Patents Issued in January 15, 2008
  • Patent number: 7319961
    Abstract: A hands-free system for capturing data and generating reports recognizes speech as text and commands to create a set of entries intended to have a mathematical relationship to each other such that, if these entries fail to satisfy the relationship, a voice synthesizer generates a warning signal to indicate an error by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Tofig A. Al-Dhubaib, Ibrahim A. Al-Jallal, Dave L. Cantrell
  • Patent number: 7319962
    Abstract: The voice controlled system of the present invention permits hands-free interactive control of a medical data processing instrument that interfaces with an implanted medical device. In an example embodiment, the system includes a microphone and a speech recognition circuit coupled to the microphone and adapted to recognize an audio signal from the microphone. The audio signal corresponds to one of a subset of commands from a set of commands and each command corresponds to a task to be performed on the implanted medical device. The speech recognition circuit is further adapted to convert the audio signal into a selection code and match the selection code to one of the subset of commands. The system further includes a display device and a processor arrangement coupled to the speech recognition circuit and to the display device. The processor arrangement is configured to receive data indicative of an implanted medical device state and select the subset of commands as a function of the device state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Goedeke, David L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7319963
    Abstract: When electric field strength of a reception signal becomes less than a threshold level, an in-vehicle terminal executes one of three operations. The first is that the in-vehicle terminal prohibits input of a voice. The second is that the in-vehicle terminal transmits an inputted voice with a datum indicating radio wave environment to a voice recognition server. The third is that the in-vehicle terminal once stores the inputted voice, and then transmits the inputted voice that has been stored after the electric field strength of the reception signal exceeds the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 7319964
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for segmenting a multi-media program based upon audio events. In an embodiment a method of classifying an audio stream is provided. This method includes receiving an audio stream. Sampling the audio stream at a predetermined rate and then combining a predetermined number of samples into a clip. A plurality of features are then determined for the clip and are analyzed using a linear approximation algorithm. The clip is then characterized based upon the results of the analysis conducted with the linear approximation algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Qian Huang, Zhu Liu
  • Patent number: 7319965
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operating speed of a manufacturing facility is disclosed. It includes determining a desired operating speed that is dependent on at least one economic variable. The variables vary with the operating speed. Also, the operating speed is adjusted (if necessary) in response to the determination. Preferably the control is closed loop and includes determining a current operating speed and comparing the current operating speed to the desired operating speed. The operating speed is controlled in response to the comparison. The economic variable is preferably a cost of manufacturing, and/or manufacturing inflows, and/or manufacturing outflows. The economic efficiency is dependent on one or more economic variables that vary with operating speed. The current economic efficiency of the facility is obtained along with information on the business transactions that affects the economic variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group
    Inventor: Roger P. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7319966
    Abstract: A method of communicating information to elevator users utilizes a building server to store elevator user personal information profiles and information to be communicated. When an elevator user is identified, the building server communicates a portion of the stored information based upon the associated profile. The building server functions as a data manager and is connected to various different sources of data to collect the information to be communicated. The data sources can include videos, movies, the Internet, the elevator control, the building control center, etc. An identification unit controls access by the elevator users. The elevator user is able to receive the communicated information on a display unit in the vicinity of or in the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Paul Friedli, Kilian Schuster, Lennart Svensson-Hilford
  • Patent number: 7319967
    Abstract: A procedure, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one user profile with multimedia contents is provided for an associated elevator user. When the user is identified in proximity to the elevator system, the multimedia carried in his user profile are presented to him.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 7319968
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one individual user profile with multimedia contents is stored for each elevator user. When a user is identified, the multimedia contents in the associated user profile are presented. The user manages his or her own multimedia contents in the associated user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Paul Friedli, Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 7319969
    Abstract: A method for depositing mail by a deliverer of mail in an electronic locker system provided with several lockable compartments. The method is characterized in that a controller of the locker system causes one or several compartments to open in order to deposit mail and at least one new compartment opens automatically when a compartment is closed and when detecting means of the locker system have detected information allocated prior to sending. Also disclosed is an electronic locker system suitable for the implementation of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Boris Mayer, Oliver Biegel
  • Patent number: 7319970
    Abstract: An automatic health and lifestyle analysis computer system is provided, which surveys individual respondents and provides insurability estimates and cost evaluations based upon answers to the surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Charles B. Simone
  • Patent number: 7319971
    Abstract: A system for providing an analysis of use in managing risk, the system including: a knowledge base, for maintaining generic risk records each including a plurality of different fields; a data store of profiles, for maintaining profile risk records associated with a particular profile, each profile risk record including the same plurality of fields as a generic risk record; and a risk processor, for updating generic risk records based on profile risk records in the data store of profiles. The knowledge base includes generic risk records with field values that can be refined over time so as to be useful in providing a more accurate risk assessment in any particular profile. Some of the risk record fields are measuring fields input by the user, and some are calculated fields calculated by the system, and the system allows different modes of analysis in which the fields that are the measuring fields differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Corprofit Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ian E. Abrahams, Radu C. Carlan
  • Patent number: 7319972
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for modeling product volume penetration. A system embodiment includes a remote client operably connected to a server, having a number of client files, and an input device. A set of computer executable instructions are operable on the system for projecting product penetration of a product in a client file at a selectable point in time from a product launch or other starting point, based on a set of purchase data for the product. The set of computer executable instructions are operable for receiving the set of purchase data and graphically displaying the set of purchase data as a volume of product sales versus a number of time increments from the starting point. The set of computer executable instructions are further operable for mapping a curvilinear function to the graphically displayed set of purchase data by applying a function expressed as f(t)=s×tB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Michael von Gonten, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. von Gonten, Paul F. Muller
  • Patent number: 7319973
    Abstract: A new system of analyzing advertising revenue derivation is provided that is particularly useful for predicting an amount of revenue that can be expected from advertisements placed in a business directory book having a certain geographic coverage. The system comprises estimating a preference factor of advertisers located in a first geographic area of placing advertisements in other geographic areas. This preference factor, along with other demographic data, is used to calculate a choice probability that advertisers will choose to place an advertisement in one business directory book over other competing books. A total amount of expected revenue for each particular geographic area within a metropolitan area is calculated. Finally, the total amount of expected revenue attributable to a particular business directory book is predicted based on the choice probability and the total amount of expected revenue for each geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Tobin, Gregory Wayne Cermak
  • Patent number: 7319974
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for managing vehicle pay parking, using at least a time recording machine connected to a parking server. The invention is characterised in that since said time recording machine and mobile telephones are quipped with short-distance communication means: a user, provided with at least one of said mobile telephones, transmits to the time recording machine at least: data concerning the user's identity, data concerning parking time; the time recording machine supplies to means controlling parking authorisation, at least data concerning parking time; the time recording machine supplies to the parking server, said data concerning the user's identity and the specific parking fee to be paid, at least, based on data concerning parking time, to charge the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Systemes
    Inventor: Thierry Brusseaux
  • Patent number: 7319975
    Abstract: A system for advertising with the assistance of an advertiser's associate web site includes enrolling advertiser's web sites for allowing customers to receive information or to electronically purchase items; enrolling advertiser's associates web sites that refer customers to the advertiser's web site in exchange for compensation; electronically providing to the customer's computer, specific hyperlinks via the advertiser's associate's web page that, when selected by a customer, cause a list of advertiser's to be transmitted to the customer's computer, wherein each of said items in said list comprises a selectable advertiser specific hyperlink to the corresponding advertiser; transmitting to the customer's computer a web page which corresponds to the advertiser specific hyperlink selected by the customer, to accomplish a referral to the advertiser; and determining and recording within a computer memory compensation for the advertiser's associate for the referral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: EMERgency 24, Inc.
    Inventor: Dante Monteverde
  • Patent number: 7319976
    Abstract: A system for electronic commerce (10) having personal agents (12 and 13) that represent consumers and providers in a virtual marketplace (28). Consumer personal agents conceal the identity of the consumer and are capable of creating decision agents (14) that shop for products and assist consumers in comparing and ranking products. Provider personal agents are capable of creating demand agents (16) that quantify demand and target specific consumers without learning the identity of the consumers. Based on data generated by the activities of the decision agents and on preference data maintained by consumer personal agents, provider personal agents can quantify current, historical, and future demand, simulate demand, and target specific consumers for advertising and other messages. Provider personal agents can cooperate with consumer personal agents to collect data about reasons for sales and lost sales and to offer consideration payments to consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Paradox Technical Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Douglas L. Peckover
  • Patent number: 7319977
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to apply a discount to a transaction. An identifier is extracted from a discount instrument and is transmitted to a host system. A validation is received from the host system for the discount instrument and a cost of the transaction is reduced in accordance with a discount arrangement associated with the discount instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: First Data Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. McGee, Tanya Schwaner, David Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 7319978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Net shopping method for performing Net shopping through the Internet with a portable terminal. The user freely makes product selections (Net shopping) at any time and place using a portable terminal 2. When the user proposes to conduct a transaction, transaction proposal information, payee information, and the amount of money are automatically sent from the Net shopping site to the portable terminal 2 and stored in the internal memory 22. Next, the user takes the portable terminal 2 to the automatic payment transfer device 4, connects the portable terminal to the payment transfer device 4, and transfers the internal data to the payment transfer device 4. The user can perform payment transfer operations with the payment transfer device 4 based on the order acceptance data. Thus the payment transfer process can be performed safely and with a simple operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hayato Minamishin, Tsuyoshi Abe, Koji Arai
  • Patent number: 7319979
    Abstract: A method is provided for clients to locate and interact with Internet services fulfilling the clients needs. In an aspect, a client requests, to a broker, a specific language/component technology (communication proxy), and an application-level transport protocol. The broker matches a client request and an Internet service, and transmits metadata to the client enabling the client to locate the matched internet service communication proxy. In an aspect, the client downloads the requested communication proxy and dynamically interacts, at runtime, with an Internet service using the requested communication proxy, the communication proxy being local to the client. In an aspect, the client is relieved from having to develop a remote communications code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christian R. Thomas, Narasimha R. Edala, Joel I. Marcey
  • Patent number: 7319980
    Abstract: A method for facilitating sale of objects such as caps over the Internet, including providing a user input for selecting a display icon representing the object offered for sale, providing a user input for a design element selected by the user to be included on the object, and providing a display illustrating the cap represented by the selected display icon with the user selected design element at the user selected location on the cap. A user input for creating text to be included on the cap is also provided. A computer network server includes a display icon generator transmitting a display icon representing an object such as a cap, a request generator transmitting a request for user input to select the display icon and to select a design element to be included on the object, and a processor receiving display icon requests and selected design element and generating a visual representation of the user selected design element, which may include text, on the object represented by the selected display icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: American Needle
    Inventor: Robert A. Kronenberger
  • Patent number: 7319981
    Abstract: A software application that provides images of multiple items associated by a common seller on an on-line commerce network comprising query software for automatically retrieving from a list all items associated by a common seller from a server, retrieving the location of an image of each item and retrieving the image of each item after a user has identified an item being sold by the seller from a list, display software for automatically displaying the retrieved images as thumbnail images with an image map layer containing each location on the server of a file associated with each thumbnail image. The invention also comprises a method of doing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Schwartzman
  • Patent number: 7319982
    Abstract: A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Ryan, Jr., Michael W. Wilson, Ronald P. Sansone, Theresa Biasi, Vadim Stelman
  • Patent number: 7319983
    Abstract: Method for managing a closing of an account of a user. The method includes receiving an identifier of the account of the user, retrieving status information associated with the identifier and determining whether the account is coded to close from the retrieved status information. Thereafter, automatically providing from the retrieved status information a reason why the account has not been closed if the account is determined to be coded to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Capital One Financial Corporation
    Inventors: Christina E. Colabella, Timothy Roland Delfausse, Harold Reed Ogrosky
  • Patent number: 7319984
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code and means for creating and administering a publicly traded interest in a commodity pool include forming a commodity pool having a first position in a futures contract and a corresponding second position in a margin investment, and issuing equity interests of the commodity pool to third party investors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Goldman Sachs & Co.
    Inventors: Oliver L. Frankel, Heather K. Shemilt, Daniel Feit, Thomas H. Glanfield, Jr., Michael J. Crinieri
  • Patent number: 7319985
    Abstract: A method and a Loan product providing for Banks and other large Finance Companies (Intermediaries) to market and fund loan product to its Customers (Borrowers), whereby the entire loan processes are administered by a contracted Finance Company (Contractor) that possess loan, leasing and/or factoring (collectively referred to as a Loan) specialty expertise that the Intermediary does not have or cannot duplicate cost effectively. The Contractor will indemnify and/or insure the Intermediary from loss of principle and interest, thereby eliminating all risk to the Intermediary. Since the Intermediary provides money for the Loan, the cost will be in most cases lower than the cost of money the Contractor can provide directly. The Contractor is able to drastically reduce its marketing costs as volume gets funneled in from its customer Intermediaries. The Borrower benefits from having easier access to the various Loan products and a lower price due to this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas G. Siska
  • Patent number: 7319986
    Abstract: Dynamic payment cards and related dynamic payment card management systems and associated methods are disclosed that allow for the efficient management of corporate purchasing needs. The dynamic payment cards can be traditional payment cards with card control settings that are dynamically managed. In addition, a dynamic card management system can automatically interface with card processor systems to dynamically modify these card control settings, and a purchasing management system or other request and approval workflow engine can provide an interface between a company and the dynamic card management system. More generally, an advantageous solution for purchasing management is disclosed that utilizes dynamically or actively managed approval parameters to help control transaction authorization determinations associated with purchasing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: C. Todd Praisner, James R. Holland, IV, Roy H. Kipp, Jr., Melissa T. Balbach, William R. Leiserowitz
  • Patent number: 7319987
    Abstract: The present invention shows a method and a device system for tokenless authorization of commercial transactions between a user and a seller. The user registers at least one registration biometric sample, and at least one user financial account. The seller registers with the computer system at least one seller financial account. The seller offers a proposed commercial transaction to the user, which includes price information. The user accepts the seller's proposed commercial transaction by adding to the proposed commercial transaction the user's personal authentication information. The bid biometric sample is forwarded to the computer system. The computer system compares the bid biometric sample with registration biometric samples. Upon successful match, a financial account of the user is debited and a financial account of the seller is credited, wherein a commercial transaction is conducted without the user having to use any portable man-made memory devices such as smartcards or swipe cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Indivos Corporation
    Inventors: Ned Hoffman, David Ferrin Pare, Jr., Jonathan Alexander Lee, Philip Dean Lapsley
  • Patent number: 7319988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Schull
  • Patent number: 7319989
    Abstract: A method and system that protects against a replay attack in a closed system postage meter is provided. “Freshness” data is included along with each indicium message sent from the meter to the printer, thereby enabling the printer to detect “stale” indicium data, i.e., indicium data that was previously generated and is being replayed, and prohibit the printing of duplicate indicia. The freshness data includes a random nonce generated by the printer during initialization along with sequence data that the printer can verify against sequence data from the previous printed indicium. If in the current indicium message the nonce is different or the current sequence data is not greater than or equal to the sequence data from the previous printed indicium, indicating the current indicium data may have been previously generated and is a replay, the printer will not print the current indicium data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: G. Thomas Athens, Robert A. Cordery, John A. Hurd, Maria P. Parkos, Roger J. Ratzenberger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7319990
    Abstract: A produce identification and pricing system and method for a supermarket checkout or other retail outlet where produce is handled. The produce identification and pricing system and method determines produce type and grade. A price database contains price information based on produce type and grade. Price is calculated using the produce type and grade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: David L. Henty
  • Patent number: 7319991
    Abstract: A method and system for computing a cost estimate for a company that may be the client of a supplier providing information system equipment and consulting. An estimate is calculated according to a model with input characterizing circumstances of the client. The program collects client profile information and costs that the client knows. Other costs that the client does not know are read from a local database storing costs known by other clients with similar profiles. A remote database accessible by any client is updated by cost estimate information at each new cost estimate execution by a client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Romuald Boutault
  • Patent number: 7319992
    Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for generating a customized dynamic virtual reality environment. The dynamic virtual reality environment communicates with a participant via a virtual personal assistant utilizing an input/output arrangement. The virtual personal assistant engages the participant in a natural language conversation to obtain the participant's preferences and personal information. The virtual personal assistant utilizes an artificial intelligence engine to recognize a plurality of natural languages. Information obtained from the conversation may be translated into a request for information, services or products. The virtual personal assistant may retrieve any of these from a plurality of remote servers via a communications network and present the data to the participant. Information obtained from the conversation may be used to evolve both the virtual reality environment and the virtual personal assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Mission Corporation
    Inventor: Maria Gaos
  • Patent number: 7319993
    Abstract: A device or software may detect a number of times an item is accessed. A more direct path to the item may be automatically generated. The more direct path may be based at least in part on how often the item is accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Eruhimov
  • Patent number: 7319994
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates accessing a compressed representation of a set of documents, wherein the compressed representation supports searching and partial decompression. During operation, the system receives a search request containing terms to be searched for in the set of documents. In response to the search request, the system identifies occurrences of the terms in the set of documents by following pointers through the compressed representation. This compressed representation encodes occurrences of a term as a pointer to the next occurrence of the term to facilitate rapid enumeration of the occurrences of the term. Moreover, the compressed representation maintains sequential ordering between adjacent terms in the set of documents, which allows fast access to neighboring terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Olcan Sercinoglu
  • Patent number: 7319995
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing an inclusion hash join and an exclusion hash join using a hash join are provided. The inner and outer tables are transposed to left and right tables, respectively. A hash table is created from the left table, the right table is scanned, and the hash table is probed. If the right table hash value matches a hash table value, the actual values are compared. If they match, the current outer table row is included in the result. If an exclusion condition is present, the hash table is probed with the right-table-row's hash value. If no hash values match, the outer table row is added to the result and the next row is addressed. If one or more hash values match, the actual values are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: NCR Corp.
    Inventor: Kuorong Chiang
  • Patent number: 7319996
    Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for organizing information from systems in a data warehousing environment are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method for analyzing data from one or more data sources of an enterprise. The method provides a meta-model based technique for modeling the enterprise data. The enterprise is typically a business activity, but can also be other loci of human activity. Embodiments according to the invention can translate data from a variety of sources to particular database schema in order to provide organization to a data warehousing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry, Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Wen Chen, Juan J. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 7319997
    Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and database systems for performing a database query that includes a join on an equality condition are disclosed. The method includes defining two or more first-table partitions and two or more corresponding second-table partitions. The method includes performing the join on the first-table partition and the second-table partition, storing the result, and merging the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: NCR Corp.
    Inventors: J. Mark Morris, Bhashyam Ramesh
  • Patent number: 7319998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for supporting serendipity and pseudo-serendipity. A collection of profiles are generated to model the user's worldview. A collection of shadow profiles are generated to model divergent knowledge based on the user's profiles and external information or knowledge sources. A collection of items are retrieved from the profiles and used to perform a deliberate search for laterality. The initial and lateral items are merged into a search string. The search string is used to perform a search or wandering process that is aware of potential serendipitous stimuli in an information space. The discovered, unexpected, unsought, unforeseen stimuli are intended to be subsequently presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Universidade de Coimbra
    Inventors: José Manuel Marum Campos, António Costa Dias De Figueiredo
  • Patent number: 7319999
    Abstract: A system and method for arranging clusters in a display by theme. Themes are found within a plurality of clusters. There are one or more concepts per theme and one or more documents per cluster. Those clusters that meet a best fit criteria are assigned by theme into a set of spines with no more than one spine formed per theme. Those spines that are unique from the other spines are retained in the set. The spines that were retained in the set are arranged in a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Attenex Corporation
    Inventor: Lynne Marie Evans
  • Patent number: 7320000
    Abstract: A system and method for automated populating of an existing concept hierarchy of items with new items, using entropy as a measure of the correctness of a potential classification. User-defined concept hierarchies include, for example, document hierarchies such as directories for the Internet, library catalogues, patent databases and journals, and product hierarchies. These concept hierarchies can be huge and are usually maintained manually. An internet directory may have, for example, millions of Web sites, thousands of editors and hundreds of thousands of different categories. The method for populating a concept hierarchy includes calculating conditional ‘entropy’ values representing the randomness of distribution of classification attributes for the hierarchical set of classes if a new item is added to specific classes of the hierarchy and then selecting whichever class has the minimum randomness of distribution when calculated as a condition of insertion of the new data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Prasad Chitrapura, Raghuram Krishnapuram, Sachindra Joshi
  • Patent number: 7320001
    Abstract: According to the invention, techniques for visualizing customer data contained in databases, data marts and data warehouses. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method for graphically analyzing relationships in data from one or more data sources of an enterprise. The method can be used with many popular visualization tools, such as On Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) tools and the like. The method is especially useful in conjunction with a meta-model based technique for modeling the enterprise data. The enterprise is typically a business activity, but can also be other loci of human activity. Embodiments according to the invention can display data from a variety of sources in order to provide visual representations of data in a data warehousing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry, Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 7320002
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate learning a Bayesian network with decision trees via employing a learning algorithm to learn a Bayesian network with complete tables. The learning algorithm can comprise a search algorithm that can reverse edges in the Bayesian network with complete tables in order to refine a directed acyclic graph (DAG) associated therewith. The refined complete-table DAG can then be employed to derive a set of constraints for a learning algorithm employed to grow decision trees within the decision-tree Bayesian network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Chickering
  • Patent number: 7320003
    Abstract: A method and system for storing data entered by a user in a remote relational database involves saving data as a plurality of software components at a server; converting the plurality of software components into a first string and a second string wherein the first string comprises a markup language format that substantially mimics the software components and the second string comprises a serialized string format of the plurality of software components; compressing the first string and the second string; transmitting the compressed first string and the compressed second string to a receiving server; and storing the compressed first string and the compressed second string in a relational database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Genworth Financial, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Jon Perry, Nagesh Prabhu Palimar, Milan K. Das
  • Patent number: 7320004
    Abstract: A system and method for managing database files in a client management tool are provided. A computer system utilizes a standardized format for storing and recalling client management data. To utilize data not stored in the standardized format, the client management tool accepts alternatively formatted database files and converts them to the standardized format. Additionally, the client management tool accepts inputs defining one or more correlations from a database file to the standardized format for converting. The client management tool also manipulates client management files to allow additional management data to be incorporated into the file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steve A. DeLuca, Sally J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7320005
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for migrating data between a legacy application data repository and an enterprise database. One exemplary system includes a legacy application data repository, an enterprise database, an export module for exporting data from the repository in an enterprise application compatible format, and a check-in module for updating the enterprise database to reflect the exported data. The exemplary system further includes a check-out module for extracting data from the enterprise database and converting the extracted data to an enterprise application compatible format, and an import module for updating the repository to reflect the checked-out data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Computer Associates Think, Inc.
    Inventors: Zaitao Li, Xiaoyong Yu
  • Patent number: 7320006
    Abstract: A method for processing a request for data in a plurality of database formats is described. The method may include accepting a request for data. A format of the data request may be assessed. The assessed format may be a sequential access data format, a direct access data format, or a relational data format. If the assessed format of the data request is in the sequential access data format or the direct access data format, the data request may be translated into a relational data format. A relational database architecture may process the data request. A result to the data request may be returned. The result may be returned in the assessed format of the data request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Computer Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Charles P. Bobbitt, III, Jerry Hall
  • Patent number: 7320007
    Abstract: A target file generation system and method for use by ordinary computer users to readily generate target files. The program includes various components. The first component promps for and receives user's selections of a folder or directory location where a new target file will reside, of an operating system command or application program that will process this new target file, of an optional global activity summary data repository that stores user'summaries of the processing of the target file. The second component dynamically generates an information exchange user interface that prompts for and receives input data provided by the user on information of menu configuration file and name of template file. The third component dynamically generates an information exchange user interface. The fourth component provides graphics user interfaces to start a menu program, a a merge programe, and a search program, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Hon-You Chang
  • Patent number: 7320008
    Abstract: System and method for protecting data systems such as file systems, volume managers, databases, and backup systems. In embodiments, rather than encrypting the data of a data system, one or more elements or levels of metadata may be encrypted. Some embodiments may encrypt metadata that is not accessed frequently to minimize the cost of encryption and decryption. Alternatively, instead of encrypting an entire metadata, only a portion, such as a header block, of the metadata may be encrypted. The encrypted metadata may be stored in the data system. At startup of the data system, the encrypted metadata may be decrypted and an unencrypted copy of the metadata may be cached in memory for use by the data system software. If the decrypted metadata is modified, then the encrypted metadata may be replaced with an encrypted version of the modified metadata. Format(s) of the metadata that is encrypted may be copyrighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: VERITAS Operating Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Colgrove
  • Patent number: 7320009
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient file replication are provided. In some embodiments, one or more coarse signatures for blocks in a base file are compared with those coarse signatures for blocks of a revised file, until a match is found. A fine signature is then generated for the matching block of the revised file and compared to a fine signature of the base file. Thus, fine signatures are not computed unless a coarse signature match has been found, thereby minimizing unneeded time-consuming fine signature calculations. Methods are also provided for determining whether to initiate a delta file generation algorithm, or whether to utilize a more efficient replication method, based upon system and/or file parameters. In accordance with additional embodiments, the lengths of valid data on physical blocks are obtained from physical block mappings for the files, and these lengths and mappings are utilized for delta file generation, to minimize unnecessary signature computations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Novell, Inc.
    Inventors: Piyush Kumar Srivastava, Madhusudhana Honnuduke Srinivasa Murthy
  • Patent number: 7320010
    Abstract: In controlling electronic file updates, an upgrade system identifies host device models that include an original electronic file upon receipt of a new file, when the new file is an updated version of the original file. Using the identified model list, the upgrade system automatically generates a target list of subscribers that use the identified models. The upgrade system filters the target list using data of pre-defined user groups and generates subgroups of the target list. The pre-defined groups can include groupings made according to any criteria. The upgrade system selects an upgrade control policy for each user according to the subgroup to which the user is a member. The upgrade control policy controls device update parameters. The upgrade system transmits upgrades and/or upgrade notifications to the appropriate host devices in accordance with the selected upgrade control policies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: InnoPath Software, Inc.
    Inventor: Luosheng Peng