Abstract: In response to a user-initiated interaction request sent by a user using an electronic communication, subsequent actions performed by other users that received the user-initiated interaction request are analyzed. A determination is made as to whether the subsequent actions performed by the other users that received the user-initiated interaction request correlate to an intended interaction result of the user-initiated interaction request. A visual representation of a collaboration model that correlates probabilities of successful collaborations between the user and the other users is generated in accordance with determined correlations between the subsequent actions performed by the other users and the intended interaction result.

Abstract: A system for processing a transaction document including one or more financial transaction entries, including a record generation subsystem having data processing means configured to a) receive or generate a complete character string characterizing the financial transaction entries displayed on the document; b) analyze each complete character string to identify known transaction identifiers used in financial transactions; c) analyze each complete character string to identify transaction data strings associated with each identified transaction character string; and d) store transaction data, including the transaction character strings and associated transaction data strings, for each single financial transaction in a database.

Abstract: An ink billing system is used between a client company X 200 that prints information and a printer manufacturer that supplies ink cartridges (or toner) to company X 200. Company X 200 has a main server 210, a plurality of in-store servers 220, 230 in communication with the main server, and a plurality of inkjet (or laser) printers 240 each having an ink cartridge 20 (or toner) for printing according to commands from the in-store server 220, 230. When billing company X 200 based on the number of ink shots (or drum charging time) used by the printers 240 and stored on the main server 210, the terminal device 100 of the printer manufacturer changes the billing rate per unit of ink according to the ink shot count (or drum charging time).

Abstract: Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.

Abstract: A feedback module identifies one or more social network data entries received from the at least one social network provider that are related to a content item. The feedback module parses the identified one or more social network data entries to identify feedback related to the content item. The feedback module then generates a feedback result based on the feedback identified in the one or more social network data entries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of allowing a user to obtain a service using a processing system. The method utilizes components each of which corresponds to a respective service portion provided by a respective entity. The method includes causing the processing system to determine a combination of components defining a sequence of service portions, in accordance with input commands received from the user. The processing system then implements the components in accordance with the component combination, thereby causing the sequence of service portions to be performed, such that the desired service to be performed.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for collecting website visitor activity for profiling visitor interests and dynamically modifying the content of the website to better match the visitor's profile. The visitor activity data is collected directly from the visitor's client browser or from the website's own web log information. The collected data consists of the page identifier, page links, and the previous page identifier. Similarly, the modified page content can be sent directly to the client browser or can be sent back to the website server for integration with the other page content. The collected data is stored in a database. Based on the amount of information collected on the visitor and the various items that are presented on the website, the visitors and items are profiled so that a visitor's response to other items can be predicted and recommended to the visitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide purchasing suggestions to consumers based on the emotional, financial, social or physiological state of the consumer. The state of a consumer is based on data that may be collected from a variety of sources, including image data and biosensor data collected at the point of sale, as well as data accessible via smart phone or stored elsewhere. The systems and methods may be practiced in the context of a vending machine, bricks-and-mortar store, on-line store, or other venue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating color-related item recommendations using color palette information. A request may be received from a user for a color-related item recommendation. The request may include an input image and one or more item attributes. Based at least in part on an analysis of the input image to identify affiliated colors to the input image and the one or more item attributes, one or more items corresponding to the affiliated colors and the one or more item attributes are identified. Where there is more than one identified item, a ranking for the identified plurality of items may be generated. Item recommendations comprising at least a portion of the identified plurality of items in accordance with the generated ranking may be provided for presentation on a user device.

Abstract: To guide other products related to a product which is taken out in hand by a customer. The present product display rack system carries out a first step for detecting an RFID number of a product taken by a customer from desired display racks 11 to 14 based upon the detection result of the RFID reader; a second step for acquiring RFID numbers of related products having related product types and functional types relative to the product type of the RFID number from the product related information data base 260 by using the detected RFID number as a key; a third step for acquiring the product display coordinates of the product type from the product coordinate data base 250 by using the acquired RFID number of the related product as a key; and a fourth step for lighting or flickering the lamp of the lamp guiding units 30 to 33 at a position close to the acquired product display coordinates.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for: (1) receiving information regarding a plurality of past orders placed by health care providers at a particular health care facility; (2) using the information regarding the plurality of past orders to determine a set of most commonly prescribed orders for the health care facility; (3) converting the set of most commonly prescribed orders from a first format to a second format; (4) displaying the set of most commonly prescribed orders to a user in the second format; and (5) allowing the user to place a new order by selecting one of the most commonly prescribed orders.

Abstract: An inventory management method for storage devices may comprise obtaining an order for an aggregate storage capacity from a customer; and determining a usable capacity of each of a plurality of storage devices. From the plurality of storage devices, a first set of storage devices may be selected, at least some of which have different usable storage capacities from one another, such that the first set of storage devices comprises a first predetermined number of storage devices and has a first aggregate storage capacity that is at least equal to an integer fraction of the aggregate capacity ordered by the customer. The first set of storage devices may then be packed into a first container configured to accommodate the first predetermined number of storage devices. A second set of storage devices may be similarly be selected from remaining ones of the plurality of storage devices and packaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to processing of information, data and database identifiers involving content and/or experiences. According to one exemplary implementation, an illustrative method of computerized information processing may involve handling and/or processing data regarding a product, where the product may be an experience represented by and automatically processed via one or more computer system(s) and/or platform(s) as a function of product type identifiers and/or Boolean flags.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for conducting an online auction of a plurality of heterogeneous items between a plurality of selling and potential purchasing parties. The method includes the steps of accepting an offer in respect of an item, accepting one or more subsequent offers that is/are preferable to a previously accepted offer, and rejecting the previously accepted offer. While the offer/s is/are binding on a party making the offer, acceptance of the offer/s is/are not binding on a party accepting the offer. Classes of “seller strategies”, for offering items to potential purchasing parties, and “buyer strategies”, to decide which offers to accept, are also disclosed. As a result of the interaction of the buyer and seller strategies, the auction mechanism converges to an allocation of items to buyers at particular prices and assists in discovering a free and fair competitive equilibrium price.

Abstract: A method for restricting a payment from an account based on a user location includes receiving at least one payment location restriction for an account from a user device over a network. The at least one payment location restriction includes at least one authorized user location or at least one unauthorized user location for making payments using the account. The at least one payment location restriction is associated with the account in a database. A request to make a payment using the account is received over the network. A current user location is determined. The request to make the payment is then authorized or denied based, at least partly, on whether the current user location is included in the at least one authorized user location or the at least one unauthorized user location.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for providing account status notifications. The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a device for providing account status notifications including a memory storing software instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the software instructions to perform operations. In one aspect, the operations may include receiving account status notification information for a first account associated with a user. The account status notification information may be generated based on one or more notification rules and account information associated with the first account.

Abstract: A score factor system that may generate a score factor user interface that displays summary credit information for a particular consumer in selected credit categories. The system constructs flippable score factor interfaces for such display that, when touched, may be reversed to display explanatory text on how the corresponding credit category affects their credit report.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus and method for processing a plurality of financial market data messages are disclosed. With respect to an exemplary embodiment, a reconfigurable logic device is employed to map the symbols present in the financial market data messages to another symbology.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for managing electronic messages of an electronic trading system in which orders are extracted from the electronic messages involve executing actions associated with respect to the orders and matching orders to counter orders. Matching orders may be based on a priority determined using a market quality index of the order and an associated market participant.

Abstract: A scalable, adaptable, modular, and web-centric Insurance Back-Office System (IBOS) for serving the needs of carriers, agencies, agents, and service providers in the insurance industry is disclosed. The IBOS provides a framework for allowing web-centric collaboration among agents, agencies, carriers, and service providers, using applications that manage applicants, cases, and policies in an efficient and secure manner. The IBOS infrastructure is designed to facilitate the creation of a new application, module, tool, or view in a simplified manner. A multi-tiered framework of application, module, tool, and view facilitates ease of navigation for users.

Abstract: A mobile insurance architecture includes a wireless communication interface that connects mobile client devices to wireless networks. An insurance server cluster that includes a group of independent network servers operates and appears to mobile client devices as if the group of independent network servers were a single computer server. An adaptive transmission controller communicates with the insurance server cluster and processes content in multiple mobile formats that may be optimized to the screen sizes of the mobile client devices. The insurance server cluster responds to native application clients resident to the mobile client devices. The native application clients contain code stored on a non-transitory media that render insurance quoting services, insurance claims services, on-line insurance policy services, usage based insurance services, mobile monitoring services, or insurance agency management services.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for generating interface elements of an electronic tax preparation application to allow a taxpayer or user to view a portion of an image of a tax document that is a source of data for a field of a screen generated by the electronic tax application. The image portion displayed may be a particular box or field of a tax document for a corresponding particular field of the screen generated by the electronic tax preparation or a bounding region including one or more adjacent or surrounding boxes or fields. Embodiments allow taxpayers to view an image of a source document while viewing the data that was entered in the field from within the tax preparation application without having to consult paper copies of the tax documents.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and computer program products for directing a current user of a tax preparation application to a portion of the current user's tax document. Images of tax documents of other or prior users are received, and a tax document image is selected. Tax data within the selected tax document image is redacted from the image to generate an image of a template of a tax document. Sections or interface elements of interview screens generated by the tax preparation program are mapped to sections of the template. When the current user selects an interface element such as a field, a pre-determined or selected portion of the template image is presented through the tax preparation application to the current user. The particular field mapped to the particular selected interface element may be identified or highlighted.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and articles of manufacture for modifying the manner in which interview questions are presented to a user of a tax return preparation application to provide a more personalized experience during preparation of an electronic tax return. A selected question that is consistent with a data model or schema is modified or twisted such that the selected question is reworded or rephrased. The modified question, rather than the original question, is presented to the user. The user's answer to the modified question is converted, mapped or “untwisted” to derive a corresponding answer to the original question that is consistent with the data model or schema utilized by the tax return preparation application. The corresponding answer may then be read by a rule engine or logic agent that utilizes a decision table that defines rules to determine which additional or other questions can be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods, products, apparatus, and systems may provide for identifying a set of users associated with one or more collaboration artifacts. Additionally, a set of networks including a plurality of candidate social networks may be identified. Moreover, a relationship strength may be determined between the set of users associated with the one or more collaborations artifacts and each of the candidate social networks to identify one or more relevant social networks from the candidate social networks. Determining the relationship strength may include calculating a similarity metric. In addition, at least one member affiliated with the one or more relevant social networks may become aware of the collaboration artifact.

Abstract: An optimized operating schedule is obtained while avoiding a complexity of formulation and optimization in response to an incentive type demand response. A device includes an energy predictor setting a predicted value of energy of a control-target device within a predetermined future period, a schedule optimizer optimizing the operating schedule of the control-target device within the predetermined period in accordance with a predetermined evaluation barometer, an incentive acceptance determiner determining a time with a possibility that an incentive is receivable, an electricity suppressing schedule optimizer optimizing, for a time with a possibility that the incentive is receivable, the operating schedule of the control-target device based on a unit price of electricity fee having a unit price for calculating the incentive taken into consideration, and an adopted schedule selector selecting either one of the operating schedules.

Abstract: A multi-purpose electronic switch is disclosed herein. The multi-purpose electronic switch includes a housing having a front and a back and defining an internal volume, a switch having a default position and movable to a first position and a second position from the default position. The switch can receive a press-button input by moving from the default position to one of the first and second positions. The multi-purpose electronic switch can include a display located on the switch, and a plurality of sensors located within the internal volume of the housing. The plurality of sensors can detect a swipe input across the front of the housing. The multi-purpose electronic switch can include a processor that can control the display to generate images representing a plurality of menu items and settings within the menu items and receive inputs selecting menu items.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for data collection and/or software registration during software installation. One or more embodiments involve a computer presenting a screen or interface comprising a screen to a user through a display, during a software installation process of a software program, a web form embedded into a web screen. The web screen may be installation web screen for the software installation process. In at least one embodiment, the web form allows the user to input data. One or more embodiments further involve the computer providing the data inputted by the user to the software program after the installation process is complete. In one or more embodiments, the data is user identification data, customer information data, software registration data, software configuration data, and/or answers by the user to at least one survey.

Abstract: Techniques for managing services provided on behalf of a user are provided. A user profile generator accesses a first user profile, applies modifications to the first user profile, and saves the modifications as a second user profile, without modifying the first user profile, such that the first user profile remains saved without modifications. In response to a second user profile invocation input indicating that the second user profile should be invoked, a second provision of services associated with the second user profile are invoked in place of a first provision of services related to the first user profile. The first provision of services related to the first user profile are re-invoked when a determination is made that the second user profile should no longer be invoked.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for facilitating efficient graphics command generation and execution for improved graphics performance at computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes detecting an application programming interface (API) call to perform a plurality of transactions, where the API call is issued by an application at a first command buffer, where the plurality of transactions include a first set of transactions and a second set of transactions. The method may further include creating a second command buffer and appending the second command buffer to the first command buffer, where creating further includes separating the first set transactions from the second set of transactions. The method may further include executing, via the second command buffer, the first set of transactions, prior to executing the first set of transactions.

Abstract: A transparent display device is provided, which includes: a transparent display; a camera; a graphic processor configured to generate an augmented reality (AR) object; and a controller configured to operate in at least one of a transparent AR mode in which the AR object is displayed on the transparent display and a video AR mode in which the AR object is displayed on an image captured by the camera. The controller is further configured to switch between the transparent AR mode and the video AR mode in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event.

Abstract: Server resources in a data center are disaggregated into shared server resource pools, including a graphics processing unit (GPU) pool. Servers are constructed dynamically, on-demand and based on workload requirements, by allocating from these resource pools. According to this disclosure, GPU utilization in the data center is managed proactively by assigning GPUs to workloads in a fine granularity and agile way, and de-provisioning them when no longer needed. In this manner, the approach is especially advantageous to automatically provision GPUs for data analytic workloads. The approach thus provides for a “micro-service” enabling data analytic workloads to automatically and transparently use GPU resources without providing (e.g., to the data center customer) the underlying provisioning details. Preferably, the approach dynamically determines the number and the type of GPUs to use, and then during runtime auto-scales the GPUs based on workload.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to image signal processing logic, and in particular, to separating an undecimated image signal data to create two components with lower resolution and full-resolution, generating an interpolation guidance information based on the two components created by separation, forming a difference image data representing the difference between the chroma and luma values of each pixel and its neighboring pixels, and merging the processed image data from the processing pipelines with the unprocessed image data using the interpolation guidance information generated. The generation of the interpolation guidance information is based on determining distances between pixel values from a group comprising pixels from interpolation nodes, pixels diagonally located adjacent to the interpolation nodes, pixels horizontally adjacent to the interpolation nodes, and pixels vertically adjacent to the interpolation nodes.

Abstract: An existing metadata set that is specific to a color volume transformation model is transformed to a metadata set that is specific to a distinctly different color volume transformation model. For example, source content metadata for a first color volume transformation model is received. This source metadata determines a specific color volume transformation, such as a sigmoidal tone map curve. The specific color volume transformation is mapped to a color volume transformation of a second color volume transformation model, e.g., a Bézier tone map curve. Mapping can be a best fit curve, or a reasonable approximation. Mapping results in metadata values used for the second color volume transformation model (e.g., one or more Bézier curve knee points and anchors). Thus, devices configured for the second color volume transformation model can reasonably render source content according to received source content metadata of the first color volume transformation model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state are provided. A media device may process an indication of a first state of a first viewer of a display device that is coupled to the media device. The indication of the first state of the first viewer may be captured at a time corresponding to the display device displaying first content with a first set of one or more size characteristics. The media device may determine a display adjustment based at least in part on the indication of the first state of the first viewer. The media device may cause the display device to display second content in accordance with the display adjustment so that the display device displays at least a portion of the second content with a second set of one or more size characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more size characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically removing slivers from orthomosaics. First, slivers may be identified, which may be based upon user-configurable characteristics such as width and length. Second, slivers may be replaced with portions of another image, such as an older image. Third, boundary slivers may optionally be removed. Fourth, remaining boundary or interior slivers can be inflated by expanding the sliver until it is no longer a sliver, which may include replacing a portion of an adjacent image portion with older imagery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a picture display method and apparatus that relate to the field of image processing and are increase flexibility of picture display and reducing a memory occupation rate of a terminal on the premise of not modifying an attribute of an original picture. The method and apparatus include receiving an instruction for displaying a picture; obtaining, according to an identifier of a to-be-displayed picture included in the instruction, an original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture and searching, a database of a current device for a pre-stored first rotation angle corresponding to the to-be-displayed picture; adjusting, according to a resolution of a current screen and/or a current window size, a display size of the original bitmap of the to-be-displayed picture, so as to obtain a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap; and displaying, according to the first rotation angle, a compressed bitmap of the original bitmap.

Abstract: A setting circuit sets a quantization value per input image on the basis of a noise value of the whole input image, and a quantization circuit performs quantization on first image data to generate second image data. Quantization value based on the noise value the whole input image can realize appropriate denoising depending on the noise level of the whole input image.

Abstract: An efficient method and system for multi-sample antialiasing in graphics processing is described. Geometric edges as well as implicit edges of primitives in a bin are identified by iteratively rendering bins of pixels. Selective multi-sample antialiasing is applied to pixels that are touched by either a geometric edge or an implicit edge; pixels that are fully covered are not antialiased.

Abstract: A method for removing a ghost artifact from a multiple-exposure image of a scene method includes steps of generating and segmenting a difference mask, determining a lower threshold and an upper threshold, generating a refined mask, and generating a corrected image. The difference mask includes a plurality of absolute differences in luminance-values between the multiple-exposure image and a first image of the scene. The segmenting step involves segmenting the difference mask into a plurality of blocks. The lower and upper thresholds are based on statistical properties of the blocks. The method generates the refined mask by mapping each absolute difference to a respective one of a plurality refined values, of the refined mask, equal to a function of the absolute difference, the lower threshold, and the upper threshold. The corrected image is a weighted sum of the first image and the multiple-exposure image, weights being based on the refined mask.

Abstract: A chroma subsampling having reduced artifacts is achieved by detecting high contrast areas in a luminance channel of an image to be chroma subsampled so as to partition the image into a first region composed of the high contrast areas and a second region distinct from the first region, with chroma subsampling the image in the first region using a first chroma subsampler and chroma subsampling the image in the second region using a second chroma subsampler, with the first chroma subsampler having a higher edge preserving property than compared to the second chroma subsampler. Thereby, bleeding artifacts may be avoided at least partially, while the saturation of the image may be substantially preserved.

Abstract: An image processing system for generating a high dynamic range image from a first image and a second image is presented. The system comprises a first displacement estimator adapted to estimate a displacement of image content between a reference image derived from the first image and an image to be warped derived from the second image. The system comprises a first warping unit that compensates the estimated displacement by warping the image to be warped resulting in a first warped image. The system comprises a first error detector adapted to detect geometric warping errors within the first warped image and a first error compensator adapted to compensate the estimated geometric warping errors within the first warped image resulting in a first error corrected image. The system comprises a high dynamic range calculator adapted to calculate the high-dynamic range image based upon the first error corrected image and the reference image.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus, which displays an image on the basis of an input image signal input from an outside, includes a liquid crystal display element, a processor that performs a plurality of processing to reduce disclination in the liquid crystal element with respect to the input image signal selectively or in combination so as to acquire an output image signal, and a liquid crystal driver that drives the liquid crystal display element using the output image signal.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for correcting a diffusion image having an artifact, the method comprising: (a) providing a set of diffusion images comprising the diffusion image having the artifact; (b) calculating a first signal intensity of each image in the set of diffusion images; (c) plotting a graph of serial number of slice of the set of diffusion images versus the first signal intensity; (d) calculating a second signal intensity of the diffusion image having the artifact by performing interpolation on the graph; and (e) correcting the diffusion image having the artifact base on the second signal intensity.

Abstract: A method and system for determining if an individual is impaired. In one embodiment, physical and cognitive testing of the individual are conducted in the field or at the scene of an event. The test results are compared to previously stored baseline test results taken for the specific individual while the individual is known to be in an unimpaired state or condition. The current test results are electronically compared to the baseline test results and if the results differ or deviate beyond a predetermined level or amount the individual is considered to be impaired. If no baseline test results exist for the specific individual, the current test results can alternatively be compared to previously determined or known scientifically accepted or minimums for the specific tests given to the individual.

Abstract: An arrangement for visual fault inspection of at least one component includes a fault identification unit for identifying a structural fault of the component and for determining at least one piece of fault information, and an overlay device connected to the fault identification unit, configured for context-dependent overlay of the fault information in a component image in real-time.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a part made of woven composite material, includes calculating autocorrelation values of a three-dimensional image in an observation window of the volume of the part for a plurality of spatial vectors used as the autocorrelation interval, and then detecting at least one local extremum in the autocorrelation value on a main orientation of the weaving in order to determine a mean in the observation window for the distance between neighboring parallel yarns.

Abstract: A method for determining overlay between layers of a multilayer structure may include obtaining a given image representing the multilayer structure, obtaining expected images for layers of the multilayer structure, providing a combined expected image of the multilayer structure as a combination of the expected images of said layers, performing registration of the given image against the combined expected image, and providing segmentation of the given image, thereby producing a segmented image, and maps of the layers of said multilayered structure. The method may further include determining overlay between any two selected layers of the multilayer structure by processing the maps of the two selected layers together with the expected images of said two selected layers.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an apparatus for detecting defects on a manufactured substrate. The apparatus includes an imaging tool arranged to obtain image frames from the manufactured substrate. The apparatus further includes a data processing system which includes computer-readable code configured to compute features for pixels in an image frame and divide the pixels in the image frame into feature-defined groups of pixels. The computer-readable code is further configured to select a feature-defined group, and generate a multi-dimensional feature distribution for the selected feature-defined group. Another embodiment relates to a method of detecting defects from a test images frame and multiple reference image frames. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method, system and computer-accessible medium for determining at least one of axonal loss or myelin degradation can be provided. For example, it is possible to receive data based on at least one of a measure of diffusion of an axonal structure or a measure of a density of axons, and determine axonal loss and/or myelin degradation based on the data. The determination can be based on axonal geometry of at least one parallel tube.