Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to control an application interface displayed on electronic paper. A detection module is included to detect intentional bending of an electronic paper at a particular location. A correlation module is included to correlate the particular location where the electronic paper is bent with a user interface command in an application. An execution module is included to execute the user interface command. In one embodiment, a display module is included to update display information on the electronic paper in response to execution of the user interface command. The electronic paper may include a detector in contact with the electronic paper to provide electronic paper bend position information to the detection module.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, display icons representing search terms on a search graph, having at least one axis. The axis represents a search criteria. The position of the icon specifies a value (such as an importance or weight) of the search criteria. A search engine uses the search terms, the search criteria, and the value to conduct the search. The results of the search are displayed in a results pane, and the search results are updated as the positions of the icons on the search graph change. The search criteria associated with the axes of the search graph may also change. In this way, the user interface for the search is made easier for the user to control.

Abstract: A digital device automatically arranges digital images for display in a stack-based arrangement, wherein images are grouped in multiple stacks according to at least one grouping criterion, and the user can scroll over groups of images. Preferably, the digital device automatically selects a mascot image from each group as the top of the corresponding stack. When the images are displayed using a digital display apparatus, the user can scroll through the mascot images only, without reviewing the other images in each stack. When the user finds a mascot image of interest, he may optionally scroll down the images in the stack. Preferably, images are grouped according to power-on session, and mascots are chosen based on user interaction history.

Abstract: A request is received that includes a primary keyword and a persistent keyword. In response to the request, a root page is found that includes a first term that matches the primary keyword. Descendant pages of the root page are searched for a second term that matches the persistent keyword. The search determines that the descendant pages are at levels on paths from the root page and that the levels are within a depth from the root page. A descendant page is found that is a descendant of the root page and that includes a second term that matches the persistent keyword. A root link that points at the root page and a descendant link that points at the descendant page are sent to the requester. If the number of times that the primary keyword was received is greater than a threshold number, then the primary keyword is added to the persistent keywords.

Abstract: A computer system and storage medium that in an embodiment count the number of times that a file or registry entry is added, changed, or deleted at clients in a network. If the count exceeds a threshold, then a warning is sent to the clients. The warning may prompt the clients to delete or rename the file or registry entry, run an anti-virus program, quarantine the file or registry entry, or issue a message. In this way, viruses may be detected at clients.

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: An apparatus, program product and/or method identify relevant shared entities and/or display shared entities in an instant messaging system. In particular, entities such as files, images, videos, e-mails, links, bookmarks, databases, transcripts of other instant messages, etc. that are shared between users participating in an instant message session may be identified and highlighted to indicate that the shared entities are related to the instant message session. Furthermore, a link to an entity may be sent to a user when the entity is referenced in an instant message of the instant message session. Additionally, a display representation of entities that are shared with a user may be displayed in the user's buddy list to indicate that the shared entity is accessible to the user and whom shared the entity with the user. Furthermore, a transcript may be associated with an entity.

Abstract: A client-side search indexing program works transparently and in conjunction with a server based search index. The combined search indexes provide a more accurate and up-to-date image of the Web, customized to the interests of each individual user. The client-side indexer customizes indexing of particular Web pages to the preferences and usage patterns of the user. The user initially installs and configures the client-side indexer on the client. The requested indexes are automatically refreshed and integrated with the main server-side indexes during a search. When the user performs a search, the client-side indexes may be combined with the main server-side index. The combined indexes provide accurate search results for the particular user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, calculate scores for cells within a program based on a speed at which the cells were presented and a frequency that the cells were presented. A cell includes one or more frames of presentable data. Chapters within the program are then determined and located within the program based on gradients of the scores that exceed a threshold. The scores are calculated based on incrementing a score for each cell each time the cell is presented and by different amounts depending on the speed at which the cell is presented. In an embodiment, the score is incremented by a larger amount in response to a slower presentation speed of the associated cell. In an embodiment, scores may be received from multiple clients where the program was presented, the scores may be aggregated for all the clients, and the chapters may be determined based on the aggregated scores.

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 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 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: Apparatus and articles of manufacture are provided for governing the transfer of data characterizing a user's behavior, physiological parameters and/or psychological parameters. One embodiment provides a computer readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for handling a request, from a requesting application, for emotion data characterizing an emotional state of a user. A firewall ruleset defining rules governing the transfer of the emotion data to requesting applications is accessed to determine whether to provide the emotion data the requesting application. The request is denied if the firewall ruleset rules are not satisfied.

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: 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 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: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, display a graphical representation of data that changes over time, create a region in the graphical representation, retrieve data from a database based on the region, and create a graphical representation of the retrieved data. In various embodiment, a profile is created and the data is retrieved based on the profile. The profile may include a schedule for retrieving the data, an identification of the region, an identification of a key, an identification of an x-axis, and an identification of a y-axis. In an embodiment, an union of multiple profiles is created, and data in the database that is not represented by the union is deleted. In another embodiment, regions that are adjacent in time are concatenated. In another embodiment, the creation of the graphical representation may be separated into multiple units of work for execution in a network if a workload at a computer exceeds a threshold.

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 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: 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.