Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory configured to implement a question and answer system (QA), for improving answers to an input question. An input question is received and parsed for a known set of critical information required to answer the input question. Responsive to one or more pieces of critical information failing to be identifiable in the input question, a user who submitted the input question is prompted for the one or more pieces of critical information via a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for generating an answer for an input question when the answer is not directly present in a corpus of information. An input question is received from a computing device and analyzed to determine whether the input question is requesting an answer that is calculable. In response to a determination that the input question is requesting an answer that is calculable, one or more constituent data values are retrieved, from a corpus of information, for calculating the requested answer to the input question. A value corresponding to the requested answer is calculated based on the one or more retrieved constituent data values and is then output as the requested answer to the input question.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for dynamically selecting a subset of candidate answer sources for use by a question and answer (QA) system. The QA system receives an input question for which an answer is sought and generates one or more queries based on the input question. The QA system selects a subset of candidate answer sources, from a group of candidate answer sources, based on a ranked listing of candidate answer sources. The ranked listing of candidate answer sources is generated based on characteristics of previous candidate answers generated by the QA system for previously input questions. The QA system applies the one or more queries to the subset of candidate answer sources and generates at least one candidate answer for the input question based on results of applying the one or more queries to the subset of candidate answer sources.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory configured to implement a question and answer system (QA), for improving answers to an input question. An input question is received and parsed for a known set of critical information required to answer the input question. Responsive to one or more pieces of critical information failing to be identifiable in the input question, a user who submitted the input question is prompted for the one or more pieces of critical information via a graphical user interface (GUI).

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for dynamically selecting a subset of candidate answer sources for use by a question and answer (QA) system. The QA system receives an input question for which an answer is sought and generates one or more queries based on the input question. The QA system selects a subset of candidate answer sources, from a group of candidate answer sources, based on a ranked listing of candidate answer sources. The ranked listing of candidate answer sources is generated based on characteristics of previous candidate answers generated by the QA system for previously input questions. The QA system applies the one or more queries to the subset of candidate answer sources and generates at least one candidate answer for the input question based on results of applying the one or more queries to the subset of candidate answer sources.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for generating an answer for an input question when the answer is not directly present in a corpus of information. An input question is received from a computing device and analyzed to determine whether the input question is requesting an answer that is calculable. In response to a determination that the input question is requesting an answer that is calculable, one or more constituent data values are retrieved, from a corpus of information, for calculating the requested answer to the input question. A value corresponding to the requested answer is calculated based on the one or more retrieved constituent data values and is then output as the requested answer to the input question.

Abstract: A vehicle door operating mechanism provides automatic opening and closing of a delivery truck door from within or without the vehicle. A low profile side mounted electric motor operates a closed loop drive means with limit switches assuring proper operation. The motor and drive means cooperate directly with the existing tracking.