Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system obtains a communication associated with a document and extracts data associated with the document from the communication. Next, the system uses the extracted data from the communication and document data from the document to build a context associated with the document. The system then uses the context to facilitate use of the document by a user associated with the communication.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. One example embodiment is a computer-implemented method for processing data. The computer-implemented method includes obtaining text from a document associated with a user, wherein the document was generated based on a template and, with the obtained text intact, applying a set of rules to each term in the obtained text to determine a broad category of a plurality of terms associated with the term. The computer-implemented method further includes applying an additional set of rules to refine the broad category associated with the term to a refined category of fewer terms based on a location in the document of at least one term in the broad category of the plurality of terms, extracting a term from the obtained text using template-independent code developed to process documents generated based on a plurality of templates and enabling use of the term with an application.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system obtains text from a document associated with a user. Next, the system applies a set of rules to each word in the text to determine a context associated with the word. The system then extracts data associated with the context from the text. Finally, the system enables use of the data with one or more applications without requiring manual input of the data into the one or more applications.

Abstract: During this information-extraction technique, a user of the electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by the electronic device (such as a software application) to point an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device, at a location on a document. For example, the user may be instructed to point a cellular-telephone camera at a field on an invoice. After providing the instruction and before the user activates an image-activation mechanism associated with the imaging device, the electronic device captures multiple images of the document by communicating a signal to the imaging device to acquire the images. Then, the electronic device stores the images with associated timestamps and spatial-position information, which is provided by a sensor which is integrated into the electronic device. After the user activates the image-activation mechanism, the electronic device analyzes the images to extract the information proximate to the location on the document.

Abstract: Document processing utilizing extraneous highlight added to the document. Sections or fields of a document including data utilized for document processing are marked or highlighted for processing. For example, a paper or printed document may be manually highlighted by a highlighter pen, or the highlight may be computer generated. An image of the highlighted bill is acquired. Highlighted sections within the image are identified, and bill data within the highlighted fields is extracted and utilized for bill processing.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system obtains a communication associated with a document and extracts data associated with the document from the communication. Next, the system uses the extracted data from the communication and document data from the document to build a context associated with the document. The system then uses the context to facilitate use of the document by a user associated with the communication.

Abstract: Document processing utilizing extraneous highlight added to the document. Sections or fields of a document including data utilized for document processing are marked or highlighted for processing. For example, a paper or printed document may be manually highlighted by a highlighter pen, or the highlight may be computer generated. An image of the highlighted bill is acquired. Highlighted sections within the image are identified, and bill data within the highlighted fields is extracted and utilized for bill processing.

Abstract: During an information-extraction technique, a user of an electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by the electronic device (such as a software application) to acquire images, with different orientations (which are known to the user), of a target location on a document using an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device. After the user has taken a first image and before the user takes a second image in a different orientation of the electronic device (and, thus, the imaging sensor), the electronic device captures multiple images of the document. Then, the electronic device stores the images with associated timestamps. Moreover, after the user has taken the second image, the electronic device analyzes one or more of the first image, the second image and at least a subset of the images to extract information proximate to the target location on the document.

Abstract: A mobile station having a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol client sends a message proposing a frame packing and frame repeating parameter set (1001). The called client may either accept the proposal or offer a revision (1003). If accepted the VoIP call is established (1009). If a revised proposal is received, it is determined whether the parameters are acceptable (1005). If not the call is declined (1007). If acceptable the call may proceed (1011). Both clients may then monitor network conditions (1013) and propose revisions to the parameters as conditions change. In this way, the VoIP application layer compensates for physical and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer inefficiencies in transporting the small frames used for audio data transfer for VoIP.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes financial data. During operation, the system provides a user interface for displaying the financial data to a user. Upon detecting a gesture provided by the user through the user interface, the system identifies a context associated with the gesture. Next, the system displays a visualization of the financial data within the user interface based on the context.

Abstract: During an information-extraction technique, a user of the electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by an electronic device (such as a software application) to point an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device, toward a location on a document. For example, the user may be instructed to point a cellular-telephone camera toward a field on an invoice. After providing the instruction, the electronic device captures multiple images of the document by communicating a signal to the imaging device to acquire the images. Each of these images has an associated exposure setting with a different point of interest proximate to the location). Then, the electronic device stores the images and the points of interest. Furthermore, the electronic device analyzes the images to extract the information proximate to the location on the document.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for a social networking device 102. The methods include calculating a value for a social networking index 460 for contacts in a contact list 103, and prioritizing a subset of contacts 462. IP addresses of contacts retrieved 468 from the Internet according to the social networking index can be preloaded 470 for the initiation of an IP based communication 474. The social networking index is generated from values of predetermined statistics 130 associated with contacts of the contact list. The statistics associated with contacts of a contact list include 464 a number of communications with a contact, a statistical value calculated from lengths of communications with a contact, a time since a last communication with a contact and a statistical value calculated from times between at least two consecutive communications with a contact. Calculating a social networking index 460 can include applying weights 466 with which to combine the values of the predetermined statistics.

Abstract: During an image-capture technique, a user of the electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by the electronic device (such as a software application) to point an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device, toward a location on a document. For example, the user may be instructed to point a cellular-telephone camera toward a field on an invoice. Then, when spatial-position information associated with the electronic device (such as spatial-position information associated with an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope integrated in the electronic device) remains within a predefined range for a predefined time duration, the electronic device communicates a signal to the imaging device to acquire the image. Note that the image may be acquired without additional action by the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates management of a financial transaction. During operation, the system obtains transaction data for the financial transaction between a user and an organization from a Short Message Service (SMS) notification on an electronic device of the user. Next, the system determines a category of the financial transaction based on the transaction data. The system also displays the transaction data and the category on the electronic device. Finally, the system uses the displayed transaction data and the displayed category to enable, for the user, management of the financial transaction without accessing the transaction data at the organization.

Abstract: During an information-extraction technique, a user of an electronic device may be instructed by an application executed by the electronic device (such as a software application) to acquire images, with different orientations (which are known to the user), of a target location on a document using an imaging sensor, which is integrated into the electronic device. After the user has taken a first image and before the user takes a second image in a different orientation of the electronic device (and, thus, the imaging sensor), the electronic device captures multiple images of the document. Then, the electronic device stores the images with associated timestamps. Moreover, after the user has taken the second image, the electronic device analyzes one or more of the first image, the second image and at least a subset of the images to extract information proximate to the target location on the document.

Abstract: Peer-A (101) broadcasts a Peer Lookup Query (107) to a Peer Discovery Service (PDS) (105). Peer-A (101) may receive a Peer Lookup Response (109) from any peer having the reachability information including a Time Stamp, and an Initial Sequence Number. Peer-A (101) may subsequently use the Time Stamp and Sequence Number to send session management and session media packets to Peer-B (103). Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) reciprocally store message identification including sequence number and timestamp in a local session record contained in a secure memory. At completion of the IP session, both Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) will dump the session records from their respective secure memories to a remote Session Log Database (115), via message (117) and message (119), respectively. The remote session DB consolidates the records and uses the temporal and causal relationships between the messages to resolve any data conflicts and recreate the complete session record.

Abstract: A device includes a wireless communication interface configured to couple to a plurality of networks, a processor coupled to the wireless communication interface, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is to store a set of executable instructions configured to manipulate the processor to determine a set of characteristics for each wireless network of a set of accessible wireless networks and determine a select wireless network of the set of accessible wireless networks based on a comparison of a set of characteristics of the device to the set of characteristics for each wireless network of the set of accessible wireless networks. The set of executable instructions further are configured to manipulate the processor to initiate a telephone call via the select wireless network.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for a social networking device 102. The methods include calculating a value for a social networking index 460 for contacts in a contact list 103, and prioritizing a subset of contacts 462. IP addresses of contacts retrieved 468 from the Internet according to the social networking index can be preloaded 470 for the initiation of an IP based communication 474. The social networking index is generated from values of predetermined statistics 130 associated with contacts of the contact list. The statistics associated with contacts of a contact list include 464 a number of communications with a contact, a statistical value calculated from lengths of communications with a contact, a time since a last communication with a contact and a statistical value calculated from times between at least two consecutive communications with a contact. Calculating a social networking index 460 can include applying weights 466 with which to combine the values of the predetermined statistics.

Abstract: A mobile station having a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol client sends a message proposing a frame packing and frame repeating parameter set (1001). The called client may either accept the proposal or offer a revision (1003). If accepted the VoIP call is established (1009). If a revised proposal is received, it is determined whether the parameters are acceptable (1005). If not the call is declined (1007). If acceptable the call may proceed (1011). Both clients may then monitor network conditions (1013) and propose revisions to the parameters as conditions change. In this way, the VoIP application layer compensates for physical and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer inefficiencies in transporting the small frames used for audio data transfer for VoIP.

Abstract: Peer-A (101) broadcasts a Peer Lookup Query (107) to a Peer Discovery Service (PDS) (105). Peer-A (101) may receive a Peer Lookup Response (109) from any peer having the reachability information including a Time Stamp, and an Initial Sequence Number. Peer-A (101) may subsequently use the Time Stamp and Sequence Number to send session management and session media packets to Peer-B (103). Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) reciprocally store message identification including sequence number and timestamp in a local session record contained in a secure memory. At completion of the IP session, both Peer-A (101) and Peer-B (103) will dump the session records from their respective secure memories to a remote Session Log Database (115), via message (117) and message (119), respectively. The remote session DB consolidates the records and uses the temporal and causal relationships between the messages to resolve any data conflicts and recreate the complete session record.