Abstract: Business outcome-based personalized ranking of information objects is provided. Information objects in outcome-based business processes are ranked by recording information objects generated during a creation of the outcome-based business processes. At least one business process comprises an outcome attribute, and at least one business process comprises in-process information objects. A composite graph is generated of the information objects and business processes. Each node in the graph corresponds to an information object or a business process. Links between two information object nodes have a strength based on a content similarity and a social network distance. The in-process information object node connects to a corresponding business process node, and two business process nodes have a link if they are indicated as related in the business process information system. The information objects are ranked based on the link strengths.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for business outcome-based personalized ranking of information objects. Information objects in outcome-based business processes are ranked by recording information objects generated during a creation of the outcome-based business processes. At least one business process comprises an outcome attribute, and at least one business process comprises in-process information objects. A composite graph is generated of the information objects and business processes. Each node in the graph corresponds to an information object or a business process. Links between two of the information object nodes have a strength based on a content similarity and a social network distance. The in-process information object node connects to a corresponding business process node, and two business process nodes have a link if they are indicated as related in the business process information system.

Abstract: A method of automating incoming message prioritization. The method including training a global classifier of a computer system using training data. Dynamically training a user-specific classifier of the computer system based on a plurality of feedback instances. Inferring a topic of the incoming message received by the computer system based on a topic-based user model. Computing a plurality of contextual features of the incoming message. Determining a priority classification strategy for assigning a priority level to the incoming message based on the computed contextual features of the incoming message and a weighted combination of the global classifier and the user specific classifier. Classifying the incoming message based on the priority classification strategy.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for an infant carrier apparatus can include a shock absorber, and at least a wheel pivotally coupled with the shock absorber. The shock absorber is formed integrally in a single body comprising a cushion structure capable of elastic deformation, and a mount structure having a tubular shape adapted to assemble with a support frame of an infant carrier apparatus. Examples of the infant carrier apparatus can include an infant stroller apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for automating a prioritization of an incoming message, including a batch learning module that generates a global classifier based on training data that is input to the batch learning module. A feedback learning module that generates a user-specific classifier based on a plurality of feedback instances. A feature extraction module that receives the incoming message and a topic-based user model, infers a topic of the incoming message based on the topic-based user model, and computes a plurality of contextual features of the incoming message. A classification module that dynamically determines a priority classification strategy for assigning a priority level to the incoming message based on the plurality of contextual features of the incoming message and a weighted combination of the global classifier and the user-specific classifier, and classifies the incoming message based on the priority classification strategy.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for an infant carrier apparatus can include a shock absorber, and at least a wheel pivotally coupled with the shock absorber. Examples of the infant carrier apparatus can include an infant stroller apparatus. In some embodiments, the shock absorber can be directly connected with a support frame of the infant carrier apparatus. In other embodiments, the wheel assembly can include a mount base through which the shock absorber is connected with the support frame.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for measuring a relevance and diversity of a ranking list to a given query. The ranking list is comprised of a set of data items responsive to the query. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a measured relevance of the set of data items to the query using a defined relevance measuring procedure, and determining a measured diversity value for the ranking list using a defined diversity measuring procedure. The measured relevance and the measured diversity value are combined to obtain a measure of the combined relevance and diversity of the ranking list. The measured relevance of the set of data items may be based on the individual relevance of each of the data items to the query, and the diversity value may be based on the similarities of the data items to each other.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for finding a diversified ranking list for a given query. In one embodiment, a multitude of date items responsive to the query are identified, a marginal score is established for each data item; and a set, or ranking list, of the data items is formed based on these scores. This ranking list is formed by forming an initial set, and one or more data items are added to the ranking list based on the marginal scores of the data items. In one embodiment, each of the data items has a measured relevance and a measured diversity value, and the marginal scores for the data items are based on the measured relevance and the measured diversity values of the data items.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for inferring user interests from both direct and indirect social neighbors. User interests are inferred from social neighbors by exploiting the correlation among multiple attributes of a user, in addition to the social correlation of an attribute among a group of users. Attributes of a user are inferred by obtaining an inferred set of attributes comprised of one or more attributes of social neighbors of the user. Thereafter, the inferred set is modified using a user attribute correlation model describing a probability that the attributes in the inferred set co-occur on the user and one or more of the social neighbors. An inference quality of the obtained attributes can optionally be obtained based on social network properties of the social neighbors. Interactions with the user and/or the social neighbors can be employed to solicit feedback to improve the one or more inferred attributes.

Abstract: Automated contextual information retrieval techniques are provided based on multi-tiered user modeling and a dynamic retrieval strategy. Content relevant to a current message is presented by initially obtaining a multi-tiered user model containing a multi-tiered representation of interactions of a first user with each contact, wherein the multi-tiered representation includes a plurality of topic models each corresponding to interactions between the first user and one contact. The topic models contain a set of topics, each containing topic keywords. Context information is extracted based on content of the current message, a sender and/or a recipient of the current message, and the multi-tiered user model. A retrieval strategy is determined based on the extracted context information. Contextual queries are generated to search the information repositories selected based on the determined retrieval strategy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic visual preview of non-visual data. A visual preview of non-visual data is generated by obtaining the non-visual data; obtaining metadata describing one or more semantic data types in the obtained non-visual data; selecting one or more visual metaphors for the obtained non-visual data based on the metadata; and generating the visual preview of the non-visual data using the one or more selected visual metaphors. As used herein, non-visual data does not have an established automatic method for generating a preview of the non-visual data. A user can optionally interact with the visual preview.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for ranking information content based on performance data of prior users of the information content. Information content is ranked by receiving a search request specifying search criteria; identifying a preliminary document list by searching a corpus using the search criteria; identifying content elements in documents in the preliminary document list; assigning a value to at least one document in the preliminary document list based on a score for each content element in the at least one document, wherein the score is based on a performance measure of one or more related users that accessed one or more documents having a given content element; and providing search results based on the assigned values. The score can be assigned, for example, based on a regression model between the performance measure and one or more of the content elements and/or one or more social network metrics.

Abstract: Improved information analysis techniques are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method of automatically assisting an analyst in a current information analysis task includes the following steps. An analytic context is modeled in a user-system cooperative manner, wherein the analytic context is a structure representative of user analytic actions and relationships associated therewith. At least a portion of the user-system cooperatively-modeled analytic context structure is utilized to adaptively gather information relevant to a current information analysis task.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for establishing multi-party VoIP conference audio calls in a distributed, peer-to-peer network where any number of nodes are able to arbitrarily and asynchronously start or stop producing audio output to be mixed into a single composite audio stream that is distributed to all nodes. A single distribution tree is used that has optimal communications characteristics to distribute the composite audio signal to all nodes. An audio mixing tree is established and maintained by adaptively and dynamically adding and merging intermediate mixing nodes operating between user nodes and the root of the single distribution tree. The intermediate mixing nodes and the root of the single distribution tree are all hosted, in an exemplary embodiment, on user nodes that are endpoints of the distribution tree.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for intelligent exploratory visualization and analysis. A semantics-based client-server application architecture is provided that enables interactive visualization and analysis applications over the web. From the client perspective, user activities are observed and the client determines if a sequence of user activities comprises one or more predefined semantics-based user actions. Semantics-based action descriptor are then sent to the server, optionally with any related parameters, and a response is then received from the server. From the server perspective, one or more semantics-based action descriptors are received from the client with an action type selected from a predefined set of types, wherein the semantics-based action descriptors are based on a sequence of activities of a user. The server processes the semantics-based action descriptors and sends a response to the client in response to the one or more semantics-based action descriptors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically recommending one or more visualizations for a given task based on user behavior, such as a user's interaction pattern with a current visualization. An alternate visualization type is provided to a user by observing actions of the user with a current visualization type; determining if one or more predefined action patterns is detected in the observed actions, wherein at least one of the predefined action patterns has a predefined associated alternate visualization type; and providing the alternate visualization type to the user when the associated predefined action pattern is detected. The one or more predefined action patterns may be defined by one or more rules or an example-based method.

Abstract: Data transformation techniques are disclosed for use in such data visualization systems. For example, a method for dynamically deriving data transformations for optimized visualization based on data characteristics and given visualization type comprises the steps of obtaining raw data to be visualized and a visualization type to be used, and dynamically generating a list of data transformation operations that transform the raw input data to produce an optimized visualization for the given visualization type.

Abstract: Improved visual context management techniques are disclosed. By way of example, a technique for updating an existing visual display to incorporate new information comprises obtaining new information requested by a subsequent user query, and dynamically deriving one or more visual transformations for updating at least a portion of the existing display to incorporate the new information, wherein the transformation derivation is modeled as an optimization operation which attempts to balance visual context management constraints and to achieve a desired presentation of intended information.

Abstract: Improved information analysis techniques are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method of automatically assisting an analyst in a current information analysis task includes the following steps. An analytic context is modeled in a user-system cooperative manner, wherein the analytic context is a structure representative of user analytic actions and relationships associated therewith. At least a portion of the user-system cooperatively-modeled analytic context structure is utilized to adaptively gather information relevant to a current information analysis task.

Abstract: Improved information analysis techniques are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method of automatically assisting an analyst in a current information analysis task includes the following steps. An analytic context is modeled in a user-system cooperative manner, wherein the analytic context is a structure representative of user analytic actions and relationships associated therewith. At least a portion of the user-system cooperatively-modeled analytic context structure is utilized to adaptively gather information relevant to a current information analysis task.