Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for describing elements within a virtual world to a user of the virtual world. An element may be identified based on a position of an avatar within the virtual world. The avatar is a representation of the user within the virtual world. A tag associated with the element is selected. The tag includes a description of the element. The element is described to the user based on the description.

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 include a method and apparatus for describing elements within a virtual world to a user of the virtual world. An element may be identified based on a position of an avatar within the virtual world. The avatar is a representation of the user within the virtual world. A tag associated with the element is selected. The tag includes a description of the element. The element is described to the user based on the description.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to generate a benchmark profile for a computing job configured to execute on distributed systems. The benchmark profile may be used to predict the performance of components of a computing job for a variety of different distributed computing system architectures. A profiling tool evaluates the computing job to identify the particular performance characteristics of the application and match this with benchmarks that are most representative of the identified performance characteristics and store them in the benchmark profile. The identified benchmarks may then be run on different configurations of a distributed computing system in order to predict the performance of the application for a variety of scenarios.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for abstracting conversations between avatars within a virtual world. In one embodiment, the user of an avatar observing a conversation between other avatars may be presented with an abstracted version of the conversation. The abstraction may be performed so as to enable the user to determine the general topic or nature of the conversation, without receiving sensitive or detailed information included in the conversation. In one embodiment, the abstraction is performed by substituting words of the conversation with fewer words, or words having a more general meaning. The degree of abstraction performed may be based on a level of trust between the observer and the users engaged in conversation.

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 generally provide a method, system, and program product for sharing electronic transactions among multiple sharing participants. Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for splitting individual lots into multiple “shares,” where multiple individuals have an incentive to promote and drive up the price of the lot. Provided the bids reach an acceptable amount, the final selling price is split among each individual in proportion to the number of shares held by each individual.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for integrating criminal databases with virtual worlds. The real-world identity of a user of a virtual world may be determined, e.g., by the user's network address. The user's identity may be used to search for data records of the user's criminal activities, e.g., from a police database. The retrieved data may be used to determine potential harm to other users of the virtual world from further criminal acts. Actions to prevent potential harm to other users may then be determined, including blocking access or activities available to the user, providing other users with warnings, and monitoring the avatar of the user.

Abstract: The present invention enables users to dynamically manage historical data within documents bearing one or more links, and retain the relationships defined by the links. The present invention tracks the links not just from source documents to destination documents, but also from destination documents back to the source documents, organizes the links in a hierarchical manner based on the content/naming of the links, and displays the link information to the user in a real-time and meaningful way.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method to allow a user to navigate through a virtual environment using breakpoints. Each breakpoint may store a context of a virtual location within the virtual world, recorded for the moment in time when the breakpoint was created. Further, in a persistent virtual world, the user's avatar may be restored to a given breakpoint location, as well as restoring elements of the virtual world, based on what was present within the virtual world when the breakpoint was created.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for searching for virtual objects of an immersive virtual environment based on user interactions within the virtual environment. Generally, embodiments provide an attribute index storing data describing attributes of virtual objects, and an interaction index storing data describing user interactions with virtual objects. Search queries may be evaluated using both the attribute index and interactions index. Thus, virtual objects may be searched in terms of object attributes as well as user interactions with the virtual objects.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method to identify a preferred system configuration for a distributed system to use for executing a given computing job. A benchmark profile may specify a collection of benchmarks representative of the job, and the collection of benchmarks may be executed across various permutations of compute nodes that are part of the distributed system. That is, the benchmark profile identifies one or more benchmarks which best represent the runtime characteristics of the computing job. The collection of benchmarks may be executed to predict the performance of the computing job using different permutations of available nodes, before deploying the job.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for protecting a child user from inappropriate interactions within an immersive virtual environment. The inappropriate interactions may be detected by examining characteristics of the interactions between a child and another user (e.g., communications, transactions, etc.), by monitoring physical signs of stress in the child (e.g., based on facial gestures, heart rate, etc.), or by receiving software commands given by the child to signal discomfort in a particular situation. Subsequently, preventative actions may be determined based on a level of severity of the inappropriate interaction. The preventative actions may include notifying the parents of the child, altering the virtual world to end the interaction, or notifying authorities of the behavior of the other user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for searching for virtual objects of an immersive virtual environment based on user interactions within the virtual environment. Generally, embodiments provide an attribute index storing data describing attributes of virtual objects, and an interaction index storing data describing user interactions with virtual objects. Search queries may be evaluated using both the attribute index and interactions index. Thus, virtual objects may be searched in terms of object attributes as well as user interactions with the virtual objects.

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 and apparatus for advertising via a mobile device. A communication request is received from the mobile device that includes a screen for displaying an ad. One more ad selection criteria are then determined. Such criteria may include a visibility of the ad on the screen; a target audience determined on the basis of information provided from the mobile device; and attributes of the determined target audience. The ad selection is based on the visibility of the ad and the attributes of the target audience. Commands may then be initiated to cause the selected ad to be displayed on the screen of the mobile device.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method of improving security of a network system is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) providing a plurality of devices coupled via a network, wherein one or more of the devices are adapted to execute at least one client and one or more of the devices are adapted to execute at least one server in a client-server relationship; and (2) employing software, functionality of which is based on client-specific criteria or operational condition criteria of the system, to reduce a number of times a user of a client of the system must provide first authentication data to access data from one or more servers of the system. Numerous other aspects are provided.

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 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 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.