Abstract: A unified service model method is used for Business Service Management of a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are defined for a business service, and one or more service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. The business service is associated with one or more technical services that support the business service. These technical services are delivered by actual component in a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are associated with the technical services, and service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. A customer defined in the model subscribes to one of the service offerings of the business service. As business services are provided, the unified service model combines the service offerings tying the business and technical services to the associated service level targets, and administrators can manage the services and IT components using the unified service model.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a messaging program at a remote computer can send a first message to a portal computer according to a one-way protocol such as HTTP. A portal program at the portal computer can receive the first message and determine if information should be sent to the portal computer. If so, the portal computer can generate a reply message that includes the information and send the reply message to remote computer on the same connection over which the first message was received. In this manner, the portal computer can send configuration control information and other information to the messaging program without requiring leased lines, dial-up connections or a VPN. Moreover, since the communication according to the one-way protocol was initiated at the remote computer, a firewall will allow the remote computer to receive the reply message.

Abstract: A unified service model method is used for Business Service Management of a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are defined for a business service, and one or more service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. The business service is associated with one or more technical services that support the business service. These technical services are delivered by actual component in a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are associated with the technical services, and service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. A customer defined in the model subscribes to one of the service offerings of the business service. As business services are provided, the unified service model combines the service offerings tying the business and technical services to the associated service level targets, and administrators can manage the services and IT components using the unified service model.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improved scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a software tether. Preferably, the invention is utilized in a data processing system which supports a graphical user interface which is utilized by the operator to create, modify, or review software objects. At least one particular work space is provided in the graphical user interface. A scroll bar activation function is provided which initiates scroll bar functionality after a predefined interaction of the graphical pointing device with said graphical user interface. The data processing system is utilized to monitor for interaction between the graphical pointing device and the graphical user interface, which satisfies the scroll bar activation function. After detection of satisfaction of the scroll bar activation function, the at least one scroll bar functionality is associated with the graphical pointing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a software tether. Preferably, the invention is utilized in a data processing system which supports a graphical user interface which is utilized by the operator to create, modify, or review software objects. At least one particular work space is provided in the graphical user interface. A scroll bar activation function is provided which initiates scroll bar functionality after a predefined interaction of the graphical pointing device with said graphical user interface. The data processing system is utilized to monitor for interaction between the graphical pointing device and the graphical user interface, which satisfies the scroll bar activation function. After detection of satisfaction of the scroll bar activation function, the at least one scroll bar functionality is associated with the graphical pointing device.

Abstract: A method and system for graphic video image control of selected segments of video data from within a video presentation which includes a large number of video frames. The video frames are displayed in a stacked overlapping manner within a computer display system. Upon selection of a particular edge of the display of an uppermost frame, each frame is then slightly offset from an adjacent frame such that a small portion of each overlapped frame may be visually accessed. A user may then select some portion of the video presentation for display by observing the transition effects along the exposed edge of each frame and then graphically selecting a particular frame utilizing a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse pointer. The selected frame is then displayed and a particular portion of the video presentation, beginning at the selected frame, may then be presented, greatly enhancing the efficiency of video display control.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and memory embodying detailed logic direct a computer system to automatically shift a window substantially off a display screen using a pointer and user controls (e.g., mouse). The display screen has at least one edge, but typically is rectangular in shape having four edges. The first step of the method includes moving the window on the display screen in a direction consistent with the movement of the pointer. To do so, the user positions and activates the pointer over the window using the user controls. The second step includes automatically scrolling the window substantially off the display screen such that only a portion of the window remains visible at the edge of the display screen. This step occurs when the user has activated and positioned the pointer over the window and then moved the activated pointer to one of the edges of the display screen for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., two seconds).

Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer system, and article of manufacture embodying computer readable program means direct a computer system to create in a window an insertion bar for inserting hierarchical level identifiers into any hierarchically arranged data. The method includes the first step of inserting a blank line at the location of an insert event, in response to detecting the insert event at the location in the window. The second event includes the step of counting a number of hierarchical levels above the blank line and placing a marker on the blank line, each marker corresponding to a horizontal position of each hierarchical level, thereby creating the insertion bar. The third step includes the step of in response to detecting a move event over one of the markers in the insertion bar, creating an additional hierarchical level identifier of the same hierarchical level and in succession to the hierarchical level corresponding to the selected marker.

Abstract: A method, system, and memory for reshaping a window using a drop-down scroll bar are provided. The method includes the step of dynamically reshaping the frame of a window around information within the window in accordance with a preference setting and in response to scrolling the information using a drop-down scroll bar. The system includes a display for displaying the window, a processor, and, in response to a command from user controls means for controlling the processor to reshape the frame of the window around information within the window as the information is being scrolled. The memory includes computer readable program code that is stored in the memory. The computer readable program code provides instructions for reshaping the frame of a window around information that is being scrolled in that window.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for simultaneously displaying and manipulating the contents of a container using a folder bar widget by displaying a plurality of tabs within the folder bar widget, each tab representing a sub-container of the container thereafter displaying a menu identifying the fist contents (e.g., computer objects) of a first sub-container in response to a pointing device activating a first tab representing the first sub-container. Finally, concurrently displaying a second menu identifying second contents (e.g., computer objects) of a second sub-container in response to the pointing device activating a second tab representing the second sub-container. Therefore, the first contents and the second contents are concurrently displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically presenting default-drop target icons displayed within a data processing system. Default-drop target icons are representative of data processing system events, and the data processing system includes containers within a graphical user interface border. An object within a container surrounded by a graphical user interface border is selected and in response to initiation of dragging the icon, default-drop target icons are identified which are representative of data processing system events appropriate for the selected object. Thereafter, if the selected object is dragged across the graphical user interface border; at least one default-drop target icon is automatically displayed at a location proximate a point where the selected object crosses the graphical user interface border, in response to the dragging, such that a data processing system event may be invoked by dropping the selected object upon the default-drop target icon.

Abstract: A uniquely programmed computer system, computer-implemented method, and computer readable memory embodying computer-readable detailed logic (i.e., computer readable program code) direct a computer system to display an image map having graphical objects thereon and an original appearance. At least a first portion of the graphical objects are links to other documents. The method includes the step of changing the original appearance of the first portion of the graphical objects to indicate that those graphical objects are links. This step is performed in response to user controls (e.g., a user positioning a mouse cursor) positioned on the image map.

Abstract: An apparatus and method transmit analyzed voice samples from a wireless transmitting device worn by a user to a remote voice activated data processing system having a speech recognition system stored thereon. The method includes the first step of storing voice characteristics of a user into a memory (e.g. a RAM chip) on a wireless transmitting device. The second step includes voice activating the transmitting device and speech recognition system. After the transmitting device and speech recognition system have been activated, the third step includes transmitting the voice characteristics from the memory to the speech recognition system, thereby enabling the user to verbally communicate directly with the voice activated data processing system.

Abstract: A uniquely programmed computer system and computer-implemented method direct a computer system to efficiently transmit voice. The method includes the steps of transforming voice from a user into text at a first system, converting a voice sample of the user into a set of voice characteristics stored in a voice database in a second system, and transmitting the text to the second system, whereby the second system converts the text into audio by synthesizing the voice of the user using the voice characteristics from the voice sample. The voice characteristics and text may be transmitted individually or jointly. However, if the system transmits voice characteristics individually, subsequent multiple text files are transmitted and converted at the second system using the stored voice characteristics located within the second system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for causing a computer to directly scroll the contents of window in any direction. The window could be a folder, document, or any container for retaining information. The contents of the window are too large to be simultaneously displayed on the display screen. The method includes the first step of moving a visible view indicator of a scrolling mechanism in a direction consistent with movement of a pointer means in response to the pointer means being positioned and activated over the visible view indicator using user controls. The second step includes the step of scrolling the contents of the window on the display screen in a direction substantially opposite to the movement of the pointer means and the visible view indicator.