Abstract: A method for predicting and quantifying risk in information technology (IT) service contracts includes comparing features of a new IT service contract with similar features from one or more previous IT service contracts selected from a plurality of previous IT service contracts to calculate a similarity value between each pair of the new IT service contract and one of the one or more previous IT service contracts, aggregating the similarity values, and using the aggregated similarity values with a prediction model to predict risk factors affecting the new IT service contract and to quantify an impact of each predicted risk factor on an expected gross profit margin.

Abstract: A navigation to a plurality of visited web sites is traced and a navigation map is generated comprised of a node for each visited web site. Each node in the navigation map is connected by an edge to at least one other node in the navigation map, and the edge is associated with the link from the given visited web site to the next web site. For each visited web site, the corresponding node stores an address for the given web site, a time stamp of the visit to the given visited web site, a link from the given visited web site to a next web site and optionally a title of the web site. A keyword search of the nodes can be processed to identify a given web site in the navigation map. A signature portion of the given web site can be used to identify a new location of the given web site. A navigation map can be designated as a searchable public navigation map.

Abstract: Web navigation pattern histories are used to navigate to a plurality of visited web sites. A navigation map is generated comprised of a node for each visited web site. Each node in the navigation map is connected by an edge to at least one other node in the navigation map, and the edge is associated with the link from the given visited web site to the next web site. For each visited web site, the corresponding node stores an address for the given web site, a relevance rating for the given visited web site, a link from the given visited web site to a next web site and optionally a title of the web site. A presentation of a node in the navigation map is based on the relevance rating. A plurality of navigation maps for a plurality of users can be merged by identifying navigation maps having similar search goals.

Abstract: Web navigation pattern histories are used to navigate to a plurality of visited web sites. A navigation map is generated comprised of a node for each visited web site. Each node in the navigation map is connected by an edge to at least one other node in the navigation map, and the edge is associated with the link from the given visited web site to the next web site. For each visited web site, the corresponding node stores an address for the given web site, a relevance rating for the given visited web site, a link from the given visited web site to a next web site and optionally a title of the web site. A presentation of a node in the navigation map is based on the relevance rating. A plurality of navigation maps for a plurality of users can be merged by identifying navigation maps having similar search goals.

Abstract: A method of assessing and mitigating a risk of a proposed change includes entering a category of the change, filtering risk assessment questions based on the entered category of the proposed change, determining an initial risk based on a dynamic change context, determining at least one high risk factor that is associated with the initial risk, filtering mitigation risk questions based on the at least one high risk factors, and re-determining the risk from mitigation answers to the filtered mitigation risk questions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing contemporaneous product information with animated virtual representations includes identifying a product by detecting a marker with a user device. Based upon the product, an animated virtual representation is generated in a display of the user device. Information about the product is conveyed to the user by virtual interaction with the animated virtual representation.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for verifying the setup of a current computer in need of repair, parsing and updating a previously created activity log file to provide usable steps that refer to the appropriate configuration settings for the computer being repaired. The method includes obtaining an indication of a problem on a remote computer, reviewing stored log files to determine if an old log file associated with the problem exists and if the old log file does not exist, creating a new log file to store steps associated with repair operations. The method also includes if the old log file exists, retrieving the old log file and obtaining the remote computer configurations, parsing the old log file to identify references to configuration settings and comparing the configuration settings in the old log file with the remote computer configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for verifying the setup of a current computer in need of repair, parsing and updating a previously created activity log file to provide usable steps that refer to the appropriate configuration settings for the computer being repaired. The method includes obtaining an indication of a problem on a remote computer, reviewing stored log files to determine if an old log file associated with the problem exists and if the old log file does not exist, creating a new log file to store steps associated with repair operations. The method also includes if the old log file exists, retrieving the old log file and obtaining the remote computer configurations, parsing the old log file to identify references to configuration settings and comparing the configuration settings in the old log file with the remote computer configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for providing contemporaneous product information includes identifying a product by collecting information with a user device, and determining a customer location using information collected by the user device. Based upon the product and the customer location, a sales person qualified to respond to customer questions is identified. A link is established between the customer and the sales person to permit live chat between a sales person and the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing contemporaneous product information with animated virtual representations includes identifying a product by detecting a marker with a user device. Based upon the product, an animated virtual representation is generated in a display of the user device. Information about the product is conveyed to the user by virtual interaction with the animated virtual representation.

Abstract: An exemplary method of determining a set of optimal solutions for a problem includes the steps of determining a set of probable solutions for the problem; presenting the set of probable solutions to at least one human expert; receiving at least one selection by the at least one human expert of at least one solution from the set of probable solutions; and determining a set of optimal solutions from the set of probable solutions based at least in part on the at least one selection by the at least one human expert.

Abstract: An electronic chronicling system and method that allows user actions performed by individuals, groups, or organizations to be automatically captured and grouped into chronicles based on activities, sub-activities and super-activities. The captured activities can then be filtered, viewed and navigated by a visualization and navigation mechanism to determine the relationships between activities and the time and resources spent on the various activities at fine levels of granularity and over various periods of time. The system allows users to gain greater insight into the relationship and resources spent on various activities in order to improve activity and process management efficiencies.