Information Retrieval Or Information Management Patents (Class 706/934)
  • Patent number: 8972309
    Abstract: An automatic updating apparatus includes a traffic receiver that receives numbers per unit time of the access of more than one menu displayed in a screen and calculates rates of variability with respect to the numbers of the access to each menu, and a menu updating unit that updates a menu display in the screen based on the rates of variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8849265
    Abstract: A mobile personal-computing device may categorize a selected contact by collecting from the user information related to the selected contact's behavior and/or personality style. After obtaining communication hints for effectively communicating with similarly categorized individuals. The mobile personal-computing device modifies a remote or local contacts database such that when the user communicates with the selected contact, the mobile personal-computing device will automatically provide the communication hints to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Effectiveness Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Chirls
  • Patent number: 8219516
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for interactive searching with executable suggestions provides a search engine and data management technology that determine what a user is looking for, analyze the data in a database, and present immediately useful suggestions for finding the right information. Executable suggestions are presented that enable a user to further narrow or broaden a search intelligently and adaptively in real-time. Each executable suggestion describes a search and corresponding search criteria and provides information on the actual search results a user will obtain according to this search criteria. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system has a suggestion engine and one or more suggestion spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Archeron Limited LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Foulger, Matthew J. Gaul
  • Patent number: 8055605
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for interactive searching with executable suggestions provides a search engine and data management technology that determine what a user is looking for, analyze the data in a database, and present immediately useful suggestions for finding the right information. Executable suggestions are presented that enable a user to further narrow or broaden a search intelligently and adaptively in real-time. Each executable suggestion describes a search and corresponding search criteria and provides information on the actual search results a user will obtain according to this search criteria. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system has a suggestion engine and one or more suggestion spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Archeron Limited LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Foulger, Matthew J. Gaul
  • Patent number: 7991714
    Abstract: Designs for cognitive memory systems storing input data, images, or patterns, and retrieving it without knowledge of where stored when cognitive memory is prompted by query pattern that is related to sought stored pattern. Retrieval system of cognitive memory uses autoassociative neural networks and techniques for pre-processing query pattern to establish relationship between query pattern and sought stored pattern, to locate sought pattern, and to retrieve it and ancillary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Bernard Widrow, Juan Carlos Aragon, Brian Mitchell Percival
  • Patent number: 7873959
    Abstract: A read-only management object is created to contain information relating to firmware components that can be updated. This information includes a component identifier, a component version and a user-friendly name for the component. The information also includes a state identifier that indicates a state of a device that includes firmware components. Information from the management object can be used by other components as part of a firmware update process. An update management object is dynamically created to deliver an update package to the device. The update package can contain updates to multiple firmware components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhang Zhu, Jeffrey M. Paul
  • Patent number: 7831386
    Abstract: A navigation system and method uses loops as opposed to existing search techniques to more expeditiously find routes on a map from a starting point to a destination. Roads on a map are traced to form one or more continuous loops. Information regarding the loops is stored for future reference. A starting point and at least one destination are specified, and loops that connect the loops containing the starting point and destination are determined. A route is then formulated from the starting point to the destination using road segments or intersections where the identified loops are mutually contiguous. A list is generated including the loops and the road segments associated therewith. The road segments of an initial loop are examined and, if a road segment or intersection common to a next loop is identified, the road segments of that loop are examined, and so on, until a route from the starting point to the destination is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Ian Cummings
  • Patent number: 7831913
    Abstract: Item selections along with user inputs are leveraged to provide users with automated item tagging. Further user interaction with additional windows and other interfacing techniques are not required to tag the item. In one example, a user selects items and begins typing a tag which is automatically associated with the selected items without further user action. Tagging suggestions can also be supplied based on a user's selection, be dynamically supplied based on a user's input action, and/or be formulated automatically based on user data and/or tags and the like associated with selections by an external source. Machine learning can also be utilized to facilitate in tag determination. This increases the value of the tagged items by providing greater item access flexibility and allowing multiple associations (or tags) with each item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew B. MacLaurin
  • Patent number: 7730008
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for interactive searching with executable suggestions are provided. The present invention provides a search engine and data management technology that can understand what users are looking for, understand the data in a database, and present immediately useful suggestions for finding the right information. Executable suggestions are presented that enable a user to further narrow or broaden a search intelligently and adaptively in real-time. Each executable suggestion describes a search and corresponding search criteria and provides information on the actual search results a user will obtain according to this search criteria. In one embodiment of the present invention, a system has a suggestion engine and one or more suggestion spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Michael G. Foulger, Matthew J. Gaul
  • Patent number: 7702599
    Abstract: Designs for cognitive memory systems storing input data, images, or patterns, and retrieving it without knowledge of where stored when cognitive memory is prompted by query pattern that is related to sought stored pattern. Retrieval system of cognitive memory uses autoassociative neural networks and techniques for pre-processing query pattern to establish relationship between query pattern and sought stored pattern, to locate sought pattern, and to retrieve it and ancillary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Bernard Widrow
  • Patent number: 7333963
    Abstract: Designs for cognitive memory systems storing input data, images, or patterns, and retrieving it without knowledge of where stored when cognitive memory is prompted by query pattern that is related to sought stored pattern. Retrieval system of cognitive memory uses autoassociative neural networks and techniques for pre-processing query pattern to establish relationship between query pattern and sought stored pattern, to locate sought pattern, and to retrieve it and ancillary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Bernard Widrow, Juan Carlos Aragon, Brian Mitchell Percival
  • Patent number: 7246102
    Abstract: A decision tree, representing a knowledge base, is segmented into at least two decision tree portions. The lower portion includes the tree entry point and is stored in a memory element with a faster access time than the upper portion, which includes the terminating element of the decision tree. Thus during the process of reading the tree entries for comparing them with the search object, the search entries in the lower portion of the tree can be read faster than the search entries in the upper portion, resulting in a faster traversal through the entire decision tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Betty A. McDaniel, William Edward Baker, Narender R. Vangati, Mauricio Calle, James T. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7194444
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. Multiple “correct” answers are integrated into the learning system to allow individualized learning experiences in which navigation through the system is at a pace controlled by the learner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Indeliq, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Stewart Nichols
  • Patent number: 6968301
    Abstract: A method of analyzing an evolution of a biological system comprising the steps of determining a series of variables upon which a state of the biological system depends, mapping the variables to an n-dimensional space, and wherein the evolution of the biological system is monitored utilising a trajectory formed from sets of the variables which define the states of the biological system at different times, thereby using time as a parameter in the n-dimensional space in a manner such that every point on the trajectory corresponds to at least one value of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: David Smith, Roger Smith
  • Patent number: 6865517
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer product that enables a processor associated with a node in a computer system having various nodes, the nodes having sensors which provide data, and the nodes being connected by a communications facility acquiring local data from the sensor and remote data from other nodes via the data transfer facility. The nodes process data from a local sensor at the node and from remote sensors at other nodes; and analyze the local data, data from other nodes and local decisions made at and received from other nodes to make a local decision for action at the node. A local decision made at a node is in turn communicated to other nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Bantz, John S. Davis, II, Rafah A. Hosn, Nicholas M. Mitchell, Veronique Perret, Daby M. Sow, Jeremy B. Sussman
  • Publication number: 20040030596
    Abstract: The invention concerns an interactive method for communicating data to users (1) of a communication network (3). Each user (1) is provided with a computer equipment (2) connected to the electronic communication network (3). The method uses at least a virtual object (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Oussama Attar, Marc Blaise, Marc Delafosse, Michel Delafosse
  • Patent number: 6636843
    Abstract: Grating profile data is classified using a cluster generator to generate a plurality of clusters of grating profile data points from a data space containing grating profile data points. The cluster generator associates profile shape data to each cluster, and links the associated profile shape data to the grating profiles belonging to each cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Timbre Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Doddi, Nickhil Jakatdar, Xinhui Niu
  • Publication number: 20030187937
    Abstract: A method for handling e-mail messages includes defining a set of rules, and applying the set of rules to received e-mail messages. Importance ratings are assigned to the received e-mail messages based upon the application of the set of rules, and actions taken by a user with respect to the received e-mail messages are monitored. The method further includes modifying the set of rules based upon the monitored actions taken with respect to the received e-mail messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy Hun-Jen Yao, Michael Ming-Ku Wu
  • Patent number: 6236978
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a user profile for a user based on a static profile and a dynamic profile of the user. The static profile includes factual user information. The dynamic profile includes dynamic rules which correspond to transactional information of the user. The method and system compresses the dynamic rules into aggregated rules so that the user can view a comparatively small number of the aggregated rules and select the desired rules from the aggregated rules based on user-desired criteria. The dynamic rules associated with the particular user are matched to the selected desired aggregated rules to generate the dynamic profile. The static and dynamic profile are then combined to form the user profile. The system and method can be used in conjunction with a Personal Shopping Assistant system and a Personal Intelligent Digital Assistant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Alexander S. Tuzhilin
  • Patent number: 6173275
    Abstract: Image features are generated by performing wavelet transformations at sample points on images stored in electronic form. Multiple wavelet transformations at a point are combined to form an image feature vector. A prototypical set of feature vectors, or atoms, is derived from the set of feature vectors to form an “atomic vocabulary.” The prototypical feature vectors are derived using a vector quantization method (e.g., using neural network self-organization techniques) in which a vector quantization network is also generated. The atomic vocabulary is used to define new images. Meaning is established between atoms in the atomic vocabulary. High-dimensional context vectors are assigned to each atom. The context vectors are then trained as a function of the proximity and co-occurrence of each atom to other atoms in the image. After training, the context vectors associated with the atoms that comprise an image are combined to form a summary vector for the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: HNC Software, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Caid, Robert Hecht-Neilsen
  • Patent number: 6108648
    Abstract: A computer operated apparatus estimates values needed by an optimizer in a database management system (DBMS). The DBMS has one or more tables for storing data, each table having zero or more columns of user-definable data types and zero or more associated user-defined routines (UDRs). The apparatus has a feature vector extractor connected to the database tables for converting the UDR inputs into a base type representation. A neural network receives the feature vector and generates estimated values which are provided to the optimizer of the DBMS. The neural network can be trained periodically using randomly generated queries, or it can be trained dynamically by capturing data generated during a query. During operation, the optimizer dynamically invokes the neural network to generate estimates such as selectivity and cost per call for determining optimum query search sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Informix Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Seetha M. Lakshmi, Shaoyu Zhou
  • Patent number: 6044375
    Abstract: A method of automatically extracting metadata from a document. The method of the invention provides a computer readable document that includes blocks comprised of words, an authority list that includes common uses of a set of words, and a neural network trained to extract metadata from groupings of data called compounds. Compounds are created with one compound describing each of the blocks. Each compound includes the words making up the block, descriptive information about the blocks, and authority information associated with some of the words. The descriptive information may include such items as bounding box information, describing the size and position of the block, and font information, describing the size and type of font the words of the block use. The authority information is located by comparing each the words from the block to the authority list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Oded Shmueli, Darryl Greig, Carl Staelin, Tami Tamir
  • Patent number: 5966533
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically synthesizing a computer program based on user context data is provided. In accordance with the invention, a request is received to generate a computer program for an identified user. In response, an incomplete definition of the computer program, from which portions of the definition are omitted, is retrieved. For each portion of the computer program omitted from the incomplete definition of the computer program, a plurality of possible versions of the omitted portion are accessed. Each possible version produces a different behavior in the computer program when it is added to the computer program. Further, each possible version has one or more conditions that may be evaluated against user attributes for the identified user to determine whether the possible version is acceptable for the user. Next, for each possible version of each omitted portion, the conditions of the possible version are evaluated to determine whether the possible version is acceptable for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Excite, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott F. Moody