Abstract: An approach is provided for generating a delayed network service response for a plurality of network service requests using a natural language processing analysis to identify a plurality of parameters associated with a received first network service request and start, upon receipt of the first network service request, a configurable delay timer having a duration that is controlled by the plurality of parameters so that equivalent network service requests from users that are received before expiration of the configurable delay timer may be identified and serviced by generating a network service response in response to the first network service request without generating a network service response to the one or more equivalent network service requests such that the network service response is sent to the first user and to the one or more users after expiration of the configurable delay timer.

Abstract: A technique for generating a new equivalent phrase for an input phrase includes receiving a first input phrase for natural language expansion. Tokens that correspond to parts of speech are generated for the first input phrase. An original grammar tree is generated using at least some of the tokens. One or more alternate grammar trees are generated that are different from the original grammar tree but substantially equivalent to the original grammar tree. One or more synonyms for at least one of the tokens are generated. Finally, one or more new phrases are generated based on the one or more alternate grammar trees and the one or more synonyms.

Abstract: An approach is provided for generating a delayed network service response for a plurality of network service requests using a natural language processing analysis to identify a plurality of parameters associated with a received first network service request and start, upon receipt of the first network service request, a configurable delay timer haying a duration that is controlled by the plurality of parameters so that equivalent network service requests from users that are received before expiration of the configurable delay timer may be identified and serviced by generating a network service response in response to the first network service request without generating a network service response to the one or more equivalent network service requests such that the network service response is sent to the first user and to the one or more users after expiration of the configurable delay timer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting a start time of an event include determining a previous start time for a recurring event based on data collected from individual attendees. A probable future start time for the event is estimated based on the previous start time using a processor. The probable future start time is published to one or more prospective attendees.

Abstract: A technique for generating a new equivalent phrase for an input phrase includes receiving a first input phrase for natural language expansion. Tokens that correspond to parts of speech are generated for the first input phrase. An original grammar tree is generated using at least some of the tokens. One or more alternate grammar trees are generated that are different from the original grammar tree but substantially equivalent to the original grammar tree. One or more synonyms for at least one of the tokens are generated. Finally, one or more new phrases are generated based on the one or more alternate grammar trees and the one or more synonyms.