Abstract: A dynamic programming technique is provided for matching two sequences of phonemes both of which may be generated from text or speech. The scoring of the dynamic programming matching technique uses phoneme confusion scores, phoneme insertion scores and phoneme deletion scores which are obtained in advance in a training session and, if appropriate, confidence data generated by a recognition system if the sequences are generated from speech.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speech recognition apparatus which appropriately performs speech recognition by generating, in real time, language models adapted to a new topic even in the case where topics are changed.

Abstract: In this navigation apparatus, when speech recognition of inputted speech is carried out, keywords included in the content of the recognized speech are searched from a dictionary DB, and then these words are displayed as keywords of a POI search. When a correction of a keyword is required by the user, because most errors occur in the first phonetic symbol of the misrecognized word, a search of words each having phonetic symbols in which the first phonetic symbol of the misrecognized word is changed from the phonetic symbols of the word to be corrected (i.e., a search of words having one different first phonetic symbol) is carried out to present candidates for correction. In this navigation apparatus, because the displayed candidates for correction are limited to words having a different first phonetic symbol which has a high possibility of being the cause of misrecognition, the user can correct the misrecognized keyword by a simple operation.

Abstract: A voice control apparatus of a vacuum cleaner includes: a sense signal detector for detecting a sense signal provided from a user to provide a voice recognizable environment in an ambience; a voice command recognizing unit for temporarily stopping a driving of a motor upon receiving the detected sense signal and, at the same time, outputting a voice command control signal previously set in a voice command set corresponding to a voice command instructed by the user; and a driving command controller for controlling a function and a mode of a vacuum cleaner upon receiving the voice command control signal. By providing a voice recognizable environment, the vacuum cleaner can be effectively controlled through a user's voice command even in an environment with a strong noise.

Abstract: Complex sound events are created by generating multiple different kinds of simpler sounds with randomly varying repetition rates. The average repetition rate can also be variable. The values of sound parameters such as wave selection, pitch distribution, pan distribution and amplitude distribution can have random distributions, as determined by various control inputs, some of which have their own random distributions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for a method in a portable device for transliterating text. An image of the text is generated using a camera function in the portable device. The image is sent with an identification of a source language and a target language to a transliteration service using a wireless communications link. A response is received from the transliteration service, wherein the response contains a transliteration of the text in the target language. The transliteration is then presented on the portable device. The presentation may be, for example, text displayed on the portable device or in the form of speech presented audibly to the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an image-textured digital surface model (DSM) for a geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain may include using a computer to generate a digital elevation model (DEM) of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest. The method may further include providing a collection of optical images including oblique optical images for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain. The computer may also be used to selectively superimpose oblique optical images from the collection of optical images onto the DEM of both the buildings and terrain for the geographical area of interest and to thereby generate the image-textured DSM for the geographical area of interest including both buildings and terrain.

Abstract: A system and user interface integrates and processes event associated messages affecting healthcare delivered to a patient and supports creation, initiation and modification of currently operating workflow processes involving processing of event messages. A method for processing an event representing a change in circumstances potentially affecting healthcare delivered to a patient involves receiving a message identifying an event potentially affecting healthcare delivered to a patient. Predetermined rules are applied to interpret the identified event to determine particular tasks to be performed in response to occurrence of the identified event. The particular tasks are scheduled to be performed by at least one individual in response to the occurrence of the identified event. In addition a database containing records indicating active process instances is searched to identify active process instances of a target process to be replaced by a process comprising the particular tasks.

Abstract: An authentication system, program and method authenticates users who are parties to a transaction by supplying a first user with a matching key for a prospective transaction, receiving by a second user the matching key supplied to the first user; and matching the key supplied from the first user to the second user against the key supplied to the first user, after the second user has received the key from the first user.

Abstract: In connection with display of advertising within Web pages, an applet is downloaded to the user's Web browser to track the user's interactions with the Web page. Tracked user interactions include mouse cursor position, time displayed on page, time of mouse cursor hovering over the advertisement, and so on. At an appropriate time, such as when the display of the Web page is terminated, the applet forwards logged interaction information from the client to a remote server, the remote server being typically controlled by an advertiser, rating service or the like. As a result, the advertiser may track consumer response to advertising impressions on a Web page without requiring the user to download other pages. This allows advertisers to track user response to specific elements of the Web page as well as to better infer information about the user's interests in an effort to qualify the user prior to presenting subsequent advertising.

Abstract: In a network auction, bidder clients are enabled to recognize ongoing auction sessions substantially on real time. An information image which integrates as a single handling unit an image information pertaining to an auction exhibit item and a related information which guides to establish communication with a particular network auction server through operation of the operator in accordance with this image information is created, and down-linked to the bidder clients to speed up the auction procedure. Thereby, enabling the bidder client to access to a bidding home page on the auction site simply and easily, and to know the ongoing bidding competitive situation almost on real time by tracking the information image created.

Abstract: A novel order processing in a shop side computer that carries out online sales of goods and the like is realized by this invention. In the shop side computer, upon receiving an order request from a customer terminal, content information of the customer order is registered, and an identification number of the customer order and a shop code are transmitted to a settlement system. Next, upon receiving the identification number of the customer order and an operation key from the settlement system, the content information of the customer order is read out according to the identification number of the customer order, and the content information of the customer order, the operation key, and the shop authentication information are transmitted to the settlement system. After that, upon receiving information indicating that the acceptance of the customer order is possible from the settlement system, information indicating the acceptance of the order is stored for the customer order.

Abstract: An electronic catalog system provides an interface for users to author and post pieces of content, referred to as “blurbs,” for viewing by other users. The blurbs submitted by a particular author are made available for viewing in an author-specific blog (web log) format. Blurbs may also be obtained from external sources, such as from blogs hosted by various web sites. A personalized blurb selection component selects blurbs to present to users based on histories of catalog items selected by such users, and/or based on various other criteria. The blurbs selected for a particular user are presented within a personal log or “plog,” which may be updated daily and will typically contain entries from many different authors. User feedback provided on specific blurbs is taken into consideration by the personalized blurb selection algorithms.

Abstract: A system comprises an input for product selection data; a marketplace product store for storing marketplace product definitions; a product selection store for storing data defining a selection of one or more products from the marketplace product store; an enterprise capability store for storing data defining capability of an enterprise in relation to supply of one or more products; and a product fulfillment data store for storing one or more product descriptions. At least one link is generated between each product description in the product fulfillment data store to data stored in the enterprise capability store, and at least one link is generated between each product description in the product fulfillment data store to data stored in the product selection store.

Abstract: In order to readily switch over between SSPs (i.e., Storage Service Providers) that undertake the operation/management of storage apparatuses, in an information processing system including a computer and the storage apparatuses, an operating/managing system provided among the computer and the storage apparatuses includes the following units: A connection destination switching unit and an information duplicating unit for implementing the migration between the SSPs without interrupting the accesses to the storage apparatuses from the computer, and a request property selecting unit, a property comparing unit, and a comparison result indicating unit for assisting the selection of a purpose-fitting SSP from among the plurality of SSPs.

Abstract: An integrated financial data reporting system provides for real time data entry, assessment, and report generation. The system includes message formatting, database management, and select applications for preparing sophisticated financial presentations in essentially real time. An alert notification server alerts users when a financial threshold specifying a credit limit and/or a trading limit has been crossed. A data distribution server electronically distributes data to users on a recurring and/or periodic basis, and a search engine server provides free-form searches against information stored in a consolidated database. Through the inventive system, financial institutions rationalize risk, performance, and compliance positions in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for structuring a transaction involving a first party having a long position in a security and a second party desiring to acquire short exposure to the security. In one example an agent or intermediary acts between the first party and the second party. In another example the first party and the second party deal directly with one another.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for presenting financial card (e.g., credit card, debit card) offers to potential customers. Financial card applicant selection criteria and financial card term data are provided by participating financial institutions. An applicant interested in applying for a new financial card accesses the system via the Internet/World Wide Web. The applicant provides personal and financial data that are then analyzed in conjunction with data from outside sources (such as credit bureaus) to determine a financial risk rating for the applicant. The rating is used to locate financial card offers appropriate for the applicant. The applicant then peruses the offers and chooses one that meets his or her personal selection criteria. The applicant's data is then forwarded for processing to the participating financial institution that made the selected offer.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, the present invention comprises a system and method of creating a probability of delinquency database using historical loan data and a plurality of loan factors, for use in determining a loan rate, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of multi-level loan factors; creating a pool from the historic loan data, wherein the first pool contains records relating to the plurality of multi-level loan factors; separating the pool into a set of groups based on the multi-level loan factors, calculating a probability of delinquency for each group; and arranging the probability of delinquency for each group into a database such that the probability of delinquency for each group is accessible for any combination of multi-level loan factors.

Abstract: Methods for initiating an electronic shopping transaction, for initiating a control operation for a user-selectable video game character, for emphasizing an advertisement in a computer generated display, and for presenting multiple GUIs in desktop user interfaces using detail-in-context graphical distortions. The method for initiating an electronic shopping transaction, for a user-selectable item presented in a computer generated original image on a display, comprising: receiving a selection signal for the item from a user; distorting the original image to produce a distorted region for the item to provide the user with detailed information for the item; and, receiving a purchase signal for the item from the user.

Abstract: A method of monitoring orders includes sending a message to a market participant that accepts order deliveries for execution and monitoring an amount of time between sending the message to the market participant and receipt of a response message from the market participant. The method can also include logging an amount of occasions the market participant does not respond within a pre-specified amount of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recording an extension of guarantee of print for a system for franking mailpieces, comprising a display of an indication of “end of initial guarantee” at the level of the franking system; comparing a remaining volume of ink with a minimum volume of ink beyond which printing of the mailpieces is prohibited; if the remaining volume of ink permits, a display of an indication of “offer of extension of guarantee” at the level of the franking system; if this offer is accepted by the user of the franking system, linking with a server of the franking system distributor; and recording of the extension of guarantee in the distributor's server. The indication of the end of initial guarantee corresponds to the franking of a predetermined number of mailpieces.

Abstract: Performing operations using quantum correlithm objects includes establishing real states, where each real state comprises an element of a real space, and encoding the real states as quantum objects representing a correlithm object. The correlithm object is projected to the real space using a measurement basis, and measurement values corresponding to the measurement basis are determined. The projected correlithm object is retrieved according to the measurement values.

Abstract: A quantum approach to the economically significant n-player public goods or similar n-player game requires only two-particle entanglement and is thus much easier to implement than games requiring n-particle entanglements. Two-particle entanglements are sufficient to give near optimal expected payoff when players use a simple mixed strategy for which no player can benefit by making different choices. This mechanism can also address some heterogeneous preferences among the players. Quantum games in accordance with the invention can be simulated on classical computers without requiring impractical amounts of processing power for large numbers of players.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a decision trees using linear discriminant analysis and implementing such a decision tree in the classification (also referred to as categorization) of data. The data is preferably in the form of multidimensional objects, e.g., data records including feature variables and class variables in a decision tree generation mode, and data records including only feature variables in a decision tree traversal mode. Such an inventive approach, for example, creates more effective supervised classification systems. In general, the present invention comprises splitting a decision tree, recursively, such that the greatest amount of separation among the class values of the training data is achieved. This is accomplished by finding effective combinations of variables in order to recursively split the training data and create the decision tree. The decision tree is then used to classify input testing data.

Abstract: A knowledge-based system has one or more repositories with information and knowledge for topics, problems, and solutions to problems. One method to find a solution for a problem by generating a knowledge network in a master knowledge repository includes identifying information residing in a client device that is associated with an expert who is capable of solving a problem. The identifying information involves evaluating a characteristic of the expert. The method includes locating the information associated with the expert based upon the evaluated characteristic, and forming a knowledge network to solve the problem based on the located information. The knowledge network has information for at least one expert who is capable of solving the problem. The method also includes storing the knowledge network in the master knowledge repository, and providing access to the stored knowledge in the knowledge network.

Abstract: An automated employee selection system can use a variety of techniques to provide information for assisting in selection of employees. For example, pre-hire and post-hire information can be collected electronically and used to build an artificial-intelligence based model. The model can then be used to predict a desired job performance criterion (e.g., tenure, number of accidents, sales level, or the like) for new applicants. A wide variety of features can be supported, such as electronic reporting. Pre-hire information identified as ineffective can be removed from a collected pre-hire information. For example, ineffective questions can be identified and removed from a job application. New items can be added and their effectiveness tested. As a result, a system can exhibit adaptive learning and maintain or increase effectiveness even under changing conditions.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for searching content in frames. In general, information located at one or more networked addresses may be displayed to a user in two or more frames. The content of a frame may be searched by designating one frame as a default search frame. Such a designation may be made according to a tag or other criteria, such as attributes of the frame itself or historical information pertaining to a previous search of one of the active frames. In any case, the designation of a default search frame eliminates the need for explicit selection by the user prior to a search.

Abstract: User information from a terminal is input to a user information inputting section 8, retrieval keys are input to a retrieval key inputting section 7 and retrieval demanding signal is input to a user demand inputting section 6. A content retrieving section 10 searches a database B based upon the retrieval keys and outputs a retrieval result list to a retrieval result list editing section 11. A terminal ability information acquiring section 9 acquires information about processing ability of the terminal from the user information input to the user information inputting section 8 and the retrieval result list editing section 11 edits the retrieval result list from the content retrieving section 10 based upon its processing ability information, and on the other hand, an output content editing section 13 edits the contents based upon the terminal ability information, and then both sections delivers through their delivering sections 12, 14 to the terminal, respectively.

Abstract: Communication is established between a first client and a central index server in a fluid, de-centralized network. The central index server searches the memory of the first client for usable data files which lack authentication certificates issued by the central index server. A data-file identifier is generated for a first data file among the select files lacking authentication certificates within the first client. The data-file identifier is compared to a reliable identifier in a main data base of the central index server. The reliable identifier is indexed within the main data base against a first unique reference ID. If the data-file identifier matches the reliable identifier, a valid authentication certificate is issued to the first data file in the first client. An IP address of the first client is then referenced against the first unique reference ID within the main data base of the central index server.

Abstract: An inputting/designating section inputs a multimedia object or designates a multimedia object previously stored in a database. A feature-value-determining section determines the feature value of the input or designated multimedia object. A weighting-factor-determining section determines the determined feature-value weighting factor of the multimedia object. A similarity-retrieval section retrieves the similarity of the multimedia object previously stored in the database by using the determined feature value and the determined feature-value weighting factor. A displaying section displays a multimedia object similar to the multimedia object designated by the inputting/designating section in accordance with the result of similarity retrieval. A similarity-ranking-changing section changes similarity rankings of the displayed multimedia object.

Abstract: A system for providing application access to external data uses a data component that translates requests for data into .NET objects. The .NET objects are used to retrieve information from a variety of different data sources that contain data stored in a number of different formats. The data component retrieves the data from the data sources and creates a response .NET object that can be transmitted to a requestor. The data component uses a DST that defines the manner in which data is to be retrieved. To retrieve data from a new data source, it is only necessary to create a new DST. In such a manner, a requestor can retrieve data without the need to translate data into a particular format. Therefore, the .NET object may be available via a web service, thereby allowing access via a variety of different computing tools such as, for example, a personal computer, a telephone, and a PDA.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate predictive web-crawling in a computer environment. Aspects of the invention provide for predictive, utility-based, and decision theoretic probability assessments of changes in subsets of web pages, enhancing web-crawling ability and ensuring that web page information is maintained in a fresh state. Additionally, the invention facilitates selective crawling of pages with a high probability of change.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating textual information are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of generating textual information is disclosed that comprises identifying a plurality of candidate summaries related to textual information based at least in part on a document, determining first and second attribute values based at least in part on the candidate summaries, and determining an optimal candidate summary based at least in part on the first and second attribute values.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for accessing data where the data store provider is abstracted from both the data manipulation language used to access the data and the schema that describes the data. A received request structured in accordance with the data manipulation language is represented in an intermediate form. From the intermediate representation, a native request for any of one or more data store providers may be produced. Before being returned to the requestor, a native response from data store provider may be formatted so that it is structured in accordance with the data manipulation language used for the request. A given request received by one computer system may cause a procedure to be generated for accessing the data store provider. When a later request is received by second computer system, the previously generated stored procedure may be reused if applicable.

Abstract: A record management and retrieval method, computer program, and system are provided. According to the method, in response to a user search query including a query search term, a private search space containing a plurality of electronically recallable internal information records, each internal information record of the plurality of electronically recallable internal information records having a keyword field with an associated keyword; is electronically searched. From the private search space, an internal information record whose associated keyword in the keyword field matches the query search term is identified. The identified internal information record is presented to the user.

Abstract: A context aware, shortcut enabled system of presenting information through a user interface, implementing memory prostheses and context-oriented changes in meanings of shortcuts. Embodiments include selecting a context, receiving a shortcut entered through the user interface, the shortcut having associated with it a shortcut field name set comprising one or more shortcut field names, and associating at least one context value to the context. Embodiments also include inferring, in dependence upon the context, a context table name and a context field name for a query, creating the query, selecting records from an information database by use of the query, whereby selected records are selected, and downloading the selected records to the client device for display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture that allow saved abstract queries to be referenced from within query statements constructed using standard query languages, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), are provided.

Abstract: To efficiently process a parameterized query against a relational database in a streaming transaction processing system, the transaction stream is treated as a sequence of multi-record “chunks” and a single “quasi-batch” query is executed for each chunk. A specific table in the database holds the parameter values obtained from each transaction and the parameters are bound to the rest of the query by using a database join. Another embodiment uses a framework that automates the technique by accepting the parameterized query, identifying inputs and outputs, reading the stream for the parameter values and building the parameter table, converting the parameterized query into an equivalent query that contains a join against the parameter table, performing the equivalent query and inserting the resulting query values into the stream.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data are disclosed. In general, data access is facilitated by a query configured with a correlation criterion or criteria. The presence of the correlation criteria facilitates the introduction of additional correlation logic to be applied to conditions of the query. In general, correlation criteria are contemplated which support correlation of entities based on time, physical location and age, for example.

Abstract: Text, images, and/or graphics of variable content documents should be organized and laid out by a template to provide effective and quality documents. The best such template depends upon the variable content interaction with the template for each individual document. To analyze the qualitative nature of the template in quantifiable terms, the each variable content document is measure using various quantifiable factors; such as, balance, uniformity, white space management, alignment, consistency, legibility, etc.; that impact a qualitative nature of a document. Such quantifiable factors are then used to quantize the aesthetics, ease of use, eye-catching ability, interest, communicability, comfort, and convenience of the document, thereby giving a designer a measure of the quality of the template in the variable content document context.

Abstract: Multiple copies of web services reside on associated computing devices, each having an associated reputation. A client may desire to access the web service having the highest or best reputation to be ensured of a greater degree of accuracy and confidence. The client does a search, and attaches to whichever web service has the highest reputation. By running multiple copies of the web services, they may vote amongst themselves on the results in the event that one or more of the services starts giving incorrect or otherwise inconsistent results. Combining the voting with reputation data associated with each copy of the web service allows a service's reputation to be dynamically adjusted based upon how faithfully it computes the results of work items sent to it.

Abstract: An authoring tool (or process) to facilitate the performance of an annotation function and an indexing function. The annotation function may generate informational annotations and word annotations to a database design schema (e.g., an entity-relationship diagram or “ERD”). The indexing function may analyze the words of the annotations by classifying the words in accordance with a concordance and dictionary, and assign a normalized weight to each word of each of the annotations based on the classification(s) of the word(s) of the annotation. A query translator (or query translation process) to (i) accept a natural language query from a user interface process, (ii) convert the natural language query to a formal command query (e.g., an SQL query) using the indexed annotations generated by the authoring tool and the database design schema, and (iii) present the formal command query to a database management process for interrogating the relational database.

Abstract: A content framework system and method. The content framework system comprises a content infrastructure, a content flow management system, and a content association system. The content infrastructure comprises content management systems. Each of the content management systems comprises content. The content flow management system comprises an acquisition tool comprising an agent tool. The content flow management system controls a flow of each of the content within and between each of the content management systems. The acquisition tool provides an interface between the content flow management system and the content infrastructure. The content association system generates a first set of associations metadata comprising a first set of links for linking the content management systems together. The agent tool monitors the content from each of the content management systems and adding to a registry, a description of the content from each of the content management systems based on the monitoring.

Abstract: Potentially identical objects (such as files) across multiple computers are located. In one embodiment, a computer generates object information for an object stored on the computer. The object information can be generated in a variety of manners (e.g., based on hashing the object, based on characteristics of the object, and so forth). The object information is then transferred to one or more database server computers, where the object information can be compared to object information from other computers to determine whether the object is potentially identical to another object on one of the other computers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for managing a centrally managed master repository for core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise. A centralized master repository contains the reference data, the reference data being associated with multiple schemas, each schema including one or more data models for reference data, each data model including one or more fields. A data management services framework coupled to the repository provides services for managing the reference data in the repository. The services framework supports a master schema including a union of multiple models and associated fields in the multiple schemas. The services framework also supports a thesaurus including, for each field in the master schema, a set of synonyms each representing a mapping between the field in the master schema and a corresponding field in a particular one of the multiple schemas.

Abstract: Returning rows having column values masked is disclosed. In response to receiving a database command, a modified database command is created that specifies whether to mask a value by returning a mask of the value instead of the value. In an embodiment, the condition expression is included in a policy function that is referenced by a policy. In an embodiment, the policy determines how the condition expressions are used. The condition expression may be used to determine which column values to mask. The condition expression may also be used to filter which rows are returned.

Abstract: A method of optimizing retention of signal information from a physiologically generated digital signal is provided. The method can comprise steps of generating a digital signal from a physiological source, storing the digital signal into a memory location as a stored digital signal, identifying within the stored digital signal a preferred digital signal event exclusive of a non-preferred digital signal event, wherein the preferred digital signal event has a first event compression level and the non-preferred digital signal event has a second event compression level, detecting a memory storage limitation in the memory location, and increasing the second event compression level of the non-preferred digital signal event as a result of detecting a memory storage limitation. Also, the portable monitor can detect the presence of an upload source to which the digital signal can be uploaded in order to minimize the need to compress the signal.

Abstract: A data structure for efficient enqueuing and dequeuing is disclosed. The structure includes a horizontally linked list, an array, a vertically linked list, and a head pointer. Entity ranks are distributed over the array, where each array entry has a range of ranks. Each array entry points to null or the entity having the greatest rank within that entry's range. The horizontally linked list links at least a subset of ranked entities. Each entity in the linked list has a unique rank as compared to the ranks of the other entities in the list. Each vertically linked list links a subset of entities having an identical rank. The head pointer points to the entity that has the greatest rank. Methods for adding entities to and removing entities from the data structure are also disclosed. The invention can be used to enqueue threads to and dequeue threads from a priority queue.

Abstract: A software tool that is useful when one is attempting to migrate data from one database to another database. In one aspect of the invention, the software tool reduces the complications that may arise when one attempts to migrate data from one Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory to another LDAP directory, where the schemas for the two directories are not the same.