Abstract: A novel technique automatically stores synchronized group history related to an online group interaction and enables individual group members to later view and access the group history. In an embodiment of the invention, the group history is accessible by group members independently of group interactions at any later time. According to various embodiments of the invention, the group history may be presented in an overview form or a detailed form. With respect to the detailed form, the group history may be presented graphically, such as in an icon timeline or collage, textually, such as in list form, or in any combination of presentation formats. In a further embodiment of the invention, the synchronized group history is writable by group members in addition to being automatically maintained.

Abstract: Methods and systems can manage the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a presenter device may determine displayed windows of applications, and may provide individual window sharing selectability (e.g., shared or unshared), as well as entire application sharing selectability (shared, unshared, or neither). In particular, the entire application sharing selectability takes priority over individual window sharing selections (i.e., all windows of shared applications are shared and all windows of unshared applications are unshared). Based on individual window sharing selections and entire application sharing selections, a set of presenter device windows that are to be shared with the attendee devices may be determined, as well as a set of unshared windows that are not to be shared with the attendee devices, and the presenter device may share the set of shared windows with the attendee devices, without sharing the set of unshared windows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring files between a plurality of computers in a virtual network is disclosed. The present invention allows the selective transference of files between designated computers in a virtual network. The computers contain a VNRS program that allows a computer to display another computer's desktop next to its own. Although the two computers are not physically connected, the present invention allows files to be transferred from the first computer to the second computer and vice versa by merely dragging and dropping icons from one desktop to another.

Abstract: A system for providing group accessibility is provided. An example method includes storing a profile associated with a user in a database; maintaining a service group including a plurality of service representatives in the database; and in response to a session between the user and a first one of the service representatives: adding, with a processor, the service group to the profile associated with the user; and associating a rule with the profile to cause the service group to be indicated to the user as present on a network only when the first service representative is present on the network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a server that hosts webpages facilitating user interaction between multiple endpoints. The system monitors for a user input requesting initiation of a happy hour, and when the input is detected, modifies the webpages to alert users of the happy hour. The users are notified of which user initiated the happy hour, and are also notified that interaction incentives accumulate at an increased rate during the happy hour. The system also tracks user scorings that accumulate based on the user interaction, and enables certain website features based on these user scorings. The system also tracks ratings for user-uploaded objects and identifies top rated objects for displaying on webpages viewable by other users.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing a pop-up repelling region (e.g., frame) for use in a screen sharing session that includes providing, or creating a region on a screen, during a screen sharing session, that includes a view of at least one application within the region and repelling from the view in the frame of all other applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auto-generating threads on web forums are described. Comments are received on web content contained on a web page within a web site, where the web site further includes a web forum. The comments can be monitored to determine if a comment threshold is reached, and a web content thread can be auto-generated in the web forum when the comment threshold is reached.

Abstract: A system and method for managing computer operations according to stored user preferences is disclosed. The system includes a calendar module for scheduling an event and centrally storing the user preferences regarding the computer operations during the event, and a controller module for retrieving the user preferences centrally stored in the calendar module and centrally controlling the computer operations according to the user preferences during the event.

Abstract: A system for verifying the identity of a chat partner during an instant messaging session. The identity of an instant messaging partner can be verified at any given moment during an instant messaging session. The status of the verification is displayed in the current session, and is contained into any subsequently saved session history file. Prior to the beginning of communication, a participant has the ability to challenge one or more other participants to verify that they are really the people assigned to the corresponding instant messaging identifiers. During the instant messaging session, participants are further allowed to challenge any other participant before going further with the session (e.g. prior to discussing confidential information or accepting files). The system addresses the problem of an unauthorized user gaining access to another user's instant messaging identifier.

Abstract: Control of multiple display screens associated with a computer, wherein the auxiliary screen display content that depends on conditions of the computer. During some times the auxiliary screen displays content associated with the presently executing program, and during other times the auxiliary screen displays history information. The rules can be automatically changed or manually changed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for estimating an actual age of a member of a website. A set of related members for the member is identified. The related members are members of the same website. Age information associated with one or more related members in the set of related members is examined. When a threshold of related members in the set of related members are of an estimated actual age within a certain age range, the member's actual age is estimated to be within the age range.

Abstract: Method, software, and system for efficiently enabling n-way collaborative work using common software over a network of computers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each participant in a collaborative session starts up a common software application, which includes a collaboration component. This collaboration component is used to establish a common session that includes all interested parties. The collaboration component replicates operations performed on any one instance of said application to all other instances participating in the same session, so the effect is as if all members of the session were sharing a single instance of the application on a single computer. In one aspect, the collaboration component also supports broadcast of audio and video over a computer network, to enable session participants to see and/or hear each other, and further includes other features that support collaborative work.

Abstract: Methods to manipulate a screen space of a display device are disclosed. A plurality of application windows of a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen space. At least a first application and a second application are executing to display a plurality of windows. A user interface of system level applications may be displayed. A selection of a single application mode is received. In response to the receiving of the selection of the single application mode, all the windows are removed automatically from the screen space, except for a first application window. At least the first and second applications continue being executed. The user interface of the system level applications may continue to be displayed. Next, a request to display a second application window is received. The second application window is displayed while the first application window is removed from the screen space.

Abstract: A system for allowing multiple users to access and unlock shared electronic documents in a computer system. A group of users are defined as potential “lock-breaker” users for a document, such that they are automatically contacted in the event that a user wishes to unlock the document after it has been locked by another user. The lock-breaker users defined for a document are given access rights to the document that allow them to break a current lock on the document, so that it can be opened for editing, and accordingly re-locked. The lock-breaker users for a document may be organized in a hierarchy, such as a hierarchy matching the relationships of employees of an organization. The lock-breaker hierarchy may define the order in which the lock-breaker users are automatically contacted when a user wishes to access a locked document (e.g. an LDAP directory tree or social network).

Abstract: In a system having plural terminals including terminals A, B, when the terminal A is editing a data object and editing information is shared among the plural terminals, if the terminal B performs a changeover operation of displayed page, the editing operation in the terminal A is cancelled, and the editing information is deleted in the other terminals. In the terminal A, the editing information by that time is held, and when the data object is restored, the held editing information is transmitted to the other terminals. Then the initial display status is restored in the other terminals.

Abstract: A method of facilitating communications and collaboration of a group of plural remote participants comprises steps of receiving information over an information communications network from a first group participant; pushing, over the network to at least one other group participant, an access via an access channel; and allowing the other group participant to access at least some of the received information via said access channel in response to selective activation of the access channel by the other group participant.

Abstract: An example of a solution provided here comprises receiving a signal for sending in a side conversation, and in response to the signal for sending, sending a first portion of text, in a side conversation. The first portion of text is new, and the first portion of text is not necessarily revealed to some participants.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating visual social communication through co-browsing is provided. A social session is established and includes a plurality of Web browsers. Each Web browser is loaded with social session code, which displays a social viewport. Substantially similar portions of Web content are synchronously displayed in the social viewport of each Web browser. A social change is displayed in the social viewport of one such Web browser. The social change is partitioned into at least one social change segment Each social change segment is transmitted to each other of the Web browsers. Each social change segment is received and displayed in the other Web browsers, such that the social change is reproduced smoothly in the Web browsers as the social change is progressively created.

Abstract: A system and method for automated synchronized co-browsing is provided. A co-browse session is established and includes a plurality of Web browsers. Each Web browser is loaded with social session code, which displays a social viewport. Web content is obtained in response to a request from one such Web browser. The Web content is provided to each Web browser. Substantially similar portions of the Web content are made viewable in each social viewport by selectively resizing the social viewports of the Web browsers.

Abstract: Architecture that allows users in an application sharing environment to separately view portions of data that are not part of the current shared view. An enhanced application sharing component is provided that facilitates rendering the application data multiple times for a correspondingly similar number of simultaneous users, and sending the additional renderings to the other users for interaction. Each user client includes an application sharing viewer that composites the per-user renderings onto the base shared image of the user client to create a per-user view of the shared document. The enhanced sharing component renders the portion of the data that is requested by the remote user as a bitmap and passes the bitmap along with coordinate information to the client rendering program presentation with the shared data view. The coordinate information indicates where on the shared screen of the remote client the bitmap is overlayed to produce a seamless experience.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time multi-user interactions and collaborations over the web. A method of balancing the needs of the group and the needs of the individual is shown through implementation of relaxed WYSIWIS design principles, where each web page served by the server system is comprised of two graphical layers: a web content layer and an interaction space. The web content layer contains the textual or graphical content or the web page that may be edited by a group of users in real-time. The interaction space is where users are given virtual embodiment through graphical representations known as avatars. It is a space where users can see other users and perform actions that will be seen by others in real-time. The interaction space is overlaid on top of the web content layer thereby creating one integrated space for multi-user interaction and collaboration.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for managing system actions on a network. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for managing system actions on a computer network, comprising the steps of initiating a system action sequence in response to a received command, transmitting information about the system action sequence to one or more user computers or administrator computers, receiving feedback information about the system action sequence from one or more user computers or administrator computers, and selectively performing one of continuing the system action sequence, canceling the system action sequence, or reinitiating the system action sequence at a later time, based on the feedback information.

Abstract: A cursor location associated with a user controlled cursor is obtained. For each of a plurality of windows, a respective distance to the user controlled cursor is determined based at least in part on the cursor location. A transparency value for each of the plurality of windows is determined based at least in part on the respective distance. The plurality of windows is displayed, wherein at least a portion of each window is displayed based on its corresponding transparency value.

Abstract: A virtual execution environment for software applications and other code objects. In one implementation, the present invention allows for virtual execution of applications by transparently capturing the rendered output of natively executed applications, and delivering the output to other processes on the same platform or to remote devices in a platform agnostic manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining a shared browsing experience are disclosed. A method for establishing a shared browsing experience includes an inviter computer communicating to an invitee computer, via an online messenger communication path, an invitation to establish a co-browsing experience. The invitee computer communicates to the inviter computer, via the first communication path, an acceptance of the invitation. A co-browsing communication path is then established between the inviter computer and the invitee computer. Information relating to the shared browsing experience is then communicated between the inviter and invitee computers via the co-browsing communication path.

Abstract: Computer implemented method, system and computer usable program code for managing display properties of a shared display window in a shared display window environment, wherein the shared display window environment includes a host for managing display properties of shared display windows in the shared display window environment, and at least one user for receiving shared display windows on a user display. In response to a request of a user of the at least one user, at least one shared display window is detached from the shared display window environment, and the requesting user is enabled to manage display properties of the detached at least one shared display window on the user display of the requesting user independent of the shared display window environment.

Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.

Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a request to create a persistent messaging group for an instant messaging application, wherein the request includes an indication of one or more entities that are desired to be members of the persistent messaging group. The system further includes a group creator component that creates the persistent messaging group based at least in part upon the received group creation request, wherein the persistent messaging group is persisted over multiple instant messaging sessions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes transitioning control to a virtual machine (VM) upon receiving a request from a virtual machine monitor (VMM), determining that the request to transition control is associated with a request to be informed of an open event window, performing an event window check to determine whether an even window of the VM is open, and transitioning control to the VMM if the event window check indicates that the event window of the VM is open.

Abstract: Persistent, spatial collaboration on the web supports a free-form, user-intuitive approach to a variety of projects and activities. Users can place differing object types at any time any where on a web page and/or the system can automatically, and with no user effort, affect object placement based on one or more meta data characteristics. A user can, in real-time, see changes made by another user to a web page, and, if desired, react accordingly, enabling true collaboration even if the various users are at remote locations. The flexibility of the methodology and system provides a platform for users to engage in projects and activities in a manner and environment suited to the users' mind sets, creativity, and natural proclivities.

Abstract: A user interface for interacting with an emergency notification system. The user interface comprises at least one software module installed on a computer readable medium and containing instructions for operating a computer processor. The instructions comprise first instructions for causing the processor to display on a computing device display an alert selection window configured to receive a user entered alert message; second instructions for causing the processor to display on the computing device display a group selection window configured to receive a user selection of one or more notification units to receive the alert message; and third instructions for causing the processor to display on the computer device display a selection button for instructing the processor, upon selection, to transmit the alert message to the selected one or more notification units.

Abstract: A pointing-control system for multipoint conferences includes a plurality of computers, a gateway, a display, a conference-control module and a pointing-control module. The computers are connected through a wired or wireless network with the gateway. The computer with the highest priority number is defined as the host computer having the right to assign any of the computers to be the report computer. The conference-control module can demonstrate a presentation frame of the report computer on the display through the gateway. The pointing-control module is used to capture pointing coordinates of pointing apparatuses of the respective computers, and further to display the pointing coordinates on the presentation frame of the display.

Abstract: A method for displaying edits overlapping a whiteboard comprising creating peer layers overlapping the whiteboard for a peer and peers coupled to the peer and sending or receiving metadata of edits for updating one or more of the peer layers on the peer and the coupled peers in response to any of the peer layers being edited.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a presenter device may determine displayed windows of applications, and may provide individual window sharing selectability (e.g., shared or unshared), as well as entire application sharing selectability (shared, unshared, or neither). In particular, the entire application sharing selectability takes priority over individual window sharing selections (i.e., all windows of shared applications are shared and all windows of unshared applications are unshared). Based on individual window sharing selections and entire application sharing selections, a set of presenter device windows that are to be shared with the attendee devices may be determined, as well as a set of unshared windows that are not to be shared with the attendee devices, and the presenter device may share the set of shared windows with the attendee devices, without sharing the set of unshared windows.

Abstract: A display control device according to the present invention comprises: an update request section for making an update request for updating a display on a display device; a display update section for updating the display on the display device in response to the update request from the update request section; a layout holding section for, after updating of the display, holding layout information of each of screens hierarchically displayed on the display device; a group assigning section for referring to the held layout information, and assigning screens which are displayed on the display device so as to be partially or entirely visible to one group; a group holding section for holding group information consisting of the assigned group; and a switching request section for making a list display request for displaying a switching destination screen candidate list, which shows the screens included in the held group information as switching destination screen candidates in a group unit, on the display device so as t

Abstract: This relates to a method for operating a mobile station. The method includes grouping two or more member addresses into a group. The group is presented as a group data in a transient data list. A selection of an option to open a messaging session with the group is selected. A messaging session is opened, with the member addresses of the selected group.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a thumbnail image for an audiovisual file. The thumbnail image may be used to convey information about the content of the audiovisual file to a user. With respect to audio files, the information may be the type of audio content, a musical genre, a tempo of the audio content, and one or more indications of the popularity of the audio content.

Abstract: A multi-layer graphical user interface provides multiple types of information in at least two layers of a common display space, such as a window. In one implementation, a shared network folder includes two layers of display objects to separately represent files contained in the folder and users with whom the folder is shared. The first or top layer may represent the files with conventional words, icons or other symbols. The second or lower level may represent the users with whom the folder is shared with words, icons or other symbols that are dimmed, blurred, or otherwise de-emphasized relative to the top layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for managing the multiple identities used by a user. The user's existing contact lists, website accounts, buddy lists, and the like are analyzed to determine the identities used by the user. A graph is then constructed in order to track and integrate the multiple identities of the user in a social network. The social network graph may then be used by a social network overlay so that the user can share information across their different identities with different users that only know some of the user's multiple identities.

Abstract: A method of switching among management system applications includes displaying data associated with at least a first one of the management system applications using a graphical user interface screen for use with a computerized management system for at least one of products and services. The graphical user interface screen is configured to display data associated with the management system applications in an individual area for each management system application. The graphical user interface screen includes buttons configured to facilitate switching among the management system applications. The method also includes receiving a user selection of one of the buttons, and switching from the individual area displaying the data associated with the first one of the management system applications to the individual area displaying data associated with a second one of the management system applications in response to the received user selection.

Abstract: A method of searching a plurality of semi-structured and/or unstructured documents comprising the steps of: providing a search interface having a search term input window, a search initiation button and a plurality search result display window, the search interface further including one or more search term clarification buttons; providing a plurality of documents having one or more search identifier terms associated therewith; inputting a search term into the search term input window and initiating a search; searching for documents related the search term, and displaying documents identified by the search in the search result display windows, wherein each search result display window displays search results related to a particular identifier term, and wherein further the search identifier term assigned to each search result display window is dependent upon the results of prior searches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing a cellular terminal to simultaneously receive messages and process messages to be sent without the user having to change between display modes of the terminal. For instance, in response to a press of an alphanumeric key, a pop-up display is opened in a display area of the cellular terminal. The pop-up display covers a part of the terminal's display area and is used for composing/editing a user message suitable for forming part of a chat. The invention also relates to a cellular terminal utilizing the method and computer program products according to the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for server-side method for editing metadata in a file, the method including steps of: receiving from a user a request for editing the metadata in the file; presenting a window to the user for display on a user's screen wherein the window displays properties of the metadata; receiving from the user an edit to the metadata properties; and updating the metadata properties with the edit received from the user, for producing an updated metadata.

Abstract: An object framework can provide unique and uniform methods for explicit and precise object identification. The object framework features a virtual object space providing access to multiple objects, each object having a set of functionality and being identifiable by a unique identifier provided by the virtual object space. A visualization framework visualizes objects independent of an application implementing an object. Each object is visualized using the object's unique identifier and according to the object's corresponding set of functionality.

Abstract: A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.

Abstract: An electronic “To-Do” bar is provided in which displayed upcoming tasks, meetings, appointments and the like. The electronic To-Do bar is displayed in a lightweight menu of tasks, meetings and appointments and is displayed persistently in addition to other software functionality or user interfaces displayed on a user's computer display screen according to other software applications or other software functionality in use. A user is presented with an always-visible list of upcoming tasks, meetings and appointments without the need to launch a separate tasks application or calendar application to view upcoming tasks, meetings or appointments.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a shared space for communicating information. In an embodiment a number of users associated with a computing environment can use a shared space to communicate information with one another. Each computing device of the computing environment can include a shared space application. The shared space application includes a number of interactive tools that can be used to persist various communications between associated computing devices of a computing environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking real-time communication data within a single contact tracking application for diverse communication providers and applications. A global data store is synchronized with real-time communication data, such as presence, status, unread messages, and unread notifications, from each application/provider. Real-time communication data for contacts dynamically determined to be recent contacts is retrieved from the data store, based on properties such as a most recent communication time, a communication count, and the like. Real-time communication data corresponding to contacts identified as pinned contacts for which display of real-time communication data is preferred, also may be retrieved. A user interface is generated for displaying the one or more recent and/or pinned contacts, which may vary in size based on the number of contacts identified as pinned contacts, from which a contact may be selected for real-time conversation or e-mail.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an application sharing session may be established between a presenter device and one or more viewer devices, and at least one application window may be generated on the presenter device that is to be shared with the one or more viewer devices. At the presenter device, a determination may be made regarding which one or more predefined areas of the application window are to be limitedly shared. Accordingly, the application window may be shared with the one or more viewer devices, while limiting sharing of the one or more predefined areas of the application window.