Abstract: A method and system are provided in which teleconference calls are scheduled in advance and, at an appropriate predetermined time, calls are automatically made to the designated participants of the conference calls thereby avoiding the need for the participants to call into a teleconference center. In a preferred embodiment, when teconferences are scheduled, the telecon participants are designated and their phone numbers are input or otherwise determined, for example, through access to a centralized database. A calendar is monitored and at a predetermined time relative to the scheduled start of the telecon, a server system application initiates the calling of the participants for connection to the telecon. The system may be configured to require participants to enter a password before the connection is completed. The status of the called participants is determined and displayed on individual display devices of the other participants in the telecon.

Abstract: The present invention allows the viewer of a document to select certain portions of an encrypted document for decryption and optionally re-encryption while other portions of the document remain encrypted or as originally created. In this decryption process, the user would use a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to decrypt. The highlighted area would then be ‘tagged’ with a surrounding attribute indicating that the highlighted area is to be decrypted. This process is similar to the existing word processor capability to highlight areas on a document and then assign rich text attributes, such as BOLD, ITALICS, etc., to those areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling execution of a grid project in accordance with multiple dimensions of dynamic load factors. The present invention provides a mechanism for determining grid node availability based on both processor load and network traffic loads on the nodes in a grid of computing devices. This availability information is used to determine scheduling of the running of grid projects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depicting grid availability at various times and for illustrating a simulation of the way in which a grid project will be executed based on grid availability. In addition, the affects of introducing new nodes into the grid may be determined and the affects on the simulated behavior of the grid with regard to the running of a grid project may be depicted using the graphical user interface. From this information, a user may determine the optimal time to initiate processing of a grid project by the computing grid.

Abstract: A method for controlling subtitles and captions information in video is described. The method includes determining at least one subtitle or caption within a video data stream, pausing the video data stream based on the determination and resuming play of the video data stream after a determined time period. The method may also include storing at least one subtitle or caption in a device memory based on the determination of at least one subtitle or caption within the video data stream, receiving a review subtitle or caption request at the device player and presenting at least one stored subtitle or caption for review. A system and computer readable medium including computer readable code for controlling subtitles and captions information in video is also described.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to record, for example, a song or other radio and/or video content, on demand, and to account for and process appropriate payment for the use of the recorded content. The recorded material is saved and indexed by title and is retrievable for subsequent review, tabulation and/or playing at the user's convenience. In one example, a user is enabled to record received media content by pressing a single “ADD” button at any time while a favorite song is being received and played. The song then being played together with the title of the song or video presentation are then saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing. The received content is accounted for and tabulated and a payment for the use of the recorded song is processed by the user in accordance with a predetermined payment schedule.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to record, for example, a song or other radio and/or video content, on demand, and to account for and process appropriate payment for the use of the recorded content. The recorded material is saved and indexed by title and is retrievable for subsequent review, tabulation and/or playing at the user's convenience. In one example, a user is enabled to record received media content by pressing a single “ADD” button at any time while a favorite song is being received and played. The song then being played together with the title of the song or video presentation are then saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing. The received content is accounted for and tabulated and a payment for the use of the recorded song is processed by the user in accordance with a predetermined payment schedule.

Abstract: A method for providing a primary window overlay includes providing a primary window on a desktop and designating an overlay window. The method further includes implanting the overlay window on the primary window, receiving activity input to the primary window, and maintaining the overlay window on top of the primary window. A system for providing a primary window overlay includes providing a primary window on a desktop, designating an overlay window, implanting the overlay window on the primary window, receiving activity input to the primary window, and maintaining the overlay window and receiving activity input to the overlay window on top of the primary window. A computer readable medium can include computer readable code for executing the method steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling execution of a grid project in accordance with multiple dimensions of dynamic load factors. The present invention provides a mechanism for determining grid node availability based on both processor load and network traffic loads on the nodes in a grid of computing devices. This availability information is used to determine scheduling of the running of grid projects.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for recognizing and correcting dyslexia-related spelling errors is provided. A word is received for evaluation of a dyslexia-related misspelling. The received word is compared with a plurality of dyslexia variants, and a match between the received word and a dyslexia variant is identified. An error rate at which dyslexia-related misspelled words are received is compared with a threshold, and the read word is evaluated as one of a correctly spelled word and a dyslexia-related misspelling of a word.

Abstract: Signals in a proper cadence are recognized as meeting criteria. Such signals are received from a touch plate coupled to a touch circuit. A controller discriminates against spurious signals if such signals are outside an initial tolerance, that is, are faster or slower than a device operator would enter such signals. Providing the criteria for an initial tolerance and a match tolerance are met, the controller actuates a device, such as a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A method for updating the return on investment (ROI) templates used by business consultants. The present invention comprises a Template Evaluation Program (TEP) and a Template Analysis Program (TAP). The TEP compares the default template to the templates modified by the consultants for the customer's ROI analysis and assigns an effectiveness factor to the modified templates. The TAP develops a data list from the default templates and the effectiveness factors and plots the data on a histogram. The TAP performs a statistical analysis for each parameter and updates the default template parameter values if the data fits a normal distribution curve. If the data forms more than one peak on the histogram, then the TAP uses one peak to update the default template and uses the second peak to create a new template. The new template's parameter value is derived from the data in the second peak.

Abstract: A method and system for balancing server work load for cellular phone client-proxy applications in an environment where the clients change position within a given geographic area is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mapping, monitoring, automatically re-mapping the system when required, updating a map address book, and updating a client address book. The system has a mapping system and a communication system connected to a plurality of servers, proxy servers and applications by an internal network. The proxy servers are connected to a plurality of clients by the Internet. If a threshold is exceeded, the monitoring program sends a message to a mapping program. Upon receipt of the message, the mapping program uses a rules engine to calculate a new map graph to remove load from an overloaded server (or servers) and to adjust communication requirements for data by reconfiguring partitions.

Abstract: A method and system for prompting a repeat user of a payment card at an interface terminal with additional security-related questions when the user selects responses that deviate from his or her typical selections. The payment card is read at the terminal, its line of credit is authorized, and a profile of the user's purchasing habits is retrieved. The user then enters his or her current selection of options. A determination is then made as to whether the user's current selections match his or her user profile. If the user's current selections match the user profile, the process allows the user to obtain the services or facilities. If the user's current selections do not match the user profile, the process queries the user with additional security questions to ascertain whether the current user is an authorized user. If the user is unable to answer the security questions correctly, the process prevents the user from accessing the services or facilities.

Abstract: Mechanisms for controlling a commercial transaction are presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for updating the return on investment (ROI) templates used by business consultants. The present invention comprises a Template Evaluation Program (TEP) and a Template Analysis Program (TAP). The TEP compares the default template to the templates modified by the consultants for the customer's ROI analysis and assigns an effectiveness factor to the modified templates. The TAP develops a data list from the default templates and the effectiveness factors and plots the data on a histogram. The TAP performs a statistical analysis for each parameter and updates the default template parameter values if the data fits a normal distribution curve. If the data forms more than one peak on the histogram, then the TAP uses one peak to update the default template and uses the second peak to create a new template. The new template's parameter value is derived from the data in the second peak.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, a customer of a service provider would be placed in hold while waiting to speak to a customer service representative. The method and system of the invention would recognize the telephone number of the caller using a “caller ID” system. If this call is the first time the caller has ever called, the caller would be presented with an audible listing of listening choices that would include but not be limited to the latest news, the weather (of the caller's location), financial headlines, or a selection of music stations (via cable radio, for example). The caller would then speak or type his/her preference into the keypad and the selection would be played. If the caller does not like the selection, the caller can then speak another selection or type the new selection as many times as the caller prefers. The caller selection is recorded in a caller preference database.

Abstract: A device and process which eliminates potential moiré patterns in digitized images by employing a one-dimensional sensor array and a sampling method of the sensor signals which produces a data set of non-uniformly spaced sensor positions. This allows the spacing of the sensors to avoid having a strong “harmonic” which may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, which eliminates the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove moiré patterns. Sensors are non-uniformly spaced along a first axis according to a predetermined, deterministic and predictable schema or function. Sensors are sampled during scanning according a non-uniform function in order to realize a non-uniform sampling scheme in a second dimension. Linear interpolation is applied to the non-uniformly spaced data set, synthesizing a uniformly-spaced data set for use in common imaging formats and processing.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a commercial transaction is presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A digital camera which allows voice annotations to be recorded for each picture, but which includes text annotations with each such picture when the picture is transmitted from the camera. The digital camera includes an image sensing apparatus operable to receive light comprising an image and output image data representing the image, a first memory operable to store the image data, a sound sensing apparatus operable to receive a sound and output sound data representing the sound, wherein the sound is speech and the sound data is voice data, a second memory operable to store the voice data, a third memory operable to store text data; and a voice recognition apparatus operable to access the second memory, translate the stored voice data into text data and store the text data in the third memory, when the digital camera is provided with external power.