Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for performing automated discovery of new topics from unlimited documents related to any subject domain, employing a multi-component extension of Latent Dirichlet Allocation (MC-LDA) topic models, to discover related topics in a corpus. The resulting data may contain millions of term vectors from any subject domain identifying the most distinguished co-occurring topics that users may be interested in, for periodically building new topic ID models using new content, which may be employed to compare one by one with existing model to measure the significance of changes, using term vectors differences with no correlation with a Periodic New Model, for periodic updates of automated discovery of new topics, which may be used to build a new topic ID model in-memory database to allow query-time linking on massive data-set for automated discovery of new topics.

Abstract: An inference task is performed using a computation device having a plurality of processing elements operable in parallel and connected via a connectivity system. Performing the task includes accepting at the device a specification of at least part of the inference task. The specification characterizes a plurality of variables and a plurality of factors, each factor being associated with a subset of the variables. Each of the processing elements is configured with data defining one or more of the plurality of factors. At each of the processing elements, computation associated with one of the factors is performed concurrently with other of the processing elements performing computation associated with different ones of the factors. Messages are exchanged via a connectivity system. The messages provide inputs and/or outputs to the processing elements for the computations associated with the factors and provide a result of performing of the at least the part of the inference task.

Abstract: A mobile storage system is disclosed that in one aspect identifies a geographical location change of a user, such as movement from a first geographical location to a second geographical location. In response, the mobile storage system may move the user's information to a storage device associated with the second geographical location so that the user's information may be accessed by the user more efficiently.

Abstract: A first indication from a user is received. The indication includes a task to be performed using at least one application programming interface. A machine learning model is determine. At least one application programming interface is determined using the machine learning model and the request. The at least one application programming interface is provided to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, techniques are shown and described relating to a point-to-multipoint communication infrastructure for expert-based knowledge feed-back using learning machines. A learning machine may communicate an expert discovery request into a network to discover one or more experts, and then receive from the one or more experts, one or more expert discovery responses. Based on the one or more received expert discovery responses, the learning machine may then build a dynamic multicast tree of experts to assist the learning machine in a computer network.

Abstract: User interactions are categorized into predefined hierarchical categories by classifying user interactions, such as queries, during a user interaction session by labeling text data into predefined hierarchical categories, and building a scoring model. The scoring model is then executed on untagged user interaction data to classify the user interactions into either action-based or information-based interactions.

Abstract: A computing device determines one or more first degree correlations based on valuation information. The computing device determines one or more important variables based on at least a comparison between the absolute value of the one or more first degree correlations to a first threshold value. The computing device determines a valuation function based on at least one or more of the determined one or more important variables.

Abstract: An analysis device which analyzes a system that inputs input data including a plurality of input parameters and outputs output data, including an acquisition unit that acquires learning data including a plurality of sets of the input data and the output data, and a learning processing unit that learns, based on the acquired learning data, the amount of difference of output data corresponding to a difference between input parameters of two pieces of input data, an analysis method using the analysis device, and a program used in the analysis device are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for logically packaging and delivering a service offering. A set of service implementation artifacts, a service ordering process, and a service provisioning process are selected and configured to implement a service offering. A requirements specification for the set of service implementation artifacts is defined. Logical associations between parameters are defined such that a change of a parameter for a first component triggers a change for a parameter of a second component. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method accelerates the self-service ordering and deployment of service offerings.

Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: detecting one or more occurrences of one or more specific patterns of usage of one or more non-communication (NC) productivity applications by one or more end users; and providing to the one or more end users, in response to said detecting, access to one or more particular messages through one or more channels of one or more NC productivity application interfaces, the one or more NC productivity application interfaces for accessing the one or more NC productivity applications by the one or more end users. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining at least first, second and third data corresponding to an industrial plant, wherein the first data is indicative of a performance of equipment of the industrial plant, the second data is indicative of a process of the industrial plant, and third data is indicative of a reliability of the industrial plant, analyzing the first, second and third data with respect to predetermined metrics of the industrial plant, and generating a signal indicative of a recommendation for at least one of use of the equipment or implementation of the process based on a result of the analyzing.

Abstract: An object is to provide a system in which components can overall operate in concert with one another by using only functions about the components, without using the theory of probability. The system includes a plurality of function blocks correlated to one another.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for tracking and reporting the environmental impact of food products. In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a hand-held device including a display and one or more input devices to sense product identification indicia associated with a food product that is grown or raised in an agricultural operation. The hand-held device includes at least one processor to determine a machine-readable identification code from the product identification indicia; send the identification code to at least one remote server; receive, from the at least one remote server, information that is associated with the product, the information including environmental impact information that is associated with the production of the food product; and display at least some of the received environmental impact information on the display in human readable form.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for managing business deals. The mechanisms and methods for managing business deals may enable embodiments to provide a dynamic and interactive user-interface including any combination of contacts, accounts, opportunities, allowing users to create tasks, events, leads (e.g., from Data.com), reports, dashboards, instant messenger, external deal spaces, email service (e.g., Outlook), a cloud-based productivity suite for businesses that allows work on any device (e.g., Google apps), mobile access, private messaging, lead management, mass email templates, social media monitoring (e.g., from Radian6), role-based sharing and security, and/or additional storage, for example. In an embodiment, the number of contacts may be unlimited.

Abstract: A method for assigning surplus slabs in slab yards to orders includes loading slab pre-yards of a plurality of production lines with surplus slabs, describing the assignment of the surplus slabs to the orders with a mathematical model, grouping order data and slab data based on steel grades, obtaining an assignment scheme for the surplus slabs and the orders in each group with a mixed scatter search algorithm, and assigning the surplus slabs to the orders using the assignment scheme. If a surplus slab is in a pre-yard of a production line associated with an order the surplus slab is assigned to, the slab is moved using a crane to the production line. Otherwise, the slab is moved to the pre-yard associated with the production line, and then moved using a crane to the production line. The slab is then heated and rolled by the production line.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to new and useful systems and methods for processing digital images of items to facilitate item transport and/or handling. In some embodiments, a method is provided for operating an image processing and item transport system having a computing system that includes a digital image processing component. In some embodiments, the method can involve the digital image processing component acquiring a digital image and processing the digital image to obtain a digital representation of an item represented in the digital image, to estimate a dimensional size and/or weight of the item represented in the digital image, and to convert the digital image to a format suitable for outputting.

Abstract: A computer implemented method delivers information technology services according to a set of service level agreements. A service request class having a largest control error is identified from a plurality of service request classes. The service request priority of the service request class having the largest control error is then increased to form an updated priority. Service requests for the plurality of service request classes are dispatched in a next control iteration based upon the updated priority.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a tennis session for game improvement using a portable device and a tennis analysis system, includes collecting information from the tennis session using the portable device attached to a racket used in a game for a plurality of strokes, transferring the collected information from the portable device to the tennis analysis system using a communication interface; analyzing information relating to the plurality of strokes; analyzing information relating to collections of strokes from said plurality of strokes to identify rallies, games, sets and matches played during the session, by said tennis analysis system; and generating a plurality of game statistics.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for forecasting travel delays corresponding to streets, street segments, geographic areas, geofenced areas, and/or user-specified criteria. And from the forecasted travel delays, speed and travel times that take into account such travel delays can be determined.

Abstract: A method to be performed in a computer system in association with initiating a physical operation includes receiving a request object that corresponds to a request to initiate a physical operation. The method includes generating, using the request object, an information collection object configured to represent performance of the physical operation. The method includes obtaining data generated in the performance of the physical operation and recording the data in the information collection object. A computer system includes a request management module configured to generate the request object upon receiving a request to initiate a physical operation, and an information collection module configured to generate the information collection object using the request object.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a status of a plurality of products, such as prepared food, located in product locations within stations throughout a restaurant. The status of each product indicates whether that product exists in a particular storage location, and whether that product has exceeded its shelf life or hold time. The storage time which has elapsed for each product is automatically counted and compared to the hold time. A cook time, which is that duration of time required to cook a particular product, is also maintained for each of the products. The status indicates when additional product should be cooked in order to have new product prior to the expiration of existing product by indicating when the hold time less the cook time has elapsed. The status also indicates which product is the oldest to facilitate the transfer and use of the oldest product first.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system, method, and apparatus to generate a merged record comprises: a client server configured to generate a first report and a recovery server configured to: receive the first report, determine if a descriptive term matches a generic term, associate a generic code to the at least one descriptive term if there is a match; determine if the descriptive term matches a product term if there is no match; associate a product code to the descriptive term if there is a matches; and associate the descriptive term with a main code, the main code based upon the generic code or product code.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a computer implemented method of generating inventory valuation data for an omnichannel (OC) retail operation. The method starts with an unsolvable OC nonlinear nonconvex problem, applies transformations to generate a mixed-integer program (MIP) that is a tractable linear nonconvex form, solves the MIP, fixes prices at optimal values to achieve dimensionality reduction and eliminate all non-convexity by eliminating the pricing dimension. The method further obtains inventory flow linear programming (LP) that is linear convex, and solves the LP to recover a dual solution as initial inventory valuations.

Abstract: An embodiment relates generally to a method of providing a service. The method includes receiving a request to determine a status of a user and determining an on-line status of the user. The method also includes providing a geographic proximity of the user in response to the on-line status of the user being on-line.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending potential contacts to a target user is provided. A recommendation system identifies users who are related to the target user through no more than a maximum degree of separation. The recommendation system identifies the users by starting with the contacts of the target user and identifying users who are contacts of the target user's contacts, contacts of those contacts, and so on. The recommendation system then ranks the identified users, who are potential contacts for the target user, based on a likelihood that the target user will want to have a direct relationship with the identified users. The recommendation system then presents to the target user a ranking of the users who have not been filtered out.

Abstract: A system is described for providing an interactive career management tool. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store job levels and career option descriptions associated with business function and job identifiers. Each job level may be associated with experience and expectation descriptions. The processor may receive a business function and job identifier and may retrieve the associated career option descriptions and job levels along with the experience and expectation descriptions associated with each job level. The processor may transform the job levels, experience descriptions, and expectation descriptions into a table. The processor may transform the career option descriptions into an interactive display which includes several shapes. Each career option may be displayed when the user selects a shape associated with the career option description. The processor may provide the table and the interactive display to a device of the user.

Abstract: Configuration technologies for apportioning resources and communicating indications of potential or actual incentives based on one or more measurements or other objective indications that therapeutic components have been administered to an individual, other attributes of the therapeutic components or the individual, or other such determinants. Techniques for apportioning resources cost-effectively (between providers and other parties, e.g.) and for facilitating or handling implementations thereof or output therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for automated social networking for e-meetings. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for automated social networking for e-meetings is provided. The method includes monitoring content provided to an e-meeting managed by an e-meeting server executing in memory of a host computer. The method further includes detecting a name in the monitored content and comparing the detected name to names in a contact list for a social networking system executing externally to the e-meeting. Finally, the method includes triggering generation of a social networking introduction for the name to different participants to the e-meeting in response to matching the detected name to a name in the contact list.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising providing means for providing data, electing means for electing one or more parameters associated to said data, assessment means for assessing at least one characteristic of at least one of said elected parameter, and a lighting system for office rooms which comprises one or more light sources, the lighting system being capable of emitting light of different characteristic to the office room. The system is configured such that the characteristic of the light emitted to the office room is changed depending on the characteristic of the elected parameter.

Abstract: Improved workflows allow delegation of authority to electronically sign a document according to a delegation rule. The delegation rule specifies a document criterion and a delegate who is authorized to sign documents meeting the criterion. The criterion may be based on subject matter, document originator, or receipt time. Delegation rules can also be invoked in response to specified conditions or events, such as receipt of an automated out-of-office notification, or failure to receive any response to a signature request within a certain time. When an electronic signature system processes a document meeting the specified criterion, or detects one of the specified conditions or events, the document is sent to the delegate for signature instead of the originally intended signatory. The workflow initiator and delegator are optionally notified of such delegation before the document is sent to the delegate, thus giving him/her a degree of control over the delegation.

Abstract: Learning to rank modeling in the context of an on-line social network is described. A learning to rank model can learn from pairwise preference (e.g., job posting A is more relevant than job posting B for a particular member profile) thus directly optimizing for the rank order of job postings for each member profile. With ranking position taken into consideration during training, top-ranked job postings may be treated by a recommendation system as being of more importance than lower-ranked job postings. In addition, a learning to rank approach may also result in an equal optimization across all member profiles and help minimize bias towards those member profiles that have been paired with a larger number of job postings.

Abstract: A Postal Authority regulated e-Mail messaging application is provided over a public network to a plurality of mailers and addressees using authenticated transaction records. The application transmits at least one e-Mail message through at least one e-Mail account configured for a specific class of service. The application creates transaction records relevant to the specific class of service based upon details of completed transactions. Electronic postmarks are obtained to authenticate transaction records. Authenticated transaction records are sent to the mailer. A unique identifier of an electronic postmark is embedded in the e-Mail message. The e-Mail message incorporating the unique identifier is sent to at least one addressee. Authenticated e-Mail messages and transaction records are created and protected from undetectable modification.

Abstract: Methods and systems directed to a dialer application that performs a reverse look up on an outgoing communication to determine a specific member of a social networking system associated with the outgoing communication, and, based on the social relationship between the detected member and the sender of the communication, display particular information to the sender. In this manner, a user is provided a dialer that leverages information stored remotely on a social network.

Abstract: A system for clustering electronic calendar schedules in an event scheduling user interface displays the availability of invitee clusters that each include invitees with sufficiently similar availability during a target period. An invitee cluster list includes an invitee cluster entry for each invitee cluster, such that each invitee cluster entry displays the availability for all invitees contained in the corresponding cluster, as well as the number of invitees contained in the cluster. Invitees that do not belong to any cluster are listed as individual outlier entries, such that each outlier entry displays the availability for the corresponding outlier invitee and the invitee's name. The names of invitees contained in an invitee cluster are displayed in response to user selection of the cluster entry. A degree of similarity required for invitees to be clustered together, and/or a permitted total number of clusters, may be input from a user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at least a portion of a task. The method also includes parsing the task as the task is being received to identify a keyword in the task. In addition, the method includes, in response to identifying the keyword, applying the keyword to one or more parameters of the task while the task is being received to produce a modified task. The method could further include parsing a second task that is received subsequent to the received task, identifying a second keyword in the second task, and associating the second task with the received task in response to identifying the second keyword. Associating the second task with the received task could include determining a hierarchy between the second task and the received task based on the second keyword or determining that the second task is a subtask of the received task based on the second keyword.

Abstract: A floating meeting is set up such that the actual meeting time is not fixed until after pre-defined parameters are satisfied. One parameter is a point in time nearer to the proposed meeting date(s) than the time of the original meeting invitation. At the later point in time, subsequent and potentially conflicting meetings are automatically avoided to maximize invitee availability or otherwise meet a meeting organizer's objective.

Abstract: A floating meeting is set up such that the actual meeting time is not fixed until after pre-defined parameters are satisfied. One parameter is a point in time nearer to the proposed meeting date(s) than the time of the original meeting invitation. At the later point in time, subsequent and potentially conflicting meetings are automatically avoided to maximize invitee availability or otherwise meet a meeting organizer's objective.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and computer program product for e-meeting requirements assurance in e-meeting management. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer program product for e-meeting requirements assurance in e-meeting management is provided. The computer program product includes selecting a scheduled e-meeting for an invitee in memory of a computer, retrieving resource requirements published for the selected scheduled e-meeting, inspecting local computing resources of the invitee, comparing the local computing resources to the retrieved resource requirements to identify local resource deficiencies, and generating a notice of the local resource deficiencies to the invitee prior to a scheduled date and time for the e-meeting.

Abstract: An alignment guide may be provided in the field of view of a camera associated with a mobile device used to capture an image of a check. When the image of the check is within the alignment guide in the field of view, an image may be taken by the camera and provided from the mobile device to a financial institution. The alignment guide may be adjustable at the mobile device. The image capture may be performed automatically by the camera or the mobile device as soon as the image of the check is determined to be within the alignment guide. The check may be deposited in a user's bank account based on the image. Any technique for sending the image to the financial institution may be used.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method for coordinating the provision of a digital receipt associated with a financial transaction is provided. According to the method, a digital receipt and an identifier corresponding to the digital receipt are communicated from an acquirer and received at a digital receipt server. The digital receipt and the corresponding identifier may be communicated through a second network, such as the Internet. The digital receipt and the identifier corresponding to the digital receipt are then stored in the digital receipt server. The digital receipt server also receives an inquiry and an identifier corresponding to the inquiry, which are communicated from an issuer. The inquiry and the corresponding identifier may be communicated through the second network. Prior to this, the identifier is transmitted from the acquirer to the issuer, for example, through a first network such as an electronic funds transfer (“EFT”) network.

Abstract: A method includes registering a public identifier for a recipient, including authenticating the public identifier; receiving a funds transfer request to transfer funds from a sender to the recipient, the request including the public identifier and being received from a second computer system, the first and second computer systems being associated with a first and second entity, respectively, the recipient having an account at the first entity and the sender having an account at the second entity; identifying the recipient based on the public identifier, including identifying account number information for the recipient based on the public identifier; depositing the funds into the account of the recipient based on the identified account number information; and providing a warranty to the second entity that the public identifier is valid, wherein the first entity is responsible for refunding money to the sender if the identifier is not validly associated with the recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for performing transactions uses a plurality of tokens for retail sale, each token representing a send transaction. A computer system is connectable to receive data representing a send transaction identifier of at least one token and the computer system presents to the sender a completion interface that includes fields for receiving send transaction information comprising sender identification information, recipient identification information and options related to the transfer. In response to receipt of sufficient information entered at the completion interface, a memory stores an active, funded send transaction record in the computer system including the options.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing digital rights management. In one embodiment, a digital rights management engine is provided that evaluates license associated with protected content to determine if a requested access or other use of the content is authorized. In some embodiments, the licenses contain control programs that are executable by the digital rights management engine.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a rights expression for association with an item for use in a system for controlling use of the item in accordance with the rights expression, including specifying rights expression information indicating a manner of use of an item, the rights expression information including at least one element, the element having a variable and corresponding value for the variable; and performing an encoding process, including determining an identifier associated with a template corresponding to the rights expression information, extracting from the rights expression information the value for the variable corresponding to the element, and encoding a license adapted to be enforced on a device based on the variable and the identifier, the license including an identification of the template and the value for the variable.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus that enable a cardless payment transaction to be executed from a merchant point-of-sale (POS) system. A user is enabled to check in at a merchant by using a mobile device of the user and then to pay by simply appearing at the merchant and mentioning his name. By emulating card read events and intercepting receipt printer outputs, the technique cleanly integrates into a conventional merchant POS system, without the need for customized software or hardware to accommodate individual POS vendor-proprietary application programming interfaces (APIs).

Abstract: A staged payment transaction method comprises receiving transaction information, identifying a staging record at a computer system or data processor, and providing a retrieval key or token to a user device. The staging record comprises the transaction information and the retrieval key or token identifies the staging record for finalizing the transaction.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to an order processing system that receives and prints orders and provides an indication of the number of the orders that have been printed and are awaiting acknowledgment by a user.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a mobile communication device and a secure element physically coupled to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device includes a first wireless transceiver, first processor, and first memory. The secure element includes a second wireless transceiver, second processor, and second memory. The mobile communication device is configured to transmit data via the first wireless transceiver to the secure element in packets, using a packet protocol. The secure element is configured to transmit data via the second wireless transceiver to the mobile communication device in messages, using a messaging protocol distinct from the packet protocol.

Abstract: The systems, devices and techniques disclosed provide a credit card type device which is integrated with active electronics to perform credit card type financial transactions. In one aspect, a credit card type device includes a device-to-device communication port to wirelessly communicate with another device in an attempt to complete a financial transaction. The credit card type device includes an authentication mechanism to authenticate access to the credit card type device for the initiated financial transaction. The credit card type device includes controller circuitry to control operations of the device-to-device communication port and the authentication mechanism. The credit card type device includes an output device to display information associated with the access authentication and the financial transaction.