Abstract: A text-dependent speaker verification technique that uses a generic speaker-independent speech recognizer for robust speaker verification, and uses the acoustical model of a speaker-independent speech recognizer as a background model. Instead of using a likelihood ratio test (LRT) at the utterance level (e.g., the sentence level), which is typical of most speaker verification systems, the present text-dependent speaker verification technique uses weighted sum of likelihood ratios at the sub-unit level (word, tri-phone, or phone) as well as at the utterance level.

Abstract: A search-centric hierarchical browser history technique that provides for the creation of a Web search history hierarchy organized according to the search queries that a user has conducted. In one embodiment, search queries occupy the highest level of the search history hierarchy and all Web sites/search results relating to a particular search query that the user accessed are hierarchically organized below that query. In another embodiment, queries may also be optionally grouped into a higher-level hierarchy that reflects search topics.

Abstract: A user interface for improving document layout on arbitrary devices of different resolutions and size using manifold representations of content. Manifold representations of content are: multiple versions of anything that might appear in a document, from text, to images, to even such things as stylistic conventions. The specific content is selected and formatted dynamically, on the fly, by a layout engine in order to best adapt to a given viewing situation. A user interface for authoring and editing such manifold content is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics intensive software program for graphics acceleration hardware. This system and method encompasses a procedure that validates the different functions of a 3D acceleration capable video card, decides whether to use the acceleration hardware and optimizes the software application to selectively use the functions that work on the specific video acceleration card. Functions checked include sub-pixel positioning, opacity, color replacement and fog. If these tests are successful, then the graphics acceleration is used by the software application. However, if the tests are not successful the decision is made not to use graphics accelerator. Those with ordinary skill in the art will realize that it is not necessary to perform all of the tests in a specific order.

Abstract: The simultaneous localization and RF modeling technique pertains to a method of providing simultaneous localization and radio frequency (RF) modeling. In one embodiment, the technique operates in a space with wireless local area network coverage (or other RF transmitters). Users carrying Wi-Fi-enabled devices traverse this space while the mobile devices record the Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to access points (APs) in view at various unknown locations and report these RSS measurements, as well as nay other available location fix to a localization server. A RF modeling algorithm runs on the server and is used to estimate the location of the APs using the recorded RSSI measurements and any other available location information. All of the observations are constrained by the physics of wireless propagation. The technique models these constraints and uses a genetic algorithm to solve them, thereby providing an absolute location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which uploaded GPS data is indexed according to spatio-temporal relationships to facilitate efficient insertion and retrieval. The indexes may be converted to significantly smaller-sized data structures when new updates to that structure are not likely. GPS data is processed into a track of spatially-partitioned segments such that each segment has a cell. Each cell has an associated temporal index (a compressed start-end tree), into which data for that cell's segments are inserted. The temporal index may include an end time index that relates each segment's end time to a matching start time index. Given query input comprising a spatial predicate and a temporal predicate, tracks may be searched for by determining which spatial candidate cells may contain matching results. For each candidate cell, the search accesses the cell's associated temporal index to find any track or tracks that correspond to the temporal predicate.

Abstract: The page ranking technique described herein employs a Markov Skeleton Mirror Process (MSMP), which is a particular case of Markov Skeleton Processes, to model and calculate page importance scores. Given a web graph and its metadata, the technique builds an MSMP model on the web graph. It first estimates the stationary distribution of a EMC and views it as transition probability. It next computes the mean staying time using the metadata. Finally, it calculates the product of transition probability and mean staying time, which is actually the stationary distribution of MSMP. This is regarded as page importance.

Abstract: A transformation-based record matching technique. The technique provides a flexible way to account for synonyms and more general forms of string equivalences when performing record matching by taking as explicit input user-defined transformation rules (such as, for example, the fact that “Robert” and “Bob” that are synonymous). The input string and user-defined transformation rules are used to generate a larger set of strings which are used when performing record matching. Both the input string and data elements in a database can be transformed using the user-defined transformation rules in order to generate a larger set of potential record matches. These potential record matches can then be subjected to a threshold test in order to determine one or more best matches. Additionally, signature-based similarity functions are used to improve the computational efficiency of the technique.

Abstract: A novel beamforming post-processor technique with enhanced noise suppression capability. The present beam forming post-processor technique is a non-linear post-processing technique for sensor arrays (e.g., microphone arrays) which improves the directivity and signal separation capabilities. The technique works in so-called instantaneous direction of arrival space, estimates the probability for sound coming from a given incident angle or look-up direction and applies a time-varying, gain based, spatio-temporal filter for suppressing sounds coming from directions other than the sound source direction resulting in minimal artifacts and musical noise.

Abstract: A graph layout technique that creates a layered graph layout with a given aspect ratio. The present layered graph layout technique better utilizes the available space and, at the same time, creates an aesthetically pleasing drawing of a directed graph. In one embodiment it determines the layout of the new graph based on a modified Sugiyama technique combined with a modified Coffman-Graham scheduling algorithm. Given a directed graph and a desired aspect ratio, it uses a binary search and the Coffman-Graham scheduling algorithm to find a layout of the graph that has an aspect ratio that matches the given aspect ratio of the available space.

Abstract: An echo cancellation technique that can process multi-input microphone signals with only a small increase in the overall CPU consumption compared to implementing the algorithm for a single channel microphone signal. Furthermore, the invention provides an architecture that provides for echo cancellation for multiple applications in parallel with only a small increase in CPU consumption compared to a single instance of echo cancellation with a single microphone input and multi-output channel playback.

Abstract: An energy based technique to estimate the positions of people speaking from an ad hoc network of microphones. The present technique does not require accurate synchronization of the microphones. In addition, a technique to normalize the gains of the microphones based on people's speech is presented, which allows aggregation of various audio channels from the ad hoc microphone network into a single stream for audio conferencing. The technique is invariant of the speaker's volumes thus making the system easy to deploy in practice.

Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for hosting network-based services for a domain name. Authorization is obtained to host services for the domain name. This authorization may originate from an entity in control of the domain. The authorized network-based services are provided to users of the domain in interfaces that present advertising content to the users. Advertising revenue is generated in connection with this presentation of advertising content, and a portion of the advertising revenue is allocated for distribution to the entity in control of the domain.

Abstract: A photo illumination technology that facilitates user selectable illumination of an existing photo ranging from full artificial flash illumination to ambient light illumination and every gradation between. The technology in one embodiment employs a digital camera feature that captures two photos hundredths of a second apart where one photo is captured in concert with a flash and one is captured with no flash. Compensations are made to reconcile any movement of the subject matter that may have occurred between the two photos and the user is presented with the infinite gradations of illumination on the subject matter when selecting a photo for display or printing.

Abstract: A spatial-color Gaussian mixture model (SCGMM) image segmentation technique for segmenting images. The SCGMM image segmentation technique specifies foreground objects in the first frame of an image sequence, either manually or automatically. From the initial segmentation, the SCGMM segmentation system learns two spatial-color Gaussian mixture models (SCGMM) for the foreground and background objects. These models are built into a first-order Markov random field (MRF) energy function. The minimization of the energy function leads to a binary segmentation of the images in the image sequence, which can be solved efficiently using a conventional graph cut procedure.

Abstract: An omni-directional camera (a 360 degree camera) is proposed with an integrated microphone array. The primary application for such a camera is videoconferencing and meeting recording, and the device is designed to be placed on a meeting room table. The microphone array is in a planar configuration, and the microphones are located as close to the desktop as possible to eliminate sound reflections from the table. The camera is connected to the microphone array base with a thin cylindrical rod, which is acoustically invisible to the microphone array for the frequency range [50-4000] Hz. This provides a direct path from the person talking to all of the microphones in the array, and can therefore be used for sound source localization (determining the location of the talker) and beam-forming (improving the sound quality of the talker by filtering only sound from a particular direction). The camera array is elevated from the table to provide a near frontal viewpoint of the meeting participants.

Abstract: The perceptual scalable audio coding/decoding technique lies in the use of a psychoacoustic mask to guide residue coding in enhancement layer coders. At the encoder, a psychoacoustic mask is calculated for the enhancement layer coders or is simply extracted from the coded base layer bitstream. One can also decode the coded base layer bitstream into the audio waveform, and calculate the psychoacoustic mask from the decoded base layer waveform. Furthermore, a predictive technology can be used to refine the psychoacoustic mask derived from the base layer bitstream to form a more accurate psychoacoustic mask of the enhancement layer. In addition, one can calculate the enhancement layer psychoacoustic mask from the original audio, and send the difference between the enhancement layer psychoacoustic mask and the base layer psychoacoustic mask as side information to the decoder. This psychoacoustic mask may then be used for the perceptual coding and decoding of the residue.

Abstract: Background blurring is an effective way to both preserve privacy and keep communication effective during video conferencing. The present image background blurring technique is a light weight real-time technique to perform background blurring using a fast background modeling procedure combined with an object (e.g., face) detector/tracker. A soft decision is made at each pixel whether it belongs to the foreground or the background based on multiple vision features. The classification results are mapped to a per-pixel blurring radius image to blur the background. In another embodiment, the image background blurring technique blurs the background of the image without using the object detector.

Abstract: A technique for image compositing which allows a user to select the best image of an object, such as for example a person, from a set of images interactively and see how it will be assembled into a final photomontage. A user can select a source image from the set of images as an initial composite image. A region, representing a set of pixels to be replaced, is chosen by the user in the composite image. A corresponding same region is reflected in one or more source images, one of which will be selected by the user for painting into the composite image. The technique optimizes the selection of pixels around the user-chosen region or regions for cut points that will be least likely to show seams where the source images are merged in the composite image.

Abstract: A system that captures both whiteboard content and audio signals of a meeting using a digital camera and a microphone. The system can be retrofit to any existing whiteboard. It computes the time stamps of pen strokes on the whiteboard by analyzing the sequence of captured snapshots. It also automatically produces a set of key frames representing all the written content on the whiteboard before each erasure. The whiteboard content serves as a visual index to efficiently browse the audio meeting. The system not only captures the whiteboard content, but also helps the users to view and manage the captured meeting content efficiently and securely.