Abstract: Generating and utilizing personalized predictive models are provided. When an electronic input is received, a generic predictive model is used to predict a user response to the input. After a prescribed period of time, an analysis is performed to determine the user's actual response to the input, as well as, the user's actual responses to other inputs of the same type. Training is performed on the generic predictive model to generate a new and personalized predictive model based on the user's actual responses to the analyzed inputs. The personalized predictive model is then utilized for predicting user response to future inputs of the same type. At a prescribed frequency, the generated personalized predictive model is updated by analyzing actual user responses to predictions provided by the personalized predictive model.

Abstract: Time-stamped activity data, indicative of detected user activity, is received. A generative model explicitly models the rates of certain actions during certain activities and infers values based on observed data corresponding to those activities. A control system generates control signals, based on the inferred values, to control one or more different controlled systems or subsystems.

Abstract: Generating and utilizing personalized predictive models are provided. When an electronic input is received, a generic predictive model is used to predict a user response to the input. After a prescribed period of time, an analysis is performed to determine the user's actual response to the input, as well as, the user's actual responses to other inputs of the same type. Training is performed on the generic predictive model to generate a new and personalized predictive model based on the user's actual responses to the analyzed inputs. The personalized predictive model is then utilized for predicting user response to future inputs of the same type. At a prescribed frequency, the generated personalized predictive model is updated by analyzing actual user responses to predictions provided by the personalized predictive model.

Abstract: A constrained non-linear approximator for empirical process control is disclosed. The approximator constrains the behavior of the derivative of a subject empirical model without adversely affecting the ability of the model to represent generic non-linear relationships. There are three stages to developing the constrained non-linear approximator. The first stage is the specification of the general shape of the gain trajectory or base non-linear function which is specified graphically, algebraically or generically and is used as the basis for transfer functions used in the second stage. The second stage of the invention is the interconnection of the transfer functions to allow non-linear approximation. The final stage of the invention is the constrained optimization of the model coefficients such that the general shape of the input/output mappings (and their corresponding derivatives) are conserved.

Abstract: An information retrieval system is described for retrieving a list of documents such as web pages or other items from a document index in response to a user query. In an embodiment a prediction engine is used to predict both explicit relevance information such as judgment labels and implicit relevance information such as click data. In an embodiment the predicted relevance information is applied to a stored utility function that describes user satisfaction with a search session. This produces utility scores for proposed lists of documents. Using the utility scores one of the lists of documents is selected. In this way different sources of relevance information are combined into a single information retrieval system in a principled and effective manner which gives improved performance.

Abstract: Methods to enable optimization of discontinuous rank metrics are described. The search scores associated with a number of search objects are written as score distributions and these are converted into rank distributions for each object in an iterative process. Each object is selected in turn and the score distribution of the selected object is compared to the score distributions of each other object in turn to generate a probability that the selected object is ranked in a particular position. For example, with three documents the rank distribution may give a 20% probability that a document is ranked first, a 60% probability that the document is ranked second and a 20% probability that the document is ranked third. In some embodiments, the rank distributions may then be used in the optimization of discontinuous rank metrics.

Abstract: An information retrieval system is described for retrieving a list of documents such as web pages or other items from a document index in response to a user query. In an embodiment a prediction engine is used to predict both explicit relevance information such as judgment labels and implicit relevance information such as click data. In an embodiment the predicted relevance information is applied to a stored utility function that describes user satisfaction with a search session. This produces utility scores for proposed lists of documents. Using the utility scores one of the lists of documents is selected. In this way different sources of relevance information are combined into a single information retrieval system in a principled and effective manner which gives improved performance.

Abstract: A constrained non-linear approximator for empirical process control is disclosed. The approximator constrains the behavior of the derivative of a subject empirical model without adversely affecting the ability of the model to represent generic non-linear relationships. There are three stages to developing the constrained non-linear approximator. The first stage is the specification of the general shape of the gain trajectory or base non-linear function which is specified graphically, algebraically or generically and is used as the basis for transfer functions used in the second stage. The second stage of the invention is the interconnection of the transfer functions to allow non-linear approximation. The final stage of the invention is the constrained optimization of the model coefficients such that the general shape of the input/output mappings (and their corresponding derivatives) are conserved.

Abstract: A constrained non-linear approximator for empirical process control is disclosed. The approximator constrains the behavior of the derivative of a subject empirical model without adversely affecting the ability of the model to represent generic non-linear relationships. There are three stages to developing the constrained non-linear approximator. The first stage is the specification of the general shape of the gain trajectory or base non-linear function which is specified graphically, algebraically or generically and is used as the basis for transfer functions used in the second stage. The second stage of the invention is the interconnection of the transfer functions to allow non-linear approximation. The final stage of the invention is the constrained optimization of the model coefficients such that the general shape of the input/output mappings (and their corresponding derivatives) are conserved.

Abstract: Methods to enable optimization of discontinuous rank metrics are described. The search scores associated with a number of search objects are written as score distributions and these are converted into rank distributions for each object in an iterative process. Each object is selected in turn and the score distribution of the selected object is compared to the score distributions of each other object in turn to generate a probability that the selected object is ranked in a particular position. For example, with three documents the rank distribution may give a 20% probability that a document is ranked first, a 60% probability that the document is ranked second and a 20% probability that the document is ranked third. In some embodiments, the rank distributions may then be used in the optimization of discontinuous rank metrics.

Abstract: A constrained non-linear approximator for empirical process control is disclosed. The approximator constrains the behavior of the derivative of a subject empirical model without adversely affecting the ability of the model to represent generic non-linear relationships. There are three stages to developing the constrained non-linear approximator. The first stage is the specification of the general shape of the gain trajectory or base non-linear function which is specified graphically, algebraically or generically and is used as the basis for transfer functions used in the second stage. The second stage of the invention is the interconnection of the transfer functions to allow non-linear approximation. The final stage of the invention is the constrained optimization of the model coefficients such that the general shape of the input/output mappings (and their corresponding derivatives) are conserved.

Abstract: A non-linear dynamic predictive device (60) is disclosed which operates either in a configuration mode or in one of three runtime modes: prediction mode, horizon mode, or reverse horizon mode. An external device controller (50) sets the mode and determines the data source and the frequency of data. In the forward modes (prediction and horizon), the data are passed to a series of preprocessing units (20) which convert each input variable (18) from engineering units to normalized units. Each preprocessing unit feeds a delay unit (22) that time-aligns the input to take into account dead time effects. The output of each delay unit is passed to a dynamic filter unit (24). Each dynamic filter unit internally utilizes one or more feedback paths that provide representations of the dynamic information in the process. The outputs (28) of the dynamic filter units are passed to a non-linear approximator (26) which outputs a value in normalized units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for detecting, identifying, and classifying faults occurring in sensors measuring a process. A variety of process models can be used such as first principles models, dynamic multivariable predictive control models, from data using statistical methods such as partial least squares (PLS) or principal component analysis. If faults are identified in one or more sensors, the apparatus and method provide replacement values for the faulty sensors so that any process controllers and process monitoring systems that use these sensors can remain in operation during the fault period. The identification of faulty sensors is achieved through the use of a set of structured residual transforms that are uniquely designed to be insensitive to specific subsets of sensors, while being maximally sensitive to sensors not in the subset. Identified faults are classified into one of the types Complete Failure, Bias, Drift, Precision Loss, or Unknown.

Abstract: A non-linear dynamic predictive device (60) is disclosed which operates either in a configuration mode or in one of three runtime modes: prediction mode, horizon mode, or reverse horizon mode. An external device controller (50) sets the mode and determines the data source and the frequency of data. In the forward modes (prediction and horizon), the data are passed to a series of preprocessing units (20) which convert each input variable (18) from engineering units to normalized units. Each preprocessing unit feeds a delay unit (22) that time-aligns the input to take into account dead time effects. The output of each delay unit is passed to a dynamic filter unit (24). Each dynamic filter unit internally utilizes one or more feedback paths that provide representations of the dynamic information in the process. The outputs (28) of the dynamic filter units are passed to a non-linear approximator (26) which outputs a value in normalized units.

Abstract: A non-linear dynamic predictive device (60) is disclosed which operates either in a configuration mode or in one of three runtime modes: prediction mode, horizon mode, or reverse horizon mode. An external device controller (50) sets the mode and determines the data source and the frequency of data. In prediction mode, the input data are such as might be received from a distributed control system (DCS) (10) as found in a manufacturing process; the device controller ensures that a contiguous stream of data from the DCS is provided to the predictive device at a synchronous discrete base sample time. In prediction mode, the device controller operates the predictive device once per base sample time and receives the output from the predictive device through path (14). In horizon mode and reverse horizon mode, the device controller operates the predictive device additionally many times during base sample time interval. In horizon mode, additional data is provided through path (52).

Abstract: A constrained non-linear approximator for empirical process control is disclosed. The approximator constrains the behavior of the derivative of a subject empirical model without adversely affecting the ability of the model to represent generic non-linear relationships. There are three stages to developing the constrained non-linear approximator. The first stage is the specification of the general shape of the gain trajectory or base non-linear function which is specified graphically, algebraically or generically and is used as the basis for transfer functions used in the second stage. The second stage of the invention is the interconnection of the transfer functions to allow non-linear approximation. The final stage of the invention is the constrained optimization of the model coefficients such that the general shape of the input/output mappings (and their corresponding derivatives) are conserved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for detecting, identifying, and classifying faults occurring in sensors measuring a process. If faults are identified in one or more sensors, the apparatus and method provide replacement values for the faulty sensors so that any process controllers and process monitoring systems that use these sensors can remain in operation during the fault period. The identification of faulty sensors is achieved through the use of a set of structured residual transforms that are uniquely designed to be insensitive to specific subsets of sensors, while being maximally sensitive to sensors not in the subset. Identified faults are classified into one of the types Complete Failure, Bias, Drift, Precision Loss, or Unknown.

Abstract: A hybrid analyzer having a data derived primary analyzer and an error correction analyzer connected in parallel is disclosed. The primary analyzer, preferably a data derived linear model such as a partial least squares model, is trained using training data to generate major predictions of defined output variables. The error correction analyzer, preferably a neural network model is trained to capture the residuals between the primary analyzer outputs and the target process variables. The residuals generated by the error correction analyzer is summed with the output of the primary analyzer to compensate for the error residuals of the primary analyzer to arrive at a more accurate overall model of the target process. Additionally, an adaptive filter can be applied to the output of the primary analyzer to further capture the process dynamics. The data derived hybrid analyzer provides a readily adaptable framework to build the process model without requiring up-front knowledge.

Abstract: A hybrid analyzer having a data derived primary analyzer and an error correction analyzer connected in parallel is disclosed. The primary analyzer, preferably a data derived linear model such as a partial least squares model, is trained using training data to generate major predictions of defined output variables. The error correction analyzer, preferably a neural network model is trained to capture the residuals between the primary analyzer outputs and the target process variables. The residuals generated by the error correction analyzer is summed with the output of the primary analyzer to compensate for the error residuals of the primary analyzer to arrive at a more accurate overall model of the target process. Additionally, an adaptive filter can be applied to the output of the primary analyzer to further capture the process dynamics. The data derived hybrid analyzer provides a readily adaptable framework to build the process model without requiring up-front knowledge.

Abstract: A hybrid analyzer having a data derived primary analyzer and an error correction analyzer connected in parallel is disclosed. The primary analyzer, preferably a data derived linear model such as a partial least squares model, is trained using training data to generate major predictions of defined output variables. The error correction analyzer, preferably a neural network model is trained to capture the residuals between the primary analyzer outputs and the target process variables. The residuals generated by the error correction analyzer is summed with the output of the primary analyzer to compensate for the error residuals of the primary analyzer to arrive at a more accurate overall model of the target process. Additionally, an adaptive filter can be applied to the output of the primary analyzer to further capture the process dynamics. The data derived hybrid analyzer provides a readily adaptable framework to build the process model without requiring up-front knowledge.