Abstract: This invention is a method for manipulating virtual objects displayed on a video conference broadcast by generating a computerized three dimensional image of an object to be superimposed on a first video broadcast signal from a local video camera for display on a remote video monitor, and superimposing the same object on a second video broadcast signal from a remote video camera for display on a local video monitor, grabbing a portion of the three dimensional image by placing a hand in close proximity to the portion of the image moving the hand while maintaining the hand in close proximity to the image and regenerating the three dimensional image to a new perspective view corresponding to the movement of the image with the hand to create the appearance that the hand is manipulating a virtual object displayed over the video broadcast signal.

Abstract: A method for managing maintenance of equipment includes identifying a planned MRO task and a first set of components associated with the task and determining a set of probabilities associated with a second set of components and indicating that the second set of components will require maintenance during the planned MRO task. The method further includes developing a plan for maintenance of individual items in the second set of components and, upon discovering a need for maintenance of at least one item of the second set of components, accessing the plan and integrating it with a plan of planned MRO tasks for the equipment.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple “correct” answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer based method and system for automatically determining in a document an object satisfaction score (44), choosing at least one of either a positive score or a negative score, comprising the steps of: subdividing the document into windows of words; selecting one of said windows when it contains at least one descriptive property corresponding to a key subject of said object and/or when it does not contain any descriptive property corresponding to an anti-key subject of said object; processing each selected window to determine a positive or negative score of said window by counting the occurrences of positive and negative concepts; and cumulating the scores of the selected windows to obtain said object satisfaction score for the document.

Abstract: A system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions. An accounting tutorial system is enabled for providing active coaching on aspects of cost accounting including debit and credit processing, procedures for closing books, appropriate management of ledgers, assets and liabilities utilizing a t-account motif.

Abstract: Optimization of analytical effectiveness of a plurality of analysts is achieved, in part, this through the routing of information elements (i.e., discrete quantities of content suitable for analysis by one or more analysts) to selected analysts in order to maximize achievement of analysis goals defined as part of an analysis plan. Within an analyst network, information elements are obtained by a routing controller from an information network. Based on the analysis goals provided to the routing controller, the routing controller selects specific analysts to receive the information elements. Various characteristics of individual or groups of analysts may be used to identify the selected analysts. In this manner, the present invention provides the ability to tailor the available analyst resources to best address the universe of available topics in the most efficient and productive manner.

Abstract: In an analyst network, at least representative data of information elements (i.e., discrete quantities of content suitable for analysis by one or more analysts), acquired by a routing controller, is provided to a workstation. Based on the representative data, displayed results are provided including information indicative of processing performed by at least a portion of a plurality of analysts using the analyst network. Indicia of treatment indicative of treatment statuses of individual information elements are preferably provided in the displayed data. Various occurrences may give rise to updated treatment statuses that cause the displayed data to be updated as well. In this manner, the present invention enables individual analysts to prioritize processing of information elements based on processing performed throughout the entire analyst network.

Abstract: A user terminal may be employed to generate a first message and, substantially simultaneously or thereafter, append a first plurality of metadata values to the first message, which metadata values are based on standardized metadata attributes. Subsequent messages may likewise have a second plurality of metadata values appended thereto, which messages are thereafter associated with the first message when the corresponding plurality of metadata values compare favorably. The comparison processing of metadata used to determine when messages should be associated with one another is preferably carried out using a back-end controller. Additionally, one or more content files may also be associated with such messages, which content files assist users of the system in developing context concerning various messages. In this manner, team-wide context may be more readily established, thereby fostering better understanding between team members and, consequently, more efficient collaboration.

Abstract: A processing device used to support communications between users of the collaboration system is operative to capture occurrence of at least one event defined in accordance with a project plan. Information regarding each such captured event is stored and an activity report based at least in part upon the stored event information is provided by the processing device to at least one other user of the collaboration system. Report annotations may be associated with the activity report. A controller within the collaboration system is employed to route the activity report (and any associated annotations) to other users of the collaboration system. The recipients of the activity report may submit their own annotations to the controller for association with the activity report. Furthermore, the controller may operate to aggregate the activity report with other activity reports.

Abstract: Monitoring and/or controlling analytical effectiveness of a plurality of analysts in an analyst network is provided. In one embodiment, information concerning treatment of information elements (i.e., discrete quantities of content suitable for analysis by one or more analysts) within an analyst network by the plurality of analysts is provided to a management terminal. Based on this treatment information, the management terminal determines information concerning achievement of analysis goals. In another embodiment, the management terminal receives modifications to the analysis goals that are used to provide modified analysis goals, which modified analysis goals are subsequently provided to the routing controller. In this manner, the present invention provides the ability to determine whether the available analyst resources are being used in the best manner to address the universe of available topics in the most efficient and productive manner.

Abstract: A processing device used to support communications between users of the collaboration system is provided with a graphical user interface. A graphical context activation mechanism associated with a discussion between users of the collaboration system may be displayed. Responsive to a selection input, a graphical illustration of information regarding the users participating in the discussion is displayed. The graphical illustration may comprise indicia of location of at least one of the users that may be displayed, for example, within the context of a geographical map. The graphical illustration may further comprise indicia of identity of at least one of the users. Additionally, a textual context activation mechanism may be provided and utilized in the same manner, thereby allowing text-based context regarding the message to be displayed. In this manner, team-wide context may be more readily established.

Abstract: A system and method for testing an application includes modules capable of reading data from one or more data tables and providing the data as input to the application. The input data is correlated by test case, so that each module may provide different input data for each test case. The system also includes a controller that executes the modules. The controller is capable of determining an execution order for the modules by reading a flow table. The flow table correlates each test case with one or more modules, and further correlates each module within the test case with an execution order. The system may read results that the application generates in response to the input data, and correlate the results with the test case and module in a results table. The results table may also contain expected results, and the system may compare the actual results with the expected results to determine whether the application is functioning properly.

Abstract: Allocating subscription revenue may involve receiving usage information relating to usage of digital content (e.g., music, movies, text, images, games) in a digital content aggregation, identifying a coefficient relating to a subset of digital works in the digital content aggregation (e.g., author-specific subjective or objective factors, popularity ranking, historical factors, performance factors, etc.), and generating a revenue allocation for the digital content based on the coefficient and the usage information.

Abstract: New functions for a contact center system include: testing user's comprehension of informational messages with a quiz; capturing insight of superior users having a KPI score above a threshold by having those users submit information on why they perform so well; dynamically ordering solutions to issues by re-ranking the solutions periodically based on recency and frequency; integrating information for use by a contact center representative while online with a customer and information for use when not online; storing content items in a telecommunications industry taxonomy; directing user feedback on a content item to the proper owner/manager of that content; communicating solution information using a solutions taxonomy; displaying a dual information system having a CRM application as well as reference material that is context-appropriate; enforcing completion of a group of templates when creating a content item to be published; ensuring a group of templates for a content item are complete before publishing them

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a secure electronic registration and voting solution incorporating integrated end-to-end voting system architecture and processes providing secure identification and authentication, voter registration, ballot definition, ballot presentation to the voter, voting, and ballot tabulation via secure transmission over the network. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention describe an integrated solution to voting via a network, such as the Internet. A user logs into the system using through an application on a local computer that presents an electronic ballot to a user and accepts the user's voting selections. The voting selections are then associated with the user's login data and an identifier for the local computer. The local application than encrypts the voting data and forwards a server that authenticates the encrypted voting data using the user login and the computer identifier. The still-encrypted voting data is then stored.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for altering a submitted image of a person. The submitted image is transformed in accordance with associated data regarding the person's condition. Global data may be processed by a statistical process to obtain cluster information, and the transformation parameter is then determined from cluster information. The transformation parameter is then applied to a portion of the submitted image to render a transformed image. A transformation parameter may include a texture alteration parameter, a hair descriptive parameter, or a reshaping parameter. An error measure may be determined that gauges a discrepancy between a transformed image and an actual image. A transformation model is subsequently reconfigured with a modified model in order to reduce the error measure. Also, the transformation model may be trained to reduce an error measure for the transformed image.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring operational risks. Advanced measurement approaches are used to calculate a value at risk based on loss data that is entered. The advanced measurement approaches that may be used include an internal measurement approach, loss distribution approach and scorecard approaches. The calculated value at risk may also be analyzed using different advanced measurement approaches under a variety of scenarios.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for enhancing multimedia information shared on electronic systems. The electronic systems are capable of receiving multimedia information and presenting multimedia information. In combination with the multimedia information, a representation is presented which is based on the shared multimedia information. The representation may be an avatar for display. Further, the representation may be based on control of the multimedia information, content of the multimedia information or reaction to the multimedia information.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for altering a camera image, in which the source image may be angularly displaced from a camera image. A plurality of points on the camera image is located and a mesh is generated. Compensation information based on the displacement is determined, and a reshaped image is rendered from the mesh, the compensation information, and the camera image. The camera image is reshaped by relocating a proper subset of the points on the camera image. Deformation vectors are applied to corresponding points on the mesh using the compensation information. A correction factor is obtained from an angular displacement and a translation displacement of the source image from the camera image. The deformation factor is multiplied by the compensation factor to form a deformation vector to compensate for angular and translational displacements of the source image from the camera image.