Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention discloses a method for adapting educational content. The method comprises generating data for each of a plurality of students, the data pertaining to an aspect of the student's interaction with an educational system, combining the generated data to form a combined data set; analyzing the combined data set to identify clusters, each representing similar students according to a mathematical model; and adapting the educational system to provide a customized learning experience for a particular student based on an identified cluster.

Abstract: A system and method for delegating at least one administrative duty associated with namespace management from an authentication system to at least one administration system. An application programming interface provides communication between the authentication system and the administration system. The authentication system receives a request from the administration system, verifies the authority of the request, and performs the action(s) specified in the request to manage a namespace.

Abstract: An active agenda tool is provided that may be executed at one or more networked computing devices. Each connected active agenda tool includes functionality for displaying an agenda interface and for maintaining agenda item timers. The agenda interface includes an agenda and various interactive controls. The agenda includes a plurality of editable agenda items, each having a corresponding agenda item timer maintained by the agenda tool for recording time dedicated to that agenda item during the meeting. Collateral content, which may be shared among the network computing devices, can be associated with one or more of the agenda items. Agenda data representing the displayed agenda items is changed each time a displayed agenda item is modified during the meeting. Any changes to the agenda data may be distributed to each of the networked computing devices, so that each connected agenda tool can update its agenda during the meeting.

Abstract: A system for communicating audio data signals comprises a source computer that performs an action, generates an event message corresponding to the action, converts the event message into an audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal through its speaker. A source telephone receives a voice signal from a participant and the audio data signal through its microphone and communicates the audio data signal and voice as coherent sound via an audio communications medium. A recipient telephone receives the audio data signal from the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium and communicates the audio data signal via its speaker. A recipient computer receives the audio data signal through its microphone, extracts the event message from the audio data signal, and performs an action based on the event message from the audio data signal. The audio communications medium can comprise a telephone communications system or air.

Abstract: A system for communicating audio data signals comprises a source computer that performs an action, generates an event message corresponding to the action, converts the event message into an audio data signal, and communicates the audio data signal through its speaker. A source telephone receives a voice signal from a participant and the audio data signal through its microphone and communicates the audio data signal and voice as coherent sound via an audio communications medium. A recipient telephone receives the audio data signal from the coherent sound communicated via the audio communications medium and communicates the audio data signal via its speaker. A recipient computer receives the audio data signal through its microphone, extracts the event message from the audio data signal, and performs an action based on the event message from the audio data signal. The audio communications medium can comprise a telephone communications system or air.

Abstract: Collateral content editor functionality may be provided to an electronic message application such that an electronic message interface includes an integrated collateral content editor interface for creating formatted and editable collateral content in-line within the body of an electronic message. The collateral content may be converted into a standard-format file that describes the formatting and defines the editable data elements (e.g., an HTML file with embedded XML data). In response to a send message command, the standard-format file may be delivered as an attachment to the electronic message. At the receiving end, it may be determined whether the electronic message application can invoke collateral content editor functionality compatible with the native file format. If so, the compatible collateral content editor functionality is invoked to convert the attachment into the native file format and to display the formatted and editable data elements inline within the body of the electronic message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for displaying data from a plurality of sources within a single user interface. The method and system improves upon existing GUIs by presenting content from a plurality of software applications or other data sources simultaneously within a single user interface. The method and system can continuously poll other applications and data sources to update the data displayed in the user interface. The method and system can also receive pushed data from other applications and data sources. The user interface can be displayed simultaneously with the GUI of another application. The user interface allows a user to monitor content from several different software applications while working in a distinct software application.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to allow users that are authenticated by a trusted external service to gain controlled levels of access to selected local computing resources without requiring the user to also have conventional access control capabilities for the resources.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for creating custom graphical images. A computer user activates the process by selecting a base image or set of base images. The base images may be chosen from a library of such images or created by the user directly. The user also specifies a plurality of user data items. These items may include text to be inserted into the custom image, the font, size or style of the text, the desired size of the custom image or other data items specific to the image, such as the color of particular parts. The custom image is then created by configuring transformation operations based on the user supplied data, applying the transformation operations to the base images and assembling the transformed base images to create the custom image. This custom image can then be used by the user in any way that an image created directly by them could be used.