Abstract: Maintenance of a repository of summary data about documents associated with document locators, the repository of summary data stored separately from the documents and containing the document locators, when a user requests a document associated with one of the document locators, by requesting the document associated with the document locator; receiving a result based on the request; analyzing the result to determine the validity of the document locator; and requesting an update of the repository based on the validity of the document locator. In a network environment, the document locators are uniform resource locators, or URLs. The repository update may for example take the form of deleting the URL from the repository, or moving it to another location for further examination.

Abstract: A system for identifying different language versions of the same structured format document (e.g., HTML web page) detects the language of the two documents and translates one or both into a preferred language if necessary, parses the two candidate documents and builds two hierarchical data structure based on the document. The data structures are used to compare the hierarchical structure of the two documents and also to access text portions in congruent positions in the two documents. A fuzzy measure of similarity of a set of text portions occupying congruent positions in the two documents is then obtained, to induce a measure of the similarity of the two documents which is compared to a fuzzy threshold.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided as a system for use with a search engine and a search engine repository to dynamically associate keywords within a search result set encountered in an abstract of a search result item with a domain-specific query. In the system, a local query database stores the domain-specific query, and a synchronization unit synchronizes the search engine repository and the local query database. A query builder builds a search query from a query template using the search engine repository. A summary marker incorporates the search query with the keyword in the abstract of the search result item. A keyword detector generates a list of keywords included in a domain-specific dictionary. A search result calibration manager calibrates the number of the query result items. A search result item buffer receives a request for processing an abstract metadata item from the synchronization unit.

Abstract: A group notification system and associated method that allow particular activities to be executed based on the group dynamics, such as the dynamics of organizing meetings. The system facilitates the availability of knowledge concerning the proximity and direction of movement of individuals, objects, or groups, and whether this information satisfies preset criteria or rules. One such criterion is that the proximity distance of the group members be less than a predetermined threshold range. The threshold range can be adjustable or programmable.

Abstract: A computer program product is provided as a system and associated method for use with an operating system, a web browser and the Internet, to save the location and other context information along with the content of a web page or document when the document is saved to a computer hard disk or another storage medium. The system saves the location of the source document, query parameter, and other relevant input information as attributes of the saved document. The system also provides a mechanism whereby the user may synchronize stored documents with web document. In addition, the system allows the user to return to the source document if a target or intermediary document is deleted.

Abstract: Internet technologies, location tracking systems, and wireless handheld devices are integrated to target advertisement content to users based upon their interest in events in particular locations. Thus, advertisements are matched to correspond to real world events (i.e., traffic jams, weather events, etc.). Furthermore, event reporters who report information regarding new events are given a cut of the revenue generated by advertisements based upon how many other subscribers request and view the information reported by them.

Abstract: An automated disruption recovery system and associated methods address off-normal or emergency events by automatically identifying and contacting individuals or service providers whose capabilities fit the needs of the situation. The system automatically provides a list of potential service providers based on a number of criteria, many of which are defined by the user, and based on other criteria that are automatically defined by the user's current location, situation and need. Thus, selecting, scheduling, and dispatching of surrogate or disruption recovery services is based on time-sensitivity, location information, and conflict/situation definition.

Abstract: A system for associating a credibility rating with a document located in an online search. The system comprises an information gathering device adapted to retrieve the document from an information source, an information analysis device adapted to determine an online id associated with the document, and a credibility rating system adapted to provide the credibility rating associated with the online id to the information analysis device. The system is adapted to allow a user to retrieve the credibility rating associated with the document.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and technique for initiating, conducting, and managing real-time surveys, in the context of a real-time discourse, such as Internet chat, to provide dynamic, real-time survey results. A surveyor initiates a survey by filling out an electronic form which is processed and submitted to a sorting component of the invention. The invention imposes an additional layer of functionality upon a Live Information Selection and Analysis tool which gathers, summarizes, and indexes chat messages in a real-time discourse. The sorting component matches the collected real-time chat messages from the LISA tool with correlating submitted survey queries to provide raw real-time survey results which are converted into a viewable format for submission to the surveyor. The present invention makes it possible to initiate, conduct, and manage multiple surveys simultaneously to provide accurate, dynamic, real-time survey results within the context of a real-time discourse.

Abstract: An automatic method for rating data files for objectionable content in a distributed computer system includes preprocessing the file to create semantic units, comparing the semantic units with a rating repository containing entries and associated ratings, assigning content rating vectors to the semantic units, and creating a modified data file incorporating rating information derived from the content rating vectors. For text files, the semantic units are words or phrases, and the rating repository also contains words or phrases with corresponding content rating vectors. For audio files, the file is first converted to a text file using voice recognition software. For image files, image processing software is used to recognize individual objects and compare them to basic images and ratings stored in the rating repository.

Abstract: Sales associated with service providers are increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. Both service providers and consumers setup a personalized profile in a database, and the system uses a matching process to match related service providers to the consumers' preferences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which enables a user to streamline the number of results presented to the user during a search session most typically performed over the Internet. The present invention allows the user to select specific results from a search result set which are to be excluded and are not to reappear in a subsequent result set in the search session. The present invention is capable of automatically excluding results from a search result set unless the user specifically flags the specific search results they want to keep and have reappear in a subsequent result set in the search session. This allows a user to save time during a search session by not having to view repeated results, and allows the user to focus on more relevant and related results.

Abstract: A system and method associates a label and description with a search query such that the query, label, and description can be stored in a shared query repository so that queries can be retrieved by multiple users for reuse. The shared query repository can be searched, so that an appropriate query can be located, retrieved, and then submitted for execution over a document database by a search engine. Retrieved queries can be combined with other retrieved queries or modified with new search terms, and the new combined search query can be used for a new search on the database. The database search system and method efficiently permits reuse of search queries and facilitates sharing of search strategies.

Abstract: A method and system for determining each location and identifier of a plurality of wireless communication devices, computing a distance between a location of a requesting device and the location of each of the plurality of wireless communication devices. The system and method presents to a user of a requesting device a list of at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices that satisfy a proximity requirement for the requesting device. The user can then select a presented one of the list of at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices and initiate communications with the selected one wireless communication device. The system and method also can receive an alert notification request from the requesting device and send an alert notification, in response to the alert notification request, to a plurality of wireless communication devices satisfying a proximity requirement for the requesting device.

Abstract: A user interface using graphical means to formulate a search query in which the method of providing the query includes the steps of selecting a visual representation of a search object (402), dropping the visual representation of a search object onto a visual representation corresponding to a domain object (404), and providing a search query in response to the dropping step (406).

Abstract: A virtual shopping cart system used in the context of an Internet environment. The system provides a shopping engine capable of searching the entire WWW to analyze an unbounded population of merchants selling a heterogeneous set of items which the shopper has placed in his or her shopping cart, enables the detection of the lowest priced instances of each item from the population of merchants, enables the sale consummation directly from the shopping cart without having to visit the merchant's site, and permits the shopper to enter into the shopping cart any item that is desired without limiting the shopper to searches on an incomplete set of items.

Abstract: A shopping server proposal system includes a mechanism that enhances the online retailer's existing database system with the necessary information to provide the desired services. The existing catalog of items is analyzed based on a set of predefined rules for a given retail store. This analysis determines which of the items in the catalog are related to other items in the catalog. The result of this analysis includes new relations of the catalog items that are written into the retailer's existing database system. The mechanism for assembling this information, based on a set of predefined rules, is independent of the retailer or the retailer's industry. The provides retail businesses with a competitive edge by enabling them to offer automated shopping advice to solve the shoppers' problems of finding related and matching items, and by providing a list of related items based on the selected item's properties.

Abstract: An adaptive advertising system can be used in the context of an Internet environment. Transparently to the user, the system continuously operates in the background to adapt banner advertisements based on the detection of competing ads. The system includes a page analyzer that translates the hosted ad's web page into a document that can be analyzed for the presence of competing ads. An ad comparison unit compares the output of the page analyzer with information stored in the competitor ad database to detect competing ads. A design and layout evaluator detects the presence of color, texture, and animation in the competing ads. The ad summary evaluator identifies competing ads and devises a counter strategy for banner ad display. An ad display generator creates the enhanced multimedia banner ad based on the strategy determined by the ad summary evaluator. An ad web server transmits the new ad to the banner display module for display in place of the initial banner ad.

Abstract: Graphical user interface (GUI) is used to represent entity matches via graphical transition of a matching object based on type of entity and match rating. First, a user requests a match determination, and this request can be queried via various means including a search engine. Next, a match rating is obtained from a source such as a search engine. Furthermore, a transition technique is selected which defines the kind of transition that is to be applied to the match object. Lastly, the graphical user interface (GUI) renders a graphical transition of the match object based on the resultant match rating. Transition techniques such as blurring, composite, and fantasy are used.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for controlling a remote device from a client computer using a digital image of a remote location associated with the remote device. Using graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a client computer, the user select areas in the digital image for mapping to control functions for the remote device. These control functions are associated with command objects downloaded from a server computer and displayed on the graphical user interface. The control functions for the remote device can then be selected by moving a cursor over the selected areas of the digital image. When a control function is selected, the client computer formulates a request that the server computer and/or remote device can understand. Instantaneous feedback is provided by the digital image for any control functions that may be invoked by the user.