International Business Machines Corporation

Nazgol Sedghi

Travis M Grigsby

Michael Negley Abernethy, Jr

Daniel E Morris

Christopher S Alkov

Jacob Lorien Moilanen

Michael N Abernethy

Updating contact information for a first communication device according to metadata associated with a virtual world is provided. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in the virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata. A speed dial setting corresponding to the prioritized contact information is assigned. The assigned speed dial setting is assigned to the first communication device. The assigned speed dial setting is stored in the first communication device.

Dynamic update of contact information and speed dial settings based on a virtual world interaction

The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for updating contact information according to metadata associated with a virtual world. In response to an avatar of a first user interacting with an avatar of a second user in a virtual world, information comprising a name of the avatar of the second user and metadata associated with the avatar of the second user is sent to the first user. In response to receiving the information, contact information associated with the name of the avatar of the second user is determined. The contact information is organized based on the metadata to form organized contact information. The organized contact information is prioritized according to the metadata to form prioritized contact information. The prioritized contact information is stored.

Provided is a method for displaying information such as lists of data, files and icons in a window of a graphical user interface (GUI). Unlike a typical display methodology, which arranges items in a 'machine-dependent' sorting order, the disclosed technology provides a 'natural' sorting order. The list, or names associated with the files or icons are incorporated into a query and the query is transmitted to a web service. The web service parses the query to determine a natural order appropriate to the material represented by the list, files, or icons rearranges the list, files or icons into the natural order and returns a response to the originator of the query. The operating system or GUI that originated the query receives the response, parses the response and displays the list, files or icons in the corresponding natural order.

Natural ordering in a graphical user interface

Collaborative voting widgets (or controls) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that is adapted for collaborative effort between groups of individuals. The widgets have a modal selection state that changes the appearance and functionality of the widget depending on whether the widget is being presented to a particular user (e.g., a group leader) or a member of the group. The group provides user input to vote on a value of the widget. The particular user may subsequently override the voting result, reset the votes and optionally call for a re-vote, overriding the group consensus or breaking ties.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Nazgol Sedghi