Abstract: A virtual meeting place system is disclosed. The online virtual meeting place facilitates initiating, scheduling, or spontaneously organizing an online discussion or meeting, organizing the discussion into active and passive participants, limiting or eliminate participation of selected participants and soliciting, receiving and answering questions. The system is configurable to allow for customization based upon the social protocols or preferences of meeting participants and may present different user interfaces based upon participant identity, meeting topic or meeting format.

Abstract: A system and methodology for collaboration, comprising a plurality of computing appliances, and control logic for logically structuring the plurality of computing appliances as a main team. At least two of the computing appliances have input apparatus and display apparatus. The main team is comprised of a plurality of sub-teams, wherein each of the sub-teams is comprised of at least one of the plurality of computing appliances. Communications logic provides at least two levels of data communication and display presentation, a first level as between all of the plurality of computing appliances on the team, and a second set of a plurality of second levels as between those said computing appliances on each same said sub-team. Each of the computing appliances is associated with a respective one of said second set of levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing a teleforum. The method includes generating simultaneous outbound invitation calls to multiple invitees and transmitting a message to each invitee, inviting him or her to become a teleforum participant. Teleforum participants who accept the invitation are connected to the teleforum in a listen-only mode. During the teleforum, a teleforum participant may request active participation in the teleforum. The method also includes allowing the participant to actively participate in the teleforum. Active participation may include but is not limited to such activities as: speaking to the teleforum, asking a question, responding to a poll, making a donation, providing information, leaving a message, being transferred to a subconference, receiving feedback from participants, leaving a voicemail, volunteering for future activities or receiving media transmitted outside of the teleforum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for displaying objects in client GUI. A lead selection and scoping information is used to determine whether the object is viewable, and the object is rendered only if it is at least partially viewable. The lead selection and scoping information is used to determine whether data is needed to render the object, and data is received from a corresponding object on a server only if it is needed to render the object. Determining whether the object is viewable in the GUI can be based on declaratively marked entities within the object's view and on view calculation rules. Determining whether data is needed to render the object can be based on declaratively marked entities within the object's data model such as flags indicating whether the data field is valid or whether the binding of the data field to a data source is valid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for managing queued requests to establish human-to-human collaborative sessions. In one embodiment, a human-to-human collaborative data processing system can be provided which can include a messenger configured for coupling to other messengers. The system further can include a queue of incoming session requests to establish respective human-to-human collaborative sessions with requesters associated with the other messengers. Finally, the system can include queue management logic enabled to order the session requests in the queue according to queue rules coupled to the queue management logic.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for synchronizing the virtual and physical mouse cursors of a local computer and a remotely controlled computer. Video signals generated by a host computer are transmitted to a client computer in order to allow the user of a client computer to have a virtual presence on the host computer. However, the signals transmitted by the host computer may contain errors that can cause a physical mouse to lose synchronization with a virtual mouse. Therefore this virtual presence architecture uses USB protocol and human interface descriptors that support the movement of a mouse to an absolute position in order to synchronize a virtual mouse cursor with a physical mouse cursor.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a collection digest summarizing a shared media collection for presentation to a user. In one embodiment, a user device of a user joins a media sharing system including the user device and one or more other users devices, each associated with a sharing user and hosting a shared media collection of the sharing user. The user device obtains a collection digest from at least one of the other user devices that summarizes the shared media collection hosted by the at least one of the other user devices and presents the collection digest to the user. The collection digest may be used to assist the user in determining whether to access the shared media collection.

Abstract: A system and method involves detecting operational social disruptive events on a global scale, assigning disease event staging and warnings to express data in more simplistic terms, modeling data in conjunction with linguistics analysis to establish responsive actions, generating visualization and modeling capabilities for communicating information, and modeling disease propagation for containment and forecasting purposes.

Abstract: A system and methodology for collaboration and display among a plurality of users. The system is comprised of mapping logic defining a mapped structure for storing a plurality of separate layers of data in a plurality of data layers; and, storage for storing layer data in selected ones of said plurality of separate data layers, responsive to the mapping logic. The mapping logic associates user image data for each of at least two of the plurality of users for storage as respective said layer data in a respective one of the separate data layers. The system is further comprised of display definition logic controlling which of the plurality of data layers are utilized in providing a display presentation to at least one of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A method and program for preventing an interrupting action in a computer resource for a full-screen mode or presentation mode of a user application are disclosed. Such a method includes: detecting, for example by a window manager, that a user application is entering into full-screen mode in a display space of the computer resource; transmitting to a target module, for example via a message bus, a mode message indicating that the full-screen mode is being entered; and preventing the interrupting action by the target module. The interrupting action may be a display action in a display space associated with the computer resource. The target module may be an instant messaging application, a screen saver application, a calendar application, a power management application, or a voice communication application.

Abstract: A user collaboration system providing for the efficient utilization of an organization's resources, such as the bandwidth associated with call center activity. At the same time, the user collaboration system enables users to quickly and easily receive help in a particular subject matter area, without requiring the user to know who within the organization may be able to provide that assistance. The user collaboration system also maintains an organization's user profile information that tracks employee subject matter expertise and allows users to request assistance from an anonymous expert. The assistance may be provided via a collaboration session which may be optimized based on available network resources.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting choices of different translations of a message and corresponding interpretations of the different translations. The message that is input by a sender to be sent to an intended recipient is received. Choices of the different translations of the message and different corresponding interpretations of the different translations are retrieved and presented. The different translations are in a language understood by the recipient. The different interpretations are specific to a culture of the recipient. A selection of a translation of the different translations is received. The selection of the translation is based on a review of the different interpretations by the sender. The selected translation is presented to the recipient.

Abstract: A method for collaborative CAx editing may include storing a model of an engineering object comprising a plurality of features and encoded in a vendor-neutral format within a collaborative data store, detecting updates to the model of the engineering object stored on a first CAx client and encoded in a first proprietary format, converting the updates to feature changes, and updating the model of the engineering object encoded in the vendor-neutral format with the feature changes. The method may also include detecting feature changes for the model of the engineering object encoded in the vendor-neutral format, converting the feature changes to updates for the model of the engineering object encoded in a second proprietary format, and executing the updates for the model of the engineering object encoded in the second proprietary format. A corresponding apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A geospatial platform for building applications involving location and time is disclosed. The applications allow users to analyze and make sense of the location and time-based data generated by a wide variety of devices in real time, as it is generated. The platform in one example features a dashboard for associating code statements with a variety of data visualizations. The code statements access real-time and/or location based data and generate a result set that is optimized for displaying a selected data visualization in the dashboard. The code statements are ideally executed on a server so that large quantities of data can be manipulated as it is generated by various devices in real-time.

Abstract: A method and system for users to concurrently edit a digital file to achieve a predetermined goal. Each iteration creates a copy of the digital file for each user; enables the users to create an altered digital file by making a change having a magnitude within predetermined limits; creates a voting set containing a plurality of digital files, the plurality of digital files including at least one altered or unaltered digital file; enables the users to cast votes in relation to the digital files in the voting set; repeats the steps of creating a voting set and enables the users to cast votes until one of the digital files in one of the voting sets receives a number of votes above a predetermined voting threshold; and includes in the next iteration the digital file which received a number of votes above the predetermined voting threshold.

Abstract: A service may enable users to store and/or acquire items that are identified from an electronic source without leaving the source. A service may identify items included in content that is available from one or more content providers (e.g., social networking sites, electronic news, product reviews, etc.). The identified items may be matched with specific items available from the service. The service may associate a designator, which may be placed proximate the description of the item in the content that is published by the content provider. A user may select the designator (link, button, etc.) to acquire the item from the service or store information about the item in a user account maintained by the service.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for rating online electronic content. A compilation of information or other item of electronic content is presented to a user, along with comments. The comments may target discrete portions of the content item (e.g., a sentence, a statement, an assertion), the content as a whole, or another comment. A user is able to identify a specific portion of the content item as a target for a new comment, which will automatically be associated with that portion. Users may rate the content item, a portion of the item and/or other users' comments based on credibility and/or other traits (e.g., bias, accuracy, violence, enjoyability, prurience). Users' ratings are tallied to produce an overall rating for comments, commentators, portions of content item, entire content items, a program or series or other source of the content item, etc.

Abstract: A method for automatic censoring of a graphical user interface (GUI) screen includes receiving a censoring trigger by a censoring module; identifying information present in the GUI screen by a object recognition module; comparing the identified information with a set of preferences stored in a censoring preferences module to determine content to be removed from the GUI screen; and removing the determined content from the GUI screen by the censoring module.

Abstract: System and methods for providing and organizing information related to an object. Certain embodiments are directed to permitting a user to identify an object given certain observable characteristics about the object, but generally not all of the characteristics about the object. The identification may occur by comparing user-provided information with dynamically updated stored information.

Abstract: A user interface for providing information regarding a subject company to a user. The user interface may comprise a company tile, which may have an indicator of the subject company. A state of the company tile, such as, for example, its color, may indicate a property of the subject company. The user interface may also comprise a financial information module displaying financial information regarding the subject company, and a subject individual module displaying information regarding a subject individual related to the subject company. According to various embodiments, the user interface may also include a navigation toolbar including a second company tile comprising an indicator of a second company. Selecting the second company tile may cause the second company to become a new subject company.

Abstract: An editing method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of editing applications to a user terminal over a network, each of the editing applications allowing a user of the network to modify an image; in response to the user's request, performing at least one editing operation on the image by using a first editing application; storing an editing list in a storage area, the editing list embodying the at least one editing operation; and applying at least a portion of the stored editing list to the image to modify the image such that the user can apply previous editing operations embodied in the stored editing list to the image when the user edits the image by using a second editing application.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a recording medium, and a program for allowing communicating parties at remote locations to view the same displayed content and to point to desired positions on the displayed image of the content. A user A and a user B viewing themselves and the content on a cross-faded mode may point to desired positions on the content image with their fingertips. Motion vectors of the fingertips are then detected in particular areas extracted from the image in a manner containing the detected positions. The detected motion vectors are translated into a pointer for the user A and a pointer for the user B, the pointers being alpha-blended with the content image. The two pointers extracted from a single image are associated with the users A and B by use of different Cyber Codes attached to the fingertips of each user, for example.

Abstract: A method for prompting expertise in a collaboration environment includes drafting a message for a collaboration environment in a graphical user interface; entering a name of at least one recipient for the message; obtaining expertise information about the at least one recipient; and highlighting at least one word of the message that is associated with the obtained expertise information in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: One or more possibilities that are normally displayed in response to input from a user are augmented with real time information. Displaying real time information for one or more of the possibilities enables the user to take such information into account in deciding whether or not to continue with an action that the user was in the process of performing. For example, if a partial data entry provided by the user is indicative of an extension number to be dialed to place a phone call, and if a telephone call manager that receives the user's input displays call activity indicating that the user's intended callee is already on the phone, the user may decide to wait until the callee becomes available (as indicated by a change in callee's call activity).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for editing an event in a C&S system. In one embodiment, a method for editing an event in a C&S system can include specifying a recurrence range before permitting editing of the event. The method further can include disposing an in-line disambiguating message in a calendar dialog for the C&S system indicating whether an event instance or whether all instances of the event are to be edited in the calendar dialog. The method yet further can include limiting actions in a user interface in response to limiting a core engine for the C&S system. Specifically, limiting actions in a user interface in response to limiting a core engine for the C&S system can include permitting only an editing of a single instance for the event in response to an attendee exception.

Abstract: A system architecture that predefines a unique schema around content or applications so that the actions of a user are understood outside a specific piece of content or application. Additionally, the application also reports to system applications what specific locations or actions are currently being undertaken by a user. With this data, the system application can build a system whereby it concurrently presents contextual information to users outside of the specific piece of content or application in a way that supports bringing users with similar contextual states together and allow other information services to be hosted and presented concurrently to the user outside the specific piece of content or application on the multimedia device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for sharing threaded conversations on mobile communications devices. In one embodiment, a method may include: receiving, at a service provider system, a message containing a thread file associated with a forwarded message thread from a forwarding party mobile communications device, wherein the thread file comprises message text and sender information obtained from each of multiple text messages in the forwarded message thread, and wherein the message identifies at least one new recipient; identifying the message as containing a thread file; generating and associating a unique thread identifier with the thread file; and transmitting the thread file with the unique thread identifier over a wireless network for delivery to the at least one new recipient for display of the forwarded message thread.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting mobile coalitions for entertainment comprises devices including a master device, a server having a multimedia service executable by the master device and modules operable to recommend formation of a coalition based on the service, invite the devices to participate in the coalition, set up the coalition by determining the devices to participate, launching on each device a link to the coalition, performing emulation of the coalition by streaming a portion of the service to each device until experience is satisfactory, and continuing by transmitting the service to the devices, capture interactions on the devices by users, the interactions comprising at least gestures, taps correlating to messages of quality of experience, adapt the coalition by managing user inputs conveying quality of experience, maintaining synchronization of the devices, and maintaining the service when one or more of the devices cease to participate, and terminate the coalition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a real-time interface for collaborating between users is described. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request to initiate a collaboration on a particular subject. The method may also include selecting a collection of framework widgets based on the particular subject, each framework widget being a web-based component that is updated in real time. In one embodiment, the method may further include embedding the collection of framework widgets in a collaboration interface.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for tracking, in at least one computing device, a presentation of a plurality of items for a user, each item being associated with at least one respective category of a plurality of categories, and determining a user histogram that is customized for a user. A visual symbol may be generated based at least upon the user histogram for each category, each visual symbol comprising a visual characteristic for associating the visual symbol to the category and a graphical dimension of the visual symbol, wherein the graphical dimension correlates with the respective degree of interest associated with the category. Each visual symbol may be appended to one another to form a graphic identifier and a user interface encoded for rendering, where the user interface comprises the graphic identifier.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises associating a document with a document log; receiving, from a first client computer, a first section of the document; determining a first change in the document in the first section; generating a first message that includes the first change; storing the first message; sending, to each client computer of one or more client computers, the first message, which when received by the client computer, causes the client computer to update the document stored on the client computer with the first change and to present the first change to a user in a user interface associated with the document log.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed which include gathering interest data associated with the user, receiving from a user, a future date range, determining that one or more opportunities that match the interest data of the user are associated with the future date range, generating a geographic map including a display of a representation corresponding to each of one or more future locations that are associated with the one or more opportunities that match the interest data of the user, receiving, from the user, a selection one of the representations displayed on the geographic map, and providing for display on the computing device in response to receiving the selection of one of the friend representations, relative to the geographic map, a display of one or more opportunities associated with the respective future location associated with the selected representation.

Abstract: A computer-based system for idea capture, organization and management is shown. The system presents a creation template for capturing ideas and building digital content onto electronic notes. The e-notes may be migrated over on to an electronic board in an organization template. In the latter case, e-notes may be grouped, repositioned, deleted, or copied. Multiple users can access the e-board, and it can be saved or sent as a converted image file or PDF. The e-board has multiple layers, allowing for marking directly on the e-board. Various other features and aspects of the system designed to facilitate group collaboration and team development are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an on-line application for advertising. More specifically, the present invention relates to an on-line portion or a web-based application that allows an artist working on an advertisement or other artistic work to provide a client with a preview of the advertisement. The application permits the client to provide comments directly, efficiently, and securely back to the artist. The client may highlight the areas that need modification, and may permit the client to add comments, files, renders, or other annotations to the artistic work.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing device provides for presentation a first user interface including a first interactive element. The computing device receives first user input selecting the first interactive element and, in response to the first user input, provides for presentation multiple second interactive elements, each of the second interactive elements being presented with an associated label. The computing device receives a second user input selecting one of the second interactive elements and, in response to the second user input, provides for presentation a second user interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for initiating communication between two users among several users while at least one of the two users is browsing a web page. User information is collected about each user among the several users. Page information is collected about what web page each user among the several users is browsing. A portion of the user information and page information for a first user and a second user is shared between the first user and the second user when a predetermined criterion is met, and request by the first user to initiate communication with the second user is processed.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a shared clipboard to participants in a conversation are provided. The shared clipboard is specific to the conversation to which it is associated in that the shared clipboard does not “spill over” from one conversation to another. When a conversation between two or more participants is established, a shared clipboard becomes available to the participants of the conversation. The shared clipboard facilitates the sharing of data between the participants in the conversation. During the conversation, each participant in the conversation is provided access to the shared clipboard, including its contents. When a participant joins or is added to the conversation, the added participant is also provided access to the shared clipboard and its contents.

Abstract: A displayed document comprises an annotation widget, the widget associated with an annotation document and a corresponding annotation key in an annotation store. The annotation document associated with a workflow action program. A user with a predetermined privilege selects a widget and is presented with the annotation document. The user performs an annotation task modifying the annotation document and submits the annotation document to the annotation store, the submission triggering the workflow action program to progress the workflow to another step.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a plurality of images of a face of a user, wherein each image of the face of the user is associated with one of a plurality of different expressions. The method may also include receiving a first video, wherein the first video comprises images of an actor including images of a face of the actor, wherein each image of the face of the actor is associated with one of the plurality of different expressions. Further, the method may include replacing the images of the face of the actor with corresponding images of the face of the user in a same expression to create a second video and transmitting the second video to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing a collaborative task management tool coupled to a workflow management application. The method further includes generating, using the collaborative task management tool, user-selectable options for addressing an exception in an established workflow.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying content are provided. More specifically, an integrated content application is provided in which related content is displayed in a single window user interface. The content displayed can be determined by instructions received by the integrated content application. Different items of content can be displayed in sequence, but are not displayed simultaneously. Moreover, one item of content can provide context for another item of content. In addition, one item of content can be presented in non-real time, while the other related item of content can be presented in real time.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer media item recommendations are provided by presenting a selected list of media items to a first user to consider for recommendation to a friend, receiving an indication from the first user that one or more of the presented media items are to be recommended to the friend, and presenting the one or more indicated media items to the friend. The presented list comprises media items the friend hasn't rated, and is selected using a media recommendation engine.

Abstract: A collaborative authoring application provides an authoring environment in which two or more users can edit a document concurrently. Each user edits a copy of the document, sends updates to a master copy of the document, and receives updates from the master copy of the document. The authoring environment may be configured into a public mode of operation, in which content and metadata are synchronized automatically, or into a private mode of operation, in which metadata is synchronized automatically and content is synchronized only at the request of the user. The authoring application may edit documents offline in public or private mode.

Abstract: A system and methodology for collaboration. The illustrated system is comprised of a plurality of computing appliances, each respective one of the plurality of computing appliances, having a user input apparatus to provide respective annotation data as input for the respective user to permit the respective user to provide annotations which appear within a display presentation as an image for viewing and representative of the annotations. A first subset of the plurality of computing appliances, comprising at least two of the computing appliances, form members of a group; wherein separate selective communication of the annotation data is provided separately among the members of the group. There is selective display of the annotation data to selected ones of the members of the group. The annotation data is selectively coupled for distribution to other ones of the plurality of computing appliances in the group for selective viewing at said certain other ones of the plurality of computing appliances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for distributed discussion collaboration and making an agenda for an event over a network. In an embodiment, a system may include an aggregator configured to aggregate discussion items submitted by collaborators, and a view controller associated with the collaborators and configured to provide for display the aggregated items. A system may also include a voting module configured to receiving voting information submitted by the collaborators for the discussion items, and an ordering module configured to analyze the voting information and order the aggregated items based on the analyzed voting information. In another embodiment, a method includes aggregating discussion items submitted by collaborators and receiving voting information for the aggregated items.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for managing pooled collections of content items, such as photos, in a content management system. An example system can first receive, from a first user device, images uploaded to a first account at a synchronized online content management system, and cluster at least some of the images as a collection. The system can receive, from the first user, a request to share the collection with a second user having a second account at the content management system, and generate, in response to the request, a pooled collection at the content management system from the collection. The system can transmit an invitation to the second user to join the pooled collection, and, upon acceptance, link the pooled collection to the second user account so that the first user and the second user have access to images in the persistent pooled collection and have permission to contribute content to the pooled collection.

Abstract: An online shared calendar application which facilitates communication, coordination and scheduling for users to plan get-togethers and share event information with others. Users have their own personal calendars and can upload and/or manually enter their contacts' information, create and share events, and invite or inform individuals from their contacts to their events. Inviting/sharing events automatically e-mails these contacts and updates their calendars with the event. Contacts who were invited/informed respond from their calendars. These responses send immediate and automated e-mails to the inviter and update the inviter's calendar. Thus, this is an online, shared calendar application that facilitates the sharing and coordination of events among users' contacts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining collaboration data from at least one data source, and mapping the collaboration data into a visual representation in a collaboration space. The visual representation is arranged to be manipulated to cause details associated with the collaboration to be displayed in the collaboration space. Finally, the method includes enabling manipulations of the visual representation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing application programming interfaces in a collaboration space. A collaboration space, such as a wiki site, can host a set of collaboration tools and resources, including, for example, content tools, communication tools, and other resources for the users of the space. The collaboration space can also incorporate and expose a set of application programming interfaces, such as command and data-passing structures to permit users to invoke applications and/or services from within the wiki site or other collaboration space. The set of applications/services be hosted on a remote server or co-hosted on the collaboration server, and can include, for instance, database, spreadsheet, media content, or other applications or services. The invoked applications/services can return data to the requesting user via the collaboration space. Users can subscribe to different applications and/or services available via the collaboration space.

Abstract: A system and methodology for collaborating. The system is comprised of a plurality of computing appliances, each of the computing appliances having an input apparatus providing for a respective user input of and storage of annotations input relative to and while viewing a display presentation of a specific image and each of the computing appliances having a display apparatus providing a display presentation of a specific image to be viewed by an associated respective user of the plurality of users. Logic controls communication and utilization of selected annotations in providing a display presentation. At least two of the plurality of computing appliances have input apparatus each providing annotation data responsive to the associated respective user input of annotations using the input apparatus. Memory provides associative storage of the annotation data as mapped relative to the associated respective user of the respective computing appliance providing the respective user input.