Abstract: A method and system for video-content based retrieval is described. A query video depicting an activity is processed using interest point selection to find locations in the video that are relevant to that activity. A set of spatio-temporal descriptors such as self-similarity and 3-D SIFT are calculated within a local neighborhood of the set of interest points. An indexed video database containing videos similar to the query video is searched using the set of descriptors to obtain a set of candidate videos. The videos in the video database are indexed hierarchically using a vocabulary tree or other hierarchical indexing mechanism.

Abstract: Described is a system for supporting human intelligence analysis. The system detects changes in social relations among users within a dynamic information network and enables understanding of a current social situation in the dynamic information network through multiple integrated modules. An active network mining module identifies incomplete data that is related to at least one change in the social relations and resolves conflicting and missing data in the dynamic information network. A relevant network discovery module constructs a relevant network from hidden relations within the dynamic information network. An information-aware social network module constructs an information-aware social network using the relevant network, then classifies and prioritizes items of interest to provide an assessment of a current social situation to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving a performance of a system. An influence network is generated for an array of elements in the system using a reconfiguration algorithm. The influence network indicates an influence of an undesired event occurring at any element in the array of elements on a remaining portion of the array of elements given a current state of the array of elements. A relative ranking of vulnerability is created for elements in the array of elements based on the influence network. The reconfiguration algorithm is modified to take into account the relative ranking of vulnerability to form a modified reconfiguration algorithm. The system using the modified reconfiguration algorithm to compensate for undesired events improves the performance of the system.

Abstract: Described is a cyber security system for digital artifact genetic modeling and forensic analysis. The system identifies the provenance (origin) of a digital artifact by first receiving a plurality of digital artifacts, each digital artifact possessing features. Raw features are extracted from the digital artifacts. The raw features are classified into descriptive genotype-phonotype structures. Finally, lineage, heredity, and provenance of the digital artifacts are determined based on mapping of the genotype-phenotype structures.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a phased array antenna. A predicted future health state for elements in the phased array antenna is identified. A configuration for the elements to use a radiation pattern based on the predicted future health state for the elements taking into account potential degradation of a group of the elements in the predicted future health state is also identified.

Abstract: A controller area network (CAN) has a plurality of CAN elements including a communication bus and controllers. A method for monitoring the controller area network CAN includes identifying active and inactive controllers based upon signal communications on the communication bus and identifying a candidate fault associated with one of the CAN elements based upon the identified inactive controllers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a data processing apparatus and a computer implemented method for modeling and analyzing relational data represented in a network that includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of connections between the nodes. The method includes assigning at least one weight to a connection between two nodes in the network. A set of possible dendrograms is then generated for the network, and a likelihood of each dendrogram in the set is determined. The determination of the likelihood is based on at least the one weight of the connection. One of the dendrograms from the set is selected as an optimal dendrogram based on the determined likelihood. The selected dendrogram is then output via an output device. The dendrogram may be used to predict missing links or identify any possible false-positive (noisy) links within a relational dataset.

Abstract: Failure in a self-healing array may be handled by: detecting a failing element of the self-healing array by monitoring characteristics of the failing element; auto-correcting a failing element of the self-healing array by adjusting characteristics of the failing element to compensate for a portion of the failing element which is failing; or correcting performance of the self-healing array when one or more elements of the self-healing array fail by detecting and modeling an impact of the one or more elements of the self-healing array which failed on the performance of the self-healing array.

Abstract: Described is a system for detecting insider threats in a network. In detecting the insider threat, the system receives data from the network relevant to network activity and extracts observable actions from the data relevant to a mission. The observable actions are combined to provide contextual cues and reasoning results. Based on the observable actions and reasoning results, proposed security policy updates are proposed to force insiders into using more observable actions. Finally, the system detects potential insider threats through analyzing the observable actions and reasoning results.

Abstract: Described is a system for explosive network attack and mitigation analysis. A network structure is received as input. A network attack method that applies an Achlioptas process is selected. Then, an explosive mitigation strategy is selected. An attack-mitigation competing process is simulated for the network structure. A sequence of network structures under competing processes is generated. The effectiveness of the selected explosive mitigation strategy against the selected network attack method is quantified by analyzing the sequence of network structures under competing processes.

Abstract: Described is a system for object and behavior recognition which utilizes a collection of modules which, when integrated, can automatically recognize, learn, and adapt to simple and complex visual behaviors. An object recognition module utilizes a cooperative swarm algorithm to classify an object in a domain. A graph-based object representation module is configured to use a graphical model to represent a spatial organization of the object within the domain. Additionally, a reasoning and recognition engine module consists of two sub-modules: a knowledge sub-module and a behavior recognition sub-module. The knowledge sub-module utilizes a Bayesian network, while the behavior recognition sub-module consists of layers of adaptive resonance theory clustering networks and a layer of a sustained temporal order recurrent temporal order network. The described invention has applications in video forensics, data mining, and intelligent video archiving.

Abstract: Described is a system for content recognition, search, and retrieval in visual data. The system is configured to perform operations of receiving visual data as an input, processing the visual data, and extracting distinct activity-agnostic content descriptors from the visual data at each level of a hierarchical content descriptor module. The resulting content descriptors are then indexed with a hierarchical content indexing module, wherein each level of the content indexing module comprises a distinct set of indexed content descriptors. The visual data, generated content descriptors, and indexed content descriptors are then stored in a storage module. Finally, based on a content-based query by a user, the storage module is searched, and visual data containing the content of interest is retrieved and presented to the user. A method and computer program product for content recognition, search, and retrieval in visual data are also described.

Abstract: A touchscreen system for increasing the dynamic range of the system comprising a touchscreen coupled to an offset cancellation element and a capacitance measuring element. The offset cancellation element is configured to be dynamically changed in capacitance such that it offsets parasitic and sensor capacitances of the touchscreen sensors thereby leaving only touch event capacitance to be measured by the measuring element. The offset cancellation element is able to adjust to the initial unwanted capacitances of each sensor as well as dynamically adjust to changes in the unwanted capacitance due to the environment. In some embodiments, the offset cancellation element is a capacitance digital-to-analog converter that is controlled by a controller for offsetting the unwanted capacitance. As a result, the touchscreen system is able to utilize a small integrating capacitor thereby lowering cost and improving the dynamic range of the system.

Abstract: An electronic flight bag apparatus includes an electronic flight bag (EFB) system installed in an aircraft and which interfaces with a ground network, and a portable EFB device connectible with the EFB system via a trusted secure connection. This apparatus makes it possible for a flight crew member to remove the portable device from the aircraft, enter flight information into the device in a convenient manner, and transfer the information to the installed EFB system. Auxiliary crew members may use the portable device during flight to assist the flight crew.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a vehicle. In one embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to, receiving traffic data from a vehicle communication bus. The method further includes, but is not limited to, identifying, by a processor, net-motifs from the traffic data. The method still further includes, but is not limited to, detecting a mode of components of the vehicle based on the net-motifs.

Abstract: A pressure vessel pipe connection selector is disclosed. A pressure vessel may require various connections or nozzles for connecting to a pipe. A selector device includes all necessary data for a user to input design requirements for a pressure vessel pipe connection, and for a specific subset of relevant outputs to be displayed. The relevant outputs can be compared to a list of pressure vessel connection abbreviations or identifiers that can then be used to choose a specific pressure vessel connection that is appropriate for the user's design requirements.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a monitoring point in an electrical and electronic system (EES) in a vehicle. The method includes defining a network model of the EES where potential monitoring point locations in the model are identified as targets, such as nodes. The method then computes a betweenness centrality metric for each target in the model as a summation of a ratio of a number of shortest paths between each pair of targets in the model that pass through the target whose betweenness centrality metric is being determined to a total number of shortest paths between each pair of targets. The method identifies which of the betweenness centrality metrics are greater than a threshold that defines a minimum acceptable metric and determines which of those targets meets a predetermined model coverage. The monitoring point is selected as the target that best satisfies the minimum metric and the desired coverage.

Abstract: A system and method for non-real-time validation of an electronically signed message transmitted via an asynchronous communications link is provided. The method includes creating an electronic message comprising an electronically signed data entry created by executing a secure data application first portion (SDA1) module hosted by a mobile system. The method additionally includes passing the message to a communications management function first portion (CMF1) module via a synchronous interface. The CMF1 module is hosted by the mobile system. The method further includes transmitting the message from the CMF1 module to a communications management function second portion (CMF2) module in a temporally delayed manner using an asynchronous communications link. The CMF2 module is hosted by a central computer system (CCS) located remotely from the mobile system. The method further yet includes validating the electronically signed entry in a temporally delayed manner utilizing a user database.

Abstract: A system for automatically synchronizing and communicating data between a mobile platform and a remote system, where the remote system has a backoffice repository and a scheduler application controlled by an entity operating said platform, includes: a backoffice interface manager for interfacing with said repository and said application, to communicate scheduling information between said platform and said application; and a computer controlled support system located remote from said platform and in communication with said backoffice interface manager, and further including a common data store system for holding said data and synchronizing the communication of said data between at least one mobile subsystem on said application, to ensure communication of said data between said mobile subsystem and said remote system within a predetermined time of executing an operational procedure with said platform.

Abstract: A protective pet dish apparatus that provides protection from birds and insects of food or water in a pet dish by a protective pet dish cover that is supported by a rod extending from the pet dish to the cover. The protective pet dish cover swivels away from the pet dish on the rod when a pet pushes its head against it and swivels back to cover the pet dish after the pet removes its head from the pet dish. The protective pet dish cover uses gravity or a combination of gravity and magnetic force along with the support and swiveling of the support rod to cover the food after a pet removes its head from the pet dish.