Abstract: A conductive coupling frame (CF) having two ends, forming an open loop having two ends or a discontinuous metal layer disposed surrounding and closely adjacent a transponder chip module (TCM, 610), and substantially coplanar with an antenna structure (AS, CES, LES) in the transponder chip module (TCM). A metal card body (MCB, CB) or a transaction card with a discontinuous metal layer having a slit (S) or a non-conductive strip (NCS, 1034) extending from a module opening (MO) to a periphery of the card body to function as a coupling frame (CF). The coupling frame (CF) may be thick enough to be non-transparent to RF at frequencies of interest. A switch (SW) may be provided to connect ends of the coupling frame (CF) across the slit (S, 630). A reinforcing structure (RS) may be provided to stabilize the coupling frame (CF) and card body (CB).

Abstract: An information processing device that includes a coil antenna is configured to receive an external magnetic field and thereby generate power, and a first IC chip and a second IC chip each connected in parallel to the coil antenna and configured to receive power supplied from the coil antenna. Power received by the first IC chip from the coil antenna is different from power received by the second IC chip from the coil antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, includes: a substrate; an antenna formed on a first surface of the substrate; an IC chip electrically coupled to the antenna; an adhesive applied to a first area of the substrate to fix the IC chip and the antenna to each other, and a first laminate layer formed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface thereof, wherein at least a part of the first laminate layer is missing within a second area, which corresponds to the first area, on the second surface.

Abstract: Provided us a visual cortical circuit apparatus comprising: a current mirror unit which uses a transistor as a current source to generate a current having the same size as that of a reaction; a transconductance unit which takes, as an input, the current generated by the current mirror unit and outputs a voltage using a transconductance; and a buffer unit for converting the voltage output from the transconductance unit into a current and buffering the current.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a neurosynaptic system comprising a first set of one or more neurosynaptic core circuits configured to receive input data comprising multiple input regions, and extract a first set of features from the input data. The features of the first set are computed based on different input regions. The system further comprises a second set of one or more neurosynaptic core circuits configured to receive the first set of features, and generate a second set of features by combining the first set of features based on synaptic connectivity information of the second set of core circuits.

Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product performs rule execution in decision services. One or more specialized rulesets classified by decision partitions are based on defined clustering predicates of decision service signatures for business rules. A decision request is received from a client, and one or more parameters of the decision request are input to a clustering predicate based on decision service signatures to produce a decision category. A specialized ruleset for the decision request is determined based on the decision category, and the decision request is forwarded for processing to the specialized ruleset. A decision input is then returned from the specialized ruleset.

Abstract: A recommendation of at least one of multiple audio samples or sets of audio samples to combine with a particular audio sample or set of audio samples is automatically generated. The recommendation is generated by determining the rhythmic compatibility as well as the harmonic compatibility of the particular audio sample or set of samples with each of the multiple audio samples or sets of audio samples. For each of the multiple audio samples or sets of audio samples, a compatibility rating is generated based on the rhythmic compatibility and the harmonic compatibility of the audio sample or set of audio samples with the particular audio sample or set of audio samples. At least one of the multiple audio samples or sets of audio samples is presented by a computing device as a recommendation to combine with the particular audio sample or set of audio samples.

Abstract: A production rules engine comprises: a class loader for loading a production rule ontology into a rule engine; a class loader for loading production rules into the rule engine, wherein a production rule comprises a rule and an action defined in the production rule ontology; instance creation logic for creating instances of production rules; a reasoner for executing the production rules and for locating an instance of a production rule having an inconsistency between an action to change the ontology and the existing ontology and for executing the production rules after inconsistencies have been fixed; a constraint engine for locating a solution to an inconsistent ontology; and a fixer for updating the inconsistent ontology with the located solution.

Abstract: A system for providing semantic reasoning includes an extended semantic model, a semantic knowledge database, and an inference engine. The extended semantic model includes existing concepts for a specific knowledge domain, existing relationships among the existing concepts, and logic including conditions and processes that cause a new concept or a new relationship to be inferred from an existing concept or an existing relationship, respectively. The semantic knowledge database includes existing nodes and existing links and the existing nodes represent instances of the existing concepts, and the existing links represent instances of the existing relationships. The inference engine is configured to add new nodes and new links to the semantic knowledge database by following the logic of the extended semantic model.

Abstract: A computer-implementable method for providing cognitive insights comprising: receiving streams of data from a plurality of data sources; processing streams of data from a plurality of data sources via a plurality of agents, the processing the streams of data from the plurality of data sources via the plurality of agents performing a respective plurality of cognitive operations on the streams of data; and, providing cognitive insights based upon the performing the respective plurality of cognitive operations on the streams of data from the plurality of data sources.

Abstract: A data architecture for use within a cognitive information processing system environment comprising: a plurality of data sources, the plurality of data sources comprising a public data source and a private data source, the public data source comprising publicly available travel information, the private data source comprising privately managed, company specific travel information; and, a cognitive data management module, the cognitive data management module accessing information from the plurality of data sources and providing the information to an inference and learning system.

Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security objectives, such as calculating a security score for a home. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security objectives, such as calculating a security score for a home.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein describe inferring user interests based on metadata of a plurality of multimedia objects captured by a plurality of users. An analysis tool receives, for each of the users, metadata describing each multimedia object in the plurality of objects associated with that user. Each multimedia object includes one or more attributes imputed to that object based on the metadata. The analysis tool identifies one or more concepts from the one or more attributes. Each concept includes at least a first attribute that co-occurs with a second attribute imputed to a first multimedia object. The analysis tool associates a first one of the plurality of users with at least one of the concepts based on the attributes imputed to multimedia objects associated with the first one of the plurality of users.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining malware. A set of tokens is generated from an application under test, A set of signal tokens is generated from the set of tokens. A likelihood of malware is determined for the application under test based on the signal tokens and a signal token database.

Abstract: Determining a number of kernels within a model is provided. A number of kernels that include data samples of a majority data class of an imbalanced training data set is determined based on a set of generated artificial data samples for a minority data class of the imbalanced training data set. The number of kernels within the model is generated based on the set of generated artificial data samples. A likelihood of the set of generated artificial data samples being included in the majority data class of the imbalanced training data set is calculated. Parameters of each kernel in the number of kernels are updated based on the likelihood of the set of generated artificial data samples being included in the majority data class of the imbalanced training data set. Each kernel in the number of kernels is adjusted based on the updated parameters.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to reserving physical resources in an enterprise via an electronic reservation environment. An electronic search request for an availability of one or more resources in an enterprise is received from a user through a web page and/or a mobile application and is submitted to a reservation engine. The search request includes one or more resource search parameters received via a graphical user interface associated with the electronic reservation environment. A result identifying resources that satisfy the resource search parameters in the request is received in response to the search request and an electronic metadata request is automatically submitted in response to receipt of the result. The electronic metadata request including resource identifiers corresponding to the resources identified in the result.

Abstract: Features are disclosed relating to a collaborative ticketing system that manages various aspects of ticketing for events (e.g., movies, concerts, sporting events, and the like) using knowledge about the contacts, friends, and other social connections of system users. The collaborative ticketing system may generate dynamic ticket offers that are based on the number of friends, invited by users, ultimately obtaining tickets. The collaborative ticketing system can also streamline the procurement of concessions and other event-related items by allowing users to pre-purchase such items (e.g., in connection with ticket offers), and then pick up the items at the event venue with little or no wait. In addition, users can preview event-related content (e.g., movie trailers) for event providers (e.g., movie studios), and answer questions or otherwise provide feedback about the event-related content in return for special offers, rewards, and other considerations.

Abstract: A method of providing at least one journey option computation to user and a journey information computer system is provided. The journey information computer system comprising: a client interface configured to receive a calendar email invitation comprising appointment details and user identity information; a decode module operable to identify and extract the user identity information and the appointment details from the email; a travel information processor configured to compute at least one journey option based on the appointment details together with data received from a least one travel information source; and a communication module configured to send the at least one computed journey option to a user device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for performing computer system management on an activity basis. In one embodiment, computer-system-related items are associated with at least one activity to be performed using the computer system. Then, management procedures are established for the at least one activity. Next, when the computer system is used to perform the at least one activity, the computer-system-related items associated with the at least one activity are managed in accordance with the management procedures established for the at least one activity. In another embodiment, apparatus and methods monitor patterns of use of a computer system. Using information gathered during monitoring operations, activity models are formulated, and for each activity model a management plan is devised. After management plans have been devised for each activity model, the use of the computer system is monitored to identify actions being performed with the computer system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for analyzing the deployment of employees in a restaurant. For example, some embodiments are directed to determining whether an employee who has vacated his/her assigned station has acted appropriately in doing so, and if not, causing the employee to be redirected to his/her assigned station. Determining whether an employee acted appropriately in leaving his/her assigned station may involve analyzing video recordings of the restaurant at o around the time the employee left his/her station, operational data describing events occurring in the restaurant at or around the time the employee left his/her station, and/or other information, which may supply valuable context in determining whether or not the employee acted properly. If the employee acted improperly, he/she may be redirected to his/her assigned station, using automated, semi-automated and/or manual techniques.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for selecting collaborators is described. A set of candidates for collaboration with an initiator is received. Initial contact scores for one or more member of the set of candidates are determined based upon, at least in part, one or more of initial availability and initial willingness. An initial ranking order for the set of candidates is determined. A member is selected from the set based upon, at least in part, the initial ranking order. An invitation to collaborate is provided to the selected member. If the invitation is accepted, a communication channel connection is established between the initiator and the selected member.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for selecting collaborators is described. A set of candidates for collaboration with an initiator is received. Initial contact scores for one or more member of the set of candidates are determined based upon, at least in part, one or more of initial availability and initial willingness. An initial ranking order for the set of candidates is determined. A member is selected from the set based upon, at least in part, the initial ranking order. An invitation to collaborate is provided to the selected member. If the invitation is accepted, a communication channel connection is established between the initiator and the selected member.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses a material management and control system, which comprises: a code scanner, which performs code scanning operation on any material to be warehoused with respect to the material to be warehoused to obtain code scanning parameter information of the material to be warehoused, wherein the code scanning parameter information comprises at least a date when a life of the material to be warehoused is exhausted; and a processor, which determines whether a remaining life of the material to be warehoused is not less than a set life value or not according to the code scanning parameter information obtained by the code scanner, and if a result is yes, then perform warehousing operation on the material to be warehoused, and monitor whether the warehoused material arrives at its corresponding life exhausting date or not, and if the result is not, then perform subsequent material processing operation on the warehoused material according to a set operation procedure.

Abstract: A revenue and productivity optimization system includes a service request device, also called a “smart bell,” an environmental sensor near or incased in the service request device, a service request reception device, and a cloud-computing server operating software components for the revenue and productivity optimization system. In one embodiment, one or more environmental variables, such as ambient temperature, humidity, noise levels, brightness, and ambient gas compositions, are measured by one or more environmental sensors, and relevant sensor data are transmitted to the cloud-computing server. The revenue and productivity optimization system correlates the sensor data to bell button press frequencies and intervals from the service request device, and analyzes and determines an optimal threshold or range for those environmental variables for higher revenue and/or productivity of an organization.

Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on personal protection equipment (PPE) and actions of individuals includes the following steps. An article of PPE configured with a smart tag is provided to an individual prior to performance of a task. After the individual performs the task, the article of PPE is processed. Information is retrieved from the smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE. After the performance of the task, the individual's data is read and the individual enters into a designated area.

Abstract: A method and computer system executes a home loss prevention simulation to provide a user with information on home loss prevention. The method and system may allow the user to select and place one or more home sensors on items and/or in locations within a simulated home environment. Once the user has finished selecting and placing the home sensors in the simulated home, the method and system may begin the home loss prevention simulation by applying different loss-related simulation scenarios to the simulated home. Based the different loss-related scenarios, the method and system may evaluate the placement of the home sensors in the simulated home to determine one or more losses (e.g., fire, water or burglary) and any associated financial costs. At the end of the simulation, the method and system may provide instructional information regarding the simulation results in order to educate the user on how to improve or optimize home loss prevention.

Abstract: A logistics system for monitoring and signaling the thermal condition of unit loads of PCM panels during a thermal conditioning cycle as between deep frozen, thermally dampened frozen, and thermally spent, and method of managing thermal conditioning of PCM panels utilizing such signals.

Abstract: Improving automated package delivery to mobile delivery receptacles to allow accurate and reliable package deliveries comprises a delivery receptacle for an automated package delivery via an unmanned aerial delivery device. The delivery receptacle is notified of a pending delivery and travels to a receiving location. The delivery receptacle emits infrared (“IR”) beacons from one or more IR beacon transmitters. An aerial delivery device detects the IR beacon and uses the beacons to navigate to the delivery receptacle. The delivery receptacle receives IR beacon responses from the aerial delivery device and continually or periodically directs the IR beacons in the direction of the aerial delivery device. The aerial delivery device deposits the package in the delivery receptacle. After receiving the package, the delivery receptacle transports the package to a secure location, such as into a garage.

Abstract: This invention provides a global strategic picture of commodity movements generated by tracking ships from satellite and other sources and then combining ship location and movement information with at least one other data set, such as vessel, port, cargo, weather, or market data. Ship positions are integrated with other data, such as vessel, port, cargo, weather, and market information, to create a global strategic picture of commodity flows. A global strategic picture may then be generated by combining (i) ship movements gathered by satellite and other sources, with (ii) vessel, port, cargo, weather, market, and other data from existing sources, and (iii) a time history of these data sets.

Abstract: An article management system comprises a transmitter for sending electric wave, a receiver for receiving the electric wave from the transmitter, an alarm for carrying out a notification operation in response to the input of a drive signal and an article management apparatus including an association module configured to associate the transmitter with the alarm corresponding to an article to be handed over to a user who has the transmitter on condition that the electric wave from the transmitter is being received by the receiver, and a determination-output module configured to determine whether or not a relative distance between the transmitter and the receiver becomes shorter than a specific distance on condition that the electric wave from the transmitter is being received by the receiver and to output the drive signal to the alarm which is associated with the transmitter if the relative distance is shorter than the specific distance.

Abstract: A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery.

Abstract: A computer system for ranking potential attended delivery/pickup locations is disclosed. In various embodiments, a user or computer system identifies an area in which to establish at least one attended delivery/pickup location. In a particular embodiment, the system receives data associated with potential attended delivery/pickup locations (e.g., attended delivery/pickup location candidates), including the specific characteristics of those candidates. The system then, based at least in part on the characteristics of each of the attended delivery/pickup location candidates, ranks the attended delivery/pickup location candidates and displays the rankings to a user for use in selecting the most suitable candidate for the area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method of predicting sale transaction conversion rate of an item operates through a search of information in response to a query over a network. The item can be included in a category of items. Information for other relevant items of the category is available through network query and historical data, among others. Respective information for the other items of the category is available to the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a social network. The methods involve: creating a relationship between a first entity and a second entity; setting authorization which indicates that a user of said first entity is authorized to view inventory data of said second entity; receiving a request to view first inventory data of said first entity and second inventory data of said second entity by said user; and determining whether said user is authorized to view said second inventory data. If said user is authorized: querying a first remote inventory management system of said first entity for said first inventory data and a second remote inventory management system of said second entity for said second inventory data; receiving said first and second inventory data; generating an aggregate view comprising said first and second inventory data; and providing content of said aggregate view to a client computing device of said first entity.

Abstract: Methods for specification based augmented search. The specification based augmented search includes determining input characteristics based on a design and a user, identifying design rules associated with the input characteristics, traversing a library for library nodes including specifications that contain the design rules, displaying a plurality of library elements that correspond to the library nodes including the specifications that contain the design rules, receiving a selection of a library element from the plurality of library elements displayed, and returning a library object associated with the library element.

Abstract: Context-dependent transactional management of services within a cloud environment for an organization using business rules includes generating a partitioned graph representing the organization and the business rule, where the business rules include one or more separation of duties requirements. Upon receiving an access request from an end user of the cloud service, a determination is made if the access request to the cloud service violates any of the one or more separation of duties requirements. Based on determining that the access request to the cloud service does not violate any of the one or more separation of duties requirements, transaction with the cloud service is granted to the end user. Based on determining that the access request to the cloud service violates one of the one or more separation of duties requirements, access to the cloud service is denied to the end user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for context-aware visualization, notification, aggregation, and formation in a multi-model collaboration space. The system first finds contextually related content from a multi-model collaboration space, wherein the multi-model collaboration space includes disjoint collaboration tools. The system then generates a unified content view of the multi-model collaboration space, wherein the unified content view presents the contextually related content from the multi-model collaboration space.

Abstract: A method of operation of a computing system includes: determining a context for performing a user-initiated action; determining an operational order based on the context for performing the user-initiated action; and generating an application order based on the operational order for implementing an execution file and a further executable file according to the application order to perform the user-initiated action through displaying on a device.

Abstract: A method of assessing chemical products includes: receiving input data including identification of a chemical substance at a processing device; evaluating a regulatory impact of the chemical substance based on at least one of global regulation data, regional regulation data and jurisdiction-specific regulation data, and outputting a regulatory impact assessment; evaluating potential hazards posed by the chemical substance based on available data related to characteristics of the chemical substance, and outputting a chemical hazard assessment; and generating a chemical assessment report indicating potential impact due to use of the chemical substance, the chemical assessment report indicating chemical assessment results that include the regulatory impact assessment and the chemical hazard assessment.

Abstract: A method of collaboratively developing software includes recording a plurality of developers' tasks relating to a collection of software development files via software executing on a computer. The method further includes calculating a proximity score between a plurality of tasks based on the overlap of the developers' activities via software executing on a computer. The method further includes selecting and capturing a group of task properties that along with the proximity score can be used to select a group of task pairings that require coordination. The method further includes notifying the developers assigned to the task pairings selected that they may need to coordinate their development efforts.

Abstract: A method and system for the ordered modification of a recurring event in a calendaring application. A method for applying ordered modifications to recurring event instances, can include identifying an event exception which corresponds to a separately defined recurring event instance. Subsequently, at least one property of the recurring instance can be modified based upon the event exception. Additional event exceptions corresponding to the recurring event instance can be further identified in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention. For each further identified additional event exception, at least one property of the recurring event instance can be further modified based upon the further identified additional event exception. Notably, each of the identifying and modifying steps can be repeated for additional recurring event instances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to dynamically identify, assemble, or otherwise simulate the availability of resources for an orchestrated service or application, thereby allowing for strategic changes in scheduling, purchasing, hiring, and the like to ensure that the resources needed to deliver the desired outcome during a particular time period are present. In particular, the system includes an orchestration module storing a plurality of resource parameters, correlating a predetermined criterion for one or more resources with an event, and simulating the event, where the simulation includes comparing the stored plurality of parameters with the predetermined criterion. The system further determines whether the stored plurality of parameters satisfy the predetermined criterion, and may store the determination for subsequent evaluation.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for delivering replacement vehicle parts to facilitate treatment of a vehicle damaged in a crash utilizes a vehicle parts network including one or more vehicle parts markets. For repairable vehicles, the vehicle treatment system determines the approximate extent of damage to the vehicle and coordinates the delivery of replacement vehicle parts to a selected vehicle treatment facility. For damaged vehicles not capable or feasible to be repaired (e.g., total loss vehicles), the vehicle treatment system may determine the undamaged vehicle parts and coordinate the delivery of the undamaged vehicle parts to vehicle treatment and/or storage facilities within the vehicle parts network.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method are provided. The system includes a plurality of first entities (such as banks), each first entity communicatively connected to at least one distributed traffic agent (DTA), a second entity (such as a central facility) communicatively connected to a DTA, and a communication network communicatively connecting the DTAs. A payload containing a data file (such as electronic check presentment data, electronic payment data, or any other data type) is communicated from one first entity to another through their respective DTAs via the communication network. In addition, a transmittal containing control information corresponding to the payload is communicated from the one first entity to the second entity through their respective DTAs via the communication network.

Abstract: An electronic receipt system may include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal having a near field communication (NFC) device for communicating with a mobile wireless communications device during a transaction for purchasing at least one item, and a server. The server may be for receiving a user identifier transmitted from the mobile communication device via the NFC device, verifying an enrollment status of the user identifier, based upon results of the verifying, generating an electronic receipt associated with the transaction, and generating a social media network link feature in the electronic receipt and associated with the item, the social media network link feature for sharing the purchase of the item on a corresponding social media network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.

Abstract: A payment reminder may be received by a payment reminder application executed by a computing device. The payment reminder may request payment of a vehicle loan associated with a registered combination of a vehicle identification number and an occupant identifier associated with the vehicle loan. The payment reminder application may verify appropriate vehicle occupants are available to receive the payment reminder, and may deliver the received payment reminder to the appropriate vehicle occupants at an appropriate time for occupant safety and privacy. The payment reminder application may also provide other types of reminders or messages targeted to the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a mobile bank card number generator for digital wallet. Embodiments receive a request from a user to perform an ATM transaction on an account owned by the user; in response to the request to perform an ATM transaction, generate a one-time bank card number associated with the account owned by the user; generate a readable indicia based at least in part on the one-time bank card number; and initiate communication of the readable indicia to an ATM, wherein the ATM receives a user authentication credential from the user, a bank system validates the user authentication credential and in response to validating the user authentication credential, approves the ATM transaction for the user's account.

Abstract: Data stores that are to be configured as members of a storage group on behalf of a client are identified. The client indicates one or more types of cross-data-store operations to be performed. A transaction manager that makes acceptance decisions for write requests directed to the members based at least partly on contents of a log is instantiated, and respective write transformers are set up for at least some of the types of cross-data-store operations. During a particular time period, the workload at the storage group is monitored, and the number and types of cross-data-store operations is determined. The results of the monitoring are used to determine a billing amount for the client based on a selected pricing policy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.