Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, a network protection service for processing network traffic to assist a network site is presented. The network protection service is communicatively coupled to the network site over a network, and is configured to detect that the network site is experiencing adverse network conditions. Upon detecting that the network site is experiencing adverse network conditions, the network protection service causes that a portion of the network traffic intended for the network site is rerouted to the network protection service. The network protection service then forwards a portion of the network traffic rerouted to the network protection service to the network site.

Abstract: A computer-implemented data collection and analysis method comprises receiving from a client computing device, at least one data analysis datapoint, adding the received at least one data analysis datapoints to a data structure, and adding an additional data analysis datapoint to the data structure, storing, in a data repository, the data structure further comprising a data processing result, maintaining at least partially consistent copies of the data structure across the plurality of host computers, in response to a request regarding an operation from the client computing device, retrieving the data processing result from the data repository, and providing the data processing result using routing information to the client computing device. The data structure comprises an index of data analysis datapoints from the plurality of host computing devices. A portion of the additional data analysis datapoint is added to the data value to generate a data processing result.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying an object. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a first location. The image depicts a layout of objects located at the first location and a visual code for each object. A user interface is generated for the first location using the image and the codes. The user interface depicts the objects and a user interface element for each visual code. Each user interface element is selectable to identify the object associated with the visual code. The user interface is provided for display at a second location. Selection data is received that specifies a selection of a particular user interface element. Command data is sent to a computer located at the first location, which causes the computer to highlight the object associated with the visual code of the selected user interface element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for wearable camera systems. In one aspect, a hat and a camera system for the hat can be used for an interactive session with a remote user. In another aspect, the hat and camera system for the hat can be used to interact with an emergency situation routing system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining the identity of an object in an image where the object in the image is in a disassembled state. In one aspect, a method includes accessing previous interactive sessions, each of the interactive sessions including images of a reference object in one or more disassembled states and each of the interactive sessions specifying an identity of the reference object in an assembled state; processing an image of a first object to identify characteristics of the first object, the first object being in a disassembled state in the image; comparing the image of the first object in the disassembled state to images of reference objects in disassembled states; and determining an identity of the first object based on the comparison and the identities of the reference objects in assembled states specified in the interactive sessions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented data processing method comprises receiving information from a user computer concerning a desired output to be generated, adding the information concerning the desired output to be generated to a data structure, and adding additional information to the data structure concerning intermediate outputs to be generated. The information concerning the desired output to be generated is received at a host computer. The host computer is one of a plurality of host computers configured to collect and analyze data received from a plurality of source computers. The data structure represents a list of outputs to be generated by the plurality of host computers. The intermediate outputs are precursor inputs needed to generate the desired output. The additional information is added to the data structure based on the information received from the user computer and based on stored information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing task-based information are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a set of previous interactive sessions for a particular task. For each identified interactive session in the set of previous interactive sessions, a set of implements used during the interactive session are identified based on content of the interactive session. At least one implement in the identified set of implements is classified as a required implement for the particular task. The classification is based, at least in part, on a portion of the previous interactive sessions in which the implement was identified. Classified implements are indexed according to the particular task. Data identifying the indexed implements are provided in response to receipt of a search query referencing the particular task.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying an object. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a first location. The image depicts a layout of objects located at the first location and a visual code for each object. A user interface is generated for the first location using the image and the codes. The user interface depicts the objects and a user interface element for each visual code. Each user interface element is selectable to identify the object associated with the visual code. The user interface is provided for display at a second location. Selection data is received that specifies a selection of a particular user interface element. Command data is sent to a computer located at the first location, which causes the computer to highlight the object associated with the visual code of the selected user interface element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for sharing motion data between computer systems. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, at a first computer system that is associated with a first user, first information that defines a first physical movement that was performed by a second user; outputting, using one or more output devices, a representation of the first physical movement; detecting a second physical movement performed by the first user; providing, to a second computer system that is associated with the second user, second information that defines at least a portion of the second physical movement performed by the first user; receiving, in response to providing the second information to the second computer system, third information that defines a correction to the second physical movement; and outputting, by the first computer system, a representation of the correction to the second physical movement.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating a supply of used items on behalf of an entity that desires to acquire such used items, such as a merchant that sells used items to customers. The used items are obtained based on interactions with recipients who receive items that are sold or otherwise provided by one or more merchants (or other suppliers of items), such as by supplying appropriate information and materials to the recipients along with the items. In some situations, when an item is delivered or otherwise supplied to a recipient by a merchant, the merchant also supplies information to the recipient that indicates an offer from a used item acquirer entity to re-acquire the item from the recipient (such as after the recipient has used the item) and shipping materials for use in returning the item to an indicated destination if the recipient accepts the offer.

Abstract: In a system in which documents are generated dynamically in response to user requests, historical data is collected regarding data retrieval subtasks, such as service requests, that are performed to generate such documents. This data is used to predict the specific subtasks that will be performed to respond to specific document requests, such that these subtasks may be initiated preemptively at or near the outset of the associated document generation task. In one embodiment, the historical data is included within, or is used to generate, a mapping table that maps document generation tasks (which may correspond to specific URLs) to the data retrieval subtasks that are frequently performed within such tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for anticipatory package shipping are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package to the destination geographical area without completely specifying the delivery address at time of shipment, and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address for the package.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing time-series data from a plurality of data source computers comprises a plurality of computer-implemented partitions and a plurality of computer implemented nodes which own respective ones of the partitions. The plurality of computer-implemented partitions comprise a plurality of processes configured to produce the desired outputs. The plurality of partitions are configured (i) to permit each of the data messages to be received at an arbitrary one of the plurality of nodes, and (ii) to forward the received data message to one or more of the plurality of nodes which own respective ones of the plurality of partitions responsible for participating in producing one of the desired outputs.

Abstract: In a system in which documents are generated dynamically in response to user requests, historical data is collected regarding data retrieval subtasks, such as service requests, that are performed to generate such documents. This data is used to predict the specific subtasks that will be performed to respond to specific document requests, such that these subtasks may be initiated preemptively at or near the outset of the associated document generation task. A subtask that would ordinarily be postponed pending the outcome of a prior subtask can thereby be performed in parallel with the prior subtask, reducing document generation times. In one embodiment, the historical data is included within, or is used to generate, a mapping table that maps document generation tasks (which may correspond to specific URLs) to the data retrieval subtasks that are frequently performed within such tasks.

Abstract: A method and system for anticipatory package shipping are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package to the destination geographical area without completely specifying the delivery address at time of shipment, and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address for the package.

Abstract: A network protection service is presented. The network protection service is configured to establish an arrangement with a subscribing host for providing assistance to the subscribing host upon detection of a triggering condition. A set of rules corresponding to the subscribing host for filtering network traffic directed to the subscribing host is determined. The network protection service monitors for a triggering condition for providing protective assistance for the subscribing host, and upon detection of a triggering condition, provides protective assistance to the subscribing host. The protective assistance includes causing network traffic directed to the subscribing host to be rerouted to the network protection service. The protective assistance further includes filtering the network traffic rerouted to the network protection service according to the set of rules corresponding to the subscribing host. At least some of the filtered network traffic is forwarded to the subscribing host.

Abstract: A service framework uses importance ranking information in making call decisions and/or wait-time decisions in connection with service requests. Each of the service requests has an importance ranking which reflects the importance of the information provided by the service to a task being performed. The health of a service may be controlled by permitting fewer (or more) service requests to be made to the service when the service is less (or more) healthy. The likelihood of a service request being made to the service may depend on the importance ranking of the service request. When waiting for a response, a determination whether to continue waiting may be made based on the likelihood that the service has failed and based on the importance of the information to the task being performed.

Abstract: A method and system for anticipatory package shipping are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package to the destination geographical area without completely specifying the delivery address at time of shipment, and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address for the package.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating a supply of used items on behalf of an entity that desires to acquire such used items, such as a merchant that sells used items to customers. The used items are obtained based on interactions with recipients who receive items that are sold or otherwise provided by one or more merchants (or other suppliers of items), such as by supplying appropriate information and materials to the recipients along with the items. In some situations, when an item is delivered or otherwise supplied to a recipient by a merchant, the merchant also supplies information to the recipient that indicates an offer from a used item acquirer entity to re-acquire the item from the recipient (such as after the recipient has used the item) and shipping materials for use in returning the item to an indicated destination if the recipient accepts the offer.

Abstract: A network protection service for providing protective assistance to a subscribing host on a network is disclosed. The network protection service is configured to establish a relationship with a subscribing host also connected to the network. Moreover, based on the established relationship with the subscribing host, the network protection service is configured to detect a condition for providing protective assistance to the subscribing host. Upon detecting the condition, the network protection service provides protective assistance to the subscribing host. Providing protective assistance to the subscribing host comprises rerouting network traffic directed to the subscribing host to the network protection service, filtering the network traffic rerouted to the network protection service, and forwarding the filtered network traffic to the subscribing host.