Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium for setting performance milestones and monitoring their achievement toward a target goal through a graphical user interface. Intermediate performance milestone values are edited by applying configuration data that operate with performance algorithms to more accurately define expected performance over a predetermined time period. The system provides users with rules, policies, and/or constraints, which define and bound dependencies associated with intermediate performance milestones, which in turn can be automatically adjusted to accommodate various users. One or more graphical depictions show boundary information that define movement limits of intermediate points, which can be set in either direction based on dynamic evaluation of existing points and their associated rules, policies, and constraints.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a heuristics service using a generically-consumable, reusable heuristics manager object. This heuristics manager object provides a “black box” approach to statistically-triggered heuristics, and eliminates the need to write application-specific code for compiling statistics and performing complicated analysis of those statistics within each application program. In one embodiment, the heuristics manager object is provided as a web-accessible service, which may be registered in a network-accessible registry such as a UDDI registry. Enterprises may subscribe to this service for monitoring and analyzing statistics pertaining to one or more of the enterprise's applications, thereby providing a novel method of doing business for the provider of the heuristics service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing the processing of a document. A set of services registered for use in processing a document received from a client is identified in which registration information for each service within the set of services provides input requirements. A service from the set of registered services is selected to form a selected service by comparing a current state of the document with the input requirements for each service within the set of registered services. Execution of the selected service on the document is initiated, wherein a state transition occurs to a new state, which becomes the current state of the document processing system. The document processing system state is comprised of a collection of information fragments (tuples) which represent the set of documents currently being processed and the state of each document currently being processed. The selecting step and the initiating step are repeated until a response is returned to the client.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a geographical map using a single stylus movement is presented. A user contacts a display with the stylus and selects an area on the geographical map in which the user wishes to view. The user moves the stylus into a zoom zone which processing interprets stylus movements to either zoom in or zoom out of the map. When the user is satisfied with a magnification level corresponding to the zoom commands, the user enters a pan zone. The user moves the stylus around the selected area to view other parts of the map. Processing displays different map views corresponding to the stylus movement.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for allowing a non-member device to access a computational grid. A set of web services is created to provide a port through which a user can access a computational grid using a non-member device. The web services are created using an XML based workflow definition language, such as Web Services Flow Language (WSFL) to provide access to one or more computational grids. A server accepts a user request via a web browser, uses the XML based workflow definition language such as WSFL to create a web service to identify the correct grid or grids that would provided the requested resource, identify an available member of the chosen grid, and create a request that can be processed by the grid member operating within the grid protocols. Once the grid member has obtained the requested solution, the solution is returned to the web service and then supplied to the non-member device.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a geographical map using a single stylus movement is presented. A user contacts a display with the stylus and selects an area on the geographical map in which the user wishes to view. The user moves the stylus into a zoom zone which processing interprets stylus movements to either zoom in or zoom out of the map. When the user is satisfied with a magnification level corresponding to the zoom commands, the user enters a pan zone. The user moves the stylus around the selected area to view other parts of the map. Processing displays different map views corresponding to the stylus movement.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing the processing of a document. A set of services registered for use in processing a document received from a client is identified in which registration information for each service within the set of services provides input requirements. A service from the set of registered services is selected to form a selected service by comparing a current state of the document with the input requirements for each service within the set of registered services. Execution of the selected service on the document is initiated, wherein a state transition occurs to a new state, which becomes the current state of the document processing system. The document processing system state is comprised of a collection of information fragments (tuples) which represent the set of documents currently being processed and the state of each document currently being processed. The selecting step and the initiating step are repeated until a response is returned to the client.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining vehicle-specific settings for a user of a vehicle. Normalized positions settings in a reference vehicle, or alternatively, normalized user measurements of a reference user are stored to a storage media, such as a smart card. In this manner, a user profile is created on the storage media. The normalized position settings and normalized user measurements provide references that may be used in determining the most suitable settings for a specific user of a specific vehicle. A vehicle user thus may carry a user profile on a storage media for use across all different models and brands of vehicles. The user profile may be used to automatically adjust the settings in other vehicles than the user's primary vehicle which allows a user to change vehicles without having to take the time to re-adjust the vehicle settings.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for acquiring normalized position settings for use across different vehicle models. A reference user first sits in the vehicle and adjust the settings to preferred positions, i.e., vehicle-specific settings. The vehicle-specific settings are then retrieved from measurement sensors positioned on the components of the vehicle. The translation algorithms for the vehicle are read, and the vehicle-specific settings are translated to normalized position settings based on the translation algorithms. The normalized position settings may then be stored to a storage media that may be carried to other brands and models of vehicles for use in determining the appropriate settings in those vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining vehicle-specific settings for a user of a vehicle. Normalized positions settings in a reference vehicle, or alternatively, normalized user measurements of a reference user are stored to a storage media, such as a smart card. In this manner, a user profile is created on the storage media. The normalized position settings and normalized user measurements provide references that may be used in determining the most suitable settings for a specific user of a specific vehicle. A vehicle user thus may carry a user profile on a storage media for use across all different models and brands of vehicles. The user profile may be used to automatically adjust the settings in other vehicles than the user's primary vehicle. The invention therefore allows a user to change vehicles without having to take the time to re-adjust the vehicle settings.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for acquiring normalized position settings for use across different vehicle models. A reference user first sits in the vehicle and adjust the settings to preferred positions, i.e., vehicle-specific settings. The vehicle-specific settings are then retrieved from measurement sensors positioned on the components of the vehicle. The translation algorithms for the vehicle are read, and the vehicle-specific settings are translated to normalized position settings based on the translation algorithms. The normalized position settings may then be stored to a storage media that may be carried to other brands and models of vehicles for use in determining the appropriate settings in those vehicles.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a heuristics service using a generically-consumable, reusable heuristics manager object. This heuristics manager object provides a “black box” approach to statistically-triggered heuristics, and eliminates the need to write application-specific code for compiling statistics and performing complicated analysis of those statistics within each application program. In one embodiment, the heuristics manager object is provided as a web-accessible service, which may be registered in a network-accessible registry such as a UDDI registry. Enterprises may subscribe to this service for monitoring and analyzing statistics pertaining to one or more of the enterprise's applications, thereby providing a novel method of doing business for the provider of the heuristics service.

Abstract: The present invention is a common location-based service adapter interface. The common location-based service adapter interface can include a uniform input interface through which location-based services can be requested using a uniform format which is independent of any specific formatting required by a particular service adapter configured to process the location-based services. The common location-based service adapter interface also can include a uniform output interface through which specifically formatted result sets can be formatted using the uniform format.

Abstract: A service provider protocol adapter servlet listens for service advertising requests. Each protocol is associated with a different servlet that understands the details of the service advertising mechanism unique to that protocol. The service provider protocol adapter servlet then converts the service advertisement from a service protocol into a canonical representation of service advertising and stores the advertisement in an internal registry. A client protocol adapter servlet listens for client lookup requests and looks up a corresponding service provider in the internal registry. As with service provider protocol adapter servlets, a different client protocol adapter servlet handles the details of client lookup for each particular protocol. The client protocol adapter servlet then converts a client request into a canonical representation of the request, which is then used to look up the service required by the client.

Abstract: The invention provides a software construct, herein termed a Web service container, for managing Web services at a network node and an adaptive model for the dynamic configuration of a plurality of Web service containers distributed throughout a network, such as the Internet or an intranet, in a software and hardware platform-independent manner. Containers can communicate with each other via the network to determine contextual information such as the identity of each other, the capabilities of each other, the operating system or platforms of each others, the contents of the container (i.e., the available Web services at that location), etc. By providing a container framework and the ability to exchange contextual information, the present invention allows servers as well as clients to dynamically exchange Web services software as well as contextual information, such as current workload, so that servers and clients are virtually limitlessly reconfigurable based on context.

Abstract: An installation wizard is provided having panels that prompt a user to identify a location where a software prerequisite can be found prior to installing the TBI software. The wizard can optionally allow for the inclusion of files via a standard file browse dialog or via a URL. The prerequisite is then filly integrated into the install process so that, from the perspective of the installer, the installation proceeds seamlessly and without interruption.

Abstract: A method and system in a data processing system for customizing a graphic user interface environment by utilizing graphic manipulation of selected graphic user interface elements in order to initiate the installation of optional functions and/or features. A graphical user interface element within a graphic user interface is displayed within a first region of a display screen. A data processing system user is then permitted to temporarily remove the graphical user interface element from that first region of the display screen by temporarily rendering that graphic user interface element transparent or by temporarily displaying that graphic user interface element within an alternate region within the display screen. Thereafter, a selected area is designated within the first region, and a user-selectable object which is representative of an optional function and/or feature is displayed at the selected area within the first region, in response to that designation.

Abstract: A movable device for alternatingly covering and uncovering a vehicle is shown and described. The device includes a protective cover, a structural member, a lift member, and an inlet for receiving a pressurized fluid and controlling the fluid to raise and lower the cover. The protective cover is constructed to receive at least a portion of the vehicle, such as a boat or a car. The structural member has an elongated hollow extending at least partially from a first end to a bottom end and ending at a termination point. A first end of the lift member is coupled to the protective cover and a second end of the lift member is reciprocally engaged with the hollow. The lift member can move with the protective cover between a first position in which the protective cover receives at least a portion of the vehicle and a second position in which the protective cover is separated from the vehicle. The space between the second end of the lift member and the termination point of the hollow defines a chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for graphically indicating dynamic data links between a plurality of data objects, which are displayed in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system includes a graphic user interface environment for providing dynamic data exchange utilizing the dynamic data links between the data objects. The method and system includes displaying at least one connection icon in association with each of the data objects that are capable of providing dynamic data exchange utilizing dynamic data links. The display of each connection icon is altered in response to a variation in status of a dynamic data link with the associated data object, wherein a graphic indication of dynamic data links in the data processing system is provided.

Abstract: A system for prioritizing Input/Output tasks in a computer. The tasks are assigned ranks. When a task is running on the computer, incoming tasks are placed into a queue, in rank order. If the highest-ranking task within the queue outranks the running task, the running task is suspended, and that highest-ranking task is run instead. When that task finishes running, the next-ranking task is run, and so on.