Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for providing information for avoiding specific users of an immersive virtual environment. Generally, a primary user may specify other users to be avoided in a blacklist. The blacklisted users may be specified to be avoided at all times, or may be specified to be avoided in certain situations. In one embodiment, a user may be added to the blacklist during a specific situation, resulting in the characteristics of the situation being automatically stored in the blacklist. Subsequently, the blacklist may be used to determine the locations of the blacklisted users matching the current situation. The primary user may then avoid the locations having the greatest probability of encountering blacklisted users.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide simple and secure financial transactions in an instant messaging (IM) environment. Two users may engage in an IM session (chat session), with negotiations for a product or service taking place during the chat session. One or both of the users may activate an IM financial transaction mechanism during the chat session. The IM financial transaction mechanism analyzes the chat text, and presents a draft transaction to both buyer and seller, with options based on the analyzed chat text. The draft transaction may be modified by both buyer and seller, who both confirm the draft transaction when all of the details are correct. The confirmed transaction is then sent to a web server that includes an interface to the buyer's online account, and payment is made by transferring the funds for the confirmed transaction from the buyer's online account to an account for the seller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize rulesets associated with particular individuals to restrict or otherwise control the use of such individuals' likeness data into media presentations using character replacement or like technologies. A ruleset includes at least one rule configured to define a condition under which the likeness data for an individual may or may not be incorporated into a media presentation. As such, during the generation of a media presentation, the ruleset may be accessed and analyzed, whereby the likeness data for an individual may be selectively incorporated into a media presentation based upon the ruleset to generate a personalized version of the media presentation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for reducing instability in a heterogeneous job plan of a stream processing application. In one embodiment, a job manager may be configured to select a job plan with the objective of minimizing the potential instability of the job plan. Each job plan may provide a directed graph connecting processing elements (both native and non-native). That is, each job plan illustrates data flow through the stream application framework. The job plan may be selected from multiple available job plans, or may be generated by replacing processing elements of a given job plan. Further, the job plan may be selected on the basis of other objectives in addition to an objective of minimizing the potential instability of the job plan, such as minimizing cost, minimizing execution time, minimizing resource usage, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of managing content filters within a three dimensional (3D) immersive environment without compromising the visual and interactive integrity of the environment itself. In one embodiment, content may be selectively filtered by dynamically categorizing content within the immersive environment by tracking baseline avatar patterns. Once a pattern is identified between a given content element (i.e., some element of the environment which an avatar may interact with) and avatar interactions (or lack of interactions) with that content element, a filter may be defined and applied to that content element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associate a computed trust level to avatars that interact with one another in a simulated environment. The avatars may represent legitimate users of the virtual world or spammers. System monitoring of each avatar provides ability to recognize potential spammers and create an alternate indication of the spammers. A user index may be used to store data describing attributes of each avatar for analysis using programs stored in memory.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for suggesting actions to users of an immersive virtual environment based on previous user actions within the virtual environment. Generally, characteristics of actions performed by various users of the virtual environment may be stored in a searchable actions index. Subsequently, the actions index may be used to suggest actions based on similarity of the stored characteristics to those of a current user and/or actions. The suggested actions may be presented to the user as graphical indications visible within the user's view of the virtual environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for commercial transactions for the sale of images carried out over short-range wireless transmissions. In one embodiment, the transaction may be initiated by a vendor (e.g., a professional photographer), who transmits a wireless signal including an offer for sale of an image. A customer wishing to purchase the image responds by sending a wireless signal including an acceptance of the offer. In another embodiment, the transaction may be initiated by a customer, who transmits a wireless signal including a request for an image to be fulfilled by a vendor. A vendor agreeing to supply the image responds by sending a wireless signal including an acceptance of the request. By offering the images to customers who are in close proximity to the image capture, the vendor may increase the likelihood that the images will be purchased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to place a targeted advertisement on a billboard (or other advertising location) in an immersive virtual environment by determining the interests of a group of users at a given location to calculate an advertisement matching the whole group. The selected advisement may be based not only on the sum of individual interests for the avatars present in the particular location, but also current interaction between the avatars. As groups of users communicate with one another within a virtual world, the substance of their communications may contribute to what advertisement is selected and presented to the avatars at the advertising location.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for controlling access to digital images based physical and temporal proximity to the image capture event. In one embodiment, an imaging device capturing a digital image broadcasts an invitation to wireless devices in the surrounding area. The wireless devices respond with an acceptance, including the email address (or some other network address) of the device owner. The digital image is made available at a network location with restricted access. Access to the image is controlled with an access list based on the acceptances received by the imaging device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for providing information for avoiding specific users of an immersive virtual environment. Generally, a primary user may specify other users to be avoided in a blacklist. The blacklisted users may be specified to be avoided at all times, or may be specified to be avoided in certain situations. In one embodiment, a user may be added to the blacklist during a specific situation, resulting in the characteristics of the situation being automatically stored in the blacklist. Subsequently, the blacklist may be used to determine the locations of the blacklisted users matching the current situation. The primary user may then avoid the locations having the greatest probability of encountering blacklisted users.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for tracking user interactions comprising receiving a first request associated with a first user, to exchange a communication with a second user about one of a plurality of elements of a web-page, wherein the plurality of elements includes at least one of graphical elements and textual elements; in response to the first request, exchanging a communication between the first user and the second user; capturing the communication; storing an interaction object comprising the communication, wherein storing includes associating the interaction object with the one of the plurality of elements of the web-page; and serving a modified version of the web-page to a third user; wherein the modified version specifies the interaction object being associated with the one of the plurality of elements of the web-page.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to enhance the presentation of a virtual environment for certain users, e.g., a visually impaired user. Because users may visit, and revisit, locations within the virtual environment, the state of elements in the virtual environment may change. Accordingly, audible descriptions of an object, person or environment, may be adjusted to prevent redundant or unnecessary descriptions. For example, when the user encounters a given element a second time, rather than describe each characteristic of the element, only changes to the characteristics of the element are described.

Abstract: A media stream aggregation mechanism receives and analyzes multiple media streams and creates an aggregate media stream output based on user preferences. In this manner a media provider that uses the media stream aggregation mechanism potentially may provide a customized presentation to each user based on user preferences. By providing the aggregation of multiple media streams to a user, the user's experience is customized according to user preferences.

Abstract: A data stream processing system is provided that utilizes independent sites to process user-defined inquires over dynamic, continuous streams of data. A mechanism is provided for processing these inquiries over the continuous streams of data by matching new inquiries to previously submitted inquiries. The job plans containing sets of processing elements that were created for both the new inquiry and the previous inquiries are compared for consistency in input and output formatting and commonality of processing elements used. In accordance with the comparison, the new job plan, previous job plans or a combination of the new and previous job plans are used to process the new inquiry. Based on the results of processing the new inquiry, a determination is made regarding which job plans are used for future inquiries.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for detecting patterns of abuse in users of a virtual world. The patterns of abuse may be detected by examining records of inappropriate interactions between users. Subsequently, preventative actions may be taken to prevent further abuse. The preventative actions may include blocking access to all or part of the virtual world, blocking interactions with other users, warning other users, or notifying authorities of the behavior of the other user.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize a brokering service for use in controlling the incorporation of likeness data for an individual into a media presentation. The brokering service maintains a plurality of rulesets respectively associated with a plurality of individuals. Each ruleset is used to restrict or otherwise control the incorporation of likeness data associated with an associated individual into media presentations, typically through the inclusion of one or more rules configured to define conditions under which the likeness data for the associated individual may or may not be incorporated into a media presentation. The brokering service is capable of responding to requests for selected rulesets for different individuals by communicating the rulesets to various requesting entities.