Having Particular User Interface Patents (Class 706/11)
  • Publication number: 20130097101
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content recommendation system assigning a user of a media content service to a user class included in a plurality of predefined user classes each associated with the media content service, selecting a weight-based recommendation heuristic that is associated with the user class from a plurality of available weight-based recommendation heuristics each associated with a distinct user class included in the plurality of predefined user classes, and generating, in accordance with the selected weight-based recommendation heuristic, a recommendation score associated with a media content instance available for access by the user by way of a media content access device associated with the media content service. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING, INC.
    Inventor: Guillermo Ortiz
  • Patent number: 8423482
    Abstract: A method for legal knowledge modeling and automated legal evaluation, such as for online, questionnaire-based legal analysis, is provided. Information, such as facts and characteristics of a legal situation or legal scenario, as it relates to a legal conclusion or a legal result, are modeled in a decision tree. The decision tree may comprise a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes, wherein each node is associated with a variable that represents either an answer to a legal inquiry or a legal conclusion, and an edge represents a conditional dependency between variables of nodes. The decision tree is automatically updated on a periodic basis to reflect new legislation or court decisions. Using the decision tree, a legal conclusion based on the user's answers to a questionnaire may be determined. The legal conclusion is modified upon the input of evidence, which is typically in the form of answers to a dynamic set of questions designed to identify a legal conclusion or a legal result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Harvey L. Gansner
  • Patent number: 8423481
    Abstract: A self-learning method for keyword based human machine interaction is disclosed. At least one of a plurality of keywords predetermined in a database is selected and a priority score of the selected keyword is updated and a weighted factor is generated for the selected keyword. A weighted score and the weighted factor of the selected keyword are transmitted to the keywords related to the selected keyword. The selected keyword is pushed to a keyword buffer and linkage strengths between the keywords in the keyword buffer are strengthened. When a keyword has been stored in the keyword buffer for over a predetermined reset time period, a reset operation is performed to remove the keyword from the keyword buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventors: Yin-pin Yang, Ching-Chung Chan, Xiao-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8407159
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for automatically batching GUI-based (Graphical User Interface) tasks. The described techniques include automatically determining whether a user is performing batchable tasks in a GUI-based environment. Once detected, the described techniques include predicting the next tasks of a batch based upon those detected batchable tasks. With the described techniques, the user may be asked to verify and/or correct the predicted next tasks. Furthermore, the described techniques may include performing a batch and doing so without user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Qingwei Lin, Fan Li, Jiang Li
  • Patent number: 8407158
    Abstract: An approach provides interactive troubleshooting. A robotic chat application receives a service inquiry over a chat session from a chat-enabled device, wherein the service inquiry is associated with a service provider network. A troubleshooting engine collects information from a user of the chat-enabled device regarding the service inquiry. The robotic chat application retrieves a flow definition and an associated query corresponding to the service inquiry based upon the collected information. The troubleshooting engine generates a command, based on the query, for resolving the service inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Syam S. Suri, Mukesh Kumar, Ravi S. Guduru
  • Patent number: 8401977
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying the importance of information areas of a display page. An importance system identifies information areas or blocks of a web page. A block of a web page represents an area of the web page that appears to relate to a similar topic. The importance system provides the characteristics or features of a block to an importance function that generates an indication of the importance of that block to its web page. The importance system “learns” the importance function by generating a model based on the features of blocks and the user-specified importance of those blocks. To learn the importance function, the importance system asks users to provide an indication of the importance of blocks of web pages in a collection of web pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Ying Ma, Ji-Rong Wen, Ruihua Song, Haifeng Liu
  • Patent number: 8396815
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for process automation. The method includes: monitoring one or more workstations including monitoring screen contents and user actions at the workstation; and analysing the screen contents and user actions into monitored functional events. The method further includes: providing multiple focal states as defined sequences of functional events with one or more facilitating scripts associated with a focal state, wherein a facilitating script provides one or more automatic actions; and matching a sequence of monitored functional events to a defined sequence of functional events of a focal state. The one or more automatic actions of a facilitating script associated with the matched focal state are then applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tal Drory, Amir Geva, Eugene Walach
  • Patent number: 8379801
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to providing error correction in a text caption are disclosed. A method may comprise displaying a text caption including one or more blocks of text on each of a first device and a second device remote from the first device. The method may also include generating another block of text and replacing a block of text of the text caption with the another block of text. Furthermore, the method may include displaying the text caption on the second device having the block of text of the first text caption replaced by the another block of text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sorenson Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Romriell, Scot Lorin Brooksby, Shane Arthur Roylance, Brian Chevrier, Robert Cochran Puzey
  • Patent number: 8359111
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a distributed automation system, wherein the method comprises determining global constraint rules according to the cooperative relationships between function blocks in the distributed automation system, and establishing a mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus, performing the instantiation of the established mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus according to an executor corresponding to each of the function blocks in the distributed automation system, so as to produce control logics for output to the distributed automation system. If disturbance information is received from the distributed automation system, altering the parameters of the instantiation of the mathematical model based on Membrane Calculus are altered using the disturbance information, so as to produce control logics for outputting to said distributed automation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengessellschaft
    Inventors: Zhong Kang Lu, Zhi Qiang Yu, Qi Ran Zhang
  • Patent number: 8359279
    Abstract: Assisted clustering systems and methods are described herein that provide a user interface by which a user can easily create clusters and selectively associate data items with such clusters. Information regarding data item-cluster associations made by the user is processed by a recommendation engine to learn a clustering model. The clustering model is then be used to generate recommendations for the user regarding which unassociated data items should be associated with which clusters. In certain embodiments, after the user has determined that the clustering model is performing at a satisfactory level based on the quality of the recommendations, the user can cause the system to automatically cluster a large quantity of remaining unassociated data items. In accordance with further embodiments, a user can specify arbitrary data item types for clustering as well as features of such data types that should be considered in generating the clustering model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Danyel A. Fisher, Sumit Basu, Steven Drucker, Gonzalo A. Ramos, Hao Lu
  • Patent number: 8355916
    Abstract: Multimodal utterances contain a number of different modes. These modes can include speech, gestures, and pen, haptic, and gaze inputs, and the like. This invention use recognition results from one or more of these modes to provide compensation to the recognition process of one or more other ones of these modes. In various exemplary embodiments, a multimodal recognition system inputs one or more recognition lattices from one or more of these modes, and generates one or more models to be used by one or more mode recognizers to recognize the one or more other modes. In one exemplary embodiment, a gesture recognizer inputs a gesture input and outputs a gesture recognition lattice to a multimodal parser. The multimodal parser generates a language model and outputs it to an automatic speech recognition system, which uses the received language model to recognize the speech input that corresponds to the recognized gesture input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivas Bangalore, Michael J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8352303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for integrating services in a calendar application via the meeting request functionality of calendar programs comprising: initiating one or multiple services, wherein the initiation may involve the transmission of calendar event information from the calendar application to the service, the service requests being sent as meeting request e-mails to one or more service e-mail addresses, each service e-mail address representing a service, receiving the update requests generated by the one or multiple services, the update requests being meeting request response e-mails or one or multiple second meeting request e-mails processing the received update requests, and updating the calendar application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Jens Lehmann, David Sommer
  • Patent number: 8346682
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented in which interactive parallel coordinates capabilities are combined with automated correlation and regression tools providing advanced visual user interface utilities to facilitate identification of associations in multivariate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Chad A. Steed, J. Edward Swan, II, T.J. Jankun-Kelly, Patrick J. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 8346683
    Abstract: A knowledge based system, program, and method for regulatory knowledge representation, utilization, and maintenance is presented. The system, program, and method support advanced reasoning concerning entities and events in order to determine their adherence to regulations and policies, with the specific ability to identify violations of regulations that govern industries such as the financial services industry. Advanced approaches and methods that allow for efficient representation of regulatory knowledge, its utilization and maintenance are specifically defined. Events and actions like, for instance, financial transactions or regulatory compliance violations can be evaluated on an automated basis by applying various approaches and methods using the regulatory knowledge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Exprentis, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomasz G. Dybala, Ewa Grzybowska, Roman Vichr
  • Patent number: 8346681
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use a construct referred to herein as a “choicebox” to support choice-making within a conceptual choicespace. The choicebox allows the identification of one or more options, one or more factors, and one or more perspectives for a particular choice. Each choice is associated with one or more categories. The options, factors, and perspectives are logically mapped to imagined x, y, and z axes and can be envisioned and graphically represented as a three-dimensional assessment matrix or box. Within the context of the present invention, choiceboxing is the activity of deliberating about a choice using such matrices. Choiceboxes are built and manipulated using software that renders their data into visual and interactive form. They serve as shareable places for collaborative deliberation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: All ABout Choice, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Richard Lauritsen
  • Patent number: 8346680
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes an application. During operation, the system physiologically monitors a user of the application with a set of sensors as the application executes. Next, the system assesses a mental state of the user based on physiological data collected from the sensors. Finally, the system changes the behavior of the application based on the assessed mental state to facilitate use of the application by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Castleman, Melanie Baran, Kavita Appachu
  • Patent number: 8340942
    Abstract: Expert system may utilize multiple metrics to estimate whether a performance improvement activity has a potential to improve performance in respect to a predetermined performance metric. The multiple metrics may be propagated based on whether or not they may be affected by the activity and based on an associated value that may take into account the current value of the metric. An Index Propagation Graph may be further utilized to represent a propagation function which may propagate the potential of improvement of each metric in respect to the predetermined performance metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marina Biberstein, Andre Heilper
  • Publication number: 20120323824
    Abstract: A method for legal knowledge modeling and automated legal evaluation, such as for online, questionnaire-based legal analysis, is provided. Information, such as facts and characteristics of a legal situation or legal scenario, as it relates to a legal conclusion or a legal result, are modeled in a decision tree. The decision tree may comprise a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes, wherein each node is associated with a variable that represents either an answer to a legal inquiry or a legal conclusion, and an edge represents a conditional dependency between variables of nodes. The decision tree is automatically updated on a periodic basis to reflect new legislation or court decisions. Using the decision tree, a legal conclusion based on the user's answers to a questionnaire may be determined. The legal conclusion is modified upon the input of evidence, which is typically in the form of answers to a dynamic set of questions designed to identify a legal conclusion or a legal result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Harvey L. Gansner
  • Patent number: 8335751
    Abstract: A system for intelligent goal-directed search in large volume visual imagery using a cognitive-neural subsystem is disclosed. The system comprises an imager, a display, a display processor, a cognitive-neural subsystem, a system controller, and operator controls. The cognitive-neural subsystem comprises a cognitive module, a neural module, and an adaptation module. The cognitive module is configured to extract a set of regions of interest from the image using a cognitive algorithm. The neural module is configured to refine the set of regions of interest using a neural processing algorithm. The adaptation module is configured to bias the cognitive algorithm with information gained from the neural module to improve future searches. The system functions in a plurality of operating modes, including: batch mode, semi-interactive mode, real-time mode, and roaming mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Daily, Deepak Khosla, Ronald T. Azuma
  • Patent number: 8321462
    Abstract: A custodian profile, e.g., a user profile, associated with a first content item, e.g., an associated web page in a social network, can be identified as a first content item. The first content item can be utilized to identify one or more second content items, e.g., advertisements, that are displayed when the first content item is presented, e.g., viewed by another user of the social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Nance, Mayur Datar, Julie Tung, Bahman Rabii, Jason C. Miller, Mike Hochberg, Jeremiah Harmsen, Tomasz J. Tunguz-Zawislak, Andres S. Perez-Bergquist
  • Publication number: 20120296855
    Abstract: A method based on the economical concept of NPV for to analyze the emotion of happiness in people by collecting data on emotions regarding an event or action, from a perspective of at least two time periods, and calculating the person's happiness level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Eynat MATZNER, Yoni RAVEH
  • Publication number: 20120290509
    Abstract: Training for a statistical dialog manager may be provided. A plurality of log data associated with an intent may be received, and at least one step associated with completing the intent according to the plurality of log data may be identified. An understanding model associated with the intent may be created, including a plurality of queries mapped to the intent. In response to receiving a natural language query from a user that is associated with the intent a response to the user may be provided according to the understanding model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Paul Heck, Dilek Hakkani-Tur, Rukmini Iyer, Gokhan Tur
  • Publication number: 20120284211
    Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer program product for identifying abnormalities in data. A model representing a plurality of modes for an activity generated from training data is retrieved. The training data includes a first plurality of measurements of a first performance of the activity over a period of time. Each of the plurality of modes is identified as one of normal and abnormal. Activity data including a second plurality of measurements of a second performance of the activity is received. A portion of the activity data is compared with the plurality of modes in the model. A notification of an abnormality in the second performance of the activity is generated in response to an identification that the portion of the activity data matches a mode in the plurality of modes identified as abnormal. Confirmation of the abnormality is requested via a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ankur Datta, Charles A. Otto, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti
  • Patent number: 8306927
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for enabling enhanced research and search with exemplary archetype processes and exemplary archetype structures for facilitating thinking about and documenting an arbitrary problem or inquiry based project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: James Ralph Heidenreich, Linda Shawn Higgins
  • Patent number: 8307357
    Abstract: Techniques for altering application user-interface controls are provided. More particularly the customization of a new or existing user-interface control in an application user-interface is provided. In one aspect of the invention, a method for customizing user-interface controls of an existing application comprises the recording of a procedure description performed by a user in the application user-interface. A new or modified application user-interface control relating to the procedure description is then installed in the existing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Bergman, Vittorio Castelli, Tessa A. Lau, Daniel A. Oblinger
  • Patent number: 8285652
    Abstract: An arrangement for virtually integrating a bot with a search functionality provided by an online search engine enables users of personal computers (“PCs”), mobile phones, and other devices to locate bot content in response to their search queries. The virtual integration enables bot content to be surfaced via the search engine. In response to a query, the search engine may return search results including links to one or more bots that are located on a presence-based network. When the user clicks on a link, a client application is launched on the PC or device that enables the user to converse with the bot using a natural language interface. The virtual integration also provides the bot with context of the user's last known query, or the query history. The bot can then start the conversation at a specific point within the bot's content hierarchy to respond to and answer the user's query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Biggs, Campbell Gunn
  • Patent number: 8280732
    Abstract: Hand gestures are translated by first detecting the hand gestures with an electronic sensor and converting the detected gestures into respective electrical transfer signals in a frequency band corresponding to that of speech. These transfer signals are inputted in the audible-sound frequency band into a speech-recognition system where they are analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfgang Richter, Roland Aubauer
  • Patent number: 8280827
    Abstract: A multilevel semiotic and fuzzy logic user and metadata interface means includes: an interactive user interface means comprising at least one multilevel semiotic means addressable by a user and a fuzzy logic descriptor set module for storing multiple fuzzy logic descriptor sets; a metadata layer for linking said multilevel semiotic means to interactivity points present in content of the multimedia representation and defined by the metadata layer such that each level of each of the multilevel semiotic means identifies an interactivity point in the content and allows by selection of the interactivity point to perform a selectively varying content manipulation and to receive a resulting interactive presentation of content according to the selection: and a user control device for addressing the multilevel semiotic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Syneola Luxembourg SA
    Inventors: Myrian Muller, Joseph Hess
  • Publication number: 20120242482
    Abstract: A computing device learns over time how to identify task reminders that are most likely to be helpful to a user in different contexts. The task reminders can remind the user of activities that the user needs to do. The computing device displays a graphical user interface (GUI) that contains the task reminders identified as being most likely to be helpful to the user in the user's current context. The computing device updates the task reminders in the GUI as the user's context changes. In this way, the computing device can present task reminders that are likely to be currently helpful to the user while suppressing task reminders that are less likely to be helpful to the user at the current time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arulkumar Elumalai, Thomas Bouchard, Steve Chang, Eran Shtiegman, Aaron Tinling
  • Publication number: 20120239596
    Abstract: The described implementations relate to data classification. One implementation includes identifying one or more likely classifications for an incoming data item using an algorithm. The implementation can also include providing the one or more identified classifications to a user. A selection of an individual identified classification for the incoming data item can be received from the user. The algorithm can be refined to reflect the selection by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bongshin Lee, Ashish Kapoor, Ratul Mahajan, Blaine S. Christian, Saleema Amershi
  • Publication number: 20120239597
    Abstract: A method for providing evidence-based clinical decision support that can be provided independent of any particular workflow environment may include providing evidence-based decision support content defining a set of rules for patient care where the evidence-based decision support content is provided independent of a predefined workflow, providing a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable native application access to the evidence-based decision support content, and providing an integrator that, in connection with processing circuitry, executes instructions to utilize the set of APIs to enable building a user interface for workflow that allows access to the evidence-based decision support content. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Neel Lakshminarayan
  • Patent number: 8271401
    Abstract: An expert system may be utilized for providing and receiving interactive, computer-implemented support services related to chemical processing units. The expert system may include a knowledge base that contains information coded in the form of rules, decision trees, and logic and a database that stores and handles various types of information related to the expert system. A query component receives a query that may be a problem, a performance issue, or a training request selected from a list or diagram or otherwise generated by a customer. An answer component utilizes the knowledge base, the database, an external database, and/or an expert to provide one or more answers to the query. A question and answer session may be initiated by the expert system in order to gain further information and detail related to the query. Supplemental information and the identified answers may be provided to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Blaise J. Arena, Veronica M. May, Alan Zagoria, Martha S. Buchan
  • Patent number: 8260912
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: soliciting, based at least in part on a hypothesis that links one or more objective occurrences with one or more subjective user states and in response at least in part to an incidence of at least one objective occurrence, subjective user state data including data indicating incidence of at least one subjective user state associated with a user; and acquiring the subjective user state data including the data indicating incidence of at least one subjective user state associated with the user. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Firminger, Jason Garms, Edward K. Y. Jung, Chris D. Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Kristin M. Tolle, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120221493
    Abstract: An action is triggered by receiving information related to a predicted destination of a user, accessing a library that maps user actions to destinations, determining that at least one of the destinations in the library corresponds with the predicted destination of the user and at least one of the destinations in the library, identifying a user action, within the library, that is associated with the destination determined to correspond with the predicted destination of the user, and triggering the user action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: David S. BILL
  • Patent number: 8250001
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method of dynamically adapting a sensitivity of at least one user interface component on the electronic device. A device context corresponding to the electronic device can be identified and processed in real time to identify a potential user intent and to determine a probability that the potential user intent corresponds to an actual user intent. A user input sensitivity parameter can be selected based on the potential user intent and the determined probability. The sensitivity of the at least one user interface component can be adapted to correspond to the user input sensitivity parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Tirpak, Anant Athale
  • Publication number: 20120210171
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a cognitive agent that performs functions associated with a desired result. The functions performed by cognitive agent supplement other activities performed at a same time. In such a manner, the cognitive agent can function as a surrogate for a user. A performed activity can trigger implementation of another activity that is an extension of the performed activity. Cognitive agent can perform functions that can be represented as an avatar. Further, cognitive agent can be associated with a diagnostics component that evaluates an operating condition. Based on the operating condition cognitive agent can implement automatic actions associated with mitigating failures and/or prolonging the life of machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen L. Lawler, Eyal Ofek, Gur Kimchi, Leonard Smith, Avi Bar-Zeev
  • Publication number: 20120209793
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for measuring, valuing, assigning, processing and accessing emotional values for use in an idea generation, or ideation, search engine. This system may be applied to searching and matching between different entities, where an entity can be anything including websites, multimedia objects, products, people, places and ideas. According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer system for codifying human emotion into a machine readable language is disclosed. The computer system comprises an emotion preference server, an enterprise system, an end-user system and a search and match engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Henry Minard Morris
  • Patent number: 8244794
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product integrate Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) services with resources at multiple enterprises. A processor receives and aggregates trapped messages, from an affected resource, which describe an event. The trapped aggregated message describes redundant messages about a same event. The trapped aggregated message is transcribed to create a transcribed trapped aggregated message, which is transmitted to the SOA response service to request the pre-set response. The pre-set response is translated into a protocol needed to initiate the pre-set response in an electronic element referenced by the pre-set response, and is then transmitted to the electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Landon C. G. Miller, Siljan H. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8244858
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: presenting to a user a hypothesis identifying at least a relationship between a first event type and a second event type; receiving from the user one or more modifications to modify the hypothesis; and executing one or more actions based, at least in part, on a modified hypothesis resulting, at least in part, from the reception of the one or more modifications. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Firminger, Jason Garms, Edward K. Y. Jung, Chris D. Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Kristin M. Tolle, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8239294
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a variety of end product build plans based on multiple business scenarios for exhausting excess inventory. Raw financial data and variable scaling factors are input into a scenario engine component along with a business objective that contains logic. The scaling factor may be embedded within the logic of the business objective, or it may be selected by a user to indicate the user's preferences. The scenario engine then applies the financial data and variable scaling factor inputs to the business objective logic to generate modified financial data. The logic of the business objective may also be manipulated to provide modified logic. The modified financial data, and optionally the modified logic, are then input into an optimizer component for determining multiple portfolios for end products that, if built, would consume excess inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas Agrawal, Thomas R. Ervolina, Yunhee Jang
  • Patent number: 8239488
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring a first data indicating at least one reported event as originally reported by a user and a second data indicating at least a second reported event as originally reported by one or more sensing devices; and developing a hypothesis based, at least in part, on the first data and the second data. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Firminger, Jason Garms, Edward K. Y. Jung, Chris D. Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Kristin M. Tolle, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120197824
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a synthesis engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, can cause the controller to retrieve collected information associated with a behavior of an individual, synthesize from the information a measure of a mood of the individual to interact with others, and transmit the measure to a system associated with the individual to manage requests between the individual and the entity. The measure of the mood of the individual can indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. The measure can be described by a plurality of dimensions. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: John Donovan, James Carlton Bedingfield, SR., Barbara Roden
  • Publication number: 20120197825
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for text prediction and, in particular, a system and method for the adaptive weighting of text predictions. The present invention provides a modular language model-based text prediction system for the adaptive weighting of text prediction components and a method for doing so. The system uses category predictions, generated by a timed aggregated perceptron classifier, to weight, using a weighting module, text predictions generated by a text prediction engine comprising at least one predictor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TOUCHTYPE LTD
    Inventors: Benjamin William Medlock, Jonathan Paul Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20120191629
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention directed to a method for resolving a problem detected in a data processing machine includes establishing a chat link between a machine user and a support service agent, for enabling a conversation therebetween. One or more initial messages sent from the user to the agent over the link is analyzed, to generate a goal associated with the detected problem. The goal is applied as an input to an AI planning component, which is operated in response to the goal to produce an initial set of actions for achieving the goal. Messages sent from the user to the agent subsequent to the initial messages are analyzed, and responsive to such analysis, the initial set of actions is selectively changed to an updated set of actions, for use in achieving the goal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zon-Yin Shae, Maja Vukovic
  • Patent number: 8229864
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for utilizing predictive models from an application scripting language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Hao Lin, Travis H. K. Green, Robert Kaplow, Gang Fu, Gideon S. Mann
  • Publication number: 20120185414
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wind power ramp event nowcasting system includes a wind condition analyzer for detecting a wind power ramp signal; a sensor array, situated in an area relative to a wind farm, the sensor array providing data to the wind condition analyzer; a mesoscale numerical model; a neural network pattern recognizer; and a statistical forecast model, wherein the statistical model receives input from the wind condition analyzer, the mesoscale numerical model, and the neural network pattern recognizer; and the statistical forecast model outputs a time and duration for the wind power ramp event (WPRE) for the wind farm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Vaisala, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Pyle, Nicholas Wilson, Jianmin Shao
  • Patent number: 8224956
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: selecting at least one hypothesis from a plurality of hypotheses relevant to a user, the selection of the at least one hypothesis being based, at least in part, on at least one reported event associated with the user; and presenting one or more advisories related to the hypothesis. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn P. Firminger, Jason Garms, Edward K. Y. Jung, Chris D. Karkanias, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Kristin M. Tolle, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8225288
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that tests a software program. During operation, the system creates a behavioral model of the software program using branches, decisions, and options. Next, the system generates a test case from the behavioral model and executes the test case on the software program. Finally, the system analyzes an output of the executed test case to determine a validity of the software program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Miller, Ryan R. Ulaszek
  • Publication number: 20120173464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for exploiting human feedback in an intelligent automated assistant. One embodiment of a method for conducting an interaction with a human user includes inferring an intent from data entered by the human user, formulating a response in accordance with the intent, receiving feedback from a human advisor in response to at least one of the inferring and the formulating, wherein the human advisor is a person other than the human user, and adapting at least one model used in at least one of the inferring and the formulating, wherein the adapting is based on the feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Gokhan Tur, Horacio E. Franco, William S. Mark, Norman D, Winarsky, Bart Peintner, Michael J. Wolverton, Neil Yorke-Smith
  • Publication number: 20120173245
    Abstract: A navigation system is provided which facilitates discrimination between an icon of a facility associated with a route, along which the user is expected to move from now on, and an ordinary icon. To achieve this, it includes a destination estimating unit for acquiring information about a driving history and for estimating a destination from the information about the driving history acquired; a drawing decision changing unit for drawing a destination candidate estimated by the destination estimating unit in a form different from an icon of a non-destination candidate; and an information display unit for causing the icon drawn by the drawing decision changing unit to be displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyahara, Toyoaki Kitano, Hideto Miyazaki, Tsutomu Matsubara, Kuniyo Ieda, Minoru Ozaki, Syoji Tanaka, Takashi Nakagawa, Tomohiro Shiino, Wataru Yamazaki