Abstract: A system and computer program product for screening broadcast programming is provided. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming and to present the broadcast programming to a user. An interface is configured to receive user input from a user, the user input comprising at least a content of interest start time based on the broadcast programming. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to store the user input and to generate a screening signal based on the user input. In a particular aspect, a broadcast recorder is coupled to the viewer and configured to store the received broadcast programming.

Abstract: Mechanisms for screening broadcast programming are provided. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming, to receive commands from a user, to receive commands from an interface coupled to the viewer, to present the received broadcast programming to the user based on commands from the user, and to present the received broadcast programming to the user based on commands from the interface. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to receive a screening signal, to receive user input from the interface, to store the received user input, to generate a local action signal based on the user input and the received screening signal, and to transmit the local action signal to the interface. The interface is configured to receive the local action signal, to transmit commands to the viewer based on the local action signal, and to receive user input from the user, the user input comprising at least an action preference.

Abstract: A method for screening broadcast programming is provided. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming and to present the broadcast programming to a user. An interface is configured to receive user input from a user, the user input comprising at least a content of interest start time based on the broadcast programming. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to store the user input and to generate a screening signal based on the user input. In a particular aspect, a broadcast recorder is coupled to the viewer and configured to store the received broadcast programming.

Abstract: Information elements such as text, tables, graphics, and hyperlinks, are intercepted during their transfer from a computer source to a computer destination, such as during a cut-and-paste operation. It is determined if each intercepted information element is expressed in a natural language which matches a user-specified natural language intended for the destination, and if not, one or more natural language handling actions such as translation or isolation of the information elements is performed in order to match the desired destination language. Translated information elements are delivered to the destination, and isolated elements are placed in a data store for later review and/or exchange with other elements.

Abstract: Information elements such as text, tables, graphics, and hyperlinks, are intercepted during their transfer from a computer source to a computer destination, such as during a cut-and-paste operation. It is determined if each intercepted information element is expressed in a natural language which matches a user-specified natural language intended for the destination, and if not, one or more natural language handling actions such as translation or isolation of the information elements is performed in order to match the desired destination language. Translated information elements are delivered to the destination, and isolated elements are placed in a data store for later review and/or exchange with other elements.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user (author or creator) of a document to specify that certain portions of a document be selected for encryption while other portions of the document remain displayed as created. In addition, each encrypted section could have multiple encryption keys such that some viewers can review certain parts of the document while other viewers will not have that same access. The user could employ a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to be encrypted. The highlighted portion would then be ‘tagged’ with a surrounding attribute indicating to the word processor that this highlighted portion of the document is to be encrypted. The highlighted sections would also have encryption keys associated with the highlighted and encrypted section. Any one of the encryption keys for that section would decrypt that section. With proper authorization, any encrypted portion of a document would be displayed as part of the document.

Abstract: A process for transferring content from one computer resource to another by enabling automatic cutting-and-pasting in a destination first, source second sequence, a user selecting insertion points in the contents of a destination computer resource, followed by the user selecting information elements in a source computer resource, subsequently automatically intercepting transfer of the selected information elements to the destination, determining which intercepted information elements are expressed in a natural language not matching a user-specified natural language, invoking a rule management user interface to allow the user to define an action to be taken, performing the specified language handling actions on the intercepted information elements, and transferring translated information elements to the destination computer resource.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system that records, at a remote location, the current status of a door lock. This invention provides a key fob device, which records the current status of a door look. The key fob indicates to the user the current lock status of the given door(s) in question. The key fob is a small key chain attached device, which records the state of the door locks, or other devices or appliances, as one departs from the door. The system of the present invention comprises a sensor at the door that detects the current lock status of a door and transmits this lock to the key fob. Also incorporated into the key fob is circuitry that receives and records this received lock status. A display component in the key fob displays this current lock status when prompted by the user.

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 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 generating a hologram on a disc surface provides for the use of calibration spots burned onto a disc with an accuracy greater than one half wavelength of light.

Abstract: Systems and media for utilizing electronic document usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software utilizing electronic document usage information to respond to user search requests with search engines are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving a search request from a requesting user and receiving document utilization information associated with one or more electronic documents, where the document utilization information provides an indication of the usage of the electronic documents by one or more users. Further embodiments include generating search results based at least partially on the search request and the document utilization information and transmitting an indication of the search results to the requesting user. Further embodiments include generating statistical information regarding the search results for electronic documents and transmitting the generated statistical information.

Abstract: A method for utilizing the Monte Carlo method to determine the most efficient arrangement of schedulers for a grid using a Scheduler Optimization Program (SOP). The SOP obtains the schedulers and scheduler timetable from memory and randomly selects a time period and scheduler to analyze. The SOP then uses the selected scheduler to modify the scheduler timetable. The SOP then runs the ROI calculator to obtain a ROI property for the modified timetable. If the ROI property for the modified timetable is greater than the ROI property for the original scheduler timetable, the SOP replaces the scheduler timetable with the modified timetable.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user (author or creator) of a document to specify that certain portions of a document be selected for encryption while other portions of the document remain displayed as created. In addition, each encrypted section could have multiple encryption keys such that some viewers can review certain parts of the document while other viewers will not have that same access. The user could employ a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to be encrypted. The highlighted portion would then be tagged with a surrounding attribute indicating to the word processor that this highlighted portion of the document is to be encrypted. The highlighted sections would also have encryption keys associated with the highlighted and encrypted section. Any one of the encryption keys for that section would decrypt that section. With proper authorization, any encrypted portion of a document would be displayed as part of the document.

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: Methods, systems, and media are disclosed for accessing one or more parts of an electronic document. In one embodiment, the method includes choosing, with a selecting device, the electronic document, and for receiving document utilization information for the electronic document. Further, the method includes displaying, on the computer, the electronic document and the document utilization information as an interactive graphical representation comprising a set of points, wherein each point in the set corresponds to both a different part of the electronic document and any of the document utilization information associated with the different part. Further still, the method includes selecting, with the selecting device, at least one point in the set, and opening, on the computer, to the part of the electronic document associated with the point selected by the selecting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modeling grid projects, such that their network and node resources may be readily determinable for simulation, scheduling, and control purposes. A model of a grid project is generated using a standardized grid project modeling language that sets forth a sequence of grid project phases. Within each phase, there may be any number of descriptions of parallel activities that need to be performed, such as, CPU processing, network activity, both, or even nested “sub” phases. Each of the descriptions specifies the properties of the described activities, such as the quantity of CPU required, network traffic expected, prerequisites, dependencies, activity splitting limits and characteristics, reliability actions, etc. The grid project model is parseable by the present invention to determine the various phases of a grid project and the various characteristics of each phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented planning process that aids a system administrator in the task of creating a job schedule. The process treats enterprise computing resources as a grid of resources, which provides greater flexibility in assigning resources to jobs. During the planning process, an administrator or other user, or software, builds a job-dependency tree. Jobs are then ranked according to priority, pickiness, and network centricity Difficult and problematic jobs then are assigned resources and scheduled first, with less difficult jobs assigned resources and scheduled afterwards. The resources assigned to the most problematic jobs then are changed iteratively to determine if the plan improves. This iterative approach not only increases the efficiency of the original job schedule, but also allows the planning process to react and adapt to new, ad-hoc jobs, as well as unexpected interruptions in resource availability.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which a user is enabled to create a preferred playlist of the user's favorite songs or types of video presentations. An input device allows the user to add or delete items or key words of a song title or video presentation to or from the favorites list. In an exemplary video application, a user is enabled to indicate by using a digital video recorder, a specific type of broadcast such as “Sports” or “Basketball”. In an exemplary radio application, the user is enabled to list songs, or key words of the title if the user is unsure of the exact title, on the preferred playlist. Video signals or songs playing on several channels or stations are monitored and when a listed video type or song having the input key words from the user's favorites list begins to play on a station, the song and the full song title which is acquired from the received broadcast data, are automatically saved to memory for subsequent retrieval and playing by the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for awarding credits based on provided usage information are disclosed. More particularly, hardware and/or software for collecting and disseminating usage information related to electronic documents and for awarding usage credits to users in exchange for providing usage information are disclosed. Embodiments include receiving an indication of the usage of an electronic document by a user and aggregating the received usage indication for the document with usage indications relating to other users. Embodiments may also include creating document utilization information for the electronic document based on the aggregated usage indications and awarding usage credit to the user based on the user's providing statistics on the usage of the electronic document. Further embodiments may include transmitting an indication of the awarded usage credit to the user and receiving a request to use the usage credits.