Abstract: A method for translating data from one representation or schema to another representation or schema. Example data encoded in both the schemas is used to generate a translator. This translator is then used for automatically translating data from one schema to another. The translator is computed by finding corresponding paths for matched data elements. When new data is presented in one schema, the translator then gives the translation for the paths of data elements in the data. A translated data is then constructed by using these translated paths. Possible applications in the Internet domain, include but are not limited to: EDI; search engines; content ingestion; content customization; data delivery; and data retrieval. Specific examples are shown for generating a translator and translating data between various schema including HTML, XML and extensions thereto such as SpeechML.

Abstract: A system and method for describing and managing media assets comprising a two-pronged solution: (1) a Digital Library to provide a centralized repository of the media assets and (2) a standard description scheme that will allow interoperation of a variety of tools and processes required for managing media assets. In the invention, a description scheme is provided that addresses information needed for managing media assets independent of their type. In addition, the invention provides a description scheme for logical collections of media assets. The media asset management description scheme may be based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML), to ensure maximum interoperability.

Abstract: A framework is provided for describing multimedia content and a system in which a plurality of multimedia storage devices employing the content description methods of the present invention can interoperate. In accordance with one form of the present invention, the content description framework is a description scheme (DS) for describing streams or aggregations of multimedia objects, which may comprise audio, images, video, text, time series, and various other modalities. This description scheme can accommodate an essentially limitless number of descriptors in terms of features, semantics or metadata, and facilitate content-based search, index, and retrieval, among other capabilities, for both streamed or aggregated multimedia objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically transitioning between states in a state machine that manages a business process. A state machine is used to represent a business process. The state machine includes a plurality of states, and at least one state includes an entry action that is executed upon entering the state. The present invention provides for automatic state transitions by throwing events upon state entry whenever any conditions associated with the entry action are satisfied. The entry action includes conditional logic that causes an automatic transition to another state if the conditional logic is satisfied. The present invention provides a method to implement complex decision-making logic in one place, thereby allowing the logic to be more easily and consistently defined and maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing composite business processes that include multiple trading mechanisms, such as requests for quotes (RFQs), auctions and contracts, or repeat passes through a single trading mechanism. The independence of the individual business processes that manage each trading mechanism is maintained, while each individual business process can be connected to other business processes to form a composite business process. Each individual business process that may be followed by another business process to form a composite process must have at least one state labeled as a conversion state with a conversion transition to another business process. A conversion transition spans the gap between an end state of one business process and the start state of another subsequent business process. When a conversion state is entered by an object, a determination is made as to whether the object is being managed by a composite flow, and if so, what business process to use next.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enabling an electronic information marketplace. Broadly, sellers and buyers can exchange information goods. The buyers request information goods and the sellers offer suitable information goods. One or more matches may occur between the requested and offered information goods. The information goods may be priced through any of a number of techniques, which include fixed and dynamic pricing methods. Importantly, requests and offerings can be annotated to help the matchmaking process. Additionally, concepts can be determined from the requested and offered information goods, which also facilitates the matchmaking. The matchmaking process itself can also determine inferences during matchmaking, which further improves the matchmaking.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for modifying Web content files, such as HTML files, for display via pervasive computing devices that have smaller displays and various performance limitations compared with desktop computing devices. Upon receiving a request from a pervasive computing device for an HTML file, the HTML file is analyzed for a link to a content modification file that contains information about how to modify elements within the HTML file so as to render the HTML file displayable via the pervasive computing device.

Abstract: The present system and apparatus use image processing to recognize object size with a scene. The system includes novel image processing apparatus and method to segment one or more object images from a background image of the scene. A processed image (that can be used to characterize size features) of the object(s) is then compared to stored reference images. The object size is recognized when a match occurs. The system can recognize object sizes independent of number of objects present and the objects may be touching each other and overlapping. The system can be trained to recognize object sizes that it was not originally programmed to recognize.

Abstract: An information system for a mobile user, includes a source of content information, a proxy server for accessing the source of content information, a wireless communications link coupled to the proxy server, and a mobile computing system coupled to the proxy server via the wireless communication link

Abstract: A method for allowing flexible creation and alteration of business processes within a commerce system includes using state machines to describe the actions that can be taken by particular roles at particular points in a process. The state machines are used by a commerce system to enforce validity of user actions, to track the execution of actions within an instance of the business process, to provide the user interface with a list of actions available to a user working on an instance of the business process, to provide coordination between state machines, and to allow different organizations to have varied business processes.

Abstract: A method of adapting multimedia content to a client device, wherein the multimedia content includes one or more items and the client device has capabilities and resources associated therewith, is provided. The method includes transcoding the multimedia content into a plurality of transcoded content versions, wherein the plurality of transcoded content versions have different modalities and resolutions associated therewith. Next, the transcoded content versions that are not compatible with client device capabilities are filtered out. Then, at least a portion of the resources associated with the client device are allocated among the one or more items of the multimedia content. Lastly, one or more of the transcoded versions of the multimedia content are selected to generate a customized content based on allocation of the client device resources.

Abstract: The present system and apparatus uses image processing to recognize object size within a scene. The system includes novel image processing apparatus and methods to segment one or more object images from a background image of the scene. A processed image (that can be used to characterize size features) of the object(s) is then compared to stored reference images. The object size is recognized when a match occurs. The system can recognize object sizes independent of number of objects present and the objects may be touching each other and overlapping. The system can be trained to recognize object sizes that it was not originally programmed to recognize.

Abstract: The present system and apparatus uses image processing to recognize object size within a scene. The system includes novel image processing apparatus and methods to segment one or more object images from a background image of the scene. A processed image (that can be used to characterize size features) of the object(s) is then compared to stored reference images. The object size is recognized when a match occurs. The system can recognize object sizes independent of number of objects present and the objects may be touching each other and overlapping. The system can be trained to recognize object sizes that it was not originally programmed to recognize.

Abstract: One or more sets of prototype descriptions for a number of classes of objects stored on a computer database are maintained. These prototypes are used as a basis for identifying the class of a presented object. A trainer determines when a new prototype is required to be added to the database based on current match results. This allows the system to be trained to recognize items in classes that deviate significantly from the items that were initially used to determine the classification rules. A determination is made about which prototypes can be deleted on the basis of their match histories. This allows the system to automatically optimize itself to work with a bounded collection of prototypes. In addition, it allows the system to track variations in class characteristics over time and adjust the corresponding set of prototypes appropriately.

Abstract: An image processing system segments an object from the background of a scene by controlling a light source to illuminate the object more in one scene image than in another scene image. The two scene images are captured by an image input device and are then compared. The part of the image that experienced an increase in intensity is segmented as corresponding to the object. The image input device and the light source can also be placed in an opaque enclosure with an opening through which the input device can view and the light can illuminate the object. By placing the enclosure the correct distance away from the object, the effects of ambient light on the image are removed. Object glare is removed by a polarizing filter system.

Abstract: The present system and apparatus uses image processing to recognize objects within a scene. The system includes an illumination source for illuminating the scene. By controlling the illumination source, an image processing system can take a first digitize image of the scene with the object illuminated a higher level and a second digitized image with the object illuminated at a lower level. Using an algorithm, the object(s) image is segmented from a background image of the scene by a comparison of the two digitized images taken. A processed image (that can be used to characterize features) of the object(s) is then compared to stored reference images. The object is recognized when a match occurs. The system can recognize objects independent of size and number and can be trained to recognize objects that is was not originally programmed to recognize.

Abstract: The invention provides automatic acquisition and recognition of complex visual shapes within images. During an acquisition phase, models are derived from interest points acquired from a target shape. The models are stored in and can be retrieved from a lookup table via high dimension indices. When an image is inputted, triplets of interest points in the image are used to compute local shape descriptors, which describe the geometry of local shapes in the image. In turn, triplets of local shape descriptors are used to compute high dimension indices. These indices are used for accessing the lookup table having the models. The models are used for the automatic recognition of target shapes.

Abstract: The invention provides automatic acquisition and recognition of complex visual shapes within images. During an acquisition phase, models are derived from interest points acquired from a target shape. The models are stored in and can be retrieved from a lookup table via high dimension indices. When an image is inputted, triplets of interest points in the image are used to compute local shape descriptors, which descrb the geometry of local shapes in the image. In turn, triplets of local shape descriptors are used to compute high dimension indices. These indices arm used for accessing the lookup table having the models The models are used for the automatic recognition of target shapes.