Abstract: A system and method for coding text data wherein a first group of text data is coded using a Viterbi algorithm using a Hidden Markov model. The Hidden Markov Model computes a probable coding responsive to the first group of text data. A second group of text data is coded using the Viterbi algorithm using a corrected Hidden Markov Model. The Hidden Markov Model is based upon the coding of the first group of text data. Coding the first group of text data includes assigning word concepts to groups of at least one word in the first group of text data and assigning propositions to groups of the assigned word concepts.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for facilitating the recognition and categorization of the content of digital signals. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a speech system that includes one or more speech controls incorporated into one or more speech-enabled applications that run on the speech system. The controls allow applications to be developed with minimal programming effort to incorporate common speech-enabled application functions. A question control provides a customizable template for requesting information from a user. An announcer control allows a speech-enabled application to provide a user with information without having to re-create an entire announcer process each time it is used. A command control provides a simple way to attach command and control functions to speech-enabled applications. A word trainer control provides a way to associate user-selected voice tags with certain information. Providing the controls for use with speech-enabled applications ensures standardized user interfaces across multiple speech-enabled applications.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for integrating processes with a multi-faceted human centered interface is provided. The interface is facilitated to implement a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. A natural language model is used to parse voice initiated commands and data, and to route those voice initiated inputs to the required applications or processes. The use of an intelligent context based parser allows the system to intelligently determine what processes are required to complete a task which is initiated using natural language. A single window environment provides an interface which is comfortable to the user by preventing the occurrence of distracting windows from appearing. The single window has a plurality of facets which allow distinct viewing areas. Each facet has an independent process routing its outputs thereto. As other processes are activated, each facet can reshape itself to bring a new process into one of the viewing areas.

Abstract: An integrated receiver decoder (IRD) includes a receiver and an MPEG audio decoder for receiving and decoding a compressed digital broadcast signal. A first output terminal connects to a bi-directional data communication line according to a first digital interface standard to provide the received digital signal to an external device. A second output terminal connects to a one-way data communication line according to a different digital interface standard to provide audio data decoded from the received digital signal to the external device. A controller controls the IRD to output the digital signal or the decoded digital audio data according to the connection state of the external device.

Abstract: A method of placing a discrete value on an intellectual property asset through a series of associations and calculations that determine the proportional contribution of an intellectual property asset to the competitive advantage of a related product in a real market. The methodology of the present invention first associates the intellectual property asset with a related tangible asset that embodies the intellectual property asset. After a set of parameters that define the tangible asset are identified, the tangible asset is quantitatively compared to competing tangible assets in the marketplace to determine its overall competitive advantage relative to those competing assets. The contribution of the intellectual property asset to the average competitive advantage of the tangible asset in which it is embodied is calculated by first comparing the intellectual property asset to substitute intellectual property assets that are embodied in competing tangible assets and associated with the same parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle-related services system and methodology employing at least one sensor automatically sensing at least one of the time during which a vehicle is not being operated and where the vehicle is located when it is not being operated and at least one data processor receiving information sensed by the sensor, indicating at least one of the time during which the vehicle is not being operated and where the vehicle is located when it is not being operated and providing a billing data output in respect of a vehicle-related service which is dependent on at least one of the time during which the vehicle is not being operated and where the vehicle is located when it is not being operated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing a fine granularity alerting mechanism for alerting customers of the status of an order are provided. With the apparatus and methods, a customer selects a supplier of a good or service and places an order with the supplier. Upon submitting the order to the supplier, a session between the supplier and the customer is initiated such that the customer may be provided with one or more alerts of the current status of the customer's order. The one or more alerts may be periodic or may be based on the occurrence of one or more certain events. The alerts may include an estimated time of travel from a customer's current location to a location at which the order is to be completed along with an estimated time of completion of the order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the collaborative design, construction, and maintenance of fluid processing plants are provided. A collaborative commerce application may provide project management utilities, visualization utilities, dynamic pricing utilities, material procurement utilities, and certification utilities. These features may be integrated seamlessly into the collaborative commerce application. Communication among project team members in the design and construction of fluid processing plants may be made more efficient by providing automatic notifications via the collaborative commerce application. Version control may be used to ensure project team members are working with the latest designs and revisions. Access controls and other security features may be used to prevent confidential data from being disseminated unnecessarily.

Abstract: Improved approaches to providing on-line appointments over a network are disclosed. The network is, for example, a global computer network such as the Internet. One of the improved approaches provides various notifications to requestors pertaining to appointments with individuals or businesses (e.g., service providers). In one implementation, the notifications can be provided by electronic mail. Another of the improved approaches allows notifications pertaining to requested appointments to be provided to service providers that have not previously registered to receive on-line appointments.

Abstract: The invention includes three primary methodical tools. The first tool implements a job recruiting toolkit. The second tool implements a method of generating referrals based upon a virtual community of people who relate to the job description. The third tool implements an enterprise recruitment toolkit.

Abstract: Parameters of a re-configurable product include price and date when product will be available to a requesting party. Availability and or price parameters are integrated or extended into the configuration process of selecting product features to gain a higher level of customer service and satisfaction. The availability and or price parameters can be constrained, and can also be optimized with respect to other constraints. By defining a range of satisfaction that various parameters and product features can operate in, a customer can focus the configuration process on other parameters that are deemed critical. Optimizing focus parameters such as availability and or price with respect to all other parameters constitutes an extended product configuration technique. A dynamic BOM generated by this technique reflects all consumer dictated constraints, including any constraints on price and or availability.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for initially determining a profile for a consumer, and thereafter validating or invalidating the initial profile, and continuously updating the same. As such, the consumption profile serving at any one time as the ‘governing’ consumer consumption profile, is considered to be the most up-to-date and representative consumption profile of that customer and thus the most representative of the “true” consumption profile of that customer at that point in time. Consequently, upon having validated the customer's consumption profile as the most up-to-date and representative consumption profile of that customer, this same profile is to be deemed as the “true” consumption profile of that customer, and is subsequently to be referenced as the consumer's current benchmark “true” consumption profile, up until the point a new governing profile is warranted and established.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. The system further comprises a data store for storing the message information and results of any analyses performed. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting and analyzing electronic discussion messages to categorize the message communications and the identify trends and patterns in pre-determined markets. The system comprises an electronic data discussion system wherein electronic messages are collected and analyzed according to characteristics and data inherent in the messages. Objective data is collected by the system for use in analyzing the electronic discussion data against real-world events to facilitate trend analysis and event forecasting based on the volume, nature and content of messages posted to electronic discussion forums. The message posting activity of a plurality of posters can be tracked to determine the tendency of individual posters to initiate or moderate discussions, accurately predict events external to the discussion forums, accelerate or decelerate a buzz level in a forum, or precede a rising market or a falling market.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein an indication of a plurality of product categories is received, each product category being associated with a plurality of products. For example, the indication of the plurality of product categories may be received from a buyer. Buyer offer information, including an indication of an offer amount associated with the plurality of product categories, is also received. A subset of the plurality of products is selected for each of the product categories, and an indication of the selected products is provided. The buyer's offer may then be evaluated. If the buyer's offer is accepted, the selected products may be provided to the buyer in exchange for payment of the offer amount.

Abstract: A system which facilitates electronic shopping, which includes a graphical image component residing on a user interface; and a shopping basket component associated with the graphical image component. The shopping basket component provides drag and drop capabilities such that a user can drag and drop representations of identified items from a plurality of sources using a computer pointer into the graphical image and descriptions of the items will be retained by the shopping basket component. The system allows for a user to concurrently effect multiple transactions with disparate items respectively associated a plurality of sources.

Abstract: A system and method for ordering products, such as lens products from lens vendors, includes an intuitive interface. One or more displayable lists of options are provided to an operator, whereby selecting one item from the list decreases subsequent choices from other lists to only valid or available choices. Application tools interface with the system to permit data from external equipment to be input and associated with an order.

Abstract: Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly, or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to tools for forecasting cash flow and income from a collateral based loan portfolio that are particularly useful in volatile markets. In one specific embodiment, consumer payment behavior is modeled, and account movement is simulated. For each month, actual payment amounts can be compared to delinquency, and frequency of payment can be compared to delinquency. Actual performance is then applied to current contractual payments for forecasting. In addition, the models facilitate determination of where payments are coming from, i.e., who is paying.

Abstract: A method, a system and computer readable medium at an electronic digital content store, such as a web site, for associating advertisement with digital content. The geographic location of the end user device receiving the encrypted digital content is determined using an address verification system. Advertisement is selected to be associated with the delivery of encrypted digital content if the address verification system returns an address in a predetermined geographic region. The address verification system includes the IP address of the end user device, the country codes found in the trace routes to the IP address, and the billing address.

Abstract: The present invention provides a confidential information management system which allows users to securely obtain confidential information files containing various confidential information, which files are securely stored in the present system, anywhere and anytime, using a minimum of confidential information. A confidential information file and encoding/decoding software are downloaded to an information terminal from a confidential information managing server and an encoding/decoding software managing server, respectively, so that the confidential information file is decoded on the information terminal by using the encoding/decoding software. The present system is applicable to various (computer) systems which store and manage confidential information (ID numbers, passwords, encryption keys, digital certificates, etc.) for use in user verification.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for restricting use of digital content are provided. Among those embodiments which may be construed as providing a method for restricting use of digital data, a preferred method includes the steps of: enabling a user to receive digital data; and preventing the user from copying the digital data to a digital data recording medium if: (a) copy information corresponding to the digital data indicates that such copying is not to be permitted; or (b) the digital data recording medium is not an authorized digital data recording medium.

Abstract: A video data storing unit stores video data pieces. An editing information generating unit generates editing information sets. A copyright information storing unit stores a standard copyright royalty fee for each video data piece. A royalty fee calculation unit calculates a total copyright royalty fee using the editing information sets and the standard copyright royalty fees. An upper limit judging unit judges whether the total copyright royalty fee exceeds an upper limit. If the total copyright royalty fee exceeds the upper limit, a reediting unit deletes part of a clip to reduce the total copyright royalty fee to a level no more than the upper limit.

Abstract: A system and a method that utilizes transaction terminals equipped with smart card readers to download and store a batch of multiple prepaid electronic vouchers to a smart card, retrieve and decrypt individual prepaid vouchers from the smart card and print a voucher receipt with a printer in connection with the transaction terminal. The transaction terminals are in connection with a mobile transaction server that acts as a gateway to a prepaid system and routes transactions between transaction terminals and the prepaid system and between transaction terminals. A method for storing a voucher encryption key on a second smart card or hardware security module. The voucher encryption key is utilized to decrypt encrypted vouchers on a voucher repository smart card. The transaction terminals are mobile devices communicating to the mobile transaction server over wireless networks.

Abstract: A drill-through feature is provided which provides a universal drill-through to mining model source data from a trained mining model. In order for a user or application to obtain model content information on a given node of a model, a universal function is provided whereby the user specifies the node for a model and data set, and the cases underlying that node for that model and data set are returned. A sampling of underlying cases may be provided, where only a sampling of the cases represented in the node is requested.

Abstract: A rule processing apparatus includes modules for defining/entering attributes, enumerations, and/or relationships; packaging the definitions in a reduced canonical form suitable for propositional logic manipulation using zero-suppressed binary decision diagrams (Zdd) to produce a prime Zdd; and/or (iii) executing the rule by applying a series of user inputs to the prime Zdd to determine a result that preferably includes conflict and selection advice to guide the user to satisfaction. Elective events, such as but not limited to the display of messages or the performance of calculations, may optionally be packaged along with the prime rule or components thereof, and presented during execution to help guide the end user to satisfaction or compliancy when choosing among possible selections.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus are provided for applying templates to find deposits of oil and natural gas. A personal computer is used to perform calculations on known data to generate hyperdimensional templates that are stored within a pattern database. The hyperdimensional templates are generated in a layered series of cutting, attributing, and statisizing phases using data known to represent existing oil and gas reservoirs. The hyperdimensional templates are stored in a pattern database. The templates are used in comparison to target data sets in order to detect patterns that are consistent with reserves of oil and/or natural gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining whether circular dependency exists in a plurality of dependency rules. The method includes generating for at least some of the plurality of dependency rules a plurality of exclusion lists. Each exclusion list is associated with at least one independent object of a dependency rule and lists as an item a dependent object of the dependency rule. Where an item listed in at least one of the generated exclusion lists corresponds to an independent object having its own exclusion list with at least one item, the at least one item is incorporated into the generated exclusion list. Where at least one of the generated exclusion lists for an independent object includes an item corresponding to the independent object, circular dependency is found. If not, and if all of the dependency rules have been read, circular dependency is not found.

Abstract: The invention proposes a directory server, capable of interacting with entries organized in a tree structure. Each entry has attributes, these attributes comprising real attributes each having a value stored in the entry. The directory server comprising: a mechanism capable of associating a virtual attribute to an entry, subject to a virtual attribute condition being verified, the virtual attribute condition being derived from data located elsewhere in the tree structure, and a resolving function, capable of receiving a first filter expression, based on a virtual attribute, for converting it into one or more second filter expressions, containing real attributes, and being computed from the first filter expression and from the virtual attribute condition.

Abstract: A storage device system includes a storage control device with a file system for execution of data I/O processing relative to a storage device according to a data I/O request by means of file identifier assignment as sent from a host computer. A computer is connected between the host and the storage control device with a per-host accessible file storage region being reserved on the storage region of a storage device that the storage control device owns. The computer stores in a database a first correspondence established between a first ID which is added on a per-host basis and a file identifier which is added to a file that is stored in the file storage region and then compares to the first correspondence a correspondence between a first ID and a file identifier which is included in the data I/O request received from the host to thereby determine whether the received request is acceptable.

Abstract: A system and method for categorizing a document in a document management system, wherein said document management system comprises a tree of nodes, and enables a document to be categorized in a plurality of nodes. Each node has a category label indicative of a document category. Unique vocabulary terms are listed wherein each vocabulary term represents only one node in the tree and comprises that node's category label. A checkbox is provided for each of the vocabulary terms whereby a user may select one or more vocabulary term by checking a corresponding checkbox. From the checked terms, a set of vocabulary terms is generated for associating a document with all of the nodes corresponding to the selected vocabulary terms.

Abstract: An optimal high-speed multi-resolution retrieval method includes the steps of sorting all data contained in a database into a desired number of clusters each composed of data having similar features, deriving the lower bound of the distance between each cluster and a query, removing clusters having no possibility to be determined as best matches, searching, for best matches, data of clusters having the possibility to be determined as best matches, and inducing an inequality property based on a multi-resolution data structure for reducing unnecessary feature matching computation involved in a search procedure to reduce a large quantity of calculation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for optimizing a query in a computer system, wherein the query is performed by the computer system to retrieve data from a database stored on the computer system. The optimization includes: (a) combining join predicates from a query with local predicates from each branch of one or more UNION ALL views referenced by the query; (b) analyzing the combined predicates; and (c) not generating the join when the analysis step indicates that the combined predicates lead to an empty result.

Abstract: A texture-based image database browsing and sorting method computes the number of edge pixels of objects in static images, measures textures of the static images by numerating the number of edge pixels thereof and measures a texture of a query image by numerating the number of edge pixels of an object in the query image. Then, the method sorts the measured textures according to a sorting order and searches a texture close to the texture of the query image among the sorted textures.

Abstract: Sort-on-the-Fly/Search-on-the-Fly data retrieval or analysis provides an intuitive method and apparatus for accessing databases, allowing a user to access or obtain information about data in the database without having to know anything about the database structure. In embodiments, the thus obtained information is formatted according to a report template and is presented as a search report. In embodiments, the report template is saved so that subsequent search reports having a consistent format can be generated. The subsequent search reports represent the charging, dynamic content of the database. In embodiments, the search report is customized using fitters and plug-ins.

Abstract: A data processing method and system for retrieving a subset of k items from a database of n items (n?k) firstly determines a limited set of bk items (b>1) in the database which have the greatest similarity to an input query t according to a given similarity function S. A result subset is then constructed by including as a first member the item having the greatest similarity S to the query t, and iteratively selecting each successive member of the subset as that remaining item of the bk items having the highest quality Q, where Q is a given function of both similarity to the input query t and relative diversity RD with respect to the items already in the results subset. In this way the diversity of the results subset is greatly increased relative to a simple selection of the k most similar items to the query t, with only a modest additional increase in processing requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently transmitting a result set. A data server receives a data request from a client or another server. The data server determines whether a threshold portion of the contents of each requested row or record is being retrieved (e.g., X% of the number of columns in a table or X% of the total amount of data in a table row). The requested rows are retrieved in the same format in which they are stored (e.g., within a disk block), and streamed to the client, one row at a time. The client is then responsible for disassembling a row into its columns, reordering them if necessary, and performing any necessary post-processing (e.g., datatype conversion, data formatting) before consuming the data.

Abstract: A three-dimensional model search method includes a step of producing a plurality of two-dimensional images obtained by observing a three-dimensional model as an object of search from points of view different from one another. In a first value extraction step, the respective feature values of the two-dimensional images are extracted from the plurality of two-dimensional images. In a search key input step, a two-dimensional image as a search key is inputted. In a second extraction step, the feature value is extracted from the two-dimensional image as the search key. In a similarity search step, the feature values extracted in the first and second extraction steps are used to carry out similarity search, and a three-dimensional model which is similar to the search key is outputted.

Abstract: In an apparatus for retrieving documents, each document and a query character string are divided into a plurality of index keys. A retrieval condition analyzing part analyses a retrieval condition including the index keys divided from the query character string and generates a retrieval condition tree synthesized by at least one operator that retrieves an intermediate retrieval result including the document information from said index table. A retrieval condition evaluating part evaluates each intermediate retrieval result obtained by the retrieval condition tree and determining a final retrieval result.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method, article of manufacture, and system for generating and executing queries with high level parameter markers having one or more associated query conditions. In contrast to conventional parameter markers that are limited to association with simple values of a query condition, high level parameter markers may be associated with a set of entire query conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating rankings from a plurality of ranking sources to generate a maximally consistent ranking by minimizing a distance measure. The ranking sources may be search engines executing queries on web pages that have been deliberately modified to cause an incorrect estimate of their relevance. The invention supports combining partial rankings.

Abstract: The invention provides a classification engine for classifying documents that makes use of functions included in a similarity search engine. The classification engine executes a classify command from a client that makes use of similarity search results, and rules files, classes files, and a classification profile embedded in the classification command. When the classification receives a classify command from a client, it retrieves a classification profile and input documents to be classified, sends extracted values from the input documents based on anchor values to a XML transformation engine to obtain a search schema, requests a similarity search by a search manager to determine the similarity between input documents and anchor values, and classifies the input documents according to the rules files, classes files, and the classification profile. The client is then notified that the classify command has been completed and the classification results are stored in a database.

Abstract: Initially, a table in the database is baselined. The baselining function is usually built into the database system program which manages the database itself. This baselining procedure generates storage information like the number of rows in the table, the average length of a row, the number of chained/migrated rows, and the average free space per page in the table. This storage information is transferred to a monitoring routine via a transaction log. The monitoring routine accepts the storage information for the table. Next, the monitoring routine monitors the transaction log for entries which alter the storage information initially passed to it. At some point, an entity may wish to know the current storage information for the table. When this occurs, a message is passed to the monitoring routine, and the monitoring routine transfers the storage information to the requesting entity, without accessing the database.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of processing a digital certificate by a legacy data base management system within its legacy security facility. The digital certificate is defined by accepted international standards and is presented to the legacy data base management system after being unpacked and stored within a temporary file. This permits the legacy data base management system to fully utilize and benefit from the digital certificate technology, even though it possesses an incompatible security facility.

Abstract: A method of identifying an authorized user with a biometric device and enabling the authorized user to access private information over a voice network is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting distributed transactions wherein a connect JDBC™ driver for a Microsoft™ SQL Server implements Java™ JTA distributed transactions. To conduct the JTA distributed transactions, JTA specific interfaces are engineered in the driver. The JDBC™ driver is a wire protocol driver in direct TCP communication with the SQL server. During communication, the JDBC™ driver sends packets of information back and forth to and from the database server. These packets may request information form the server, or instruct the server to perform a function, such as executing a stored procedure.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for exposing and utilizing property values maintained at a server computer. A request is received at the server computer for a resource, such as a Web page. In response to receiving the request, a determination is made by the server computer as to whether a property value maintained at the server computer should be returned with the resource. If the property value should be returned with the resource, the current value of the specified property is retrieve and is rendered into the resource as a variable statement specifying the current value of the property. The resource, including the variable statement, is then returned to the requesting application where it may be utilized.

Abstract: Provided herein are techniques that may be used to dramatically increase parallism for distributed DML operations. The work of distributed DML operations are distributed in a way that reduces or eliminates contention for free lists. Scalability is improved because a greater number of slaves may be used to modify data stored in partitions without increasing contention for the free lists.

Abstract: A method and system for storing metadata related to Web service entities is disclosed. The method according to a preferred embodiment comprises browsing a Web service and storing metadata relating to an entity of the Web service as a binding description in a format for assisting in an inspection of a site for available services. Preferably, the Web Services Inspection Language, or other format for assisting in the inspection of a site for available services, may be used as a format for storing metadata related to Web service-related entities. Because WSIL is XML-based, the documents that store the metadata are human readable, platform independent and conform to an open standard.