Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for implementing an interactive display of ancestor-to-ancestor relationships are presented. The method includes displaying on a display device of a computer system, a user interface for displaying one or more genealogical charts including one or more nodes. The method further includes receiving, from an input device of the computer system, a selection of a first node and a second node. Then, in response to receiving the selection of the first and second nodes, the method includes calculating a sequence of relationships connecting the first node to the second node. Finally, the method includes organizing the sequence of relationships into one or more steps, wherein each step contains a sequential subset of nodes and relationships that can be displayed at the same time, and sequentially displaying the nodes and relationships in each step on the display device.

Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air fan turbine positioned horizontally or vertically in close proximity to the exhaust fan system of air handler systems. These turbine units catch the exhausted air flow from the exhaust ports of these air handler units to drive the turbine blades which are attached to a generator. As the propellor blades spin, they generate electricity. Thus, the man made air flow known as exhaust from the air handler systems is used to produce electricity. This invention not only uses man made air flow, but also repositions the air turbine 90° from a horizontal position to a vertical position to receive wind air from the atmosphere. When the air handler unit is turned off, a signal is sent to mechanically move the air turbine to the vertical position to redirect itself to then catch natural wind airflow on both roof top and ground mounted units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of correcting alignment of an image. The method includes identifying an image of a document, and detecting a plurality of lines within the image. The method also includes classifying at least a subset of the plurality of lines as either horizontal or vertical lines, and determining whether a variance exists within a subset of the plurality of lines. Furthermore, the method includes applying a corrective transformation to adjust the image, where the variance within the subset of the plurality of lines is at least partially reduced as compared to the variance prior to the application of the corrective transformation.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for transcribing text from artifacts to electronic files. A computer system is provided, wherein the computer system comprises a computer-readable storage device. An image of the artifact is received wherein text is present on the artifact. A first portion of the text is analyzed. Characters representing the first portion of the text are identified at a first confidence level equal to or greater than a threshold confidence level. The characters representing the first portion of the text are stored. A second portion of the text appearing on the artifact is analyzed. A plurality of candidates to represent the second portion of the text are identified at a second confidence level below the threshold confidence level. Finally, the plurality of candidates to a user for selection are presented.

Abstract: A city directory, having a listing of names and associated information of residents in a city (or similar location), is digitized. Zones of text having information not useful to users of the digitized directory are removed, and lines of information corresponding to residents are reconstructed, to make the digitized directory more easily accessed and reviewed.

Abstract: A tree building system that accesses data from a social networking site and, in some embodiments, other data sites having information that may pertain to the relationships between users of the social networking site. A rules engine within the system implements logic for analyzing the data from the social networking site. The system provides a candidate list of possible relatives for selection by a user and solicits information from the user through the use of guided questions.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for transcribing text from artifacts to electronic files. A computer system is provided, wherein the computer system comprises a computer-readable storage device. An image of the artifact is received wherein text is present on the artifact. A first portion of the text is analyzed. Characters representing the first portion of the text are identified at a first confidence level equal to or greater than a threshold confidence level. The characters representing the first portion of the text are stored. A second portion of the text appearing on the artifact is analyzed. A plurality of candidates to represent the second portion of the text are identified at a second confidence level below the threshold confidence level. Finally, the plurality of candidates to a user for selection are presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for consolidating information retrieval results. According to some embodiments of the invention, a computer system can be used to create a result set in response to a query. Results in the result set can then be compared with each other to determine whether they contain information regarding a single object or entity, in which case the records are consolidated and redundant data is removed. The computer system can then present the consolidated result on a display.

Abstract: Undated photos are organized by estimating the date of each photo. The date is estimated by building a model based on a set of reference photos having established dates, and comparing image characteristics of the undated photo to the image characteristics of the reference photos. The photo characteristics can include hues, saturation, intensity, contrast, sharpness and graininess as represented by image pixel data. Once the date of a photo is estimated, it can be tagged with identifying information, such as by using the estimated date to associate the photo with a node in a family tree.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a photo displays the photo with a family tree. Facial recognition, photo date estimation, people age estimation and gender determination are used to associate the displayed photo with one or more identified nodes in the family tree. A user can enter tagging information for the photo based on the identified nodes.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing photos and other documents include a user interface for displaying photos and data nodes. A photo may be placed at a data node by selecting a facial image in the photo and then moving the facial image (e.g., using a drop and drag technique) to associate the facial image with the node. In alternative embodiments, a portion of a photo other than a facial image may be selected, or an entire photo may be selected, and then placed at the node. The user can identify nodes based on the person in the facial image and tag the photo with identifying information. In some embodiments, existing nodes (e.g., in a family tree) can be displayed in order to have photos placed therein. Relationship nodes can be suggested as facial images are associated with nodes.

Abstract: A method of creating a blending mode for blending base colors and blend colors to produce resultant colors for one or more pixels of a digital image includes displaying by a display device a relationship between a first independent variable representing the base colors and a dependent variable representing the resultant colors for a specific value of a second independent variable representing blend colors. The method also includes receiving user input altering the relationship, displaying the altered relationship, and storing the relationship as a blending mode.

Abstract: A method for displaying information on a display screen of a user computer comprises sending a computer readable document from a server computer to the user computer for display on the display screen. The computer readable document includes links that are viewable on the display screen and are selectable to cause subsequent documents to be rendered on the display screen. The computer readable document further includes viewable information regarding selection of the links over a certain time.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an air fan turbine positioned horizontally or vertically in close proximity to the exhaust fan system of air handler systems. These turbine units catch the exhausted air flow from the exhaust ports of these air handler units to drive the turbine blades which are attached to a generator. As the propellor blades spin, they generate electricity. Thus, the man made air flow known as exhaust from the air handler systems is used to produce electricity. This invention not only uses man made air flow, but also repositions the air turbine 90° from a horizontal position to a vertical position to receive wind air from the atmosphere. When the air handler unit is turned off, a signal is sent to mechanically move the air turbine to the vertical position to redirect itself to then catch natural wind airflow on both roof top and ground mounted units.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for storing and displaying genealogical information is disclosed. The system may include a processor and a storage medium having processor instructions. The instructions may be for receiving information which identifies a first and second parent, receiving information which identifies a first and second child, and receiving an indication that the first child is a biological child of both parents, and that the second child is a biological child of only one parent. The instructions may further be for receiving a first instruction to display a first listing of children, and in response, causing the first child to be displayed in the first listing, but not the second child. The instructions may additionally be for receiving a second instruction to display a second listing of children, and in response, causing both the first child and the second child to be displayed in the second listing.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of source documents into scanned images of the source documents includes evaluating the plurality of source documents to thereby assign one or more source document quality metrics indicative of source document image quality. The plurality of source documents are comprised by a project and the source documents of the project are from a common source document type. The source document types include, for example, book pages, paper documents, microfilm documents, machine-printed documents, handwritten documents, print media documents, public records, microfiche documents, and/or the like. The method also includes scanning each of the plurality of source documents to thereby create one or more electronic image files comprising the scanned images and coupling the source document quality metrics to the electronic image files such that the source document quality metrics are thereafter accessible for post-production activities.

Abstract: Lines of data that are from a historical document, such as a digitized city directory, have information extracted and stored in searchable data fields. Words and phrases within the lines of data are identified and tagged. Rendering rules are applied to the tagged words and phrases to extract names, addresses, occupations, spouse information and other data, and store that data in the searchable fields.

Abstract: A city directory, having a listing of names and associated information of residents in a city (or similar location), is digitized. Zones of text having information not useful to users of the digitized directory are removed, and lines of information corresponding to residents are reconstructed, to make the digitized directory more easily accessed and reviewed.

Abstract: A method for displaying information on a display screen of a user computer comprises sending a computer readable document from a server computer to the user computer for display on the display screen. The computer readable document includes links that are viewable on the display screen and are selectable to cause subsequent documents to be rendered on the display screen. The computer readable document further includes viewable information regarding selection of the links over a certain time.