Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for a transaction system supporting universal ticket solutions for transportation. A fund managing device determines whether a first fund of an account of a user has sufficient credit to satisfy a transportation fee imposed by a first city. The account of the user includes separate funds for different cities, where the funds include credit in different national currencies. An account managing device determines whether other funds of the account of the user have additional credit to satisfy the transportation fee imposed by the first city when the first fund of the account of the user does not have sufficient funds to satisfy the transportation fee imposed by the first city. A financial managing device determines costs for transferring credit to the first fund from the other funds of the account of the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a request to create a consumer within a converged system. Additionally, the method includes defining the consumer within a hierarchy of consumers, where the consumer represents a function in an organization. Further, the method includes associating the consumer with a plurality of storage resources and a plurality of computing resources. Further still, the method includes setting a storage capacity attribute for the consumer.

Abstract: A populace centric weather forecast system, method of forecasting weather and a computer program product therefor. A forecasting computer applies a grid to a forecast area and provides a weather forecast for each grid cell. Area activity data sources indicate human activity in the forecast area. A dynamic selection module iteratively identifies grid cells for refinement in response to the weather forecast and to indicated/expected human activity. The dynamic selection module provides the forecasting computer with a refined grid for each identified grid cell in each iteration. The forecasting computer provides a refined weather forecast in each iteration.

Abstract: A pollution source detection system, includes an automated vehicle including a position sensor that detects a geographic position of the automated vehicle and at least one pollution detection sensor that measures a concentration of pollution at the automated vehicle. The pollution source detection system includes a back-end system. The back-end system includes a network interface that receives the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution from the automated vehicle. The back-end system includes a database that stores the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution received via the network interface. The back-end system includes a processor that measures a gradient of the concentration of the pollution and controls a movement of the automated vehicle based on the gradient to guide the automated vehicle toward a source of the pollution.

Abstract: One example of a computer-implemented method for adaptively placing weather sensors in response to dynamic local conditions includes obtaining a set of data indicating a dynamic local condition in a geographic location of interest and adaptively modifying a placement of a plurality of weather sensors in the geographic location of interest in response to the dynamic local condition.

Abstract: One example of a computer-implemented method for adaptively placing weather sensors in response to dynamic local conditions includes obtaining a set of data indicating a dynamic local condition in a geographic location of interest and adaptively modifying a placement of a plurality of weather sensors in the geographic location of interest in response to the dynamic local condition.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for a transaction system supporting universal ticket solutions for transportation. A fund managing device determines whether a first fund of an account of a user has sufficient credit to satisfy a transportation fee imposed by a first city. The account of the user includes separate funds for different cities, where the funds include credit in different national currencies. An account managing device determines whether other funds of the account of the user have additional credit to satisfy the transportation fee imposed by the first city when the first fund of the account of the user does not have sufficient funds to satisfy the transportation fee imposed by the first city. A financial managing device determines costs for transferring credit to the first fund from the other funds of the account of the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes identifying a request to create a consumer within a converged system. Additionally, the method includes defining the consumer within a hierarchy of consumers, where the consumer represents a function in an organization. Further, the method includes associating the consumer with a plurality of storage resources and a plurality of computing resources. Further still, the method includes setting a storage capacity attribute for the consumer.

Abstract: One example of a computer-implemented method for adaptively placing weather sensors in response to dynamic local conditions includes obtaining a set of data indicating a dynamic local condition in a geographic location of interest and adaptively modifying a placement of a plurality of weather sensors in the geographic location of interest in response to the dynamic local condition.

Abstract: A infrastructure sensitivity centric weather forecast system, method of forecasting weather and a computer program product therefor. A forecasting computer applies a grid to a forecast area, locates infrastructure, e.g. power grid infrastructure, in the area and determines weather effects on infrastructure in each grid cell. A targeted selection module iteratively identifies grid cells for refinement in response to the weather effects on cell infrastructure. In each iteration a refined grid is applied to each grid cell identified as containing infrastructure that may be sensitive, or vulnerable, to expected weather. The forecasting computer refines the area considered to focus on area infrastructure and sensitivities/vulnerabilities to expected weather.

Abstract: A pollution source detection system, includes an automated vehicle including a position sensor that detects a geographic position of the automated vehicle and at least one pollution detection sensor that measures a concentration of pollution at the automated vehicle. The pollution source detection system includes a back-end system. The back-end system includes a network interface that receives the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution from the automated vehicle. The back-end system includes a database that stores the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution received via the network interface. The back-end system includes a processor that measures a gradient of the concentration of the pollution and controls a movement of the automated vehicle based on the gradient to guide the automated vehicle toward a source of the pollution.

Abstract: Estimating context aware information associated with a geographical location may include receiving information associated with the geographical location from a plurality of different data source. The information may be combined with social media input received via a social media server. User context may be determined. A machine learning algorithm may be executed to determine a plurality of risks associated with the geographic location to the user based on the user context. A ranked list of the plurality of risks may be presented to the user.

Abstract: A pollution source detection system includes an automated vehicle including a position sensor that detects a geographic position of the automated vehicle and at least one pollution detection sensor that measures a concentration of pollution at the automated vehicle. The pollution source detection system includes a back-end system. The back-end system includes a network interface that receives the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution from the automated vehicle. The back-end system includes a database that stores the geographic position and the concentration of the pollution received via the network interface. The back-end system includes a processor that measures a gradient of the concentration of the pollution and controls a movement of the automated vehicle based on the gradient to guide the automated vehicle toward a source of the pollution.

Abstract: One example of a computer-implemented method for adaptively placing weather sensors in response to dynamic local conditions includes obtaining a set of data indicating a dynamic local condition in a geographic location of interest and adaptively modifying a placement of a plurality of weather sensors in the geographic location of interest in response to the dynamic local condition.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes storing a set of references images without rain and spanning a plurality of different light conditions. The method further includes capturing, using a camera, an image of a scene with rain. The method also includes selecting a reference image from the set of reference images based on the light condition of the captured image. The method additionally includes performing an arithmetic subtraction image processing operation between the captured image and the reference image to generate a subtraction image. The method further includes estimating an amount of rain in the subtraction image based on previously calibrated values.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes storing a set of references images without rain and spanning a plurality of different light conditions. The method further includes capturing, using a camera, an image of a scene with rain. The method also includes selecting a reference image from the set of reference images based on the light condition of the captured image. The method additionally includes performing an arithmetic subtraction image processing operation between the captured image and the reference image to generate a subtraction image. The method further includes estimating an amount of rain in the subtraction image based on previously calibrated values.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes storing a set of references images without rain and spanning a plurality of different light conditions. The method further includes capturing, using a camera, an image of a scene with rain. The method also includes selecting a reference image from the set of reference images based on the light condition of the captured image. The method additionally includes performing an arithmetic subtraction image processing operation between the captured image and the reference image to generate a subtraction image. The method further includes estimating an amount of rain in the subtraction image based on previously calibrated values.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. The method includes storing a set of references images without rain and spanning a plurality of different light conditions. The method further includes capturing, using a camera, an image of a scene with rain. The method also includes selecting a reference image from the set of reference images based on the light condition of the captured image. The method additionally includes performing an arithmetic subtraction image processing operation between the captured image and the reference image to generate a subtraction image. The method further includes estimating an amount of rain in the subtraction image based on previously calibrated values.

Abstract: A method, executed by a computer, for overlapping computer processing and human analysis includes: receiving a set of tasks to be executed on an array of data, receiving a user profile, prioritizing the tasks based on the user profile, partitioning the array of data based on a current task, prioritizing a plurality of data blocks, executing the current task on the plurality of prioritized data blocks, and outputting data results to the user. The method may include monitoring the user's interactions with the data results. The method may also include receiving a task profile, and prioritizing the plurality of data blocks based on the user profile and the task profile. The method may also include speculating on additional tasks that need to be executed. A computer system and computer program product corresponding to the method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Devices and methods for co-located social interaction include one or more screens arranged to provide a substantially continuous, outward-facing display; a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of users near the screen; a recognition sensor configured to gather identifying information about a detected user and to determine an identity of the detected user by matching the identifying information in a user database; an input sensor configured to receive user input; and a control module configured to control information displayed on the one or more screens based on a user's identity, the presence of other users nearby, and input provided by the user.