Abstract: A method and system for identifying clusters of similarly-configured computers. The method, for example, comprises gathering system and business configuration information values from a set of computers. Next, at least a portion of the system and business configuration information values gathered from the set of computers is analyzed along with the numbers of computers that are configured in various ways. Then, using the result of the analysis as a guide, logical expressions of configuration information values are selected for use as definitions of one or more clusters of similarly-configured computers, the selection process generally maximizing the number of computers included within each cluster and also generally maximizing the number of configuration information value specifications included within the definition of each cluster.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and operations technique associated with unintentionally disconnected wireless communications. When a call is severed other than intentionally by the parties, value-added options are provided automatically. Recorded messages, call-backs, and similar options are appropriately distributed among the parties to the severed call. A method of doing business and appropriate system equipment and programming is described.

Abstract: A reverse caller identification system. Telecommunications devices are registered with respect to specific locations and are monitored with respect to users proximity to said devices. Prior to putting an incoming call through to one of said devices, the caller is provided with information as to activities currently in proximity to that device. A plurality of options for real-time information data and caller feedback are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic detection of trends (and epidemics) among cases faced by a customer or patient support organization, based on automated classification of the logs of those cases in a topic hierarchy. The method includes establishing an item topic hierarchy of desired granularity and applying that hierarchy to a selected group of items, automatically classifying new items to at least one topic in the hierarchy, establishing windows having sequential sets of items based upon selected temporal parameters, determining item distributions over respective windows, and comparing respective item distributions in at least two such windows.

Abstract: A method of inducing a top-down hierarchical categorizer includes providing a set of labeled training items. Each labeled training item includes an associated label representing a single category assignment for the training item. A set of unlabeled training items is provided. A prior is associated with the set of unlabeled training items that is independent of any particular feature contained in the unlabeled training items. The prior represents a plurality of possible category assignments for the set of unlabeled training items. A top-down hierarchical categorizer is induced with a machine learning algorithm based on the set of labeled training items, the set of unlabeled training items, and the prior.

Abstract: A method for determining accuracy of a classifier which provides an indication of the degree of correctness of the classifier rather than a mere correct/incorrect indication. The accuracy of the classifier is determined by determining a set of categories of an arrangement of categories selected for an item by the classifier and determining a set of categories of the arrangement selected for the item by an authoritative classifier. An accuracy measure which indicates a degree of correctness of the classifier is then determined based on the categories selected by the classifier and the categories selected by the authoritative classifier.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for categorization of an item. A plurality of categories is organized in a hierarchy of categories with a plurality of categorizers corresponding to the plurality of categories. A featurizer featurizes the item to create a list of item features. The list is used in a categorizer system, including the plurality of categorizers, for determining a plurality of levels of goodness. The item is categorized in the categorizer system in the plurality of categories based on the respective plurality of levels of goodness. The best categories are processed first, allowing termination at any time. The system successively refines an item down a hierarchy, until the features no longer support further refinement. The categories and the degree of support for the categories are provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining a predicted health of a system that would result from an application of a proposed intervention to an existing system. The predicted health is determined by determining a set of modifications involved in the proposed intervention wherein each modification involves one or more components of the existing system. For each modification, a set of component information that pertains to the modification is obtained from a knowledge base. Each set of component information may specify inter-dependencies among the components involved in the modification. For each modification, it is determined whether the inter-dependencies specified in the component information are satisfied. The determination of whether the inter-dependencies are satisfied enables a determination of the predicted health of individual components of the system as well as the predicted health of the overall system.

Abstract: A probabilistic diagnostic system is validated. A diagnostic sequence is generated from a diagnostic model. The diagnostic sequence is evaluated to determine whether the diagnostic sequence provides an acceptable resolution to a problem. This is repeated for additional diagnostic sequences from the diagnostic model. It is determined whether a predetermined number of diagnostic sequences provide an acceptable resolution. When it is determined that the predetermined number of diagnostic sequences provide an acceptable resolution, the diagnostic model is accepted.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and operations technique associated with unintentionally disconnected wireless communications. When a call is severed other than intentionally by the parties, value-added options are provided automatically. Recorded messages, call-backs, and similar options are appropriately distributed among the parties to the severed call. A method of doing business and appropriate system equipment and programming is described.

Abstract: A real time, computerized, method, system, and method of doing business with respect to troubleshooting and resolving installed base product failures. A client establishes a link with the business server, filing a report describing the product and failure mode in plain text. The server compares the failure mode plain text to a historical data base, associating maintained keywords likely to appear in the report to product subunits associated with failure modes. Based on the comparison, the server calculates and transmits to the client predictions of resolving the failure. The client is provided with on-line capability for selecting and ordering replacements. The process is continuous, iterative, and interactive.

Abstract: Data collection and display representative of at least one characteristic relevant to a viability product contained in a sealed package, via monitoring at least one characteristic associated with a state condition of said product. A viability state condition may be related to probability of degradation of the product. The monitoring may include analyzing data associated with at least one said characteristic and, based on said analyzing, determining at least one critical date of said product which may be displayed. When current state of viability can be predicted, freezing said display with said signal representative of an expiration or maturity state condition, or dynamically altering a display accordingly. Options for displaying a history of said characteristic may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the classification of items into categories, and more generally, to the automatic selection of different classifiers at different places within a hierarchy of categories. An exemplary hierarchical categorization method uses a hybrid of different classification technologies, with training-data based machine-learning classifiers preferably being used in those portions of the hierarchy above a dynamically defined boundary in which adequate training data is available, and with a-priori classification rules not requiring any such training-data being used below that boundary, thereby providing a novel hybrid categorization technology that is capable of leveraging the strengths of its components.

Abstract: A method of efficiently migrating data from one categorization hierarchy to a new hierarchy. A mapping is created which describes where a document in one hierarchy will be placed in a new hierarchy. The classifier of the first hierarchy is merged with this mapping to act as a classifier for the second hierarchy. Cases from the first hierarchy are classified in the new hierarchy using this merged mapping. In another embodiment, a training set is designated from a first hierarchy and mapped to a second hierarchy. Using machine learning, a classifier for the second hierarchy is derived and used to classify subsequently migrated cases. Migration of data using the present invention is more accurate as fewer human errors are generated. The present invention can act as a virtual classifier for multiple hierarchies in an organization, providing updated categorization information for multiple hierarchical databases.

Abstract: A method of inducing a top-down hierarchical categorizer includes providing a set of labeled training items. Each labeled training item includes an associated label representing a single category assignment for the training item. A set of unlabeled training items is provided. A prior is associated with the set of unlabeled training items that is independent of any particular feature contained in the unlabeled training items. The prior represents a plurality of possible category assignments for the set of unlabeled training items. A top-down hierarchical categorizer is induced with a machine learning algorithm based on the set of labeled training items, the set of unlabeled training items, and the prior.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for matching elements within sets of trajectories, locations or other attributes without revealing the entire sets. The elements are partitioned into segments. A rotating selection is made among the sets and one segment of each potentially matching element is newly disclosed from the selected set. Optionally, the sets are cryptographically hashed, using, for example, a MD5 hash or a SHA-1 hash. Optionally, the sets are represented as tries, and successively lower levels within the tries are newly disclosed from potentially matching elements as the disclosing set rotates. Optionally, the sets are encoded, using: a grid of longitude and latitude; a spatial temporal grid; a overlapping spatial grid; a temporal grid; a set of cities; a set of countries; a set of names of places; or a set of attributes. Optionally, the matching process is repeated while refining the encoding. Optionally, negotiations determine what encoding or cryptographic hash is used.

Abstract: Techniques for customized access to documents and related information include an information access provider that generates a customized list that specifies which of a set of items of information related to a document are available to a consumer. The access provider provides a package containing the items selected by the consumer in response to a satisfaction of a set of conditions which are customized to the consumer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic detection of trends (and epidemics) among cases faced by a customer or patient support organization, based on automated classification of the logs of those cases in a topic hierarchy. The method includes establishing an item topic hierarchy of desired granularity and applying that hierarchy to a selected group of items, automatically classifying new items to at least one topic in the hierarchy, establishing windows having sequential sets of items based upon selected temporal parameters, determining item distributions over respective windows, and comparing respective item distributions in at least two such windows.

Abstract: A visualization method and tool for gaining insight into the structure of a hierarchy. A derived intuitive display of the relation and effect on classification of features in nodes in a classification hierarchy provides a snapshot of a metric, such as coherence of the hierarchy. The visualization tool displays, in a single view, all or part of the following information: which features are the most powerful in identifying a particular topic; how these features are distributed over items in its sub-classes; which of these features do strongly distinguish among, and help classify items into, subclasses, and which do not (the ones that are shared evenly among the sub-classes justify the grouping as being coherent); and topic relationships among subclasses.

Abstract: A system and method for customer-side market segmentation and categorization. This segmentation is done without disclosing sensitive private customer information to the business. A customer downloads a categorization module to a portable device (PDA, wireless cellular phone, etc.) or personal computer. A business defines a decision procedure corresponding to a set of defined customer categories. The business sends their rule set to the customer's device, which uses the rules and a set of stored customer-specific historical and demographic information to determine into which of the business-specific customer categories the customer falls. The categorization module may use any of a variety of methods, such as decision trees, neural networks, Bayesian belief networks, k-nearest neighbor, genetic algorithms, or rule sets. The customer category is sent to the business without other personal data for the business to prepare appropriate promotional material or initiate specific actions.