Abstract: A system and method for providing a personalized dictionary and vocabulary building tool whereby data representing an electronic media based version of a document is obtained and at least a portion of the electronic media based version of a document is displayed on a display screen associated with a computing system. A user selects any word in the portion of the document displayed on the display screen and electronic data representing the definition of the user selected word is then obtained from one or more of several electronic media sources. The definition of the user selected word is then displayed in an electronic media format on the same display screen displaying the portion of the electronic media based version of a document.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that facilitates the selection of a doctor for a user. The system provides a list of doctors to the user based on an observed experience level of the listed doctors with a condition or a procedure. During operation, the system receives from a user a selection criteria for selecting of a doctor. The system also receives from the user a medical profile for the user. Next, the system receives from a third-party a plurality of doctors' profiles. Then, the system ranks the plurality of doctors' profiles into a ranked list based on the selection criteria and conditions within the medical profile. Finally, the system sends the ranked list to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically acquires data from an application and imports the data into a second application. During operation, the system receives at a data-acquisition tool a command from a user to acquire data from the application. In response to the command, the system overlays a semi-transparent layer over at least a portion of a display which is generated by the application, so that the data within the display is still visible to the user. Next, the system receives a drawing command from the user to draw a shape around an item of data within the display. In response to the drawing command, the system draws a shape around the item of data within the display, wherein the shape is drawn on the semi-transparent layer. The system then acquires the item of data bounded by the shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and techniques for displaying data models and data-model instances. During operation, the system can use a model graph to represent the data model and an instance graph to represent the data-model instance. In the graph representation, a vertex can represent an entity or an entity instance, and an edge can represent a relationship or a relationship instance. The system can display the model graph and the instance graph, either separately or concurrently, thereby enabling the user to visually explore the data model and the data-model instance by exploring the associated graphs. The system can display paths in the graphs to the user, thereby enabling the user to visually explore how entities and entity instances are related to one another. The system can also enable a user to search for entities and relationships using various criteria.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for recognizing a feature of an image independently of the orientation or scale of the image. During operation, the system receives an image. Next, the system identifies a feature within the image. The system then performs a principal component analysis (PCA) operation on the feature to determine an orientation of a primary component of the feature and a secondary component of the feature, wherein the PCA operation is performed while source data for the image is retained. Finally, the system recognizes the feature by analyzing the primary component of the feature and the secondary component of the feature.

Abstract: A method for managing excess inventory includes receiving a physical shipment of goods and submitting a description and expiration date of each inventory item in the physical shipment of goods to an inventory management application. The inventory management application tracks number of units of each inventory item at the merchant. The method further includes, at a predefined timeframe prior to the expiration date, receiving a notification when a forecast of the number of unit of an inventory item remaining in the inventory at the expiration date is greater than a pre-defined threshold, selecting a buyer network of a plurality of buyer networks for selling the inventory item to generate a selected buyer network, and selling the inventory item via the selected buyer network.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that uses an authenticated channel to authenticate a user. The system can register a user by storing an association between a username, a password, and a unique identifier. The system can then present a login screen to the user which includes a username field and a password field, wherein the username field is enabled and the password field is disabled. Next, the system can receive the username via the username field and receive the unique identifier over the authenticated channel. The system can then enable the password field in response to determining that the unique identifier is associated with the username. Next, the system can receive the password via the enabled password field. The system can then authenticate the user in response to determining that the password is associated with the username.

Abstract: A tax return preparation kit is provided that contains a disposable tax return preparation device for receiving taxpayer input of tax related data for use in preparing an electronic tax return. The disposable tax return preparation device is adapted to prepare an electronic tax return based on the tax related data. A communications cable is also provided for communicatively coupling the disposable tax return preparation device to a telecommunications system, for transmitting the electronic tax return to a remote tax return preparation system also coupled to the telecommunications system. The remote tax return preparation system is adapted to receive the tax return prepared by the disposable tax return preparation device, confirm the tax return, and electronically file the tax return with a tax authority.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a user, that includes receiving an account identifier from the user, obtaining a media prompt from an account based on the account identifier, presenting the user with the media prompt and a question prompt, wherein the question prompt references the media prompt, receiving input answering the question prompt, comparing the input with a valid response to determine whether the user is authentic, wherein the valid response requires personal knowledge of the media prompt and the question prompt, and authorizing the user to access a resource when the user is authentic.

Abstract: A system that communicates information is described. During operation, this system receives an encryption key through a first wireless communication technique, wherein the first wireless communication technique includes near field communication. Then, the system communicates a document through a second wireless communication technique, where the document is associated with a financial transaction being conducted with a commercial establishment. Next, the system receives encrypted information through the second wireless communication technique, where the encrypted information is, at least in part, encrypted using the encryption key, and where the second wireless communication technique includes a technique other than near field communication.

Abstract: An accounting tool may be used to manage financial data for an organization. The accounting tool may support the closing of accounting periods for the finances of the organization. The accounting tool may be configured to receive a request to modify a transaction of a closed accounting period. The accounting tool may be configured to create a changed version of the transaction according to the modify request, and to maintain a previous version of the transaction that does not include the requested modification. A separate transaction may not be required, even though the modified transaction was initially recorded during a closed accounting period. In addition, the accounting tool may be configured to provide a plurality of views of the closed accounting period, e.g., a first view that comprises the previous version of the transaction, and another view that comprises the changed version.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tracking time using a mobile computing device. The method steps include providing a first event manager on the mobile computing device for managing event records, wherein each event record is synchronized via an exchange server to a corresponding event record managed by a second event manager on a client machine, generating a time tracking record based on input from a user of the mobile computing device, wherein the time tracking record is added to the event records as a surrogate event record, transmitting the surrogate event record via the exchange server to the second event manager operatively coupled to a client application on the client machine, extracting time entry information from the surrogate event record using the client application for tracking time, and generating estimated time entry information automatically based on the event record.

Abstract: Systems and methods for touchscreen security gateways are described, wherein a mechanical lock simulation is presented and operated by the user of a touchscreen interface. Comparisons between entered and stored combinations may be processed and/or stored utilizing local or remote processing and/or storage resources. The mechanical lock aspect of the user interface may comprise simulated rotating elements that may be operated by user-induced sliding interactions upon the user interface. Several aspects of the mechanical lock simulation may be customized or programmed by the user, and the presentation of the user interface operation to the user may include audible and/or haptic feedback.

Abstract: A method allowing a professional service provider to access client data stored in an online account without storing confidential account information by the professional service provider. In particular, the service provider may register the relationship with the client in a third party information transfer framework where the client approves such registration and download the data from the online account using the confidential account information in a temporary manner. The client data may be stored in a repository available to the service provider based on the relationship registration. In an example, a professional tax preparation software may include functionality to check for newly downloaded client data within the third party information transfer framework, notifying a tax accountant (i.e., the service provider), and may provide a one click access to import the client data directly into the client tax return.

Abstract: A method for managing trust level in a community comprises selecting a data provider and a data entry entity from the community, wherein the community comprises data providers providing provided data, data entry entity providers providing data entry entities, and reviewers, obtaining provided data and a trust level of the provided data from the data provider, retrieving a data entry quality level of the selected data entry entity from a community system, wherein the community system comprises data entry quality levels corresponding to the data entry entities, and determining a data source trust level based on the trust level of the provided data and the data entry quality level of the selected data entry entity, wherein the data source trust level indicates validity of data produced by the selected data entry entity.

Abstract: An electronic filing system may electronically file a tax return created by a user using a tax preparation application. The electronic filing system may receive an error indication from a taxing authority identifying a specific tax return error. The electronic filing system may create an error notification including an error description, error solution, and mechanism for correcting the error. The electronic filing system may send the error notification to a device associated with the user. The device may not be the same device in which the tax preparation application created the tax return. The mechanism may enable the user to correct the error without the tax preparation application. The electronic filing system may receive an error correction sent from the user's device according to the mechanism of the error notification. The electronic filing system may correct an error of the tax return according to the error correction.

Abstract: A method for managing the selection of benefit options includes receiving historical user data covering a first time period, and receiving benefit information including at least one benefit option applicable to a second time period. A first portion of the historical user data is compared with a portion of the benefit information to determine anticipated future costs associated with the at least one benefit option. A user of the method optionally selects one of the available benefit options based on the comparison. The benefit options include at least two different insurance policies available for selection. The insurance policies may include at least two different policies of one or more types selected from the group consisting of medical, dental, vision, and life.

Abstract: During a technique for estimating a scalability breakpoint of a software product, performance load tests of the software product are performed with different numbers of simulated concurrent users. For a given number of simulated concurrent users, a performance load test may include an associated set of transactions that are executed by the software product. Furthermore, during the performance load tests performance metrics for the transactions in the associated sets of transactions are measured. Then estimated total performance metrics for the transactions in the associated sets of transactions for the different numbers of simulated concurrent users are determined based on the measured performance metrics and the associated sets of transactions. Next, using the determined estimated total performance metrics, the estimated scalability breakpoint is calculated.

Abstract: A system that facilitates interactions with a digital video feed. During operation, the system receives the digital video feed, which includes a corresponding content feed, wherein the corresponding content feed is synchronized with the digital video feed, and wherein the corresponding content feed contains information associated with moving objects within the digital video feed. Next, the system plays the digital video feed within a viewer and allows a user to select a moving object being displayed within the viewer. In response to the selection, the system obtains content associated with the moving object and displays the content to the user.

Abstract: A method for providing access to content using a global textsite platform (GTP), including receiving, from a user device associated with a device identifier, a first user message including a first navigation state identifier of a sequential plurality of navigation state identifiers, identifying a first text page of the textsite associated with the first navigation state identifier, and identifying a second text page associated with a first navigating keyword, where the second text page is navigable from the first text page. The method also includes determining a second navigation state identifier sequentially after the first navigation state identifier, associating the second text page with the second navigation state identifier, and storing the association. The method also includes generating a GTP message of the first text page, including the first navigating keyword modified by the second navigation state identifier, and sending the GTP message for display on the user device.