Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accurately and efficiently generating ambient point-of-interest recommendations electronically obtains a plurality of points-of-interest for an area, the area being an area selected by a user associated with a location of the user; electronically retrieves point-of-interest data including visitor information about visitors associated with the obtained plurality of points-of-interest and information about the obtained plurality of points-of-interest; electronically forms a plurality of groups based upon the visitor information, each group of the plurality of groups being associated with a point-of-interest of the obtained plurality of points-of-interest; electronically determines a mindset function from a plurality of mindset functions, the mindset function including a predefined function; electronically determines a group from the plurality of groups based upon the information about the obtained plurality of points-of-interest and the determined mindset function; and communic

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accurately and efficiently generating ambient point-of-interest recommendations electronically obtains a plurality of points-of-interest for an area, the area being an area selected by a user associated with a location of the user; electronically retrieves point-of-interest data including visitor information about visitors associated with the obtained plurality of points-of-interest and information about the obtained plurality of points-of-interest; electronically forms a plurality of groups based upon the visitor information, each group of the plurality of groups being associated with a point-of-interest of the obtained plurality of points-of-interest; electronically determines a mindset function from a plurality of mindset functions, the mindset function including a predefined function; electronically determines a group from the plurality of groups based upon the information about the obtained plurality of points-of-interest and the determined mindset function; and communic

Abstract: Methods and systems for interpretable user behavior profiling in off-street parking applications. To render user profiles easy to interpret by decision makers, the semi-automatic discovery and tagging of user profiles can be implemented. Transaction data from one or more (and geographically close) off-street parking installations can be implemented. An analysis of spatio-temporal behavioral patterns can be implemented based on representation of any parking episode by a set of heterogeneous features, the use of clustering methods for automatic pattern discovery, an assessment of obtained clusters, semi-automatic identification/tagging of space-temporal patterns, and a user-friendly interpretation of obtained patterns.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for learning a demand model and simulation parameters from validation information. Validation information is received from automatic fare collection systems and trips are reconstructed from the validation information. Origins, destinations, and arrival/departure times are estimated from the reconstructed trips. A demand model is then generated from the origins, destinations, and times. Assignment model parameters are then learned from the received validation information and demand model via iterative simulations. Infrastructure changes are made to a simulated transportation network based on the assignment and demand model using the learned parameters. A simulated response of the transportation network to the infrastructure change is then output.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for wireless payment and information collection. A central system generates a personalized application including unique application and transaction identifiers, security keys, and signatures for a user device. The user device implements the personalized application in order to access the services of the associated network. Tags, capable of short-range communication with the user devices, are deployed to service access points of the associated network. The tags and user device mutually authenticate and share identifiers. Validation of the user device results in the tag updating an irreversible counter, generating transaction certificate, and logging this transaction information. The transaction certificate and a portion of the log are communicated to the user device, and service is granted. The user device transmits the transaction information and log to the central system for billing when a network connection is available.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling user arrival and choice in the context of off-street parking solutions. A first component models the arrival and duration of stay of users as a function of time, taking into account different user profiles (or “clusters”), captured by a latent variable. A second component provides a ranking function (for each user cluster), wherein the input features describing the “choice” constitute status variables associated different car park(s), and the output constitutes a preferred car park and a pricing scheme. The system simulates different user behaviors by assuming some standard groups of users will behave similarly. Groups of users or user profiles are learned automatically. The profiles are then employed as a key element for automatically learning a decision function of parking users, and automatically learning one decision function per profile.

Abstract: An alert processing system and method are adapted for processing device alerts. The system includes a routing device in communication with a printer. The routing device receives at least one alert description in a source language transmitted from the printer. The routing device identifies a set of words derived from the alert description related to a condition of the associated device. The routing device compares the set of words, in a target language, to a categorization model and, based on the comparison, categorizes the set of words into to one of a predetermined set of alert categories.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding a user in building a query are disclosed. The method includes providing an interaction space in which a user formulates a query using a plurality of query building blocks selected from a predefined set of query building blocks. The user's formulation of the query is guided. Guiding selection of at least a next building block is provided by at least one of a content-based mechanism which limits the selection of the next building block to those which will yield at least one result from an indexed collection of documents, a structure-based selection mechanism which limits the selection of the next building block to those which meet a predefined grammar, and a usage-based selection mechanism which proposes a next building block based on patterns of building blocks used in building prior queries. Each of these guidance mechanisms may be provided with the result that the next block proposed is informed by each of the mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for learning a demand model and simulation parameters from validation information. Validation information is received from automatic fare collection systems and trips are reconstructed from the validation information. Origins, destinations, and arrival/departure times are estimated from the reconstructed trips. A demand model is then generated from the origins, destinations, and times. Assignment model parameters are then learned from the received validation information and demand model via iterative simulations. Infrastructure changes are made to a simulated transportation network based on the assignment and demand model using the learned parameters. A simulated response of the transportation network to the infrastructure change is then output.

Abstract: A method for generating procedures includes receiving a log of a troubleshooting session. The log includes device data including a sequence of detected operations performed on the device causing respective components to change states. Steps of a candidate operating procedure are generated, based on the log, each corresponding to one of the detected operations. Missing steps may be identified, based on state charts and/or stored operability constraints for the device. The candidate operating procedure is compared with existing operating procedures stored in a knowledge base for the device to identify at least one existing operating procedure which includes steps which match at least some of the steps of the candidate operating procedure and, based on the identified at least one existing operating procedure, generating a textual description based on the textual description of the matching steps. The candidate procedure can be presented to an editor for validation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interpretable user behavior profiling in off-street parking applications. To render user profiles easy to interpret by decision makers, the semi-automatic discovery and tagging of user profiles can be implemented. Transaction data from one or more (and geographically close) off-street parking installations can be implemented. An analysis of spatio-temporal behavioral patterns can be implemented based on representation of any parking episode by a set of heterogeneous features, the use of clustering methods for automatic pattern discovery, an assessment of obtained clusters, semi-automatic identification/tagging of space-temporal patterns, and a user-friendly interpretation of obtained patterns.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling user arrival and choice in the context of off-street parking solutions. A first component models the arrival and duration of stay of users as a function of time, taking into account different user profiles (or “clusters”), captured by a latent variable. A second component provides a ranking function (for each user cluster), wherein the input features describing the “choice” constitute status variables associated different car park(s), and the output constitutes a preferred car park and a pricing scheme. The system simulates different user behaviors by assuming some standard groups of users will behave similarly. Groups of users or user profiles are learned automatically. The profiles are then employed as a key element for automatically learning a decision function of parking users, and automatically learning one decision function per profile.

Abstract: A method for recognition of an identifier such as a license plate includes storing first visual signatures, each extracted from a first image of a respective object, such as a vehicle, captured at a first location, and first information associated with the first captured image, such as a time stamp. A second visual signature is extracted from a second image of a second object captured at a second location and second information associated with the second captured image is acquired. A measure of similarity is computed between the second visual signature and at least some of the first visual signatures to identify a matching one. A test is performed, which is a function of the first and the second information associated with the matching signatures. Only when it is confirmed that the test has been met, identifier recognition is performed to identify the identifier of the second object.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and system to promote the reduction of an environmental impact by one or more users of a printing system. According to an exemplary embodiment, a printing system includes a motivational platform and an operatively associated printer driver, the motivational platform recording the historical print activity of a plurality of users associated with a group and communicating the historical print activity to the print driver which is configured to provide an active user recommended selectable printer settings for a print job, prior to being submitted, which are based on best practices within the group.

Abstract: A method for generating procedures includes receiving a log of a troubleshooting session. The log includes device data including a sequence of detected operations performed on the device causing respective components to change states. Steps of a candidate operating procedure are generated, based on the log, each corresponding to one of the detected operations. Missing steps may be identified, based on state charts and/or stored operability constraints for the device. The candidate operating procedure is compared with existing operating procedures stored in a knowledge base for the device to identify at least one existing operating procedure which includes steps which match at least some of the steps of the candidate operating procedure and, based on the identified at least one existing operating procedure, generating a textual description based on the textual description of the matching steps. The candidate procedure can be presented to an editor for validation.

Abstract: A method for recognition of an identifier such as a license plate includes storing first visual signatures, each extracted from a first image of a respective object, such as a vehicle, captured at a first location, and first information associated with the first captured image, such as a time stamp. A second visual signature is extracted from a second image of a second object captured at a second location and second information associated with the second captured image is acquired. A measure of similarity is computed between the second visual signature and at least some of the first visual signatures to identify a matching one. A test is performed, which is a function of the first and the second information associated with the matching signatures. Only when it is confirmed that the test has been met, identifier recognition is performed to identify the identifier of the second object.

Abstract: A system and a method for linking textual and physical concepts are disclosed. The method includes extracting candidate phrases from a knowledge base for a device, the candidate phrases including noun phrases. A set of candidate concepts is generated, based on the extracted noun phrases. Provision is made, e.g., on a graphical user interface, for a user to generate mapped concepts for physical components of the device by selecting, for each concept to be mapped, a physical component shown in a graphical representation of the device and at least one of the candidate concepts which is to be linked to that physical component. The knowledge base is indexed, based on the mapped concepts. In this way, textual expressions in the knowledge base are linked to a respective physical component through one of the mapped concepts.

Abstract: A system for pairing two devices includes a monitoring system and a server. The monitoring system receives a request made by a local submitter, such as servicing device or a technician operating the servicing device, for accessing diagnostic data of the monitoring system. The monitoring system initiates a request made to the server for connecting the monitoring system with the servicing device. The server generates pairing information and transmits the pairing information to the monitoring system. The server determines that a pairing key is received as input at the servicing device and/or monitored device and determines if the pairing key matches the pairing identification. If the server determines that there is a match, the server relays diagnostic data received from the monitoring system to the servicing device.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for wireless payment and information collection. A central system generates a personalized application including unique application and transaction identifiers, security keys, and signatures for a user device. The user device implements the personalized application in order to access the services of the associated network. Tags, capable of short-range communication with the user devices, are deployed to service access points of the associated network. The tags and user device mutually authenticate and share identifiers. Validation of the user device results in the tag updating an irreversible counter, generating transaction certificate, and logging this transaction information. The transaction certificate and a portion of the log are communicated to the user device, and service is granted. The user device transmits the transaction information and log to the central system for billing when a network connection is available.

Abstract: A guided natural language interface, a method for guiding a user in specifying a color problem with a document image, and a set of templates for use in the interface and method are provided. The interface includes computer readable memory which stores a set of issue description templates, each template being configured for guiding a user in formulating a problem statement characterizing, in natural language, a problem related to color identified in an input document. A natural rendering engine receives information input by a user and/or information input from an associated problem detector, and instantiates one of the templates in response thereto. The natural language rendering engine is configured for presenting the problem statement to the user as it is refined and communicating information based on the refined problem statement to an associated problem corrector.