Abstract: A system for defining, disseminating, and evaluating policies in a policy-based decision system includes a unit for defining a hierarchy of policy groups, a unit for associating a group of orthogonal parameters with at least one policy group, a unit for defining at least one policy for one or more policy groups in said hierarchy, a unit for disseminating policies to one or more decision making component for at least one policy group in said hierarchy, and a unit for evaluating policies for at least one policy groups in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A data retrieval system and method provide automatic retrieval of information based on a context-traversal history. A transferable object is identified in a first context while the user is operating in the first context. Information used to retrieve the transferable object is automatically stored without user involvement. The automatically stored information is used to copy the transferable object to an object receptor in a second context while the user operates in the second context.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for visualizing multiple time zones can include a C&S application, an event schedule managed by the C&S application, and multiple time zone processing logic coupled to the C&S application. The multiple time zone processing logic can determine a time zone for each participant to a defined event. The multiple time zone processing logic further can render a user interface showing a local time in the determined time zone corresponding to a preferred time for the defined event for each the participant. For instance, the user interface can include an arrangement of juxtaposed time ranges for each participant, where the time ranges have a staggered appearance so that a local time for each of the time ranges corresponds to the preferred time.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for selectively blocking the transmission of an unsolicited instant message. The method of the invention can include receiving an instant message designated an intended recipient; locating the intended recipient in a do not instant message list; and, responsive to the location, blocking the instant message for subsequent transmission to the intended recipient. Notably, the blocking step can include the step of selectively blocking the instant message based upon a specified policy defined for the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the integrated management of in-person and e-meeting attendance. A system for the consolidated management of an attendance list for a hybrid meeting can include a collaborative bridge configured for coupling both to an in-person meeting and an e-meeting, a data store of integrated attendance, and attendance integration logic programmed to manage a consolidated attendance list in the data store for the in-person meeting and the e-meeting by accessing attendance information through the collaborative bridge. Notably, the in-person meeting can include a sensor coupled to the collaborative bridge and configured to detect a presence of tags affixed to participants to the in-person meeting to manage the attendance information for the in-person meeting.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for deriving affinity relationships between objects. A plurality of objects may be stored in a database. When two or more of these objects interact, the system and method may create an entry in a database defining the interaction. A counter may be incremented each time an interaction occurs between a pair of objects. If the counter exceeds a predefined threshold, the objects in the interacting object pair may be classified as having an affinity for each other.

Abstract: A system for animating the visualization of exceptions thrown by an application includes an application server; an application program; an in-memory exception table; an exception log file; an analysis database; and a user interface. The application server is operable for executing the application program during a server session including a plurality of analysis windows; responsive to exceptions thrown by the application program during execution for logging exception data to the in-memory exception table; responsive to completing an analysis window, logging the exception table to the exception log file; responsive to completing the server session, for building an analysis database from the exception log file; and generating from the exception log file an exception visualization animation including a sequential plurality of exception table renditions to the user interface.

Abstract: Under the present invention, interactivity metrics between users of collaborative spaces are measured. Based on the interactivity metrics, the collaborative spaces are categorized. Then, when a potential user provides desired interactivity metrics for a collaborative space he/she wishes to utilize, one or more of the categorized collaborative spaces can be recommend thereto.

Abstract: Under the present invention, a method, system, interface and program product for displaying an object hierarchy in a compact form, and for facilitating navigation through the displayed object hierarchy, is provided. The method includes: displaying a first level root node of the object hierarchy; upon selection of the first level root node, displaying a listing of all second level child nodes of the first level root node immediately adjacent the first level root node; and selecting one of the second level child nodes; wherein, upon selection of one of the second level child nodes, the listing of all second level child nodes of the first level root node disappears, and the selected second level child node is displayed immediately adjacent the first level root node. Nodes from additional levels of the object hierarchy can be selected and displayed in a similar manner.