has been performed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting physical objects from real physical life into virtual worlds. Briefly stated, the method includes receiving characteristic and structure data from an object constructed in the real world. The characteristic and structure data is obtained from the object using a plurality of sensors placed in the vicinity of the object to sense the characteristics and structure of the object. The characteristic and structure data of the object is used to produce code necessary to create an equivalent representation of the object in a virtual world.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing service availability information to a waiting customer using the customer's wireless device are generally introduced herein.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a client computer includes a memory, a client presence program adapted to be located in the memory, and a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory and is adapted to execute the client presence program to receive provider presence information from an instant messaging (IM) server and to store the provider presence information in the memory. The provider presence information includes at least a provider status for at least one service provider.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a service provider having a memory and a processor coupled to each other. The service provider is adapted to provide at least one service instance. A presence generating program is adapted to be located in the memory and the processor adapted to execute the presence generating program to generate provider presence information, with the provider presence information including a provider status. A load monitoring program, in communication with the service provider, generates at least one load factor in response to monitoring the at least one service instance.

Abstract: Routing a message (e.g., text message, voice message, etc.) based on the accessibility of an intended recipient's associated communication channels (e.g., email, fax, instant message, cell, landline, etc.) may involve discovering information relating to an accessibility state of one or more communication channels associated with the message recipient; maintaining a data repository comprising the discovered accessibility state information; and routing a message to the message recipient based on information in the data repository.

Abstract: Mobile devices having wired and/or wireless network connectivity, when operating in a location, contact one or more map servers to share connectivity information with the map server to allow the map server to create a global map. For example, if a mobile device has two different wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth and 802.11, when the mobile device is operated in the location, the mobile device tests whether both connectivity options are available in the location. The results of the test are provided to the central map server, which may integrate the results into the global connectivity map. A mobile device may also receive a connectivity map from the server indicating connectivity options available to the client in the location and possibly other locations as well. The connectivity map may include characteristics of connectivity options, such as cost, availability, etc., to allow the mobile device to choose a preferred connectivity option if multiple options are available.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for modifying beacon levels. The apparatus includes a service unit to determine a need to reduce a load of a first access point having a first beacon interval, the first access point being in a network of a plurality of access points. A set interval unit is included to determine an amount by which to increase the first beacon interval to generate a new beacon interval. The apparatus further includes a broadcast unit to notify one or more other access points in the network of the new beacon interval.

Abstract: A virtual environment manager (“VEM”) simplifies the usability of virtual machines and provides users with an enhanced design for creating and/or for managing virtual machines (“VMs”). For example, a user can select description information and management information to be included in descriptors and according to which a VEM will create and manage various VM environments for various host environments. The VEM automatically creates the VM environments and host environments by sending descriptor description information and data files associated with the description information to virtual machine monitors (VMMs), which create the VM environments according to the description information. A VEM at each host may manage VM environments executed by the VMM, according to the descriptor management information. Thus, a set of descriptors to create and manage a set of VMs for a home computer may be easily modified by a user to create and manage a set of VMs for a work or laptop computer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for transparent and dynamic resource allocation in a virtualized environment is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention enables a resource allocation module to dynamically evaluate resource requests from various clients and allocate the resources on a virtual host as available. The resource allocation module may additionally monitor resource usage and dynamically reallocate resources as appropriate.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for transparently unifying virtual machines (“VMs”) is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention enables a user to interact with various applications on a VM host while unaware of the VM structure on the VM host. The user may be presented with a unified desktop interface representing a composite and/or unified view of the VM host. Via this unified desktop interface, the user may perform all necessary commands and/or receive output. Invisible to the user, the unified desktop interface represents a unification console. The unification console may be an independent component (e.g., an enhanced VM) and/or a subset of a virtual machine manager (“VMM”) component on the VM host.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for improving usability of virtual machines is described. A console module on a VM host may continuously monitor incoming data (e.g., files and/or attachments) and make automatic determinations regarding how and/or whether to intercept, route, redirect and/or deliver the data (e.g., where to store files, when and/or whether to deliver the files, execute the files, etc.). Additionally, in one embodiment, a unification console may be provided to enhance the usability of the VM host. The unification console enables the user to view the VM host via a unified desktop interface while handling the underlying switching and/or interactions between VMs.

Abstract: Opportunistic and proactive scheduling of service establishment services can be performed, in part, by tracking customer availability to receive a service. For example, assuming a service establishment maintains a wait-list for a certain service, customers can be monitored to determine whether they appear available to receive their service at their allotted time, e.g., when their turn is predicted coming due based on predicted service availability. If the customer is determined not available, such as due to some obstacle preventing receiving service, the service establishment may re-prioritize one or more customers in the wait-list to take advantage of other customer availability. A wireless device associated with the customer and providing at least location data may be used at least in part to help determine customer availability.