Abstract: A question library aids in intuitive analysis of stored data. The question library comprises: 1) a plurality of text questions, 2) a numerical representation (e.g., a vector) of each text question, and 3) a corresponding query in a query language. A numerical vector is generated for a question posed to a database. If a matching library question (based upon vector similarity) is not found, the user receives the original answer. If a matching library question based upon vector similarity is found, the user receives the answer to that library question (with potential modifications). Embodiments may determine similarity by calculating Pearson's coefficient, Spearman's rho, or Kendall's tau. Embodiments may parse the first query to identify constituent elements (measures, dimensions, filters). These entities are extracted and compared to elements of the second question matched within the library, to allow modification of the library query to align with the initial query.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for identifying and pruning breakpoints in time series data. The method receives time series data. The method then generates a plurality of piecewise linear regression models that fit the time series data. The plurality of piecewise linear regression models may have differing numbers of breakpoints. The method further calculates an information criterion for each of the plurality of piecewise linear regression models. Next, the method selects one of the plurality of piecewise linear regression models having a lowest information criterion. Additionally, the method determines, for each breakpoint in the selected model, whether the prune each breakpoint. The method prunes one or more breakpoints in the set of breakpoints that are determined to be pruned.

Abstract: A system includes reception of an input string of words, determination, for each subset of consecutive one or more words in the input string, of one or more phrase types based on the subset, on a dictionary describing a plurality of entities, each of the plurality of entities associated with an entity type, and on a grammar describing a plurality of phrase types, each of the plurality of phrase types associated with one or more conditions, and determination of a plurality of candidate queries based on the determined phrase types.

Abstract: A question library aids in intuitive analysis of stored data. The question library comprises: 1) a plurality of text questions, 2) a numerical representation (e.g., a vector) of each text question, and 3) a corresponding query in a query language. A numerical vector is generated for a question posed to a database. If a matching library question (based upon vector similarity) is not found, the user receives the original answer. If a matching library question based upon vector similarity is found, the user receives the answer to that library question (with potential modifications). Embodiments may determine similarity by calculating Pearson's coefficient, Spearman's rho, or Kendall's tau. Embodiments may parse the first query to identify constituent elements (measures, dimensions, filters). These entities are extracted and compared to elements of the second question matched within the library, to allow modification of the library query to align with the initial query.

Abstract: A system includes reception of an input string of words, determination, for each subset of consecutive one or more words in the input string, of one or more phrase types based on the subset, on a dictionary describing a plurality of entities, each of the plurality of entities associated with an entity type, and on a grammar describing a plurality of phrase types, each of the plurality of phrase types associated with one or more conditions, and determination of a plurality of candidate queries based on the determined phrase types.

Abstract: A first splicer manages a get-list request coming from a player and parameterized with an identifier of a first content and a group identifier. The first splicer obtains an initial playlist having a first URI template, pointing towards a first server and pre-parameterized with the identifier of the first content, and a first list of segment identifiers. The first splicer builds and transmits a final playlist to the player including a second URI template, pointing to a second splicer and pre-parameterized with the identifier of the first content and the group identifier, and a second list of virtual segment identifiers. Each virtual segment is associated with a segment of the first content or of an alternative content.

Abstract: A first splicer manages a get-list request coming (1-1) from a player and parameterized with an identifier of a first content and a group identifier. It obtains (1-2, 1-3) an initial playlist comprising a first URI template (pointing towards a first server and pre-parameterized with the identifier of the first content) and a first list of segment identifiers (each, when used as a parameter of the first template, making it possible to generate an URI pointing towards a segment of the first content). It builds and transmits (1-4 to 1-9) a final playlist to the player comprising a second URI template (pointing to a second splicer, possibly coinciding with the first splicer and pre-parameterized with the identifier of the first content and the group identifier) and a second list of virtual segment identifiers (each making it possible, when used as a parameter of the second template, to generate an URI pointing to one of the virtual segments).

Abstract: Fuel-powered actuators are described wherein actuation is a consequence of electrochemical processes, chemical processes, or combinations thereof. These fuel-powered actuators include artificial muscles and actuators in which actuation is non-mechanical. The actuators range from large actuators to microscopic and nanoscale devices.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: Fuel-powered actuators are described wherein actuation is a consequence of electrochemical processes, chemical processes, or combinations thereof. These fuel-powered actuators include artificial muscles and actuators in which actuation is non-mechanical. The actuators range from large actuators to microscopic and nanoscale devices.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: An expert system is used to recommend a customized solution for a customer. The expert system includes a set of scenarios each of which includes default facts and is associated with a detailed rule base that when applied in isolation to the default facts fully determines a prototype solution. A particular scenario is selected from the set based at least on user input. A customized solution is generated by applying the detailed rule base associated with the particular scenario to facts based at least on the user input and any default facts of the particular scenario that complement and do not conflict with the facts that are based at least on the user input. The customized solution is iteratively refined.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: The invention provides interactive streaming mixed media production. A mixed media content creation tool includes a resource-computation element that computes the likely resource load to be imposed on a server, communication link, and client device, when sent by the server to the client and presented to a user at the client. The resource-computation element is responsive to amounts of communication bandwidth available using the communication link, presentation buffer space and computing resources available at the client, and other measures of resource load. The resource-computation element attempts to optimize resource usage by the mixed media content. The system also includes a presentation element that responds to the resource-computation element, and to user requests, and interactively presents measures of projected resource usage by the mixed media content, comparisons of that projected resource usage with available resources, and comparisons of that projected resource usage before and after optimization.

Abstract: A method of depositing material onto an object in an ionization chamber having a shutter therein which has an object-obscuring portion comprising the step of confining particles of matter deposited on the object-obscuring portion of the shutter to such object-obscuring portion while the object is being deposited with material. The object-obscuring portion of the shutter includes an open ended container, the open end thereof being formed in an upper portion of the shutter. During ionization a glow region is formed in the chamber separated from a source of the material by a dark space region. The upper surface of the shutter is disposed in the dark space region and the bottom of the container is separated from the source sufficiently to enable ionization.

Abstract: A method of depositing material onto an object in an ionization chamber having a shutter therein which has an object-obscuring portion comprising the step of confining particles of matter deposited on the object-obscuring portion of the shutter to such object-obscuring portion while the object is being deposited with material. The object-obscuring portion of the shutter includes an open ended container, the open end thereof being formed in an upper portion of the shutter. During ionization a glow region is formed in the chamber separated from a source of the material by a dark space region. The upper surface of the shutter is disposed in the dark space region and the bottom of the container is separated from the source sufficiently to enable ionization.