Abstract: A method and apparatus for evolving a shared to-do list into a business process is disclosed. A business process includes one or more business steps and zero or more action rules related to the business steps. Members of a workgroup participate in the business process and are able to view, modify, add and delete business steps and action rules as needed. An action rule is comprised of one or more business actions and one or more events that trigger the actions to be executed. A computer program keeps track of the business steps, interprets the set of rules, and updates states of the business process, notifies the members and validates and accepts modifications by the members to the action rules of a business steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evolving a shared to-do list into a business process is disclosed. A business process includes one or more business steps and zero or more action rules related to the business steps. Members of a workgroup participate in the business process and are able to view, modify, add and delete business steps and action rules as needed. An action rule is comprised of one or more business actions and one or more events that trigger the actions to be executed. A computer program keeps track of the business steps, interprets the set of rules, and updates states of the business process, notifies the members and validates and accepts modifications by the members to the action rules of a business steps.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for placeholder management in a unified activity manager in a collaborative computing environment. A method for managing placeholders in a unified activity manager in a collaborative environment can include the step of inserting a placeholder in an activity in lieu of a specified collaborator, resource, or event. The inserting step can include describing a type of resource without specifying an identity of an actual resource; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder. The inserting step also can include describing a type of event without specifying an identity of an actual event; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder. The inserting step also can include describing a type of collaborator without specifying an identity of an actual collaborator; and, inserting the described type in the placeholder.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, disclosed is an image analysis and conversion method and system, where digital ink images are converted to structured object representations of the digital ink images, capable of being edited by a structured text/graphics editor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to activity thread management and provide a method, system and computer program product for activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for activity objectifying non-activity/task objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool can be provided. The method can include selecting a non-activity/task object in an activity thread for an activity map of the activity-centric collaboration tool, and associating an activity attribute with the selected non-activity/task object. The non-activity/task object further can be decorated with a user interface control corresponding to a value for the activity attribute, and a state for the user interface control can be changed responsive to changes in the value for the activity attribute.

Abstract: An electronic market for trading of securities includes a plurality of client stations for entering quotes for securities and a server process that receives quotes from the clients, aggregates the quotes and causes a total of all aggregated quotes to be displayed for a plurality of price levels on the client systems. The market uses a graphical user that depicts aggregated quotes in an aggregate window a plurality of price levels of a product traded in the market. The market also includes processes to handle lock/cross market conditions, match-off of order flow and provides a central quote/order collector that interfaces to disparate order delivery systems to minimize dual liability of market makers.

Abstract: An electronic market for trading of securities includes a plurality of client stations for entering quotes for securities and a server process that receives quotes from the clients, aggregates the quotes and causes a total of all aggregated quotes to be displayed for a plurality of price levels on the client systems. The market uses a graphical user that depicts aggregated quotes in an aggregate window a plurality of price levels of a product traded in the market. The market also includes processes to handle lock/cross market conditions, match-off of order flow and provides a central quote/order collector that interfaces to disparate order delivery systems to minimize dual liability of market makers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to integrating a messaging system with at least one collaboration tool. According to one embodiment of the invention, in response to a user creating a message in a messaging system, information from the message is compared with data sets associated with the user. Each of the data sets correspond to a collaboration topic of the user for the at least one collaboration tool. At least one of the data sets is selected based on the comparison, and information indicating the one or more collaboration topics of the user that correspond to the at least one data set that is selected is presented to the user via a user interface, with the information suggesting to the user to post the message to the one or more corresponding collaboration topics of the user.

Abstract: A partially collapsing hierarchical display system aids information navigation by providing a dynamic mechanism for labeling items with one or more states. In one embodiment, states comprise “hidden”, “visible” and “unmarked”. An expanded list of items displays all items. A partially expanded list of items displays all visible and unmarked items, removing hidden items from the display. A further collapsed list of items displays all visible items. A completely collapsed list of items hides all items. Users customize the amount of detail displayed in a sub-tree, reducing the display size of the sub-tree. Expansion of a hierarchical structure is combined with filtering, allowing users to partially collapse or partially expand a sub-tree structure. Partially collapsed lists comprise one or more focus points, allowing users to view several relevant sections of a hierarchical structure concurrently.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing activity reuse in a collaborative environment. The method can include the step of creating a new activity instance based upon an existing activity instance. Specifically, the creating step can include the steps of selecting an activity template and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected activity template and/or selecting a portion of an existing activity instance and creating the new activity instance based upon the selected portion. In either case, the method further can include the step of applying changes to the selected portion of the existing activity instance to the new activity instance. Finally, the method can include the step of annotating the new activity instance to refine the new activity instance for reuse. For instance, the annotating step can include coordinating a collaborative annotation of the new activity instance as an activity-in-progress.

Abstract: A method of generating a context-inferenced search query and of sorting a result of the query is described. The method includes analyzing an event associated with the user to determine a contextual setting, dynamically generating a search query based on the contextual setting, and searching at least one information source using the search query to generate a search result. Additionally, the method includes calculating an importance value for each item of the search result, sorting the items of the search result according the importance value, and displaying the sorted search result to the user.

Abstract: An image analysis and conversion method and system. Bitmapped ink images are converted to structured object representations of the bitmapped images, which may be read and edited by a structured text/graphics editor. The structured object representations correlate to perceptually salient areas of the bitmapped images. The structured object representations are editable by the structured text/graphics editor to allow a user to generate alternative interpretations of the bitmapped images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evolving a shared to-do list into a business process is disclosed. A business process includes one or more business steps and zeroor more action rules related to the business steps. Members of a workgroup participate in the business process and are able to view, modify, add and delete business steps and action rules as needed. An action rule is comprised of one or more business actions and one or more events that trigger the actions to be executed. A computer program keeps track of the business steps, interprets the set of rules, and updates states of the business process, notifies the members and validates and accepts modifications by the members to the action rules of a business steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to activity thread management and provide a method, system and computer program product for activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for activity objectifying non-activity/task objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool can be provided. The method can include selecting a non-activity/task object in an activity thread for an activity map of the activity-centric collaboration tool, and associating an activity attribute with the selected non-activity/task object. The non-activity/task object further can be decorated with a user interface control corresponding to a value for the activity attribute, and a state for the user interface control can be changed responsive to changes in the value for the activity attribute.

Abstract: The systems and methods of this invention use an index and digital audio and/or video recordings of an activity to provide access to recently recorded material. For example, users initiate audio and/or video recordings. An index, e.g., an agenda, outlines the structure of the to be recorded event. The user selects an index item as an activity that corresponds to an index item is recorded. The recordings are then associated with the index. The user can then randomly access the recordings for playback, editing or further recording. The systems and methods of this invention additionally provide the means for correlating events and the corresponding index items with the recordings.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, disclosed is an image analysis and conversion method and system, where bitmapped ink images are converted to structured object representations of the bitmapped images, which may be read and edited by a structured text/graphics editor.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, disclosed is an image analysis and conversion method and system, where digital ink images are converted to structured object representations of the digital ink images, capable of being edited by a structured text/graphics editor.

Abstract: A graphical input and display system having a user interface for selecting and creating image object elements includes input devices permitting a user to manipulate elements of electronic images. A processor, connected to the system, receives requests for various image object selection operations and also accesses a memory structure. The system memory structure includes a user interaction module, which allows a user to select image objects, an image object selection module for interpreting imprecise image object selection paths, and data memory.

Abstract: A system and method for editing and transcribing using a structured freeform editor is provided. The method implemented in the system includes interpreting structure of freeform graphic elements and selectively editing the structure and/or selectively transcribing scribble elements to an editable format.

Abstract: A graphical input and display system for creating and manipulating electronic images includes input devices permitting a user to manipulate elements of electronic images received from various image input sources. A processor, connected to the system, receives requests for various image editing operations and also accesses a memory structure. The system memory structure includes a user interaction module, which allows a user to enter new image material or select and modify existing image material to form primary image objects, as well as a grouping module, which maintains an unrestricted grouping structure, an output module, and data memory.