Abstract: Methods are provided for re-ranking documents based on user-specific features. Search results are received from a non-contextual ranking system such that the search results are not specific toward a particular user, such as the user who submitted the search query. Contextual signals are received and provide user-specific features that are used to re-rank documents so that the most important and relevant documents are listed at the top of the list of search results. Each of the user-specific features are evaluated and compared to determine a new position of each document. A set of contextual search results is then generated based on the new positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed data annotation in accordance embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a distributed data annotation server system includes a storage device configured to store source data, one or more annotators, annotation tasks and a processor, wherein a distributed data annotation application configures the processor to receive source data including one or more pieces of source data, select one or more annotators, create one or more annotation tasks for the selected annotators and source data, request one or more annotations for the source data using the annotation tasks, receive annotations, determine source data metadata for at least one piece of source data using the received annotations, generate annotator metadata for at least one annotator using the received annotations and the source data, and estimate the ground truth for the source data using the source data metadata and the annotator metadata.

Abstract: The concept-structured image search technique described herein pertains to a technique for enabling a user to indicate their semantic intention and then retrieve and rank images from a database or other image set according to this intention. The concept-structured image search technique described herein includes a new interface for image search. With this interface, a user can freely type several key textual words in arbitrary positions on a blank image, and also describe a region for each keyword that indicates its influence scope, which is called concept structure herein. The concept-structured image search technique will return and rank images that are in accordance with the concept structure indicated by the user. One embodiment of the technique can be used to create a synthesized image without actually using the synthesized image to perform a search of an image set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing categories of waymarks is provided. Waymark records are each associated with a category and maintained on a database. Each waymark record includes metadata associated with at least one variable and one or more attributes specifying a type of the metadata for each variable. Access to the database is provided. A user having access to the database is identified based on a list of authorized users. A request from the user to present one such category and the associated waymark records is received. At least one waymark record from the requested category is processed. Input metadata is received from the user consistent with the variables and the attributes for that waymark record. At least a portion of the metadata is replaced with the input metadata.

Abstract: A block storage service provides block-level storage to a plurality of distinct computing instances for a plurality of distinct users. For each of one or more of the plurality of distinct computing instances, information about data being stored in the block storage service is determined. Based on the information about the data being stored in the block storage service, a block storage transaction enhancement for the data being stored in the block storage service is determined. The block storage service performs the selected block storage transaction enhancement with respect to the data being stored in the block storage service.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing playlists of digital content. Digital content preference data is received from a plurality of users. The preference data is then processed to generate a group preference playlist, which contains references to digital content that is mutually preferred by each of the users. The group preference playlist is then initiated to play the mutually-preferred digital content.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for versioning content in a database system using content type specific objects. These mechanisms and methods for versioning content in a database system using content type specific objects can enable embodiments to provide a database system which stores information associated with multiple versions of content. The ability of embodiments to provide a database system which supports content versioning can enable an efficient and comprehensive storage of content types having different features by the database system.

Abstract: A computer apparatus and computer implemented method for policy distribution provides a Records Management System (RMS) that is configured for setting up and maintaining local record classification and disposition policies. An Enterprise Retention Management (ERM) application comprises a centralized workflow configured for managing retention policies for an entity. An application layer in the ERM comprises a propagation workflow that is configured for managing retention policy integration between the ERM and the RMS. The propagation workflow thus provides automated retention policy propagation from the ERM to the RMS.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer implemented method of relating data and generating reports. The method includes storing, by an OLAP system, a network data structure that relates a plurality of data objects. The method further includes storing transactional data in an in-memory database in the OLAP system. The method further includes generating, by the OLAP system, a report using the stored transactional data according to the network data structure. In this manner, deficiencies of the traditional star schema paradigm of data warehousing may be avoided.

Abstract: A storage medium stores a program thereon. The program instructs a computer to perform a process.

Abstract: A privacy protection device includes an attribute update frequency management unit configured to calculate and record therein an update frequency of each attribute included in a life log of a user in response to storing of the life log; a static attribute extraction unit configured to calculate a threshold value of a change frequency on the basis of a static attribute, an attribute the update frequency of which is less than or equal to the calculated threshold value of the change frequency, the update frequency being recorded by the attribute update frequency management unit; and a notification request reception unit configured to extract the number of users satisfying the notification condition of the notification request, accept the registration of the notification request from the service provider when the extracted number of users exceeds the limit number of persons.

Abstract: An application issues an application command to a file system of the computing device, where the application command includes a location of data at a source. The file system allocates space on a medium for the data and compiles a list including an identification of each portion of the medium that is to be used to store the data. The file system then issues a file system command to a block driver of the medium, where the file system command includes the location of the data at the source and the compiled list. The block driver contacts the source, requests the data at the location thereof, and writes the data to the portions of the medium included in the compiled list.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer implemented method is illustrated as including receiving selection data generated by a media player application, the selection data being related to digital content. Additionally, generating an instruction set that includes the selection data, the instruction set being formatted based upon a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) schema. Inserting the instruction set into a query portion of a URI. A method is also illustrated as including receiving a URI associated with digital content, the URI containing an instruction set in a query portion of the URI. Parsing the instruction set to retrieve selection data relating to the digital content. Further, the method may include retrieving the digital content based upon the selection data. Moreover, the method may include generating a data stream including the digital content. Additionally, the method may include transmitting the data stream including the digital content.

Abstract: A journaling subsystem on a mobile device stores event data related to applications or other subsystems running on the mobile device. The event data can be stored and indexed in a journal database so that a timeline of past events can be reconstructed in response to search queries. In some implementations, a timeline can be reconstructed with markers on a map display based on search results. When the user interacts with a marker on the map display, the event data collected by the mobile device is made available to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discerning human intent based on user-generated metadata are provided. Communications from a plurality of social networks are evaluated to determine whether they are associated with contexts indicative of user intent. When a social network communication is determined to be associated with such a context, a tag may be generated associating the social network communication with the indicated human intent. In addition, information regarding the social network communication may be exported to an application responsible for responsive action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a feature among a plurality of features in an application loaded on a client, with the client located remotely from a server. The server receives a data profile request from the client. In response to the data profile request, a data profile is sent from the server to the client, the data profile including a profile key to identify the client, an application identification to identify the application, and a feature selector. The application uses the feature selector to enable the feature among the plurality of features.

Abstract: A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method for transforming a finite state automaton (FSA) of a regular expression, wherein the method includes determining, by a computer, a first subexpression R1 and a second subexpression R2 in the regular expression; calculating an overlap FSA, the overlap FSA configured to determine the existence of a partial overlap or a full overlap between the first subexpression R1 and the second subexpression R2; determining whether the overlap FSA has an accepting state; and in the event the overlap FSA is determined not to have an accepting state, determining that the transformation of the regular expression is safe, and constructing a transformed FSA of the regular expression comprising a first FSA for the first subexpression R1 and a second FSA for the second subexpression R2.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies relating to content presentation. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of processing quantities of query instances to calculate (a) a volume differential between the quantities, (b) a percentage differential between the quantities, and (c) a volume differential between the impressions per query instance values, computing a first opportunity index that includes a product of: (a) an absolute value of the volume differential between the quantities, and (b) the percentage differential between the quantities, computing a second opportunity index including a product of: an absolute value of the first opportunity index, the volume differential between the impressions per query instance values, and the impressions per query instance values, and providing campaign improvement suggestions to an advertiser based on the second opportunity index.

Abstract: Many public utilities companies employ meter data management systems (MDMSs) to manage the millions and sometimes billions of daily and interval meter read values that they collect during a single billing period. One problem with some MDMSs estimate missing daily reads based on average daily usage and these estimates do not match daily usage values determined from interval read data, causing sum check exceptions. Such exceptions are undesirable because they can lead to billing errors and lost consumer confidence in the utility, among other things. To address this, the present inventors devised an exemplary system that uses good and estimated interval read data to more accurately estimate the missing daily reads and thereby reduce occurrences of sum check exceptions. The exemplary system also estimates missing time of use and demand data based on interval read data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing accurate and consistent open spectrum results for secondary devices from different geo-location databases is presented. The results, which may be independently derived by each database, are independent of the database queried. The comparison permits some amount of latitude in spatial and temporal consistency between the databases as errors are only indicated if the temporal or spatial discrepancies are pervasive. In addition, large percentages of different locations showing discrepancies when compared also lead to corrective action being taken. Corrective actions that may be taken include forcing problematic databases to update, shunting requests by secondary devices in the problematic locations to acceptable databases or shutting down the problematic databases entirely.