Abstract: A mobile information processing device includes a display driver for displaying a bar code, the bar code including a representation of a user's acceptance of a price requested by a store for a selected item for purchase. The bar code may be one-dimensional or two-dimensional.

Abstract: An automated system for the confirmed efficient authentication of an anonymous subscriber's profile data. The system is comprised of software/hardware interface to facilitate centralized access and exchange to easily and inexpensively allow the confirmed authentication of subscriber profiles of customers wishing to blind their transactions, while maintaining current services. In one aspect the system allows a subscriber to anonymously accomplish credit card transactions without associating any aspect of the transaction with any information associated with the true identity of the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods, software, and systems for authenticating electronically accessible sites are described. In general, the development involves querying an identified user connected to an electronically accessible third party vendor site (e.g., a website) for a codebook identifier that corresponds to a codebook having a plurality of identification units, each of which includes a first identifier and a second identifier, and a keystone identifier; following receipt of the codebook identifier, querying the user with a variable image challenge comprised of the keystone and the first identifier for at least one identification unit in the codebook; and prompting the user to enter the second identifier for each identification unit displayed in the image challenge to form a one time passcode. Following entry of a passcode that corresponds to the image challenge, the authenticity of the user is confirmed to the vendor site.

Abstract: A business wishes to improve its capabilities by developing and sustaining its communities of practice. A business model is provided having components and attributes for various levels of each component. The community is assessed based on the attributes. A community development roadmap is developed of activities for improving the level of the community. Funding is negotiated to carry out the activities, and the community is subsequently reassessed.

Abstract: A system for obtaining lease proposals from multiple landlords for a tenant includes a tenant workstation, a number of landlord workstations and a server in communication with the tenant and landlord workstations. The server features software and memory storage which permits a tenant to input tenant information using the tenant workstation and the landlords to input landlord information using the landlord workstations. The software also permits the tenant to generate requests for proposal having terms using the tenant information, transmit the requests for proposals to the landlord workstations and review landlord information. The software also permits the landlords to review the requests for proposal, accept the terms of the requests for proposal, generate lease proposals and transmit the lease proposals to the tenant workstation.

Abstract: An investment allocation system, analysis module and method thereof for allocation of a total investment are disclosed. The investment allocation system comprises an input module, an analysis module and a allotment amount computation mode. The input module is used to input the historical data of a benchmark asset and multiple financial assets, and a threshold. The analysis module is used to calculate a consistency of each financial asset according to the threshold, and historical data of the benchmark asset and those financial assets. The allocation amount computation module is used to calculate an allocation ratio for each financial asset according to those consistencies, related data, and a ratio computation procedure. and the allocation ratio each of those financial assets being multiplied by the total investment to produce the amount of allocation for each financial asset.

Abstract: An investment allocation system, analysis module and method thereof for allocation of a total investment are disclosed. The investment allocation system comprises an input module, an analysis module and a allotment amount computation mode. The input module is used to input the historical data of a benchmark asset and multiple financial assets, and a threshold. The analysis module is used to calculate a robustness of each financial asset according to the threshold, and historical data of the benchmark asset and those financial assets. The allocation amount computation module is used to calculate an allocation ratio for each financial asset according to those robustnesses, related data, and a ratio computation procedure. and the allocation ratio each of those financial assets being multiplied by the total investment to produce the amount of allocation for each financial asset.

Abstract: An investment allocation system, analysis module and method thereof for allocation of a total investment are disclosed. The investment allocation system comprises an input module, an analysis module and a allotment amount computation mode. The input module is used to input the historical data of a benchmark asset and multiple financial assets, and a threshold. The analysis module is used to calculate an adaptivity of each financial asset according to the threshold, and historical data of the benchmark asset and those financial assets. The allocation amount computation module is used to calculate an allocation ratio for each financial asset according to those adaptivities, related data, and a ratio computation procedure and the allocation ratio each of those financial assets being multiplied by the total investment to produce the amount of allocation for each financial asset.

Abstract: A charging method for a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus, which can appropriately and promptly distribute profits between a customer and a manufacturer according to the yield of semiconductor devices. An indicator related to the yield of the semiconductor devices is measured, and a fee is charged for the usage of the semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus according to the measured indicator.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adjusting prices of items using a processor based upon the category to which the item is assigned is disclosed. The items are of the type that are deliverable over a network. A system includes memory for storing group indicators with regard to the items and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory for adjusting the prices of items.

Abstract: Different adapters and applications may publish information on the messaging bus and retrieve information from the bus simultaneously in a manner that does not cause interference or problems in the publication or retrieval. Meter data is cleaned, validated and estimated by separate applications using the above-described application and retrieval processes via the message bus for flexible and efficient processing.

Abstract: A vehicle-portable parking meter device for paying parking charges and for displaying paid parking time comprises a radio-operable two-way pager (304,401) having a display screen (106) and a contact or contactless storage chip. The pager (304,401) can be installed in a vehicle so the screen (106) is visible from outside. The storage chip can be loaded with an amount of credit usable as parking fees and is connectable via a GSM or other radio network (305,306; 404,405) to a payment server (303,403) for paying parking fees by deduction from the amount of credit in the storage chip. The device is arranged for entering an intended parking time and an identification of a parking place, either by manual actuation of the pager (401) or by remote control using a mobile phone (301) so a message corresponding to the intended parking time and parking place is transmitted to the payment server (303,403).

Abstract: Most recent research of scalable inductive learning on very large streaming dataset focuses on eliminating memory constraints and reducing the number of sequential data scans. However, state-of-the-art algorithms still require multiple scans over the data set and use sophisticated control mechanisms and data structures. There is discussed herein a general inductive learning framework that scans the dataset exactly once. Then, there is proposed an extension based on Hoeffding's inequality that scans the dataset less than once. The proposed frameworks are applicable to a wide range of inductive learners.

Abstract: A method of training connections in a memory arrangement includes training a connection between a memory section and a receiver portion of a controller for controlling the memory arrangement before or simultaneously with a training of essentially all other connections between elements of the memory arrangement that are to be trained.

Abstract: A method for controlling policy information required by a requested service includes: obtaining a second decision result of a second network on policy information required by a requested service; making decision on the policy information required by the requested service according to a first policy information in the first network and the second decision result; and generating a final decision result on the policy information required by the requested service. A device and a system for controlling policy information required by a requested service are further disclosed. If different networks have different related policies, solutions provided by the present invention may provide a process for controlling policy information required by a requested service.

Abstract: A system for developing and implementing empirically derived algorithms to generate decision rules to predict invalidity of subject reported data and fraud with research protocols in surveys allows for the identification of complex patterns of variables that detect or predict subject invalidity of subject reported data and fraud with the research protocol in the survey. The present invention may also be used to monitor invalidity of subject reported data within a research protocol to determine preferred actions to be performed. Optionally, the invention may provide a spectrum of invalidity, from minor invalidity needing only corrective feedback, to significant invalidity requiring subject removal from the survey. The algorithms and decision rules can also be domain-specific, such as detecting invalidity or fraud among subjects in a workplace satisfaction survey, or demographically specific, such as taking into account gender or age.

Abstract: Processing data of a first file of a processing system may be accomplished by splitting the first file into the first file and another file at the location of a split offset without copying the files; repeating the splitting of the first file a number of times using a specified split offset for each split file operation to create a plurality of files; joining the first file and a selected one of the plurality of files having desired data into the first file without copying the files; and repeating the joining of the first file and selected ones of the plurality of files to reconstruct the first file, the first file including only desired data after all join operations are completed.

Abstract: Personalized named entity recognition may be accomplished by parsing input text to determine a subset of the input text, generating a plurality of queries based at least in part on the subset of the input text, submitting the queries to a plurality of reference resources, processing responses to the queries and generating a vector based on the responses, and performing classification based at least in part on the vector and a set of model parameters to determine a likelihood as to which named entity category the input text belongs.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for identifying web communities from seed sets of web pages. A seed set of web pages may be represented as a set of seed vertices of a graph representing a collection of web pages. An initial probability distribution may be constructed on vertices of the graph by assigning a nonzero value to the vertices belonging to the seed set. Then a sequence of probability distributions may be produced on the vertices of the graph by modifying the probability distribution over a series of one-step walks of the probability distribution over the vertices of the graph. For each probability distribution produced in the sequence, level sets of vertices may be generated, and a level set with minimal conductance may be selected for each probability distribution. The level set with the least conductance may then be output representing a community of web pages.

Abstract: A content transfer system composed of a content reproduction terminal and an information processing apparatus is disclosed. A storage section stores information representing a file format and a bit rate of content reproducible by the reproduction terminal. A transmission section transmits the information stored in the storage section to the information processing apparatus. An obtainment section obtains the information representing the file format and the bit rate of the content reproducible by the reproduction terminal therefrom. A conversion section converts content having a predetermined file format and a predetermined bit rate as a transfer target into content having the file format and the bit rate represented by the information obtained by the obtainment section. A transfer section transfers the content converted by the conversion section to the reproduction terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for automated database management are provided. Statistics relating to operation of a database may be collected, wherein the database comprises one or more database objects. Characteristics of the database objects may be determined, either automatically or by user intervention, using the collected statistics, one or more policies, and/or one or more definitions. The policies and definitions may be defaults or may be customized by a user. Actions to be performed on the database objects may be determined, either automatically or by user intervention, based on the characteristics of the database objects. A schedule for performing the actions on the database objects may be automatically determined. The actions may be performed on the database objects based on the schedule.

Abstract: Parameterized queries are optimized by a transformational optimizer. The optimizer produces a dynamic plan that embeds multiple plan options that may be selected to execute a particular query. Parameter distribution improves query execution efficiency and performance by exploring a sample parameter space representative of the parameter values actually used. The dynamic plans can be simplified while maintaining an acceptable level of optimality by reducing the number of plan options. The reduction is achieved by eliminating switch unions to alternatives that are close in cost. Both approaches of parameter space exploration and dynamic plan generation are deeply integrated into the query optimizer.

Abstract: This replay device includes a replay means which reads in and replays a designated file from a medium upon which a folder is recorded. Moreover, this replay device includes a selection means which receives selection, from contents recorded upon said medium, of said folder which is to be replayed. And the replay device also includes a control means which, when the folder is selected by the selection means, commands said replay means to read in, from said medium, an audio file and a still image file stored in said folder selected by said selection means. And the replay means replays said audio file and said still image file which have been read in, simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing queries. The present invention discloses an efficient method for providing answers to queries under parametric aggregation constraints.

Abstract: In processing a query including a selection criterion on one or more attributes of a relation, a prior statistic generated for a prior different selection criterion on the same one or more attributes of the relation, may be revalidated for use in processing the query, based upon a measure of the entropy of the one or more attributes of the relation. In this way, the re-validation of statistics may be performed more efficiently. Furthermore, attribute groups of a relation for which multi-dimensional indexes are to be formed, are identified by evaluating the correlation of attribute values within tuples of the relation and determining that the correlation of attribute values within tuples of the relation exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A device and search method are described herein which minimizes the cost associated with searching and accessing a memory to obtain a particular piece of stored data. In one embodiment, the device performs the following steps: (1) input search information into a hash function; (2) run the hash function which outputs a first set of information; (3) access a search database (located in static random access memory (SRAM)) to determine an index number of an element therein that contains a second set of information which matches the first set of information outputted by the hash function; and (4) access a result database (located in dynamic random access memory (DRAM)) to obtain the particular piece of data that is stored within an element therein which has an index number that matches the index number of the element within the search database that contained the second set of information which matched the first set of information outputted by the hash function.

Abstract: This present invention is a method for converging a plurality of SQL statements into SQL skeletons to enhance database performance analysis and tuning for identifying the most influential SQL skeletons for databases on an RDBMS platform dependent on different standards. In this present invention, the SQL Normalization technique is combined with the accumulation of statistical information, which includes primarily the frequency, along with the cost and number of rows returned by the SQL skeletons. SQL normalization and collection of statistical data are thus the two principal constituents of SQL Convergence. This simple methodology can then be extended to meet various needs depending on the requirements of the RDBMS and the DBA's tuning priorities.

Abstract: A method for content checking a document, the method including: if the document is a word processing document then: determining if a profile category has been associated with the word processing document; if a profile category has not been associated with the word processing document, applying a default profile rule to perform the content checking; if a profile category has been associated with the word processing document, accessing a user-defined profile rule and applying the user-defined profile rule to perform the content checking; if the document is an email then: determining a profile category for each recipient of the email; determining a profile rule associated with each recipient of the email in response to the profile category; selecting one of the profile rules based on a rank of the profile rules; applying the selected profile rule to perform the content checking of the email.

Abstract: A novel method for going beyond the observed properties of a keyword, to a model in which the presence of a term in a document is assessed not by looking at the actual occurrence of that term, but by a set of non-independent supporting terms, defining the context. In other words, similarity is determined not by properties of the keyword, but by properties of the keyword's context. This yields a scoring for documents which is useful for ad hoc retrieval and, by extension, any information retrieval task where keyword-based similarity is needed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses enable providing an action related to a business object in response to receiving a request to access the business object. In one embodiment, a related action is identified based on a context of a work environment from which the request is generated. The context may include a business role of the requester, a type of the requested object, a specific instance of the object, a relationship of the requester to the specific instance, a channel from which the request is received, etc. The identified related action is provided to a consumer of the business object.

Abstract: A method for processing structured search queries received at an internet search includes receiving at the internet search site a structured search query containing a user's search intent and other pertinent information about the user and the site. The structured search query is constructed as a conforming structured search string. The method further includes parsing the structured search query based on a grammar published for affiliates or partners to construct the structured search query. Still further, the method includes extracting individual breadcrumbs from the structured search query that were used to build the structured search query. This includes decoding the position and meaning of each respective breadcrumb in the structured search query. The method further includes forming match tokens from the identified individual breadcrumbs and combinations of breadcrumbs.

Abstract: A system and method provides location-aware search results from a navigation or other device and provides one or more enhanced listings or advertisements with the results to offset the communication cost of the search. The sponsor may be charged for the listing or advertisement and the charge may be based on whether the device arrives in an area around the sponsor location within a threshold amount of time.

Abstract: An automatic matching method and system which can initially automatically match a category and an original query, and then perform a search within a designated category when matching a subsequent query, and thereby enable a more accurate query matching is provided. According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic matching method and system which can automatically match a category and an original query prior to matching a query and thereby can more exactly match the query within a designated category.

Abstract: A system and method, in the context of a search engine marketing campaign, for determining a value to be placed upon at least one mode through which an Internet user is referred to or otherwise enters a website of interest is described. Several embodiments include systems and methods for valuing at least one referral mode based on data acquired from one or more search engines and/or web analytics tools. The systems and methods are further configured to perform fraud analysis, achieve a predictive value of a referral mode and/or optimize the placement of a website in organic or paid search results at one or more search engines based on the value of the at least one referral mode.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing to an electronic device is disclosed. At least one server may gather Information from the electronic device, which may be, for example, a mobile terminal. Information may also be gathered regarding the user of the mobile terminal. At least one user profile may be generated based on the gathered information. Information may then be sent to the mobile terminal based on the at least one user profile generated.

Abstract: A system provides a connection between education administration, particularly as such administration assigns or selects books, and the marketing and use of those books. Such marketing and use of those books and information related to those books can include, without limitation, consumer product information, the publishing industry and specifically book publishing, and market analysis, analysis of data, markets, demand and supply chain and inventory management.

Abstract: A database processing system and method for inserting into a database and retrieving from database documents formatted in accordance with a markup language.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method that employ a dynamic use of Look Ahead Predicate Generation that will enable the database, database engine, and/or query optimizer to alter the processing of a query, and react to sub-optimal access plan selection and additional factors arising after processing has begun, to heal many poor performing queries. Conventional use of LPG requires the query optimizer to decide whether or not to use LPG before the processing of a query begins. As a result, the query optimizer may not only make sub-optimal decisions, but the query optimizer may not consider additional factors that may arise as the query is processing. However, the dynamic use of LPG allows predicates to be built after processing of the query has started and the ability to alter the query's processing to improve query performance.

Abstract: A directed set can be used to establish contexts for linguistic concepts: for example, to aid in answering a question, to refine a query, or even to determine what questions can be answered given certain knowledge. A directed set includes a plurality of elements and chains relating the concepts. One concept is identified as a maximal element. The chains connect the maximal element to each concept in the directed set, and more than one chain can connect the maximal element to any individual concept either directly or through one or more intermediate concepts. A subset of the chains is selected to form a basis for the directed set. Each concept in the directed set is measured to determine how concretely each chain in the basis represents it. These measurements for a single concept form a vector in Euclidean k-space. Distances between these vectors can be used to determine how closely related pairs of concepts are in the directed set.

Abstract: A system and method for the capture and archival of electronic communication is disclosed. A network interface card in promiscuous mode connected to an electronic communications network is employed to capture network packets, which are reconstructed into the original electronic message. The electronic message is then hashed, parsed, analyzed and formatted for storage. The electronic message, in a structured format, is compressed and encrypted before being written to a storage unit based on the message hash. Meta Data information and keywords from the electronic message are written to an index database. Electronic messages can later be retrieved using a message query and retrieval component. A user created policy governs what electronic messages are captured, how those messages are stored and who can access them.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for enabling parametric searches on source data using text search engine. The invention is generally divided into a build-time process and a run-time process. During the build-time process, a crawler extracts data units from source data. A data translator then translates data units into keyword parametric entries that are submitted to the text search engine. During the run-time process, a query translator translates parametric search queries into keyword search entries. A metatag refiner then filters intermediate search results from the search engine based on the parametric search query.

Abstract: A database management system predicts a selectivity for database query conditions requiring a join of records from different tables. The system identifies at least one skewed value in a field specified in the join condition, and constructs, for each skewed value, a set of hypothetical query predicates in which the field specified in the join condition is replaced with a constant equal to the skewed value. The system then predicts the selectivity for the hypothetical predicates, using any appropriate prediction technique. The selectivities of the hypothetical predicates are used to predict a selectivity for the original query.

Abstract: Determining correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes of electronic forms based on schemas of those forms is described. Importing, merging, and/or annotating data from one electronic form into another electronic form based on correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes is also described.

Abstract: A method and system for an automatic people matching with a mutual commit process is disclosed. The process includes a recommender system that generates people recommendations based, at least in part, on inferences of preferences derived from system usage behaviors. The process also includes variations of a mutual commitment process that may only reveal a first party's interest in making their expression of interest with a second party if a reciprocal interest in revealing expression of interest is indicated. The process enhances social networking by reducing potential embarrassment and fear of rejection.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the classification of a document based on a lexicon structured into categories. Terms in the document may be matched with terms in the lexicon along with the relative position of the term in the document. A weight function may be used to compute a score for each category. The normalized category scores may be used to classify the content of the document.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a session file and session file editor with main window and one or more document windows and annotation window and lock/unlock features. The session file may include text, audio, image, and other data elements with source data divided into segments or other bounded divisions and other data elements associated to original data. The session file may be derived from processing third-party application output. These applications may run as plugins that load with the session file editor or on a server. The session file editor displays text and other content, provides text selection capability and plays back audio of session files with audio-linked text as embedded content, and supports entry of text. The session file editor supports locking a session file from a such that a locked file cannot be modified and saved by a user with the session file editor.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for controlling access to a relational database is presented. The method includes: defining and creating a plurality of entitlement tables, wherein the entitlement tables are usable by multiple relational databases; receiving a request, from a user, for access to requested data in a relational database, wherein the user is identified by a user identifier that is set by a relational database program; and determining if the user is authorized to access the requested data by comparing the user identifier with an entry in an entitlement table that is associated with the requested data in the relational database, wherein the entitlement table defines which data classifications are authorized to be accessed by the user. The plurality of entitlement tables may have a priority hierarchy, wherein the priority hierarchy defines a higher priority entitlement table as being dominant to a lower priority entitlement table.

Abstract: A computerized system for vehicle management. The system may include a database including information regarding vehicles in a set of vehicles and customer accounts. The system may also include: a server coupled to the database that serves user interface pages; a login mechanism; logic implementing rules regarding a relationship between system users on the one hand and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts on the other hand; a search mechanism and a search results interface; and logic that serves a customer account interface, the customer account interface displaying information regarding customer accounts to the extent allowed by rules regarding the relationship between system users and information regarding vehicles and customer accounts. The information regarding customer accounts may include information regarding payments and time remaining in leases in respective customer accounts, or other information.

Abstract: A distributed file system is disclosed which may include one or more input/output (I/O) nodes and one or more compute nodes. The I/O nodes and the compute nodes may be communicably coupled through an interconnect. Each compute node may include applications to perform specific functions and perform I/O functions through libraries and file system call handlers. The file system call handlers may be capable of providing application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate communication between the plurality of I/O nodes and the applications. The file system call handlers may use a message port system to communicate with other compute nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting and reviewing data related to web services receives service criteria from a service requester, selects candidate services that match the service criteria, invokes the selected candidate services, and aggregates results provided by the candidate services. In conjunction with aggregating results, the method and system builds service result objects conforming to a composite schema constructed from the various result schemas. To increase the utility of the aggregated results, metadata such as an invocation timestamp are also attached to each service result object. Result values are inspected and enumerated within a results table that may be used to determine which service result objects contain a particular result value.