Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for use in streamlining customer finance and customer money management platforms. An exemplary apparatus may be configured to provide a financial management application, whereby the financial management application interfaces with an online banking platform to access a customer's financial information for use in streamlining the customer's finances and money management strategies; determine at least one goal associated with the customer; track progression towards the at least one goal; provide at least one incentive to the customer based on achievement of the at least one goal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for use in streamlining customer finance and customer money management platforms. An exemplary apparatus may be configured to provide a financial management application, whereby the financial management application interfaces with an online banking platform to access a customer's financial information for use in streamlining the customer's finances and money management strategies; determine a financial institution product based on the customer's finances and the customer's financial goals; and provide indication of how the financial institution product impacts the customer's finances.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to Information Technology (IT) and more particularly to methods and systems for IT Portfolio Transformation. In one embodiment, a method for transforming a portfolio of assets is disclosed. The method includes capturing, via a processor, an existing state of each of a plurality of objects and interdependencies amongst the plurality of objects based on at least one criterion selected for rationalization of the plurality of objects. The method further includes creating, via the processor, an assessment design to identify a plurality of gaps in the existing state of the plurality of objects. Thereafter, the method includes performing analysis, via the processor, on information collected corresponding to each of the plurality of gaps and employing feedback and machine learning on the analysis performed to generate a transformation roadmap for the portfolio of assets.

Abstract: An internet-based, user-controlled aspirational savings social network system and associated method for end-to-end articulation, savings, and fulfillment of user's aspirations bridges the existing chasm between the user's savings and the purpose for their savings. A network platform facilitates users to discover and articulate aspirations and connects individual accounts assigned to the user's aspirational goals. A plan is developed for each account and a collaborative savings amplification tool of the platform increases the effective monetary amounts beyond the user's principal contributions and/or reduces the price of the aspired goods or services to advance the plan in ways that fulfill the aspirational goals. The network platform engages with a plurality of merchants associated with the aspirational goals to supply the goods or services and yield a comprehensive end-to-end solution.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a hail history storage device may store information periodically received from a remote third-party weather reporting service. A hail history score request associated with a geographic location and a date range may be received from a remote requester device. Responsive to the received hail history score request, a computer processor of a hail history server may automatically access information in the hail history storage device based on the geographic location and date range. Moreover, the computer processor may automatically evaluate accessed information to calculate a hail history score value. The computer processor may then transmit, to the remote requester device, historical hail evaluation data including the calculated hail history score value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and validating commodities purchases are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention is a system having a buyer-operated computer, an electronic data storage device, a processor in electronic communication with the electronic data storage device, and a network connection from the processor to a customer database having a list of unauthorized customers, a shipment provider, a commodity price feed, and the buyer-operated computer. Some embodiments of the present invention include pages, such as buyer, inventory, and shipping pages to track and validated purchased commodities.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, historic transaction data and loss data may be received from a data storage device. Geographic data and dynamically updated social network data corresponding to the entity may also be received and automatically analyzed by an estimator device to determine an estimated number of employees employed by the entity and similar entities having at least one common characteristic with the entity. A data weighting device generates weighted data by applying weighting factors to the received data including a weighting factor based on a location of users providing social networking posts and a weighting factor based on whether the social network data includes image, video, or audio data. At least one risk-related parameter corresponding to the entity is determined by a comparison eng ne that applies predictive models to (i) the weighted data, (ii) the estimated number of employees, and (iii) the similar entities to the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing fraud protection and transaction tracing for gift card accounts through use of a public blockchain ledger. Digital gift cards are associated with tokens which are passed between user accounts. The users do not obtain direct access to the debit codes assigned to the gift cards and are instead provided with variable authentication codes for use in merchant purchases. The variable authentication code is used by a merchant to obtain a reference to an actual debit code held by a web server. Numerous types of transactions are published to the blockchain ledger including initial purchases, reserving/claiming of debit codes, transfers of tokens between accounts, and depleting of gift card value associated with a token. Transactions published to the blockchain occur substantially simultaneously with a merchant purchase such that users may look up gift card values at any time to be assured each gift card is valid.

Abstract: A tracking system for ensuring the accountability of service providers including real-time reports and notifications to user/supervisors is provided. The tracking system may include a computer for a user to associate personnel with each predetermined location, wherein each personnel has an electronic key configured to provide an e-signature. The method includes the user setting up through a user interface of the computer a plurality of time marks at which time the personnel needs to provide the e-signature. Such time marks may include, but not be limited to, the start and end times for a predetermined shift, predetermined intervals of time of the predetermined shift, and time durations at which time a notification is sent to the user when the e-signature is not provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to systems and methods for generating providing compensation information for members of an organization. The organization may have a hierarchal structure and be regularly adjusted, based on compensation information. The members of the organization can be arranged in groups. Groups have managers with the manager compensation based on the group performance. Non-managerial member compensation may be based primarily on individual performance.

Abstract: A pesticide application label and maximum residue level checking framework determines whether a crop is safe to be harvested, when it can be harvested, and in which potential export markets the crop can be sold after harvest. The pesticide application label and maximum residue level checking framework includes processes for checking treatment label specifications and rules for maximum residue levels for active ingredients in treatments applied to crops during a growing season. A process for evaluating harvest and regulatory compliance, and a pesticide application label and maximum residue level evaluation system, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention encompasses data analytics, and more specifically, encompasses the efficient gathering and management of data, and the execution of data analysis solutions on complex power and pricing.

Abstract: A datastore that includes property listings (e.g., for rental properties) may be accessed by a computing resource configured to execute a thumb printing algorithm to generate summary data values (e.g., thumbprint values, hash values) of digital data included one or more images of a property listing. The summary data values along with listing attributes (e.g., address, zip code, geolocation, brand, number of bedrooms/bathrooms/sleeps, amenities) of the property listing may be compared with summary data values and listing attributes of other property listings to determine if the summary data values of one or more images match and if one or more listing attributes match. A threshold number of image matches and listing attribute matches may indicate that the property listings are duplicate property listings, which may be merged, removed or replaced with links/pointers by the computer resource to increase data storage space and/or reduce data search latency times of the datastore.

Abstract: In order to improve the accuracy of determination on digital information, a digital information analysis system includes a first classification code receiving unit that receives a first classification code manually granted to target data, a relevance score calculation unit that calculates a relevance score of the target data, a correctness determination unit that determines the correctness of the first classification code based on the relevance score, and a classification code determination unit that determines a classification code to be granted to the target data based on the determination result of the correctness determination unit.

Abstract: The present system provides centrally managed licensing where licensed user capacity may flow to where it is most needed. All user capacity may be allocated to the appliances. This provides a much better experience if communication between the central license server is severed from an appliance, as the appliance can still continue to service connections up to that allocated capacity even though it is unable to contact the central license manager. Sublicenses are created from a master license and allocated to appliances. The appliances may provide services based on the licensed set of features and user capacity allocated to them without any further communication with a central server that provided the sub-licenses. The central server may collect information from each appliance and may re-allocate licensed user capacity among the appliances.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing documents. In one implementation, a computer implemented method is provided for analyzing a patent application and providing a visual representation. According to the method, a selection is received from a user to view claims of the patent application in a claim tree hierarchy and a computer displays the claims in the claim tree hierarchy on a display. The claim tree hierarchy visually depicts relationships between the claims. The method identifies one or more words of at least one of the claims that constitutes an element and displays, in the claim tree hierarchy, the words constituting the element in association with the claim.

Abstract: A user selection of one or more of a plurality of content is received. The selected content is encrypted by a first encryption key that is remote and unknown to the distribution server. Payment information associated with the user selection is also received and verified. The selected content from is retrieved from a remote database. The first encryption key corresponding to the selected content to decrypt the encrypted content corresponding to the user selection is obtained. Decryption is performed by a hardware-based engine of the distribution server that is isolated from a host processor of the distribution server. The content corresponding to the user selection is encrypted according to a second encryption key that is known to the distribution server.

Abstract: A system for evaluating a student's education value and proposing method of improving said value. The system receives public and private information about a student's education. The system obtains comparative education value by comparing attributes and rankings among students of different populations. The system offers estimates of education value change for a student by modifying various attributes of a student.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, are provided for analyzing existing skills of a candidate, position requirements in various career fields, and determining gaps between the candidate's skill set and the position requirements. For example, position requirements can include a number of years of experience, certifications required, previous positions held, knowledge of a system and/or program, and accomplishing certain tasks. For example, information on positions can be mined from j ob postings on websites on the Internet, company listings, and through social media. The system, method, and computer-readable medium can be used via a computer terminal, a hand held processor, and a mobile device, among other devices.

Abstract: Methods for communicating medical information using a wearable item, such as a bracelet, comprising a QR code. In some implementations, the wearable medical item comprises a backup telephone number for obtaining medical information related to a wearer of the medical item and a security code and/or patient ID. Upon receiving a telephone call at the backup telephone number and receiving the security code and/or the patient ID and validation of the security code and/or the patient ID, medical information related to the wearer of the wearable medical item may be received, which may provide for a backup way of obtaining the medical information in the event that a first responder or other person accessing the wearable item cannot scan the QR code.

Abstract: Provided are a method of providing a call taxi service and a call taxi service server providing the method, in which a call taxi service is provided by using human and physical network resources of a plurality of call taxi companies. Accordingly, human and physical networks for the call taxi service become abundant, and thus a dispatch success rate regarding a call taxi request is increased and a dispatch time is reduced.

Abstract: A cell phone is disclosed for acquiring information to be transmitted to a receiving facility and for transmitting such thereto. A capture device captures information from an external source. A processor is provided for associating with the captured information a representation of the date and time of the capture of the information, such that the representation of the date and time information in association with the captured information forms augmented captured information. The processor also places the augmented captured information in association with subscriber information in a transmission of the augmented captured information to a receiving facility requiring such subscriber information. A transmitter transmits the transmission including the augmented captured information and the subscriber information to the receiving facility.

Abstract: In one aspect, assembly of multi-part food packaging is checked by reference to payloads of steganographically-encoded digital watermarks printed across plural components of the packaging. Marking all surfaces of the packaging components allows arbitrary orientation of feed stock in assembly equipment, and wide latitude in placement of inspection cameras along the packaging line. In another aspect, a scanner at a retail checkout station is alert to any gap detected in steganographic encoding on retail product packaging and, if found, alerts an operator to possible presence of an adhesive label with a misleading barcode. A great variety of others features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A graphic processing system and a method of graphic processing are provided. The graphic processing system has a collector, a plurality of slots, a scheduler, an arbiter and at least an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The collector is configured to group a plurality of workitems into elementary wavefronts. Each of the elementary wavefronts comprises workitems configured to execute the same kernel code. The scheduler is configured to allocate the elementary wavefronts to the slots. Two or more of the elementary wavefronts exist at one slot to form one of a plurality of macro wavefronts. The arbiter is configured to select one of the macro wavefronts. The ALU is configured to execute workitems of at least an elementary wavefront of the selected macro wavefront and output results of execution of the workitems.

Abstract: In a pipelined application having different stages of processing, such as a graphics application or an image processing application, there may be a dependence of one compute kernel upon another. Data associated with individual kernels needs to be written and read. A technique to minimize a need to read and write kernel data to external memory utilize at least one of fusing kernels, resizing workgroups, and performing interleaving of kernels.

Abstract: An image processing system included in a mobile computing device is provided. The image processing system includes a motion estimation circuit configured to receive and analyze a motion signal and to generate a control signal based on an analysis result, and an image processing circuit configured to selectively decrease power consumption for an image processing operation in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An information terminal includes a display unit configured to display, on a screen, a frame including an image output from an application; a storage unit configured to store compression ratio information defining a compression ratio corresponding to the application; a determining unit configured to determine the application that is displaying the image on the display unit; a generating unit configured to generate data by acquiring, from the compression ratio information, the compression ratio corresponding to the application determined by the determining unit, and compressing the frame by the acquired compression ratio; and a sending unit configured to send the data.

Abstract: An apparatus for mode detection for a display device includes a front-end circuit, adapted to fetch an image signal according to a determined mode to generate a fetched image signal, and to adjust the determined mode according to a control signal, and a back-end circuit, connected to the front-end circuit, adapted to process the fetched image signal according to the determined mode. The back-end circuit is adapted to generate an indication signal according to an abnormal status, wherein the back-end circuit comprises a buffer adapted to temporarily store the fetched image signal, and wherein the abnormal status comprises an underflow or overflow state of the buffer. The back-end circuit further includes a determining unit, connected to the front-end circuit and the back-end circuit, adapted to generate the control signal according to the indication signal indicating the determined mode needs to adjust.

Abstract: A system (100) is provided for determining a transformation between different coordinate systems associated with different medical data. In determining the transformation, the system (100) makes use of a third set of anatomical landmarks (040) defined in a reference coordinate system to match a first set of anatomical landmarks (010) defined in a first coordinate system to a second set of anatomical landmarks (020) defined in a second coordinate system. Effectively, the third set of anatomical landmarks is used as an intermediary in obtaining the transformation between both input sets of coordinate systems. As the third set of anatomical landmarks includes the anatomical landmarks of both input sets, it is not needed for both input sets to be identical or even to overlap. Rather, even in case both input sets are entirely disjunct, i.e., not-overlapping, it is still possible to determine the transformation between the different coordinate systems.

Abstract: A display system is provided. The display system comprises a display module, a signal control module, an image processing module, a backlight control module and backlight source modules; the signal control module is configured to transmit an image scaling signal and an image composition signal to the image processing module, wherein the image scaling signal is used for instructing the image processing module to scale each frame of image according to an image scaling ratio, and the image composition signal is used for instructing to synthesize the scaled image and a background image into one frame of image according to the position intended to display the scaled image; and transmit a backlight control signal to the backlight control module wherein the backlight control signal is used for instructing the backlight control module to only turn on the backlight source modules corresponding to the position intended to display the scaled image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gradient calculation unit, a direction determining unit, a directional interpolation unit, and a blender unit. The gradient calculation unit processes an input image to generate gradient magnitudes and gradient angles associated with input pixels of the input image. The direction determining unit generates interpolation angles and directional confidence values according to the gradient magnitudes and gradient angles. The directional interpolation unit performs directional interpolation on the input image according to the interpolation angles, so as to generate a first image with an image resolution different from the input image. The blender receives the first image and a second image generated from interpolating the input image, and blends the first image and the second image according to the directional confidence values to generate an output image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media directed towards automatic selection of regions for blur kernel estimation. In one embodiment, a process divides a blurred image into a regions. From these regions a first region and a second region can be selected based on a number of edge orientations within the selected regions. A first blur kernel can then be estimated based on the first region and a second blur kernel can be estimated for the second region. The first and second blur kernel can then be utilized to respectively deblur a first and second portion of the image to produce a deblurred image. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A frequency resolution unit performs frequency resolution of a radiographic image to generate band images representing frequency components in a plurality of frequency bands. A reference image generation unit generates a reference image representing information associated with scattered radiation included in the radiographic image, and generates a plurality of band reference images corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands from the reference image. A band image conversion unit performs conversion between the corresponding pixels of the band reference images and the band images in the corresponding frequency bands to generate converted band images. A synthesis unit synthesizes the converted band images to generate a processed radiographic image with converted contrast.

Abstract: An adaptive contrast enhancement method, the steps include: calculating a probability density function based on pixel values of a plurality of pixels of an input image signal; dividing the plurality of pixels into one of a plurality of low-brightness sets and high-brightness sets according to the pixel values of the plurality of pixels, wherein a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values below one of a plurality of delimiting values are allocated to the low-brightness set and a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values above the delimiting value are allocated to the high-brightness set; determining a mapping function according to the probability of the plurality of pixels in the low-brightness set and the probability of the plurality of pixels in the high-brightness set; and mapping the input image signal to an output image signal according to the mapping function.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for enhancing image data that includes transforming image data from an intensity domain to a wavelet domain to produce wavelet coefficients. A first set of wavelet coefficients of the wavelet coefficients includes low-frequency wavelet coefficients. The method also includes modifying the first set of wavelet coefficients using a coefficient distribution based filter to produce a modified first set of wavelet coefficients. The method includes transforming the modified first set of wavelet coefficients from the wavelet domain to the intensity domain to produce enhanced image data.

Abstract: A method for applying a filter to data to improve data quality and/or reduce file size. In one example, a region of interest of an image is identified. A histogram is generated of pixel intensity values in the region of interest. The histogram is iteratively updated to focus (zoom) in on the highest peak in the histogram. A Gaussian curve is fitted to the updated histogram. A bilateral filter is applied to the images, where parameters of the bilateral filter are based on the parameters of the Gaussian curve.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an image providing method includes capturing, by a processor, a first partial image while applying a first image processing filter at a first time, capturing, by the processor, a second partial image while applying a second image filter at a second time after the first time, and generating, by the processor, a collage image by merging the first partial image and the second partial image at a third time after the second time.

Abstract: An example disclosed method includes generating a composite image by merging unblocked portions of first and second images, each of the first and second images being representative of an environment; identifying a blocked portion of the first and second images; determining, by the processor, whether the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than a threshold amount of time; and in response to determining that the blocked portion has been blocked for greater than the threshold amount of time, including the blocked portion in the composite image.

Abstract: Correction of an initial three-dimensional image of a deformed object comprises the provision of a model of the undeformed object comprising first zones, the determination in the initial three-dimensional image of second zones corresponding to the first zones, the determination of a first geometric transformation which maps the second zones to the first zones and the determination of a three-dimensional image corrected on the basis of the first geometric transformation and of the initial three-dimensional image.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for improving interactions with and between computers in a search system supported by or configured with search servers or platforms. The systems interact to identify and retrieve data across platforms, which data can be used to improve the quality of results data used in processing interactions between or among processors in such systems. The disclosed systems and methods provide a Deep Fast Search (DFS) that improves content search accuracy that executes independent of the search database, while achieving an increased content retrieval speed. The disclosed systems and methods employ two complementary deep feature searches: 1) a coarse deep feature search and a 2) fine deep feature search. Thus, the disclosed systems and methods employ a coarse-to-fine strategy that embodies the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the coarse deep feature search and the accuracy of the fine deep feature search.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimation of compression noise in an image or in a video sequence are provided. Difference values in a direction are computed, and one or more statistical feature values for the difference values are computed in association with a plurality of offsets. At least one feature value is computed using the plurality of statistical feature values, and a compression-noise estimate may be determined in accordance with a criterion based on a comparison of the at least on feature value and an associated threshold and an additive noise estimate.

Abstract: Apparatuses, processes, and systems for determining features of a paper-making fabric. The apparatus, processes, and systems utilize a representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric, with the representation showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image of the portion of the fabric is generated based on the representation. Using the displayed image, an outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles, and guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines at least one of (i) pass through the center of the outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, and (iii) form a shape that surrounds areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. With the outlined knuckle and guidelines, properties that affect the paper-making functionality of the fabric may be calculated.

Abstract: A reduced noise image can be formed from a set of images. One of the images of the set can be selected to be a reference image and other images of the set are transformed such that they are better aligned with the reference image. A measure of the alignment of each image with the reference image is determined. At least some of the transformed images can then be combined using weights which depend on the alignment of the transformed image with the reference image to thereby form the reduced noise image. By weighting the images according to their alignment with the reference image the effects of misalignment between the images in the combined image are reduced. Furthermore, motion correction may be applied to the reduced noise image.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying an identity of a valve assembly found on a process line. The method can configure the system for receiving a first image of a subject valve assembly at a first computing device. The method can also configure the system for using the first image, selecting an entry in an asset database, the entry associating valve identifying data that relates to the subject valve assembly with a second image of the subject valve assembly that is stored in the asset database, the valve identifying data configured to define an identity for the subject valve assembly. The method can further configure the system for retrieving data from the selected entry and for generating an output for display on a second computing device, wherein the output is configured to convey the valve identifying data that relates to the subject valve assembly in the first image.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for projecting a remote object are described herein. In one example, a method includes collecting environment data corresponding to a local environment in which a system is located and detecting a remote object corresponding to a remote user in a remote environment. The method can also include detecting a viewpoint of a local user in the local environment, and projecting the remote object corresponding to the remote user in the local environment based on the viewpoint of the local user, the virtual copy of the remote object to be positioned in the local environment by taking into account geometry of local objects in the local environment.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for analyzing grains using a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. The method relates to analyzing nanometer grains, and includes receiving an HRTEM image, setting local windows each having a predetermined size for the HRTEM image, performing at least one Fast Fourier transformation on pixel data determined by the local windows to calculate local transformation data; and analyzing grains based on the local transformation data.

Abstract: A device and method for analyzing thermal images, a configuration device and method relates to fields of thermal image detection. In the prior art, when configuring orders of analysis areas are different, parts of photographed objects to which the analysis areas correspond with the same number may be different, thereby causing a series of problems. In this invention, a reference image is controlled to be displayed in an infrared thermal image, the reference image reflects specified morphological characters of a photographed object, and a configured analysis area is associated with information related to part information. Thus, the configured analysis area is normative and easy to be understood.

Abstract: An axial force measurement method includes: a step of calculating an average value of the height of pixels positioned inside a minimum circle, which is centered on a gravity center position of a head, as a minimum point; a step of extracting pixels with a relatively large height from the pixels on the basis of a pixel value of the pixels and calculating an average value of the height of the extracted pixels as a maximum point; a step of calculating a displacement amount of the head on the basis of a difference between the minimum point and the maximum point; and a step of calculating an axial force by substituting the displacement amount of the head into a relational expression of an axial force and the displacement amount of the head.

Abstract: A void evaluation apparatus in a solder includes: an evaluation function calculation unit for calculating a solder evaluation function by using that a pixel value pi contained in the voids is set to 1 and the pixel value pi not contained in the voids is 0 for each pixel constituting an image in the solder and by using a weight function w(ri), which is maximum at a solder center (ri=0) and is 0 at a maximum radius (ri=r0) for a distance ri from the solder center; and a void evaluation unit for evaluating that the influence of voids is larger as the evaluation function is relatively larger for the each solder.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for, to classify and detect a plurality of types of defects, detecting a defect in a target object without using data obtained by prior learning includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image group obtained by capturing a target object irradiated with light from a plurality of illumination units placed at a plurality of different positions, a generation unit configured to, based on luminance information of images included in the image group, generate a first luminance profile indicating a change in a luminance value of a first region, which is a region corresponding between the images, and a second luminance profile indicating a change in a luminance value of a second region, which is a region corresponding between the images, and a detection unit configured to detect a defect in the target object based on the first luminance profile and the second luminance profile.