Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing item reviews to an online customer from third party sources during a shopping session on a retail website.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one general aspect, is a method of interacting with website users that includes serving website pages during a first web browsing session, and tracking a users' interactions with these pages. A verbal communication session, such as a phone call, is initiated from the user's location to a user support location during the web browsing session. A session id is received from the user at the user support location during the communication session. At the user support location both stored tracking information as well as additional information relating to the user can then be accessed based on the received session id. During the communication session, a customer service representative can also serve custom-selected content from a set of browsable website pages into the series of user-selected web pages in the browsing session.

Abstract: Methods of allowing a customer to access information related to an order of a commodity include gathering inspection information from a commodity lot, collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot, recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot, assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders, entering the inspection information; the grower, field, and packing information; the purchase orders; and the trace codes into a database maintained through online accounts. Many members of a supply chain are entitled to accounts that are linked, each account being given limited access to other accounts, thereby allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the purchase orders associated with the commodity lot is linked within the web-based application.

Abstract: A digital proof of delivery for digital goods items purchased online includes methods and systems for authenticating online purchases for helping to prevent and mitigate fraud. A unique download identification (ID) is created and associated with the digital goods download and purchase. Additionally, third parties may readily be allowed to view the download status of a digital goods item by providing the unique download identification (ID) of the item, which may be useful for aiding third party fraud investigations. In response to an item of digital goods purchased by a customer for download from a merchant having reached a specific stage of downloading, but the download is not complete, download is suspended and a dialog box is sent over a network for presentation to a customer, and, in response to a confirmation received via the dialog box, the download is completed with a download ID that is unique to the completed download.

Abstract: Perishable medical product management systems, perishable medical product management methods, and perishable medical product resale methods are described.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing a group chat during an ecommerce session is provided. The method includes initiating a chat session between at least a first client computer device associated with a first participant and a second client computer device associated with a second participant, and sharing at least one view of an ecommerce website with the first client computer device and the second client computer device. The first client computer device and the second client computer device are configured to display the at least one view of the ecommerce website. The at least one view includes at least one purchasable item. The method also includes initiating a purchase transaction for the at least one purchasable item included in the at least one view, receiving payment information for the purchase transaction, and completing the purchase transaction based on the payment information.

Abstract: Method and system are provided to facilitate transactions in a particular on-line trading platform from a third party web site. The system may be configured to associate identification information, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), with a reference to an item of merchandise on a web page provided by a third party entity. In response to a request originated from a client device of a user, the method may cause presentation of a listing of the item of merchandise maintained in the particular on-line trading platform and a visual control to facilitate commencing of a transaction process with respect to the item of merchandise in the on-line trading platform.

Abstract: A powertrain optimization device and method that compares a predicted performance of customer-selected vehicle components to a customer-selected optimization goal. The optimization goal is used to determine dynamic performance thresholds. The method compares gradability at cruise, gradability at peak torque, engine speed, and startability to the dynamic thresholds to determine whether the vehicle performance will be satisfactory. The customer selections of vehicle components, selections of optimization goals, and any acknowledgements of failed performance checks are stored for later use.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to generation of cloud solutions tailored to an organization or an environment thereof. In one aspect, the cloud solution bundles a group of cloud services that can include software applications, professional services, managed network services, and/or infrastructure services. The cloud services that can form a cloud solution can be selected in response to a query associated with an organization or an environment thereof.

Abstract: A database system is disclosed. The database system includes a matching module configured to query a database for users which have data matching an interest of another user and to selectively grant to one or more of the users access to data of the other user based at least in part on a result of the query and on an access control list.

Abstract: A server and method of providing an object for accessing a service of a service provider are provided. The server includes a context model providing unit configured to provide to the service provider at least one context model that is associated with the service, which is used by a device or a user, and a situation in which the device or the user uses the service; a purchase request receiving unit configured to receive a purchase request submitted by the service provider for a context model which is selected from among the at least one context model; and an object generation unit configured to generate the object for accessing the service of the service provider. The generated object is matched with the context model associated with the purchase request received from the service provider.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and computer readable media for facilitating delivery of a digital notification of a physical product to inform a recipient of the identity of the physical product. A digital notification may inform the recipient of the identity of a physical product ordered for the recipient by a sender. A digital unwrapping trigger may be utilized to ensure that the recipient is authorized to view the identity of the digital product. For example, the digital notification may not identify the identity of the physical product until a particular date has passed (e.g., a holiday or birthday), until the recipient performs a certain task, or until the recipient meets a certain goal. In response to the trigger occurring, the digital notification may be enabled for viewing of the identity of the physical product. The physical delivery of the product may be coordinated with delivery of the digital notification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods for fulfilling a request using a connected inventory fulfillment service. Entities that use the same financial application to store inventory data are invited to participate as participating providers in a connected inventory fulfillment service. When a request for a product for fulfillment using the connected inventory fulfillment service is received, participating providers that could fulfill the request are identified by matching information in the request to inventory data stored using the financial application. A participating provider that could fulfill the request is then selected to fulfill the request.

Abstract: Interactive Self-Service (SS) display mechanisms are provided. A SST includes a first display and a second display. The first display is operable to present information relevant to a transaction at the SST. The second display is operable to simultaneously present information relevant to a status of the SST and information unrelated to the status.

Abstract: Information about participants in an auction are received and analyzed along with information about products to be auctioned and other information to generate an interest gauge. The interest gauge may reflect the interest of a buyer, a seller, an auction house or any other entity in the auctioning event. Based on the interest gauge, the operations of the auction can be augmented and/or modified to be optimal in view of revenue generation, products moved, and a balance between the two. For instance, the buyer interest gauge could be used to create packages of items to be auctioned in a combinatorial auction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing financial modeling are provided. A financial modeling method according to the present invention can comprise receiving comprehensive financial data relating to an entity. The financial data can be categorized into a plurality of financial components, which can comprise a protection component, and savings component, and a growth component. An additional step can comprise analyzing the financial data, along with a set of assumptions, to create a financial model based on the plurality of financial components. The method can display a graphical representation of the financial model, and the graphical representation can illustrate an application of one or more of the financial components to the financial data. An update to the financial data or the assumptions can be received and dynamically incorporated into the graphical representation.

Abstract: A method and system that produces a single financial product including a security arrangement, legal agreement(s) and technical management facility that aggregates the values of present or future financial cash flows from financial arrangements or securities offered by multiple entities such that the assets and liabilities are combined through agreements and other such arrangements to produce an enhanced portfolio value of the financial products.

Abstract: A software method and utility for business practice management based on a prescribed workflow with defined interactions between the users of the system, the clients of the business practice, and information relating to the clients or assets of the business practice. The system facilitates management of assets and human resources, including employees, client accounts, inventory, and records using a modular approach.

Abstract: The present invention provides software and a method and system of efficient source document data entry and data association. More particularly, the present invention relates to a software module which receives source documents and recognizes or extracts information from the documents or associated files for use in populating fields of related or derivative documents or screens to facilitate accurate transfer of data. The invention also allows for ease in confirming the accuracy of the extracted or imported data by comparison with the source document either directly by a person or through automated or semi-automated procedures.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for distributed transactions with extended locks. A transaction node may receive from a coordinator node an instruction to execute an assigned operation on an object. The assigned operation may be part of a distributed transaction. The transaction node may obtain a lock associated with the object and execute the assigned operation. The transaction node may also set a time-to-expiration of a lock timer to an initial value and start the lock timer. When the transaction node determines that the lock timer has expired, it may release the lock.

Abstract: Certain embodiments reduce the risks of traditionally programmed algorithms such as syntax errors, unclear logic, and the need for a non-trader programmer to develop the algorithm as specified by a trader by reducing or eliminating the writing of programming code by a user. Certain embodiments provide building block buttons and an algorithm area to define an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide live evaluation of an expression as the algorithm is being defined. Certain embodiments provide a design canvas area and blocks for designing an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide live feedback for blocks as the algorithm is being designed. Certain embodiments provide for initiating placement of an order to be managed by a selected user-defined trading algorithm from a value axis and for displaying working orders being managed by different user-defined trading algorithms on the value axis. Certain embodiments provide a ranking tool.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for determining, through vehicle-to-vehicle communication, whether vehicles are involved in autonomous droning. Vehicle driving data and other information may be used to calculate a autonomous droning reward amount. In addition, vehicle involved in a drafting relationship in addition to, or apart from, an autonomous droning relationship may be financially rewarded. Moreover, aspects of the disclosure related to determining ruminative rewards and/or aspects of vehicle insurance procurement/underwriting.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a triaging system, including a value engine, an analytical engine, a scoring engine, and databases storing internal, external, and retention value data. A value engine may be configured to receive information and determine a value associated with a policy; an analytical engine may be configured to receive information related to one or more factors associated with a policyholder, as well as actuarial relationships between the one or more factors; and a scoring engine may be configured to receive information associated with a policyholder from one or more value engines and analytical engines, and may output a scalar score associated with the retention value of the policyholder. The system may determine the value of retention associated with the policyholder and use this value to build and store a client score, where the client score may be a scalar representation of the value of retaining business with the policyholder.

Abstract: A multiproduct quoting system facilitates the purchase of multiple insurance products from two or more insurance underwriters as a bundled insurance package. A multiproduct server renders consolidated views of the multiple insurance products or combined rates of the multiple insurance products based on a plurality of insurance scores. A payment server coupled to the multiproduct server renders individualized payment plans for each of the multiple insurance products. An insurance policy module in communication with the multiproduct server renders an integrated insurance document that reflects a user's selected insurance policy parameters.

Abstract: At least a system for providing telematics data associated with a vehicle being driven by a driver is described. The vehicular telematics data may be obtained by tracking the movements of a wireless communications device of a driver of the vehicle. The telematics data may provide, among other things, speed, acceleration, deceleration, times of operation, duration of operation, mileage driven per day, and day of the week the vehicle has been used. At least a system for determining risk behavior of a driver is also described. While a vehicle is being driven, data is obtained related to the position and movement of a wireless communications device. The data may indicate the type of behavior exhibited by the driver while the vehicle is being driven.

Abstract: A transaction management system includes a database system configured to receive and store data for a plurality of financial transactions, the data for the plurality of financial transactions being associated with a plurality of financial accounts of a user. The system further includes a server system coupled to the database system and configured to categorize the plurality of financial transactions into a plurality of categories, the categories including merchant categories and payment method categories, the server system being further configured to provide a plurality of user interfaces to the user, each user interface providing a display of a different portion of the plurality of financial transactions, each user interface configured to enable a user to select a link configured to direct the user to an image of a check associated with one of the plurality of financial transactions; and categorize the financial transaction into a one of the merchant categories.

Abstract: A method and system include reducing a presentation of less-relevant questions to a user of a tax return preparation system to personalize a tax return preparation interview process for the user, according to one embodiment. The method and system include providing a number user experience elements to a user to select from, according to one embodiment. The method and system include receiving selected ones of the number of user experience elements from the user interface, according to one embodiment. The method and system include prioritizing questions of the tax return preparation interview process, by relevance to the user, based at least partially on the selected ones of the number of user experience elements, according to one embodiment. The method and system include delivering relevant ones of the questions to the user through the user interface to progress the user through the tax return preparation interview process, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include mapping a spatial pattern of yield for a crop of an agricultural field and prescribing spatially-variable application rates of one or more nutrients for the agricultural field. Other embodiments of related methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method for expanding relevant search results in electronic discovery may include (1) creating a file-participant cluster that links a file within a data source to a set of participants that had interactions with the file, (2) determining that the file-participant cluster exceeds a threshold level of similarity relative to another file-participant cluster, (3) merging the file-participant clusters into a merged file-participant cluster that identifies files and participants linked by the file-participant clusters, (4) receiving, from a user involved in electronic discovery, a query to search the data source for files that match one or more search parameters, and then in response to receiving the query, (5) determining that the file linked by the file-participant cluster matches the search parameters, and (6) providing, to the user, a search result that identifies the merged file-participant cluster.

Abstract: A computerized system allows intercommunication of patients with respect to the treatment of their diseases. This system includes an electronic medical record database providing electronic medical records of a given set of patients as developed by healthcare professionals and linked to an anonymous identifier for each patient and a set of terminal devices accessible to the patients allowing for the electronic exchange of information through a display and data input device.

Abstract: When presenting information to a user via a display, an animated timeline (18) is provided on which a user selects a tick mark (74, 92) representing a time on the timeline (18), to view data collected at that time. A time window (72) of a predetermined width (e.g., an hour) is centered on the selected tick mark (74, 92), and the timeline (18) is then animated as it shifts the selected tick mark (74, 92) to the center of the timeline (18). Data (e.g., images, measured parameters, etc.) corresponding to the time window is identified (e.g., via timestamp information) and presented to the user on a display along with the timeline (18).

Abstract: An information embedding device, comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to execute a procedure, the procedure including: from an image, detecting, as an embedding target pixel block, a pixel block having a pixel value that, after being changed by a specific value corresponding to information to be embedded into the image, will be within a first specific range of an average value of pixel values of a surrounding pixel block; and changing the pixel value of the detected embedding target pixel block by the specific value.

Abstract: A graphics processing subsystem includes one or more memory devices and two or more graphics processing units (GPU). The graphics processing units each include a memory interface. A first sub-set of the memory interface of the first graphics processing unit communicatively couples the first graphics processing unit to the first memory device. A first sub-set of the memory interface of the second graphics processing unit is connected to a second sub-set of the memory interface of the first graphics processing unit.

Abstract: Graphics processing may include implementing a vertex shader and a pixel shader with the GPU. Vertex indices output from a vertex shader may be written to a cache. The vertex indices written to the cache may be accessed with the pixel shader and vertex parameter values associated with the vertex indices may be accessed from a memory unit with the pixel shader. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A frame of pixel data may be burst at a higher frame rate to create a lower effective refresh rate when the actual image update rate is lower than the frame rate. This results in the ability to power manage the transmit portion of the display engine and the receive portion of the panel electronics, while reducing display initiated repetitive memory traffic to conserve power.

Abstract: An adaptive list stores previously received hardware state information that has been used to configure a graphics processing core. One or more filters are configured to filter packets from a packet stream directed to the graphics processing core. The packets are filtered based on a comparison of hardware state information included in the packet and hardware state information stored in the adaptive list. The adaptive list is modified in response to filtering the first packet. The filters can include a hardware filter and a software filter that selectively filters the packets based on whether the graphics processing core is limiting throughput. The adaptive list can be implemented as content-addressable memory (CAM), a cache, or a linked list.

Abstract: An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a media content rendering method. The method is applied in a user equipment (UE) in a rendering system. The method includes determining, according to a rendering requirement of to-be-rendered media content, that a part of the to-be-rendered media content is to be rendered by a cloud device; sending, to the cloud device, a rendering indication message and first media content that needs to be rendered by the cloud device, where the rendering indication message is used to instruct the cloud device to render the first media content; and receiving a cloud processing result returned by the cloud device for the first media content. The UE can perform collaboratively rendering with the cloud device for the to-be-rendered media content, so that rendering resources of the UE and the cloud device are effectively used, and media content rendering efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A program causing hardware to act as a unit is simplified without increasing a processing load on the hardware, the unit receiving operation to update display of information and instructing to update the display of the information, the display of the information being displayed on a display unit. In case that a key processor instructs to update display information, an information access processor instructs an information storage to update the display information, and instructs the display processor to update the display of the information. The information storage updates the display information stored therein on a basis of the instruction to update the display information by the information access processor. The display processor causes the display unit to display the information based on the display information updated by the information storage, in case that the information access processor instructs to update the display of the information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating images for a multi-projection theater and a method of generating projection images for a multi-projection theater, wherein a source image is mapped to a sphere, virtual planes according to the structure of a multi-projection theater are generated, and the source image on the sphere is projected on the virtual planes. The method may include mapping a source image to a sphere, generating a virtual plane according to the structure of a theater, and projecting the image on the sphere on the virtual plane.

Abstract: A raster unit is configured to generate different sample patterns for adjacent pixels within a given frame. In addition, the raster unit may adjust the sample patterns between frames. The raster unit includes an index unit that selects a sample pattern table for use with a current frame. For a given pixel, the index unit extracts a sample pattern from the selected sample pattern table. The extracted sample pattern is used to generate coverage information for the pixel. The coverage information for all pixels is then used to generate an image. The resultant image may then be filtered to reduce or remove artifacts induced by the changing of sample locations.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for processing a magnetic resonance (MR) image, including: an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of MR images by performing MR imaging on a moving object during temporally consecutive time intervals; a controller configured to sequentially compare two adjacent MR images from among the plurality of MR images to thereby detect an interval during which motion occurs; an image processor configured to calculate a transformation matrix for performing motion correction on at least one MR image corresponding to the detected interval and obtain a motion-corrected MR image by applying the transformation matrix to the at least one MR image; and an output unit configured to display the motion-corrected MR image.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for denoising (also referred to as “filtering”) rendered images. In one embodiment, a denoising application takes as input rendered images and feature buffers that encode image information such as surface positions, surface depths, surface normals, surface albedos, and distances to the camera. For each pixel in a received image, the denoising application performs a first-order regression in a predefined neighborhood of the pixel to find a linear combination of pixel features that fits pixel colors in the predefined neighborhood. In such a first-order regression, the local regression weight of each pixel in the neighborhood may be determined using a metric which computes distances based on color values in patches around pixels being compared. In another embodiment, collaborative filtering may be performed in which filtered output from the first-order regression in each neighborhood is averaged with filtered output from overlapping neighborhoods to obtain a final output.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing an original image of a person's face to be smoothed. A second image may be generated to include color information corresponding to those of the original image. The color information of the second image may be blurred. A filter image may be generated and may include an Alpha channel and color channels. The Alpha channel may include a mask representing opaque and transparent information, and the color channels may include a smoothed original image. High frequency color information may be determined from the color information of the original image and used to modify the color information of the filter image. A display may be outputted based on an overlay of the modified filter image over the original image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an identification unit configured to identify a contour region including a contour component in an input image, a determination unit configured to determine a scatter degree of the contour region in the input image, an emphasis processing unit configured to increase, in a case where the scatter degree of the contour region is greater than a determination value, an emphasis degree of the contour region in comparison to a case where the scatter degree is equal to or less than the determination value, and an output unit configured to output, to a display unit, the input image including the contour region in which the emphasis processing unit increases the emphasis degree.

Abstract: An image generating method and an image generating apparatus are provided. The image generating method includes generating a first image based on first event signals that are output from an event-based vision sensor during a first time period and stored in a buffer, generating a second image based on second event signals that are output from the event-based vision sensor during a second time period and stored in the buffer, and aligning the first image and the second image to generate a third image having a quality that is higher than qualities of the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A technique to remove fog from an image more appropriately has been called for. An image processing system is provided, including: a haze depth estimating unit that derives a haze depth estimate value of one frame among a plurality of frames included in a moving image; a parameter adjusting unit that adjusts a parameter to be used in a haze removal process of the one frame based on a haze depth estimate value of the one frame, and a relationship between the one frame and a past frame of the one frame; and a haze removing unit that executes a haze removal process on the one frame based on the parameter adjusted by the parameter adjusting unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for performing motion compensated interpolation using a previous frame and a current frame of a displayable output, the method comprising: detecting the speed of an object in the displayable output relative to the speed of a background in the displayable output; and blending results from a halo reducing interpolator and a median interpolator, wherein the results of each of the interpolators are weighted based on the speed of the object, to arrive at an interpolated frame using the previous frame and the current frame.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for removing reflective artifacts from an imaging model. An x-ray detector captures x-ray images that include a structure and an imaging device captures a surface scan of the same structure. An image processor constructs a three-dimensional CT model of the structure from the x-ray images and constructs a three-dimensional surface model of the structure from the surface scan. The image processor is configured to resize and orient the surface model and/or the CT model so that they are the same scale and orientation, overlay the surface model onto the CT model, and detect data points in the combined data set that extend beyond a surface of the structure in the surface model. The detected data points represent artifacts in the CT model and are adjusted by interpolation to produce an artifact-reduced CT model.