Abstract: The online concierge system generates task units based on orders and assigns batches of task units to pickers. The online concierge system generates task units based on received orders. The online concierge system generates permutations of these task units to generate candidate sets of task batches. The online concierge system scores each of these candidate sets, and selects a set of task batches to assign to pickers based on the scores. Additionally, to determine which task UI to display to the picker, the picker client device uses a UI state machine. The UI state machine is a state machine where each state corresponds to a task UI to display on the picker client device. The state transitions between the UI states of the UI state machine indicate which UI state to transition to from a current UI state based on the next task unit in the received task batch.

Abstract: A cover for an opening on the exterior of an aircraft that contains a fire-resistant, high-temperature tolerant foam encased in a cover made of an aramid fabric. The cover is friction-fitted to the interior of the orifice. The cover can contain one or more durable rings embedded in the fire-resistant, high-temperature tolerant foam meant to protrude outward from the rest of the cover of the body to contact an interior of the orifice into which they are inserted holding the cover in place with friction instead of fasteners.

Abstract: A network security system is deployed between an internet backbone and intranets that belong to subscribing organizations. The system includes a scanning system that scans incoming electronic mail for malicious code and an anti-virus server for downloading anti-virus code to clients on the intranets. A switch is provided for directing incoming electronic mail from the internet backbone to the scanning system so that the electronic mail can be scanned. In one embodiment, a decoy server is also provided for masquerading as a legitimate server and logging suspicious activity from communications received from the internet backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed is an application infrastructure platform (AIP) having an application service provider (ASP) environment including multiple ASP systems providing application services to customers, and a common services environment including hardware and software and management systems providing to the ASP systems applications and integrated application, back-office, and management services used by the ASP systems in delivering their application services to their customers. In another aspect, the AIP is associated with a development and test bed environment which conducts product and service development and testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conditioning, storage and transportation of tennis balls. The tennis ball conditioning, storage, and transportation apparatus is used to condition tennis balls, primarily by heating to a desired operating temperature. Conditioning modifies the internal pressure of the balls and warms the composition of the balls to the desired playing temperature. The tennis ball conditioning, storage, and transportation apparatus includes a housing which may have handles and which has an interior which contains heating and/or cooling elements and which functions as a conditioning and storage chamber. The chamber is divided by a screen upon which the balls rest. A thermostatically controlled heater, cooler and fan achieve the desired temperature then stabilizes the balls at the desired temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the conditioning, storage and transportation of tennis balls. The tennis ball conditioner is used to condition tennis ball's, primarily by heating to the desired operating temperature. Conditioning modifies the internal pressure of the ball and warms the composition of the ball to the desired playing temperature. There is provided a housing with handles which contains internally, the tennis ball heating and cooling functions. The tennis ball conditioner is comprised of a housing of which the interior is dedicated to a conditioning and storage chamber. The chamber is divided by a screen upon which the balls rest. A thermostatically controlled heater, cooler and fan achieve the desired temperature then stabilizes the ball's at the desired temperature.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a managed language translation service. A request, from a source station, is received, at a switch, to establish a voice call with a destination station. A determination is made whether the request includes an indicator specifying invocation of a translation service managed by a service provider. If the request includes the indicator, the voice call is directed to a gateway that transmits the voice call over a data network to a translation application. The translation application translates, in real-time, speech associated with the voice call from a first language to a second language. The translated speech is transmitted to the destination station.

Abstract: Disclosed is an application infrastructure platform (AIP) having an application service provider (ASP) environment including multiple ASP systems providing application services to customers, and a common services environment including hardware and software and management systems providing to the ASP systems applications and integrated application, back-office, and management services used by the ASP systems in delivering their application services to their customers. In another aspect, the AIP is associated with a development and test bed environment which conducts product and service development and testing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an application infrastructure platform (AIP) having an application service provider (ASP) environment including multiple ASP systems providing application services to customers, and a common services environment including hardware and software and management systems providing to the ASP systems applications and integrated application, back-office, and management services used by the ASP systems in delivering their application services to their customers. In another aspect, the AIP is associated with a development and test bed environment which conducts product and service development and testing.

Abstract: An approach for providing managed security services is disclosed. A database, within a server or a pre-existing anomalous event detection system, stores a rule set specifying a security policy for a network associated with a customer. An anomalous detection event module is deployed within a premise of the customer and retrieves rule sets from the database. The anomalous detection event module monitors a sub-network of the network based on the rule sets. The anomalous event detection module is further configured to self-organize by examining components of the network and to monitor for anomalous events according to the examined components, and to self-provision by selectively creating another instance of the anomalous detection event module to monitor another sub-network of the network.

Abstract: A network security system is deployed between an internet backbone and intranets that belong to subscribing organizations. The system includes a scanning system that scans incoming electronic mail for malicious code and an anti-virus server for downloading anti-virus code to clients on the intranets. A switch is provided for directing incoming electronic mail from the internet backbone to the scanning system so that the electronic mail can be scanned. In one embodiment, a decoy server is also provided for masquerading as a legitimate server and logging suspicious activity from communications received from the internet backbone.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for detecting fraud in financial records of a network subscriber. Financial records are received and impersonal data are extracted. Financial record data are processed to conform to a normalized format. Normalized records can be correlated into groups linked to respective sources such as, for example, an individual, a business entity, or a healthcare practitioner. Digits contained in this data are analyzed to determine a pattern that is indicative of fraud. An alert, to the fact that fraud has been detected with respect to an identified plurality of records if such determination has been made, is then generated.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a managed language translation service. A request, from a source station, is received, at a switch, to establish a voice call with a destination station. A determination is made whether the request includes an indicator specifying invocation of a translation service managed by a service provider. If the request includes the indicator, the voice call is directed to a gateway that transmits the voice call over a data network to a translation application. The translation application translates, in real-time, speech associated with the voice call from a first language to a second language. The translated speech is transmitted to the destination station.

Abstract: An approach for providing managed security services is disclosed. A database, within a server or a pre-existing anomalous event detection system, stores a rule set specifying a security policy for a network associated with a customer. An anomalous detection event module is deployed within a premise of the customer and retrieves rule sets from the database. The anomalous detection event module monitors a sub-network of the network based on the rule sets. The anomalous event detection module is further configured to self-organize by examining components of the network and to monitor for anomalous events according to the examined components, and to self-provision by selectively creating another instance of the anomalous detection event module to monitor another sub-network of the network.

Abstract: An approach for providing managed security services is disclosed. A database, within a server or a pre-existing anomalous event detection system, stores a rule set specifying a security policy for a network associated with a customer. An anomalous detection event module is deployed within a premise of the customer and retrieves rule sets from the database. The anomalous detection event module monitors a sub-network of the network based on the rule sets. The anomalous event detection module is further configured to self-organize by examining components of the network and to monitor for anomalous events according to the examined components, and to self-provision by selectively creating another instance of the anomalous detection event module to monitor another sub-network of the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is an application infrastructure platform (AIP) having an application service provider (ASP) environment including multiple ASP systems providing application services to customers, and a common services environment including hardware and software and management systems providing to the ASP systems applications and integrated application, back-office, and management services used by the ASP systems in delivering their application services to their customers. In another aspect, the AIP is associated with a development and test bed environment which conducts product and service development and testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting twist into a moving strand, including a first body including an orifice extending therethrough for permitting passage of a moving yarn. An air channel extends therethrough and communicates with the orifice. The air channel communicates with the orifice at a tangentially-offset angle to the path of the yarn through the orifice to create a cyclonic air circulation pattern in the orifice to insert a predetermined direction of twist into the yarn as the yarn passes through the orifice. The first body is adapted for being inverted relative to, and placed in overlying registration with, a second like body whereby the air channel of the first body inserts one predetermined direction of twist into the yarn and the air channel of the second body inserts another predetermined direction of twist into the yarn.

Abstract: A process of producing an assembled yarn, including the steps of providing two or more yarns moving downstream from a supply to a take-up, inserting alternating-direction zones of twist into at least one of the yarns, the at least one yarn having an area of zero twist between said alternating direction zones of twist, combining the at least two yarns to form a single, integrated yarn strand, and intermittently exposing the yarn strand to an air blast to create a zone of intermingled yarns at spaced-apart points along the length of the yarn strand to prevent torsional movement of one yarn relative to the other yarn. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of exposing the yarn strand to an air blast includes the step of intermingling the yarns at the areas of zero twist.

Abstract: A process of producing an assembled yarn, including the steps of providing two or more yarns moving downstream from a supply to a take-up, inserting alternating-direction zones of twist into at least one of the yarns, the at least one yarn having an area of zero twist between said alternating direction zones of twist, combining the at least two yarns to form a single, integrated yarn strand, and intermittently exposing the yarn strand to an air blast to create a zone of intermingled yarns at spaced-apart points along the length of the yarn strand to prevent torsional movement of one yarn relative to the other yarn. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of exposing the yarn strand to an air blast includes the step of intermingling the yarns at the areas of zero twist.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting twist into a moving strand, including a first body including an orifice extending therethrough for permitting passage of a moving yarn. An air channel extends therethrough and communicates with the orifice. The air channel communicates with the orifice at a tangentially-offset angle to the path of the yarn through the orifice to create a cyclonic air circulation pattern in the orifice to insert a predetermined direction of twist into the yarn as the yarn passes through the orifice. The first body is adapted for being inverted relative to, and placed in overlying registration with, a second like body whereby the air channel of the first body inserts one predetermined direction of twist into the yarn and the air channel of the second body inserts another predetermined direction of twist into the yarn.