Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method, an apparatus, and a computer usable program product for authenticating a transaction. A confirmation device receives an authentication data pattern from a data processing system, wherein the authentication data pattern is generated in response to completing a transaction processed by the data processing system. Responsive to receiving the authentication data pattern from the data processing system, the confirmation device monitors a transmission comprising the data pattern from a wireless mobile device. Responsive to receiving the transmission comprising the data pattern from the wireless mobile device, the confirmation device authenticates the data pattern from the wireless mobile device using an authentication form.

Abstract: A method of conducting a transaction between a user of a mobile electronic device and a vendor includes determining a location of the mobile electronic device. At least one transaction terminal that has a location-based relationship with the mobile electronic device is identified. A transaction code for authenticating the mobile electronic device during interaction of the mobile electronic device and the transaction terminal is provided to the identified transaction terminal and the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A method for managing access to application software contained on a computer system or network. The computer system utilizes an authentication component that is configured to receive a unique user account identifier and to generate an authentication passkey by using an identifying data element, typically called a “password”. The identifying data elements are collected from one or more input devices and used as an encryption key for the user account identifier. The generated authentication passkey is used in an authentication transaction associated with the application software instead of the identifying data element thereby reducing data security risks if the identifying data element alone were discovered due to other unknowns including the encryption elements.

Abstract: A method for transferring funds from a sender to a recipient includes receiving a request to transfer the funds from a sender; creating a transaction record having a transaction identifier; providing the transaction identifier to the sender; receiving the transaction identifier from a recipient; obtaining a first biometric sample from the recipient; using the biometric sample to select a MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) from a pool of predetermined MTCNs; associating the MTCN with the first biometric sample and the transaction record; providing the MTCN to the recipient; thereafter, receiving a request from the recipient to receive the funds; obtaining the MTCN from the recipient; obtaining a second biometric sample from the recipient; using the MTCN and/or the second biometric sample to locate the transaction record; comparing the second biometric sample to the first biometric sample; and determining whether to provide the funds based on the comparison.

Abstract: Method of processing secure online transactions such as authentication, ordering, purchasing and payment, whereby the need for any specific configuration of the Internet user's computer or the web pages of merchant sites or other sites is eliminated and only insertion of a data storage medium into said computer to carry out the online activities is needed. The data storage medium comprises an executable software that transmits the web page present on the screen of said computer along with a unique number to the issuer of said medium for authentication. After authentication by the issuer, the latter transmits an order, accompanied by said captured web page, to said merchant site.

Abstract: A social network for business-to-business platform using an e-commerce platform and system consolidate a tiered vertical market space by connecting multiple vendors to a target audience or consumer class through an affiliate network. In one embodiment, an affiliate network (200) includes consumer platforms (220), vendor platforms (230) and affiliate platforms (240), all connected via a social network for business-to-business platform (210). The social network for business-to-business platform (210) includes a number of web pages that may include content (213) of interest to the consumers (220), as well as a market place (212) by which consumers (220) can purchase products from the various vendors (230). In addition, consumers (220) may be referred to the platform (210) by the affiliate platforms (240).

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to allocate a borrower's monthly home loan repayments to a loan provider to an interest payment account and an equity accrual account; and, to further allocate to a retirement or education account a monthly amount of savings that is correlated to that portion of each monthly home loan repayment comprising interest on the loan. The monthly amount of savings allocated to the retirement or education account is computed by multiplying that portion of each monthly home loan repayment comprising interest on the loan by a savings rate that is a function of an economic benchmark.

Abstract: A business method is disclosed of increasing the probability of timely receiving payment for financing renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) by a consumer for power generation at a consumer premises, the renewable energy CPE adapted to deliver power onto a power grid. The method comprises creating an agreement between a consumer and an entity financing renewable energy CPE, wherein creating the agreement includes creating a provision that allows the entity to control power at the consumer premises if a default of the agreement by the consumer occurs.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing an expert system to determine whether to alter a firewall configuration. The expert system receives message flow data associated with a message packet blocked by a firewall. The packet is blocked based on an associated message flow not being permitted by a set of rules. The expert system assigns predefined risk values to the message flow data so that each risk value is associated with a source network, destination network or destination port included in the message flow data. The expert system utilizes the assigned risk values to determine a total risk value associated with the message packet. Finally, the expert system generates a proposal based on the total risk value. The proposal is a recommendation for or against adding to the set of rules a message flow rule that permits the message flow.

Abstract: Users are enabled to use statistical prediction algorithms to set key performance indicator targets based on a variety of considerations allowing them to take into account more quantitative factors in prediction, increase return-on-investment of data assets, increase consistency, and save time and cost in the target setting process. Upon selection of a scorecard, users are provided with a series of user interfaces enabling them to select metrics and data ranges, as well as to set and/or modify configurations associated with prediction algorithms for the selected data and report presentation parameters. Data mining may then be performed based on the selected data and configuration settings resulting in rendering of reports based on the data mining result set(s).

Abstract: A controller for a plant having a fixed-weight recurrent neural network with at least one external input signal representative of a desired condition of the plant and actual condition of the plant, and an output connected as a control signal to the plant. The fixed recurrent neural network includes a set of nodes with fixed weight interconnections between the nodes and at least one feedback input interconnecting an output from at least one of the nodes to an input of at least one node. These nodes collectively determine the value of the output from the neural network as a function of the input signal and the feedback input. The controller also includes an adaptive neural network having a plurality of nodes with variable weight interconnections between the nodes. A cost input from the plant is connected to the adaptive neural network while an output from the adaptive neural network is coupled as a processed feedback signal to nodes of the fixed-weight recurrent neural network.

Abstract: A logical expression of a policy is generated from another logical expression of a policy, for example, via a set of transformations, each of which comprises an input sub-expression and an output sub-expression. Any sub-expression of the input expression which matches an input sub-expression of a transformation rule is replaced with the output sub-expression of that transformation rule to form a sub-expression of the output expression.

Abstract: Computer-executable instructions for identifying associations are described herein. By way of example, a method for facilitating developing a treatment can include employing computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media to determine correlations and utilizing at least some of the determined correlations to develop a treatment.

Abstract: A method for optimally selecting a subset of decisions from a first plurality of decisions related to management of a chaotic event. The first plurality of decisions related to the chaotic event is received. A heuristic algorithm is used to eliminate a first subset of decisions. The first subset of decisions is in the first plurality of decisions. A second plurality of decisions is formed. The second plurality of decisions comprises the first plurality of decisions less the first subset of decisions. A mathematical optimization algorithm is then used to select a second subset of decisions. The second subset of decisions is within the second plurality of decisions. The mathematical optimization algorithm takes as input at least one constraint and chaotic event information. The second subset of decisions is stored.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program for querying data and an associated ontology in a database. An ontology is associated with data in database. Responsive to receiving a query from a requester, relational data in the database is identified using the query to form identified relational data. Ontological knowledge in the ontology is identified using the identified relational data and the ontology. A result is returned to the requester.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for performing fast approximate computation of statistics on query expressions in order to improve query optimization within a database management system by accurately and quickly estimating the sizes of intermediate query results. This is accomplished by analyzing a query for join instruction and identifying a fact table and a dimension table within those join instructions. Then, frequency statistics corresponding to distinct values of within the fact table are retrieved from a catalog table. Those frequency statistics are used in combination with a full scan of the dimension table accurately and quickly estimate frequency statistics for an expected join between the fact table and dimension table. The estimated frequency statistics corresponding to the expected join may then be used in such operations as query optimization.

Abstract: A system and method for processing continual queries includes partitioning an entire monitoring area into regions of different size based upon node and query densities, and deciding an amount of information updates to be received from nodes in the regions based upon load conditions in each region. Information updates are received based on the amount of information updates determined for each region.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates and effectuates database query optimization, comprising a progressive optimization component that receives a query and associated parametric values, and based at least in part on the received query, the progressive optimization component determines whether or not the query has been submitted in the past. Where the query has been previously submitted, the progressive optimization component locates an optimal or near-optimal execution plan based on previously persisted and similarly situated and optimized execution plans that can subsequently be used to evaluate the query and its associated parametric values thereby obviating unnecessary and repeated calls to a database optimizer for queries that are similar though not necessarily identical.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search query from a remote device, determining if the search query includes location-related information, and if the search query includes location-related information, generating a first result set based on the search query and the location-related information, and if the search query does not include location-related information, determining whether a location indicator is associated with the remote device, and if a location indicator is associated with the remote device, generating a second result set based on the search query and the location indicator.

Abstract: In a method or system for generation of a document, at least personal data and a characteristic value are stored in at least one data bank, at least the characteristic value being associated with the personal data. Document data are selected dependent on the stored characteristic value, at least a portion of the document being generated with aid of the selected document data. Information about a point in time is associated with at least a portion of the document data. A time span is preset so that the document data are only selected to generate the document when the time span comprises the point in time associated with the document data.

Abstract: A system [100] includes a database [130] to store a user profile for a user [140]. The user profile contains user-specific information. An intelligent agent [120] monitors a conversation involving the user for at least one keyword. In response to detecting the at least one keyword, the intelligent agent: (a) searches the user profile for at least one item corresponding to the at least one keyword; (b) retrieves the at least one item from the user profile; and (c) determines a relevance between the at least one keyword and the at least one item. An application communication element [135] communicates application information corresponding to the at least one item to an application program in response to the relevance exceeding a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for querying data in a database. An ontology is associated with the data in the database. A query containing a query predicate is received. The query predicate is expanded using implications from the ontology to form a modified query. The modified query is rewritten to include subsumption checking.

Abstract: An “Automatic Communicator” provides automated communications services between portable electronic devices (such as, for example, cell phones, PDA's, media players, portable computers, etc.) to facilitate information transfer and matching services while minimizing or eliminating the need for human involvement in responding to queries from one electronic device to another. Such communications are enabled by allowing portable electronic devices (“requesting devices”) to send a query to other portable electronic devices (“answering devices”), and have one or more of those answering devices automatically respond to the query without requiring users of the answering devices to become involved in providing that response. In effect, this allows the portable electronic devices of users to act as digital “butlers” or “personal assistants” that respond to queries on behalf of the users of those devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote device a search query, generating a plurality of different category-directed result sets for the search query, determining an order for the plurality of category-directed result sets based on the search query, and transmitting the plurality of category-directed result sets to the remote device, in a manner that the result sets are to be displayed in the remote device in the determined order.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided to enable a user to easily and conveniently assign, share, and/or locate characteristic and other information associated with others. In an embodiment, a user can assign, share, and use one or more characterizing tags. A user can use the one or more characterizing tags to characterize a person of interest and/or a relationship or association between the user and the person of interest. A user can also perform searches using one or more characterizing tags to locate others who may be associated with the one or more characterizing tags. Users can also view user profiles including any characterizing tags and/or communicate with others based in part on a characterizing tag. The various embodiments provide a forum for social tagging, allowing a user to apply and use one or more characterizing tags that are associated with a person of interest.

Abstract: A context based search and document retrieval application is disclosed. The application uses context data that is generated by a document analysis component based upon context information from various sources, including for example, document collections available on the world wide web. The context data is provided to a search query generator. The search query generator is configured to generate a contextually annotated search query based upon a user query and context data. Bookmarks having an associated context are generated for documents retrieved in response to the contextually annotated search query. The application then provides access to the bookmarked documents when the user is browsing other documents with similar contexts to the context of the original document for which the context based search was executed and the bookmark created. The bookmarked documents are hyperlinked to terms in the browsed document.

Abstract: Searching a database using an electronic device includes receiving a first text message from the electronic device, providing a first search query to the electronic device in response to the first text message, where first search query is incomplete, receiving a second text message from the electronic device, where the second text message includes a second search query, and where the second search query includes a completed version of the first search query, using the second search query to obtain a search of the database, and providing results of the search to the electronic device.

Abstract: A scalable access filter that is used together with others like it in a virtual private network to control access by users at clients in the network to information resources provided by servers in the network. Each access filter use a local copy of an access control data base (3845) to determine whether an access request is made by a user. Each user belongs to one or more user groups and each information resource belongs to one or more information sets. Access is permitted or denied according to access policies which define access in terms of the user groups and information sets. The first access filter in the path performs the access check, encrypts and authenticates the request; the other access filters in the path do not repeat the access check. The interface used by applications to determine whether a user has access to an entity is now an SQL query.

Abstract: A search method and apparatus which searches for a store handling commodities including receiving a search keyword relating to a targeted commodity, as a condition, searching, based on the search keyword relating to the targeted commodity, a stock database of each store, extracting information of each store having the targeted commodity in stock as a first extracted store, searching the stock database based on data of the targeted commodity, extracting information of a store as a second extracted store, and transmitting data of the second extracted store to the search request source terminal.

Abstract: A search query is submitted to one or more information sources associated with a category of the query. The category of the query is indicated by a query ontology that relates queries to query categories. The information sources represent information sources from which a high percentage of search results for queries associated with the category are retrieved. For instance, the category of the query is identified by identifying categories corresponding to variations of the query, where each variation represents a combination of the terms within the query, and where the categories of the variations are assumed to be the categories of the query. Information sources associated with the query categories are identified, and the query is submitted to the identified information sources. Submitting the query to the identified information sources may cause search results retrieved for the query to more closely reflect search results desired by a user that specified the query.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism for intelligently managing an open query cursor built from a query access plan (AP) by a query optimizer of a database management system (DBMS). In an embodiment, a cursor management system (CMS) detects whether an open query cursor was previously requested for use within another job. If the open query cursor was previously requested, the CMS intelligently manages the query cursor for subsequent use within a different job. For example, the open query cursor may be recycled for subsequent use within the different job. Hence, system resources are not wasted in building and destroying the same cursors for multiple jobs. Alternatively, the query cursor may be pre-built before the cursor is requested for subsequent use within the different job. The CMS may also obtain, release and re-obtain locks for cursors being managed. Alternatively, the job that uses the cursor may obtain the lock.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable media are disclosed for providing virtual RSS feeds to requesting users. In one aspect, an embodiment of the method may include receiving a search query for one or more virtual Really Simple Syndication Feeds. The method further includes comparing a keyword to a database of keywords associated with the virtual Really Simple Syndication feeds. Additionally, the method includes determining which of the associated keywords match with the keywords. Moreover, the method includes providing the associated virtual Really Simple Syndication feeds that correspond to the matched keywords.

Abstract: Web-searchable documents are made accessible to user based on user relations to the document owner. In response to an Internet search query from a user including at least one search term, a document in a search index of documents is analyzed. Keywords within the document are assigned group priority ratings. The group priority ratings are indicative of groups of users that the document owner is willing to share documents with. The group ratings may be assigned by the document owner based, for example, on the sensitivity of personal nature of the keywords. The user's relation rating to an owner of the document is determined, and the search term in the query is compared only to those indexed keywords within the document that have a group priority rating that is less than or equal to the user's relation rating to the owner of the document. An overall document ranking may be determined based on the comparison of the search term to the indexed keywords.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a command generated by selection of a control on a web page displayed on a user device, identifying a registered account associated with the user device, and adding display content associated with the control to a personalized page associated with the registered account based on the selection of the control, without requiring the user device to navigate to a configuration screen.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for coordinating web-based content between networked computing devices is disclosed. The method includes associating an identifier with a first remote device without connecting the identifier to a registered user account, receiving from the first remote device a request to modify a web page, receiving a log-in from a registered user and associating the log-in with the first remote device after receiving the request to modify a first personalized web page, and associating the request to modify a web page with a first personalized home page associated with the registered user, and modifying the first personalized home page.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote device a search query, generating a local result set and one or more non-local result sets for the search query, determining a display location for the local result set relative to the non-local result set based on a position of the search query in a local relevance indicium.

Abstract: A dependency structure is used to divide samples corresponding to items to be ranked into leaf nodes, based on the rank of the items. The dependency structure is trained by splitting or merging training data received at given nodes based on selected features and selected thresholds for those features. A metric is then calculated which is indicative of performance of the node, in splitting the data. The trained structure is then used during runtime to rank items.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing a directory assistance service. The method includes generating an indexing file that is a representation of information associated with a collection of listings stored in an index. The indexing file is utilized as a basis for ranking listings in an index based on the strength of association with a query. Based at least in part on the ranking, an output is provided and is indicative of listings in the index that are likely correspond to the query. At least one particular listing in the index is excluded from the output without there ever being a comparison of features in the query with features in the one particular listing.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media provide for efficient paging of search results in accordance with the access rights of a user. According to various implementations, a request for a search query results in a calculated number of search results being retrieved and analyzed for user access rights. As documents having user access rights are located, session state information corresponding to the number of located documents having user access rights and to the number of analyzed documents required to locate the number of documents having user access rights is maintained. This information is used to dynamically alter the number of subsequent documents that are retrieved in order to fill a page of results. This minimizes redundant determinations of user access rights and minimizes the number of documents required to be retrieved and analyzed in order to fulfill a search query request.

Abstract: String-oriented web queries are utilized as a tool to examine the fabric of how words, phrases and/or n-grams alternate in a language. This fabric is exploited in order to build up a matrix of semantically equivalent pieces of language. In one embodiment, the Distributional Hypothesis is utilized, along with strategies for confirming synonymy, to systematically build up a picture of what words/phrases can be legitimately substituted for one another.

Abstract: A design support apparatus extracts feature data corresponding to design data to be searched upon receiving the design data to be searched. The apparatus checks the extracted feature data against the feature data associated with the feature associated information, ordering the design data associated with the feature associated information in descending order of similarity to the design data to be searched, retrieving one piece of the ordered design data. The apparatus generates a classification hierarchy consisting of pieces of classification data obtained by classifying a set of the retrieved design data based on a degree of feature similarity using the feature data associated with the feature associated information. The apparatus selects the design information closely associated with the classification data by fetching the design information corresponding to the design data contained in the classification data from the design associated information associating the design data and the design information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that enables specification of what search documents have to contain, where specification can have almost unlimited precision. The method allows specification directly using the proposed information location in information space or using other formats such as list of keywords or natural text, while method will translate it to information location in information space allowing user to easily check system understanding of his search specification and correct it. When matching documents are displayed, their information location is displayed and user might correct it according to his knowledge, allowing system to influence information about documents basing it on information from several users.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting service providers with service requesters within a social network. The system and method may operate even if the service requestor does not provide any compensation and is not subject to any obligation in return for the service provided by the at least one service provider. The system and method may be based on user feedback and/or a point system. The system and method may be applied to a social network for connecting pet owners with pet sitters for provision of pet-sitting services.

Abstract: A security component for use with an Internet browser application which displays Internet resources in response to receiving resource locators specifying the Internet resources is disclosed. The security component comprises means for receiving a resource locator from the browser application and means for providing a security alert if the resource locator fulfils one or more criteria. The security component may be a plug-in or toolbar for a web browser application. A security information server and a method for providing security information are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method for using an intraoperative imaging system. The method includes acquiring an image using an intraoperative imaging system, labeling the image by associating the image with a label, and storing the image and the label.

Abstract: Described is fast motion estimation based upon epipolar geometry, which can be used in compressing multi-view video. An epipolar line is computed based on a point (e.g., a centroid point) in a macroblock to be predicted, and a temporary starting point in an image is determined, such as a median predicted search center. A search starting point is further determined based on the temporary starting point and the epipolar line, e.g., a point on the epipolar line corresponding to an intersecting line that is projected orthogonally from the temporary point to the epipolar line. A motion estimation mechanism searches the search space to produce a motion vector. The search may be conducted starting at the search starting point in a reduced search area located around the epipolar line, e.g., a local diamond search and/or rotated unsymmetrical rood-pattern search.

Abstract: A method including storing two-dimensional binary data in the form of high or low resistance states into a crossbar array with a programmable material layer and transforming the two-dimensional binary data into one-dimensional analog data via the crossbar array.

Abstract: The ADIS can be an automated identification system comprised of a search and retrieval stage based on potential similarities and a verification stage to match based upon the comparisons of dental images. A first embodiment is an automated dental identification system comprising establishing and enhancing raw subject dental records and extracting high level features; establishing data communication between a client coupled to a server via a network; searching a dental records database via said data communication and creating a candidate list; comparing a subject dental record to the candidate list to categorize potential matches; and inspecting potential matches for a final determination. A further embodiment can be establishing and enhancing raw subject dental records further comprising record preprocessing wherein said record preprocessing comprises record cropping, film enhancement, film type detection, teeth segmentation, and teeth labeling.

Abstract: A method for traversing a file system tree on a storage device includes obtaining a list of entries within a directory of the file system tree. The list of entries is sorted in order of the file locations on the storage device. The entries within the list of entries are accessed for tree traversal in order in which they are sorted.

Abstract: A method of processing files stored in a multimedia server is disclosed. The method includes: a PC console acquiring the file information of the files stored in the multimedia server; the PC console analyzing the file information in the multimedia server and sorting the files stored in the multimedia server to generate a plurality of first nodes by a first sorting criterion; sorting the first nodes to generate a plurality of second nodes by a second sorting criterion; assigning a serial number for the first nodes and the second nodes respectively; the PC console generating a file information table in the multimedia server according to the first nodes and the second nodes; and searching the files stored in the multimedia server according to the file information table.