Abstract: A method for the optimization of the design and/or operation of a computer system is disclosed. According to the invention the method constructs an initial set of solutions as input to an iterative optimization procedure by evaluating a preliminary set of solutions according to at least one selection criterion. From this evaluation, a first subset, which contains solutions which satisfy the at least one selection criterion to a degree better than a predefined first threshold, results. The method then identifies common features of the solutions in the first subset. From these common features deployment rules are derived, which constrain the solutions selected for the initial set, and which optionally also constrain the modifications of solutions during the iterative procedure. The deployment rules may be updated during the iterative procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed are some examples of systems, apparatus, methods and storage media for providing customized recommendations to users. Some implementations more particularly relate to a recommendation platform that enables authorized third parties to create, customize and add new recommendations that are then available to be served to target users or audiences of users. Some implementations further relate to a recommendation platform that enables authorized users to define audiences, scheduling settings, scheduling policies, and rules to customize or influence the provision of associated recommendations to the users. The recommendation platform includes a recommendation engine that serves the recommendations to users based on such defined audiences, scheduling settings, policies or other rules.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for detecting patterns in a data stream that match multi-pattern rules. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of recognizing a specified group of patterns in a data stream. The method comprises identifying a rule for said specified group of patterns in the data stream, and using a first array of finite state machines to scan the data stream for at least some of the patterns in the specified group. For patterns in the specified group that are found in the data stream by the first array of finite state machines, pattern identifiers are sent to a second array of finite state machines. The second array of finite state machines determines if the specified group of patterns is in the data stream in accordance with the identified rule by, at least in part, using said pattern identifiers.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automatically detecting anomalies in the content of a scheduled social media post, alerting a user to the presence of such anomalies before the content is posted and recommending a course of action when an anomaly is detected. A set of keywords is extracted from a scheduled post using an ontological classification technique. At predetermined time intervals, the keywords are compared with information obtained from one or more data sources to determine if an anomaly is present. If an anomaly is detected, the scheduled post is classified into one of at least three categories: supporting the post, neutral, or opposing the post. Once the anomaly is detected and the scheduled post is classified, the author of the post is alerted to the anomaly along with the categorization. Subsequently, the author may reschedule the post to an earlier or later time, delete the post, or change the post.

Abstract: An inference engine is described for efficient machine learning. For example, an inference engine executes a plurality of ordered steps to carry out inference on the basis of observed data. For each step, a plurality of inputs to the step are received. A predictor predicts an output of the step and computes uncertainty of the prediction. Either the predicted output or a known output is selected on the basis of the uncertainty. If the known output is selected, the known output is computed, (for example, using a resource intensive, accurate process). The predictor is retrained using the known output and the plurality of inputs of the step as training data. For example, computing the prediction is fast and efficient as compared with computing the known output.

Abstract: Computational processes and their associated data structures representing past events of interest in a geographic area and recent time period, contextual information such as terrain data, and labeled space-time probability fields are continuously executed to generate and update a spatial probability field that conveys the risk of similar such events occurring in the near future at given locations in the area of interest. The invention specifies two computational processes operating in shared data structures, one tracing back in time known past events to probable origin locations while accounting for movement constraints and location preferences, the other projecting event risk forward in time from likely origin locations, accounting for movement constraints and targeting preferences. The invention further specifies that these two processes may tune each others' parameters through the evaluation of the accuracy of the recall of past events, thus generating more accurate future event risk forecasts.

Abstract: One factor in limiting the speed of conventional implementations of mixture models is that the algorithm involves many decisions where different operations are fetched and performed depending on the outcome of the decisions. These decisions cause flushing of the pipeline, and thus prevent the realization of a highly parallel pipeline in a processor. Without parallelism, the throughput of the pipeline in the processor, i.e., the ability to process many samples of the digital input at a time, is limited. To alleviate this issue, implementation of the mixture model is reformulated, among other things, by embedding decisions into the process flow as multiplicative factors. The resulting implementation alleviates the need to use if-else statements for the decisions and reduces the number of times the pipeline has to be flushed. The implementation enables a pipeline with a higher degree of parallelism and thereby increases throughput and speed of the implementation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a quantum computing device and the means for fabrication thereof. One side of the device includes a circuit containing at least one qubit patterned in a film of superconducting material. The other side of the device includes a conductive plane, also formed from a film of superconducting material. The proximity of the conductive plane suppresses radiative decay of the qubit, while readout is achieved by coupling the qubit to a resonator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recommending bidded terms are disclosed. The system collects a plurality of bidded terms and separates them into ad groups. The add groups are then combined into sequences of terms, which are fed into a deep learning network to build a multidimensional word vector in which related terms are nearer one another than unrelated terms. An input term is then received and the system matches the input term in the multidimensional word vector and recommends the nearest neighbors to the term.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a term saliency model is trained to identify salient terms that provide supporting evidence of a candidate answer in a question answering computer system based on a training dataset. The question answering computer system can perform term saliency weighting of a candidate passage to identify one or more salient terms and term weights in the candidate passage based on the term saliency model. The one or more salient terms and term weights can be provided to at least one passage scorer of the question answering computer system to determine whether the candidate passage is justified as providing supporting evidence of the candidate answer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing adaptive thresholding technology for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Adaptive thresholding technology may automatically assign new values or adjust existing values for one or more thresholds of one or more time policies. Assigning threshold values using adaptive thresholding may involve identifying training data (e.g., historical data, simulated data, or example data) for the time frames and analyzing the training data to identify variations within the data (e.g., patterns, distributions, trends). A threshold value may be determined based on the variations and may be assigned to one or more of the thresholds without additional user intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting table data from text documents using machine learning are provided. The systems and methods comprise electronically receiving at a computer system a document having one or more tables, each table having one or more whitespace features, processing the document using a first computer model executed by the computer system to classify each row of the one or more tables as a header row or a data row, processing the document using a second computer model executed by the computer system to classify each whitespace feature in each row conditional on classification of each row by the first computer model, the second computer model identifying whether a whitespace feature corresponds to information missing from the one or more tables, and generating an output of the classified whitespace features and storing the output in a digital file.

Abstract: Providing media relating to an event ticket marketplace is described. A method to provide media related to an event list can include maintaining or identifying a user profile and associating the user profile with a request of the user to access an event ticket marketplace. The method can include determining an event list including information associated with one or more events based on the user profile, which may include, for example, a media consumption history and current location, as permitted by the user. The method can include determining a media playlist including one or more media files (e.g., videos) associated with the identified events. A media file from the media playlist is selected, and a graphical user interface (GUI) is generated and presented which includes the event list, the playlist and the selected media file.

Abstract: Creating and delivering a digital travel companion for a traveler that is an adjunct to a ticket for travel, a reservation and/or a hospitality rental. The digital travel companion is electronically delivered to the traveler and/or customer in the form of a wrapped package of cards. The cards in the wrap are selectively authored to include (i) an itinerary card, (ii) media content and (iii) a palette of application functionality and/or e-commerce related services. In addition, the cards are arranged into one or more linear sequences. Thus, as the wrap package is consumed, the user experience is analogous to the turning of the pages of a book. In non-exclusive embodiments, the media content of the cards can further be authored to convey a narrative.

Abstract: Creating and delivering a wrap package of cards as a digital companion to the release of a movie. When the wrapped package is created, the cards are preferably authored to include (i) one or more linear sequences intended to convey a book-like narrative including preferably a wide variety of multimedia content related to the movie and (ii) a palette of application functionality and/or e-commerce services. As a result, during consumption, the viewer experiences the unfolding of the narrative as the cards are sequentially browsed. With the application functionality and e-commerce services interwoven within the narrative, the wrap package has the unique ability to deliver multimedia content, interactively engage viewers, and enable the viewers to immediate participate in e-commerce, such as by purchasing tickets and other movie-related merchandise, all while consuming the wrap.

Abstract: A method for generating a visual representation of transport schedule adherence in a transit system including collecting transport schedule data received by a plurality of sensors deployed in a plurality of transit vehicles of the transit system, organizing and saving the received transport schedule data to a data storage facility, and receiving a user selection for the generation of a visual representation of transport schedule adherence in the transit system.

Abstract: Systems and methods that monitor the movement of a patient through the medical treatment process and collect, process, and display various statistics concerning that movement, while also making suggestions that improve patient flow, providing tools to appropriately revise schedules and templates to make future schedules more efficient. Embodiments of the invention treat each patient visit as a multi-stage process and collect information of interest concerning the various stages of the process, such as arrival time, departure time, etc. The collected data may be used to study the treatment process and how it relates to certain individual patients or classes of patients, as well as, e.g., potentially making recommendations to improve the treatment process, modifying future schedules to increase efficiency, making real time optimizations of patient visits, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a management method to achieve organizational aims, comprising listing organizational aims, determining one or more goals to meet in order to reach the organizational aims, defining one or more performance measures each having numeric year to date measure data to measure attainment of each of the goals in a twelve month period, describing why each of the performance measures was chosen, naming person or personnel position responsible for ensuring entry of the year to date measure data, specifying frequency of entry of the year to date measure data within a twelve month period, labeling the year to date measure data with an appropriate unit of measure, stating a source from which the year to date measure data is to be collected, demarcating an annual target and a red line target for each of the year to date measure data, entering the year to date measure data to create entered year to date measure data, updating the year to date measure to create updated year to date measur

Abstract: A method for scheduling cleaning of a photovoltaic (“PV”) system is implemented by a soiling monitoring computer system. The method includes determining a soiling level and a soiling rate for a photovoltaic (PV) system, calculating a cost associated with cleaning the PV system at each of a plurality of possible cleaning times, determining an expected energy output gain associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible times based on the soiling level and the soiling rate, calculating an expected benefit associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible cleaning times based on the expected energy output gain associated with each possible cleaning time, determining a first time of the plurality of possible times when the expected benefit exceeds the cost, and scheduling a cleaning time based on at least the determined first time.

Abstract: A method for providing an estimate for a defined building control system comprises displaying on a user interface a plurality of areas in which the defined building control system would be installed. Pluralities of subsystems are associated with the plurality of areas and include at least one typical subsystem that is associated with a defined plurality of building automation components in a database. The method further comprises displaying on the user interface the typical subsystem in association with the plurality of areas. A number of instances of the typical subsystem that are associated with the plurality of areas are also displayed on the user interface. A cost estimate is generated for the defined building control system based at least in part on the number of instances of the typical subsystem.

Abstract: An enhanced system is provided to assist a building professional in selecting products for building projects which minimize environmental impact. Accurate data on many different building products that has previously been collected, categorized and subcategorized by product type is provided to the system. This information has previously been separated into ranks (spheres) based upon how well the data has been collected according to ISO Product Standard data requirements. A user may then interactively select values for the environmental impact parameters. Products matching the selected environmental impact parameter values are displayed, while those not matching the values are not displayed. The user may select various products. The amount of each selected product to be used on a project is acquired and used to weight the environmental impact. Costs and financial benefits are determined from the products used and a payback period is determined.

Abstract: A method for validating material requirements planning data is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first set of scheduling data from a first resource planning tool, receiving a second set of scheduling data from a second resource planning tool, performing a comparison of the first set of scheduling data and the second set of scheduling data, and generating a report based on the comparison.

Abstract: A logistics network that is optimum under consolidated demand-supply conditions is obtained. A demand-supply information storing unit stores demand-supply information about demand and supply. A similarity degree calculating unit calculates a degree of similarity between items that are included in the demand-supply information. A grouping unit groups together the items included in the demand-supply information together, based on the degree of similarity. An impact degree calculating unit calculates, for items that are grouped by the grouping unit and for items that are not grouped by the grouping unit, the degrees of impact of the items on demand-supply conditions to be used in processing of searching for an optimum logistics network. A determining unit determines, based on the degrees of impact calculated by the impact degree calculating unit, whether or not the demand-supply conditions of the items are to be used in the logistics network search processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for obtaining, for a particular company, data specifying entities, each of the entities being one of a supply chain node and a supply chain lane. The apparatus automatically supplements stored data about a company specific supply chain network based on the obtained data.

Abstract: A GUI displays information about a service, such as a service in an IT environment, and the specification for a related key performance indicator (KPI). The service can be provided by a number of entities (e.g., servers) for which machine data is generated and collected. The KPI is defined by a search query that produces a KPI value from the relevant machine data. Thresholds can aid in translating KPI values into a simpler, and possibly, common set of state values (e.g., Normal, Warning, Critical). A user can supply via a GUI, one or more thresholds that are applied on a per-entity basis in the process of determining a state value for the KPI.

Abstract: A system, method, and graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed for defining and applying time varying static thresholds. Time varying static thresholds may enable a user (e.g., IT manager) to define multiple sets of key performance indicator (KPI) thresholds that vary over time, for example, one set may apply during week-days and another set may apply on weekends. This may enable a user to have thresholds that take into account cyclical patterns of behavior (e.g., repeat every week). The KPI thresholds may be based on any unit of time, such as an hour of the day, days of the week, a month of the year (such as a holiday season). Each set may include KPI thresholds that specify values that when exceeded may initiate an alert or some other action.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for managing business award workflow. Some embodiments include receiving information related to a policy, receiving information related to a project, where the project includes a business award to a supplier, and comparing the policy with the information to determine whether the business award adheres to the policy. Similarly, some embodiments include, in response to determining that the business award adheres to the policy, sending at least a portion of the information to a predetermined approver, in response to determining that the business award does not adhere to the policy, preventing the business award to occur and identify a reason that the business award does not meet the policy.

Abstract: A service monitoring system (SMS) produces key performance indicator (KPI) scores that indicate the performance of a service. To produce the KPI scores, the SMS may process the data for a large number of machine entities that perform the service. This data can be processed on a per-entity basis to produce a per-entity KPI score representing the contribution of a particular machine to the overall KPI. The per-entity KPI scores can be transformed to statistical representations which can be visualized as a distribution stream graph. The visualization may be presented with interactive aspects.

Abstract: This document relates to meeting evaluation. One example determines previous meeting attributes of previous meetings that were attended by a user or to which the user was invited, and obtains implicit feedback about the previous meetings from a device of the user. The example includes training a predictive algorithm to evaluate future meetings for the user using the previous meeting attributes and the implicit feedback about the previous meetings.

Abstract: A system for automatic assessment of performance monitoring activities. the system comprises an interface for receiving commands to perform the automatic assessment of performance monitoring activities, memory comprising an executable assessment application and at least one processor configured to access and execute the assessment application to automatically assess performance monitoring activities in response to receiving a command from the interface.

Abstract: Described are platforms, systems, media, and methods for providing an on-demand temporary staffing exchange. Automatic identification of individual staffers suitable for particular temporary staffing positions is based in part on ratings of the individual staffer and of the employer. When a suitable individual is identified, immediate booking is effectuated.

Abstract: A system for managing a sales force that includes at least one sales associate comprises a management console and a mobile console that is in communication with the management console via a data communication network. The mobile console includes a positioning module for determining a geographical position of the mobile console, an interface for receiving input from the sales associate, a display for presenting information to the sales associate, a wireless communication interface for sending and receiving information via the data communication network, a data reader, a memory for storing information and operational instructions for the mobile console, and a processor for controlling and for sending information to and receiving information from the positioning module, the interface, the display, the wireless communication interface, the data reader, and the memory.

Abstract: The delivery of goods to a customer comprises a substantial portion of human activity. To correct address errors and/or to more precisely locate delivery locations, systems are provided to assist human, human operated vehicle, or autonomous vehicles to locate a delivery point. Often the location of a delivery point is inaccurate or imprecise. GPS and other coordinate systems often fail or are imprecise without an unobstructed view of the sky. Even with coordinates available, the delivery point may be different from the coordinates or, more commonly, coordinates that are different from some standard point within a postal address associated with the coordinates. Providing a delivery system that utilizes a broadcasted identifier, such as an identifier associated with the order of the item, the delivery of the item may be made proximate to the source of the broadcasted identifier or further refined using the broadcasted identifier as a reference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for enhancing an automated delivery system by implementing a laser scanning mechanism. The method accepts the consumer's order over the network and instructs the delivery vehicle to collect the item(s) as per the order placed by the consumer. As the delivery vehicle receives the order from the consumer, the vehicle starts moving towards the placer robot over a guideway track to collect the ordered item(s). Further, as the delivery vehicle identifies a light emitting device (LED) over the guideway track, the delivery vehicle stops at the specified location. As the delivery vehicle stops at the specified location, the motion detector instructs the LED device to emit a laser signal for scanning the delivery vehicle and based on the scanned information, the processing device instructs the placer robot(s) to retrieve and dispense the ordered item(s) into delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A tank inventory signaling apparatus that has bins with aligned parallel rows of industrial gas cylinder tanks stored in a cage having upright posts forming fences that define storage bins. Tanks in each bin are separated from each other by hinged gates that can be closed by magnetic or electronic latches. The logic state of all latches, open or closed, is reported to a local server that communicates gate state logic to a remote server. Tank inventory is inferred by opening of gates since it is necessary to open a gate to remove a tank. All gates in a cage have a collective gate state. Changes in the gate states of all tank storage units is reported to a remote server having associated tank management and supply software and route management software. In this manner, local tank usage can be tracked at remote locations for resupply of tanks and delivery of replacement tanks can be optimized.

Abstract: Management controller awareness and cooperation between nodes within an IT environment are used to provide a secure, optional and altruistic system to identify environment inventory. Such a system minimizes a management controller compute overhead, network burden via an optimized search space and provides an opportunistic scheduled time for response.

Abstract: A method of adding a plurality of customizable event timers to a food freshness printer or smart printer is disclosed. The customizable event timers are added by the operator for the purpose of sounding an alarm to indicate an elapse in time and/or printing labels at a predetermined interval. When the event timer expires and the user acknowledges the audible tone, the user has the option to restart the timer for the next event or delete the timer. Further, the event timers enable the user to either display a message or print a set of labels when the timer expires.

Abstract: A gas cylinder counting apparatus that has bins with aligned parallel rows of industrial gas cylinders stored in a cage having upright posts with gas cylinder movement detectors. Gas cylinders in each bin are separated from each other to form a cylinder array. Proximity sensors attached to posts count cylinder removals by changes of state of the cylinder array and report removal of a cylinder from the bin to a local server. When gas cylinders are removed from other cages, local servers report to a remote server and to the management software for gas cylinder ordering and delivery.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for an asset management service. The asset management service can receive asset record creation requests and can store asset records at an asset data repository. The asset records can identify assets and associated information such as, for example, asset identifiers, personnel, organizations, users, geographic locations, time and date information, status information, or the like. A user device can execute an asset management application to generate asset tags including the asset identifiers and to scan existing asset tags. When asset tags are scanned, the user device also can capture device and/or user information that can be used to set a status or provide available status choices. Status updates can be provided to the asset management service for updating of the asset records.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use in identifying potential shipments of prohibited goods from merchants in connection with processing transactions relating to the goods. In one exemplary embodiment, a request is initially received, at a computing device, to process a transaction relating to goods provided by a target merchant where the request includes an address or other data associated with the target merchant. A database of merchants that have previously been identified as, or associated with, selling and/or shipping prohibited goods to consumers is then searched for the address or other data associated with the target merchant. When the address or other data associated with the target merchant is in the database, the target merchant is flagged at the computing device and the transaction is declined.

Abstract: When an indication of an incident is received, it may be determined whether the incident is located in an area that is defined to surround an entity of a supply chain network and whether the entity of the supply chain network is relevant for a shipment associated with a company. The entity is one of a supply chain node and a supply chain lane. A reporting of the incident to a user may be caused, in case at least one criterion is met. The at least one criterion comprises that it is determined that the incident is located in an area that is defined to surround an entity of the supply chain network and that the entity of the supply chain network is relevant for a shipment associated with the company. A company may make use of the report for an incident monitoring.

Abstract: A method for dynamically orchestrating a set of driver functions, the method comprising (1) authenticating credentials of a driver (2) displaying a main interface presenting a set of options to the driver (3) displaying an inventory list interface enumerating the items to be moved and packed (4) displaying a furniture list enumerating a set of items and an associated set of furniture attributes for each item in the set of items (5) displaying an estimate interface indicating a set of load attributes as received by the estimator at time of booking (6) presenting a set of valuation coverage options to the client to protect the contents of the move (7) displaying an inventory check in interface at the destination location for the client to inspect each item in the inventory and (8) presenting a final bill of lending to the client before displaying a payment screen interface for the driver to select a form of payment.

Abstract: An apparatus determines a degree of involvement of each of a plurality of entities of a supply chain network in transports of shipments associated with a particular company, based on data on shipments associated with the company that have been transported in the past. An entity of the supply chain network is a supply chain node or a supply chain lane. The apparatus moreover estimates a relevance of each of the plurality of entities for the company based on the determined degree of involvement of each of the plurality of entities in transports of shipments associated with the company. The apparatus causes storage of an indication of the estimated relevance for at least some of the plurality of entities of the supply chain network for further use.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a picker to correctly identify and pick inventory items from a warehouse or storage facility are provided. An exemplary portable picking-assistance device comprises first and second communication devices. The first communication device is configured to electronically receive a first item list including one or more items to be retrieved by an operator from a predetermined storage area. The one or more items may be selected from a plurality of items stored in the predetermined storage area. The second communication device is configured to communicate radio frequency signals to a first radio frequency (RF) tag of a plurality of RF tags. The first RF tag is associated with a first item listed on the first item list. An indication is provided to the operator confirming an identification of the first item to be retrieved by the operator.

Abstract: Matches for load or transportation services with transportation service providers (TSPs) are established, and estimated arrival times are provided. A transportation service request is arranged and an estimate of time of arrival is made based on an estimation of a time for performing a delivery of the load or provide the transportation service, and the time of arrival estimate is adjusted by at least one external factor expected to affect transit time. An anticipated turn-around time for availability of the TSP is made for a subsequent leg or backhaul and the adjusted time of arrival estimate and the anticipated turn-around time are used to estimate a time of availability of the TSP for the subsequent leg or backhaul. An accepted bid for the subsequent leg or backhaul is made based on an estimated time of availability.

Abstract: Transportation services are matched with a specified demand for transportation services. Categories of transportation services met by capabilities of the transportation service provider is determined, along with preference data concerning the transportation service provider. Candidate service interest is used to match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services. Competitive bids are obtained to meet a specified demand for transportation services, and the transportation service provider is offered inclusion in the competitive bids based on the candidate service interest. If the transportation service provider wins the bid, provision of the transportation service are arranged, and if the transportation service provider loses the bid, repeating the sequence of using the candidate service interest to match the transportation service provider to the specified demand for transportation services.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement an N-tier application package delivery service. Drivers can register for the system and then be presented with automatic alerts when pick up points (for delivery tasks) are nearby or along their current route so that drivers can make extra money by picking packages that are available on or near their current route and then deliver them. Driving patterns of each driver are detected, stored, and analyzed so that their destinations can automatically be predicted.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement an N-tier application package delivery service. Drivers can register for the system and then be presented with automatic alerts when pick up points (for delivery tasks) are nearby or along their current route so that drivers can make extra money by picking packages that are available on or near their current route and then deliver them. Driving patterns of each driver are detected, stored, and analyzed so that their destinations can automatically be predicted.

Abstract: An apparatus receives an indication of an incident potentially affecting a particular route in a section between two supply chain nodes. The particular route is usable for a transport of a shipment, and the particular route comprises a supply chain lane or a sequence of supply chain lanes connecting the two supply chain nodes. The apparatus determines at least one possible alternative route based on stored data about supply chain lanes that have been used successfully for a transport of at least one shipment between a respective pair of a plurality of pairs of supply chain nodes in the past. The apparatus provides data about the determined at least one possible alternative route.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system facilitates collaborative communications and information sharing in a network defined by a model. The model of the network is accessible by a user through at least one terminal having a processor. At least a portion of the system, and the model, are stored on a storage component coupled to the terminal.