Abstract: The present disclosure relates to providing a dynamic graphical user interface for efficiently presenting users with relevant ride information throughout the fulfilment of a ride request. In some embodiments, the system detects a trigger event during a ride, and based on detecting the trigger event, the system expands or collapses an information portion within a graphical user interface. When in a collapsed state, for example, the information portion of the graphical user interfaces includes a first set of content. Upon detecting a trigger event, the system dynamically expands the information portion to provide a second set of content that includes information associated with the detected trigger.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a computer-implemented method and system for generating personalized recommendations for a target user based at least on stored data about the target user. The method comprises obtaining, at the server computer, data from a plurality of data sources, including entity data associated with a plurality of entities, stored in an entity database, or personal data associated with a plurality of users, stored in a user database. The personalized recommendations system then merges the entity data or personal data and maps the entity or personal data to a corresponding entity or target user, respectively. The entity or personal data is differentiated, a relevance is determined, a weight is assigned to the data and corresponding source to canonicalize the data, the respective databases are updated with the corresponding data, and then a set of personalized recommendations to the target user is generated using the updated databases.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of reducing user's labor in automatically creating a photo album. A plurality of candidate images are acquired, user selection information regarding a user-selected image selected by a user is acquired from the plurality of candidate images, and a user-selected image is obtained on the basis of an analysis result of the user-selected image. An attribute is given to the user-selected image, and a user selection standard that is a standard in selecting the user-selected image is estimated on the basis of a user selection ratio represented by a ratio of the number of selected images having the same attribute to a total number of user-selected images. An auto-selected image is selected from non-selected images that are not selected by the user in the candidate images on the basis of the user selection standard.

Abstract: An anonymous reporting system for use in reporting and following up on incidents, accidents, and the like. The system may be accessed via an Internet website. A reporting individual may select a type of incident to report. In one example, the reporting individual may select a level on anonymity and some, none or all of the individual's personal identification is displayed to the organization according to the selected level.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to systems and methods for constructing standardized addresses for a plurality of jurisdictions. The system includes logic to receive an address string for a place-of-interest. The address string can have a plurality of substrings. The system includes logic to classify substrings in the plurality of substrings as address substrings and non-address substrings. The system includes logic for one-to-one mapping respective address substrings in the address string to respective address components. The system includes logic to access respective standardized formats for the respective address components. The system includes logic to conform the address substrings to the respective standardized formats of the respective address components. The system can then access a template that specifies an order of concatenating the conformed address substrings. The system includes logic to concatenate the conformed address substrings according to specified order.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and computer-program product embodiments for deriving a model of computation of a cyber-physical system (CPS). In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from the CPS network, network-events data corresponding to a process performed by the CPS and including network events and associated group IDs. A plurality of events logs for a plurality of selections of group IDs are generated with each events log including a sequence of network events selected from the network events based on the selection of group IDs for that events log. A plurality of directed graphs for the plurality of events logs are generated with each directed graph generated based on the sequence of network events in the events log. A plurality of group IDs can be determined based on a directed graph selected from the plurality of directed graphs based on a complexity score calculated for each directed graph.

Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems provide domain-specific type ahead suggestions for search query terms with a customer self-service system for a tax return preparation system, according to one embodiment. Type ahead suggestions include suggestions for completing a single search query term and/or suggestions for completing a search query having multiple search query terms. The customer self-service system receives one or more search query terms in a search text box, searches for potential search queries that are likely to complete the one or more search query terms, and provides a selected one of the potential search queries in the search text box as a type ahead suggestion, adjacent to the received one or more search query terms, according to one embodiment. The customer self-service system selects one of the potential search queries based on the received search query terms, the user's profile, and/or the user's tax data, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: A motion detection method applied into an image sensor device includes: providing a plurality of regions of interest (ROIs) on at least one monitoring image; for each region of interest (ROI): detecting whether at least one motion event occurs within the each ROI; and determining a priority level of the each ROI according to at least one feature information of the at least one motion event; and determining an alarm schedule of the ROIs for a user according to a plurality of priority levels of the RIOs.

Abstract: Multiple devices may use cameras, sensors, and other inputs to record characteristics of an environment and generate an Augmented Reality (AR) model of the environment. Although devices may implement AR models in different incompatible systems, such as using positioning systems with different scales, unit sizes, etc., one or more devices may coordinate to determine one or more transform to be applied by one or more devices to establish a common framework for referencing AR objects in the models for the environment. With the common framework, and a language to facilitate establishing the common framework, devices may share rich content between the devices. This, for example, allows a tablet device presenting an AR space to “grab” an object out of a display present in the environment, and place the grabbed object into the AR space while maintaining proper relative dimensions and other characteristics of the object after the transfer from one space to the other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a data search method and a data search system thereof. The data search method includes steps of: receiving a first learning content data, wherein the first learning content data includes multiple first learning sections; analysing the first learning content data by a way of Natural Language Processing to search multiple first keyword strings corresponding to each of the first learning content data; receiving a search message; analysing the search message by the way of Natural Language Processing to generate a search string; comparing the search string with the first keyword strings; and generating a search list according to the first learning section, which corresponding to the first keyword string that matches the search string.

Abstract: Matching records in an entity resolution system by defining entity attribute feature vectors, determining an entity attribute matching score according to a distance between two entity attribute feature vectors, assigning a statistical weight to an entity attribute matching score, adjusting the entity attribute matching score according to the statistical weight and an entity attribute frequency of occurrence, and determining an aggregate entity attribute matching score.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a system to extract description of reference numerals in images and facilitate keyword-based search in images. In various examples, the system may include one or more databases, a computer readable memory, and one or more processors. The system may be configured to extract one or more reference numerals from an image, and identify and extract corresponding description of the one or more reference numerals from a description document corresponding to the image. The system may be further configured to extract text from the images, and store the images in a database with the extracted data, i.e., text, reference numerals, and corresponding descriptions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a checksum generation and validation system and associated methods for dynamically generating and validating checksums with customizable levels of integrity verification. The system receives a file with data points defined with positional values and non-positional values, and differentiates a first set of the data points from a second set of the data points. The system generates a checksum based on a combination of two or more values from the positional values and the non-positional values of each data point from the first set of data points, and further based on exclusion of the positional values and the non-positional values of the second set of data points from the checksum. The system may use the checksum to verify the integrity of the data associated with the first set of data points.

Abstract: There has been exponential growth in the capture and retention of immense quantities of information in a globally distributed manner. A closed-loop unified metadata architecture includes a universal metadata repository and implements data quality and data lineage analyses. The architecture solves significant technical challenges to provide a meaningful, consistent and normalized view of the metadata that describes the information, as well as to determine data lineage and meaningful data quality metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically determining an optimal baseline algorithm for calculating lift values are disclosed. The system receives data associated with a control strategy, and then randomly selects a control location, a time period, and an item that may not be associated with the control strategy but meets the one or more criteria of the control strategy such as relevance and sales volume. Using the randomly selected inputs and a plurality of null baselines values determined by a plurality of null baseline algorithms, the system iteratively calculates a plurality of null lift values for each of the applied plurality of null baselines values to determine a likelihood for a false positive lift for each of the applied plurality of null baselines values. An optimal baseline algorithm is selected from the plurality of null baselines algorithms based on their corresponding likelihood of false positive lifts.

Abstract: Technologies are described for routing structured query language (SQL) statements to elastic compute nodes (ECNs) using workload classes within a distributed database environment. The elastic compute nodes do not store persistent database tables. For example, a SQL statement can be received for execution within the distributed database environment. A workload class can be identified that matches properties of the SQL statement. Based on the workload class, a routing location hint can be obtained that identifies a set of elastic compute nodes. The SQL statement can then be routed to one of the identified elastic compute nodes for execution. Execution of the SQL statement at the elastic compute node can involve retrieving database data from other nodes which store persistent database tables.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a candidate node having a potential association relationship with a target node, an association node having an association relationship with the target node, and a grouping identifier of the association node are obtained. A relevance degree between the association node and the target node and a relevance degree between the candidate node and the target node within each grouping identifier are obtained. Based on the relevance degrees, the association node and the candidate node in each grouping identifier are combined for outputting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a process that utilize a passive relay device for farming vehicles and implements, as well as an online server, which together enable capturing, processing and sharing farming operation data generated during combined use of the farming vehicle and farming implement at a farming business. The farming operation data includes detailed information about individual farming operations, including without limitation the type of farming operation, the location of the farming operation, the travel path for the farming operation, as well as operating parameters and operating events occurring while the farming operation is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for partitioning data based on authorization rules. The method includes initiating a plurality of data nodes, each data node including a dataset generated based on a shared data model, wherein each of the plurality of data nodes corresponds to at least one authorization rule, wherein each authorization rule authorizes at least one user identifier to access a respective data node of the plurality of data nodes; and configuring an extract, transform, and load (ETL) application service to extract data from a data source and to load data from the data source to the dataset stored on a first data node of the plurality of data nodes when the at least one first authorization rule authorizes a requesting user to access the first data node.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for creating a dictionary-free index. An embodiment operates by a database maintaining database table comprises a column and a row. The database creates a concatenated string index comprising a concatenated string value based on the database column's row. The database also creates a hash value list having a hash value based on the concatenation string index's concatenated string value. Thereafter, the database creates a directory having a pointer to (i) a row position of the hash value list or (ii) a row position of a collision list having the row position of the hash value in the hash value list. The database also creates a collision list containing the row positions of the hash values occurring multiple times in the hash value list. The index for the database table includes the hash value list, the directory, and the collision list.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for generating applications that may be agile, personalized, quickly delivered, and capable of being seamlessly integrated across an organization. The behavior and functionality of the applications (e.g., user interfaces therein) may be tailored specifically to individual users in response to learned user preferences. Consequently, these dynamic user experience (UX) applications may be rapidly deployed and capable of providing a satisfactory yet complete user experience across one or more applications. The methods and systems may include receiving a user objective, selecting a path associated with one or more steps, generating a dynamic UX application based on the steps, transmitting the dynamic UX application to the user, and displaying the dynamic UX application.

Abstract: A social networking system performs account recovery for a user with the help of the user's connections (e.g., friends). The social networking system selects connections of the user based on information indicating likelihood of real-world interactions between the user and the selected connections. Access codes are sent to the selected connections and the user instructed to obtain access codes from the selected connections via a communication that is outside the social networking system, for example, via phone. The user provides the access codes obtained from the selected connections to the social networking system. If the access codes provided by the user match the access codes sent to the selected connections, the user is granted access to the account. Real-world interactions between two users are determined based on sharing of devices between the users or information indicating presence of the users in the same place during same time interval.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for surfacing alerts are provided. A monitoring service may monitor a plurality of devices associated with a group. The group may include a plurality of accounts. Each account may be associated with a different location control list. The location control list may include locational information comprising geocoordinates of locations that a corresponding user is approved to visit and temporal information corresponding to times, days of the week, and/or dates when a corresponding user is approved to visit a location. If a determination is made that a device associated with an account is at a location that is not included in a location control list for the account, an anomaly alert may be surfaced on one or more devices associated with other group members. The alert may be surfaced in association with a safety score for the location.

Abstract: In a distributed processing system having multiple processing nodes including alive nodes and dead nodes, a method is provided for collecting an object from the alive nodes. The method includes maintaining a separate count value for each of remote nodes at which the object is remotely-referenced. The method further includes collecting the object for garbage collection when the separate count value for all of the remotes nodes is zero. The method also includes adding at least one per node sending counter responsive to a remote reference of the object being sent from a first remote node to a particular one of the remote nodes. The at least one per node sending counter is added at the first remote node to count a number of remote-references of the object being sent to the particular one of the remote nodes.

Abstract: A search method includes obtaining, by a first terminal, a first key word from a user; searching, by the first terminal based on the first key word, the first terminal for a first search result associated with the first key word; sending, by the first terminal, a first search instruction to a second terminal (the second terminal is a terminal in a device group to which the first terminal belongs), where the first search instruction carries the first key word, to trigger the second terminal to search the second terminal for a second search result associated with the first key word; obtaining, by the first terminal, the second search result from the second terminal.

Abstract: A method in an electronic device includes detecting, by one or more processors from a first video stream captured by an imager, one or more images being presented by a remote display of an external electronic device. The method includes receiving, with a communication device operable with the one or more processors in response to the detecting, a second video stream comprising the one or more images being presented on the remote display. The method includes replacing, by the one or more processors on a local display of the electronic device, presentation of the first video stream with the second video stream. This works to eliminate visual distortion due to differences between the refresh rates of the display and remote display or asynchronous nature of the clocks in the electronic device and the external electronic device.

Abstract: A method for processing data relationships on electronic media sites includes: receiving a first data string and a second data string corresponding to a first account and at least one submission on the electronic media site; determining a content identifier of the at least one submission; correlating the determined content identifier with a database of identified content; determining a value of the at least one indicator to the data relationship between first and second accounts based on: content, context, frequency, recency, and volume of the indicator; receiving a third data string corresponding to the second account; processing the first and third data strings to determine identities of the first and second accounts; assigning a relationship designation between the first and second accounts; and receiving a fourth data string selected from a plurality of data strings according to a priority determined by a plurality of relationship designations.

Abstract: Embodiments relating to garbage collection for a deduplicated and compressed storage device are described. One embodiment provides for a computer implemented method including creating a multiple sets of Bloom filters distributed across a set of multiple computing device nodes. One set of Bloom filters stores differing ranges of fingerprints for data stored on deduplicated storage containers, while a second set of Bloom filters includes a set of fingerprints correlated with files in a file system directory structure. A set of live fingerprints is determined for live fingerprints and storage segments associated with those fingerprints are copied to new storage containers.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a record clustering with estimated accuracy metrics with confidence intervals. These metrics can be used to determine whether a clustering should be accepted as the output of the system, and whether model training is necessary to meet desired clustering accuracy. A collection of test records is used in the process, wherein each test record is a member of a collection of input records.

Abstract: Generating a difference between a first and second plurality of lines of text in structured machine-readable format may include determining, by at least one processor, a line of the second plurality of lines that constitutes a best match for a line of the first plurality of lines. The line of the first plurality of lines and its respective best match may be associated with a similarity score. The at least one processor may compare the similarity score to a threshold value. In response to determining that the similarity score is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the at least one processor may compute, the textual difference between the line of the first plurality of lines and its best match. In response to computing the textual difference, the at least one processor may analyze the textual difference to identify a non-meaningful change.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the AI-based computer-aided persuasion system (CAPS). The CAPS obtains inputs from both the target and the agent for an object, dynamically generates persuasion references based on analysis of the input. The CAPS obtains content output by analyzing the agent audio stream and the target audio stream using a recurrent network (RNN) model, obtains sentiment classifiers based on a convolutional neural network (CNN LSTM) model, updates a conversation matrix, and generates a persuasion reference based on the updated conversation matrix. The persuasion reference is based on an acceptance likelihood result generated from the conversation matrix using the RNN model. The CAPS further generates a target profile using DNN (deep neural net) with input of target Big Data, wherein the target profile includes one or more objects, and wherein the agent is selected based on the generated profile and one or more selected objects.

Abstract: Provided is a query recommendation method and system using a search context. A recommendation query providing method may include generating candidate queries to be recommended to a user based on a search context including a query history associated with the user and a search result provided for each query; performing clustering of the candidate query based on a similarity between candidate queries; and providing an electronic device of the user with a final candidate query selected from each cluster of candidate queries as a recommendation query.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dynamically creating hyperlinks associated with relevant multimedia content in a computer network. A hyperlink generation module receives an electronic text file from a server. The module searches the text file to identify keywords present in the file. Once the keywords have been identified, a database is queried to identify multimedia content that is related to the keywords. Generally, multimedia content is associated with metadata to enable efficient searching of the multimedia content. Typically, the multimedia content is contextually relevant to both the identified keywords and text file. One or more hyperlinks corresponding to the keywords are then generated and inserted into the text file. The hyperlinks provide pointers to the identified multimedia content. After insertion into the text file, the hyperlinks may be clicked by a user or viewer of the file to retrieve and display the identified multimedia content.

Abstract: Recommendation information is associated with an information classification label by a server of an online interaction platform, and a correspondence between the recommendation information and the information classification label is stored in a feature label database. The recommendation information associated with the information classification label is delivered to a user. Upon triggering of the recommendation information by a user, the information classification label associated with the recommendation information and an unique identifier associated with the user are obtained. By using the unique identifier, a user feature database is queried to determine whether a correspondence between the information classification label and the unique identifier has been established. If it is determining that the correspondence is not established, the correspondence between the information classification label and the unique identifier is established in the user feature database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving a query created by a user, receiving output data of at least one function to retrieve data related to the query and analyzing the output data of the at least one function to retrieve data related to the query. The systems and methods further provide for generating at least one dynamic knowledge graph associated with the output data of the at least one function, wherein the at least one dynamic knowledge graph comprises data from the output data of the at least one function and indicates relationships between the data, analyzing the at least one dynamic knowledge graph to determine data relevant to the query generated by the user, and generating a response to the query based on the data relevant in the at least one dynamic knowledge graph.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for calculating improved search scores for records that exhibit supra-threshold slop distances. These embodiments include receiving a search string that includes two or more words and determining, based on the search string, search scores for a plurality of text-based records. Determining a search score for a particular text-based record includes: determining a slop distance for the search string within the particular text-based record; determining that the slop distance is greater than a threshold distance; responsive to determining that the slop distance is greater than the threshold distance, determining an augmented slop distance for the particular text-based record; and determining the search score based on the augmented slop distance.

Abstract: A content management system for collecting files from one or more submitters in a collection folder. A collector, who generates the collection folder, can invite one or more submitters to submit one or more files to the collection folder. Facial recognition is applied to the submitted files. The one or more submitters have limited rights to the collection folder. The limited rights can include uploading rights and prohibiting a submitter from viewing files that other submitters associated with the collection folder submitted. Thus, the collection folder is able to store files from the one or more submitters, but prevent them from viewing other's submissions.

Abstract: A press release distribution system provides press release and other news to forum sites as posts. The forum software that runs at forum sites includes press release interface software or is adapted to receive press release interface plug-in modules for interfacing with the press release distribution system. The press release interface software or plug-in module may also monitor and/or analyze user data of forum members and/or forum activities of the users. The monitored user data and forum activities may be provided to the press release distribution system for analysis and generation of user profiles. Using the result of the analysis (e.g., user profiles), the press release distribution system can target particular users or forums to direct the press releases, news, or advertisements for most effective advertising campaign.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for a two-phase technique for generating content recommendations. In a first phase, a baseline recommender is configured to generate a baseline content recommendation using one or more content recommendation models, such as a Smart Adaptive Recommendations (SAR) model, Factorization Machine (FM) or Matrix Factorization (MF) models, collaborative filtering models, and/or any other machine-learning models or techniques. In a second phase, a personalized recommender implements a vector combiner configured to combine profile vectors, content vectors, and the baseline content recommendations to generate combined user vectors. A model generator may train a machine-learning model using the combined user vectors and training data comprising actual interaction behavior of the users, which may be then applied to identify a content recommendation for a particular user.

Abstract: An enterprise management platform is configured to host a respective instance for multiple client networks. The enterprise management platform receives incoming data including one or more metrics being tracked in the incoming data by the enterprise management platform. For each metric of the one or more metrics, a determination is made that a statistic generator is to be processed for the corresponding metric, and responsive to determining that the statistic generator is to be processed, a statistic is generated using the statistic generator. For each statistic, a news score is generated, using a news evaluator, to convert the statistic generator to a news score. The news scores are then sorted and stored in a database disposed within the enterprise management platform.

Abstract: An attack pattern extraction device includes an extraction unit and an attack pattern generation unit. The extraction unit extracts a common character string of parameters included in an access log of communication that is determined as an attack. The attack pattern generation unit generates an attack pattern on the basis of a character string with a string length being equal to or longer than a predetermined length among extracted consecutive character strings.

Abstract: A variety of improved techniques for homebuyers to access undeveloped and/or uncompleted communities with homes that are not yet built and lots that are not yet parceled or recognized with addresses are disclosed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to techniques and processes for using various types of data to generate criminal statistics associated with a geographic area. For instance, a system may store first criminal statistics for a first geographical area. The system may further store image data generated by an electronic device and information describing the image data. Next, the system may determine a second geographic area for generating second criminal statistics, where at least a portion of the first geographic area is located within the second geographic area. The system may then determine that at least a portion of the first criminal statistics occurred in the second geographic area and the electronic device is located in the second geographic area. Based on the determinations, the system may generate the second criminal statistics, where the second criminal statistics includes at least a portion of the first criminal statistics and the information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for discovering precursors associated with a current user interaction event. One method comprises receiving a selection of a new item by a user and determining a plurality of similarities between the new item selected by the user and a plurality of historical items, the plurality of historical items being associated with prior user activity. Then a plurality of importance weights associated with the plurality of historical items are determined. Based on the plurality of similarities and the plurality of importance weights, at least one enhanced importance matrix is generated. Further, prior interactions of the user with the plurality of historical items are determined. Based on the enhanced importance matrix and the prior interactions of the user with the plurality of historical items, precursors for the new item selected by the user are identified and provided to a display.

Abstract: A method may include accessing a semantic map between a schema of a relational database (RDB) and a resource description framework (RDF) data model, the semantic map defined according to a first semantic ontology; applying the semantic map to data loaded from the RDB to generate a first set of semantic objects; storing the first set of semantic objects in a staging RDF triplestore; executing a script to transform the first set of semantic objects into a second set of semantic objects according to a second semantic ontology; and storing the second set of semantic objects into a production RDF triplestore.

Abstract: Exemplary privacy management platforms are described herein. Such platforms may be embodied in systems, computer-implemented methods, apparatuses and/or software applications. The described privacy management platform may be configured to scan identity, primary and/or secondary data sources in order to provide users with visibility into stored personal information, risk associated with storing such information and usage activity relating to such information. The platform may correlate personal information to specific data subjects to provide an indexed inventory across multiple data sources.

Abstract: A two-step algorithm for conducting near real-time fuzzy searches of a target on one or more large data sets is described. This algorithm includes the simplification of the data by removing grammatical constructs to bring the target search term (and the stored database) to their base elements and then perform a Levenstein comparison to create a subset of the data set that may be a match. Then performing a scoring algorithm while comparing the target to the subset of the data set to identify any matches.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method identifies strings of data from a database. One or more processors receive data as an input string. The processor(s) generate a first binary code using a binary locality sensitive hashing of k-grams in the input string, where the binary locality sensitive hashing on the k-grams in the input string is derived from a first set of bi-grams in the input string, a second set of bi-grams in the input string, and a quantity of intersecting bi-grams from the first set of bi-grams and the second set of bi-grams. In response to receiving a search request for a particular string, the processor(s) generate a second binary code using a binary locality sensitive hashing on the particular string, and search a database in a query process. The processor(s) then rank and return a set of similar strings found in the database.

Abstract: Disclosed are ways to generate and present recommendations which provide a user with the ability to explore the follow-on consequences of accepting the recommendations. In some aspects, a method includes receiving a first user input including a recommendation topic, presenting, via a display, an exploration structure including a node corresponding to the recommendation topic, receiving data corresponding to the node from a knowledge repository, analyzing the received data to determine at least one follow-on recommendation based on the node, and presenting each determined follow-on recommendation in the exploration structure as a child node of the node corresponding to the recommendation topic.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a mapping table in a data storage subsystem. A data storage subsystem supports multiple mapping tables. Records within a mapping table are arranged in multiple levels which may be logically ordered by time. Each level stores pairs of a key value and a pointer value. New records are inserted in a created new (youngest) level. All levels other than the youngest may be read only. In response to detecting a flattening condition, a data storage controller is configured to identify a group of two or more adjacent levels of the plurality of levels for flattening which are logically adjacent in time. A new level is created and one or more records stored within the group are stored in the new level, in response to detecting each of the one or more records stores a unique key among keys stored within the group.