Abstract:
Failover system for video surveillance. A video coverage area for each camera in the system is calculated by combining sensory information and optical specifications of each corresponding camera. The video coverage area information is embedded in a corresponding file of each camera and is used to autonomously re-orient operating cameras to cover a failed coverage area due to a non-operating camera.
Abstract:
A method, system, and computer program product for managing multiple profiles in a synchronous conferencing system. A synchronous conferencing account is provided for a first user of the synchronous conferencing system. The synchronous conferencing account includes a plurality of user profiles for the first user. The user profiles identify the first user differently. Each user profile is associated with one or more data fields identifying the first user. The data fields may include any or all of a name, a nickname, a login name, and an avatar. A request from a second user of the synchronous conferencing system to communicate with the first user is received. The request includes an identification of the second user. One of the user profiles is selected based on the identification of the second user. The data fields associated with the selected user profile are transmitted to the second user.
Abstract:
A system, computer program product and computer-implemented method of dynamically adding a best suited application server to a cluster of application servers are provided. To do so, a history of quality of service (QoS) of a plurality of application servers is maintained. Using the history of QoS, an application server is dynamically selected and added to the cluster when the cluster is under a heavy workload. The selected application server is one that has the most historically favorable QoS and a heavy workload is one that exceeds a user-configurable threshold.
Abstract:
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for encouraging users to view advertisements. A television device receives an incoming signal. The incoming signal includes an advertisement from an advertiser. The television device determines if the advertisement includes a compensation offer descriptor. Responsive to a presence of the compensation offer descriptor, the television device determines if a user views the advertisement on a display in its entirety. Responsive to the user viewing the advertisement in its entirety, the television device issues a compensation offer to the user.
Abstract:
A system and method that provides a platform-neutral shell application for a user interface is provided. The platform neutral shell application is performed in a way that prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system. The desktop shell application executes in a middleware application. The operating system residing on the client computer system is booted. The middleware application is loaded on the operating system platform. The middleware application is programmed for the particular operating system being used by the client. The shell application is loaded on the middleware application. The shell application prevents the user from accessing the underlying operating system by maximizing the window in which the shell application is running, pinning the shell application window to the foreground, and removing controls from the desktop window would otherwise allow the user to bypass the desktop shell.
Abstract:
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for customizing and consolidating bookmarks into folders in an Instant Messaging (IM) environment as well as an Internet browser. An IM GUI is provided that contains IM contacts and online information for those IM contacts, such as Web searches or bookmarks, which can be accessed by the user. Sorting of the IM contacts by a specific subject matter or category is provided as well as prioritizing of IM contacts based on subject matter expertise or frequently visited bookmarks. Searching of information contained in the IM environment as well as the Internet is also provided.
Abstract:
A method, program, and system for checking the availability of goods and services by means of the Internet are provided. The invention comprises compiling a customer profile, which may include information related to business affiliation as well as personal preferences. The customer uses a general search engine to submit a query regarding a desired good or service, and the search engine returns a list of suppliers that satisfy the search generic criteria. Special software on the client machine then sends more detailed queries, along with the customer profile, directly to certain suppliers selected from the list. These suppliers then return information, which corresponds to the customer profile. This information may include availability of specific accommodations, special discounts, as well as exclusive goods or services not offered to the general public.
Abstract:
Search results for linked sources of information are associated with one or more predefined symbols or icons that indicate characteristics of the linked sites' contents. Site content ratings services and databases are co-opted to obtain additional site characteristic opinion, review results, and indicators. A search engine creates a set of characteristic factors associated with its index of web sites, and when providing a site reference as a result of a search operation, includes icons and symbols to indicate the characteristics to a user. Further sorting, filtering and searching according to the user's preferences may be performed.
Abstract:
A vending machine is disclosed that has one or more compartments with a mechanism for dispensing a content of a compartment upon receipt of a payment. A receptacle can accept an item, from a member of the public, as content into an empty compartment and identify the item accepted, such as with a barcode label. The vending machine can also include a mechanism that will connect it over a network, such as the Internet, to a computing device. An appraised value of the identified item can be received over the communication network and displayed in association with the compartment containing the item. The item can be dispensed from the vending machine in response to receiving predetermined sales amount or upon specific instruction from an authorized individual. A searchable database of information relating to buyers, sellers, items and other sales related information can also be associated with the vending machine.
Abstract:
Robust inventory management for a supply chain network with multiple nodes may include generating a time-phased inventory deployment plan based on extreme samples and dynamic supply chain structure. The extreme samples of demand and supply chain scenarios, and dynamic supply chain structure including one or more resource constraints associated with one or more nodes in the supply chain network may be received from a user.