Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include identifying one or more candidate topics from a query. The method can generate, for each candidate topic, a candidate topic-answer pair that includes both the candidate topic and an answer to the query for the candidate topic. The method can obtain search results based on the query, wherein one or more of the search results references an annotated resource. For each candidate topic-answer pair, the method can determine a score for the candidate topic-answer pair for use in determining a response to the query, based on (i) an occurrence of the candidate topic in the annotations of the resources referenced by one or more of the search results, and (ii) an occurrence of the answer in annotations of the resources referenced by the one or more search results, or in the resources referenced by the one or more search results.

Abstract: An anonymization indicator computation system of the embodiment includes a data storing device, an anonymization device, an anonymization degree computation device, and an addition degree computation device. The data storing device stores original data including a value for each item for each person. The anonymization device generates anonymized data from the original data by anonymizing values of part of items in the original data. The anonymization degree computation device computes the anonymization degree indicating a degree of anonymizing data based on the anonymized data. The addition degree computation device computes the data addition degree indicative of a probability of generating the anonymized data from the original data.

Abstract: An enhancement to autonomously executed applications. based on inter-related co-operation of a user terminal (10) and a server (14) or a server cloud. The server (14) maintains user-specific conditions and uses the condition to extract from a stream of event data items information to a user-specific feed. This feed is made available via a user-specific web address. A user-initiated pause in the user terminal (10) triggers the terminal application to generate and invoke the user-specific web address such that topical feed information generated from recent events of other users and user applications becomes accessible. User experience of autonomously executed applications can be enhanced without essentially compromising the independency of the processing stage.

Abstract: A data set may be distributed over many data stores, and a query may be distributively evaluated by several data stores with the results combined to form a query result (e.g., utilizing a MapReduce framework). However, such architectures may violate security principles by performing sophisticated processing, including the execution of arbitrary code, on the same machines that store the data. Instead of processing queries, a data store may be configured only to receive requests specifying one or more filtering criteria, and to provide the data items satisfying the filtering criteria. A compute node may apply a query by generating a request including one or more filter criteria, providing the request to a data node, and applying the remainder of the query (including sophisticated processing, and potentially the execution of arbitrary code) to the data items provided by the data node, thereby improving the security and efficiency of query processing.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for filtering microblogs. For example, one or more first subject terms are acquired based on at least information associated with content of a first microblog to be filtered; an attention term list is acquired corresponding to an user identification; one or more first degrees of attention corresponding to the first subject terms are acquired based on at least information associated with the attention term list; and whether to filter out the first microblog is determined based on at least information associated with the first degrees of attention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a query including multiple n-grams; parsing the query to identify a subset of n-grams; generating, for each identified n-gram, an embedding of the n-gram; determining, for each identified n-gram, one or more word senses; calculating, for each word sense for each identified n-gram, a relatedness-score for the word sense based similarity metrics of the embedding of the word sense and the embeddings of each of the other word senses corresponding to the other identified n-grams; selecting, for each identified n-gram, one of the word senses determined for the identified n-gram having a highest relatedness-score; identifying objects matching at least a portion of the query; ranking each identified object based on a quality of matching of the object to selected word senses; and sending search results corresponding to one or more of the identified objects and having a rank greater than a threshold rank.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for displaying information flows in a social network. The method includes judging whether pieces of target information with a number of pieces being greater than or equal to a set number exist in information flows posted within a set time period by a user of the social network, aggregating the pieces of target information into one or more target information groups according to a preset rule when the pieces of target information exist, and displaying the target information group.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for investigating event streams in complex event processing (CEP) environments. Input events from one or more input event streams and query registration-related events from a registration event stream are received. Query registration-related events are associated with actions taken with respect to queries performed on the input event stream(s). Event-based profiles are developed by subjecting the received input events to a profiling CEP engine. Event-based profiles include data mining related and/or statistical characteristics for each input event stream. Query-based profiles are developed by subjecting the received query registration-related events to the CEP engine. Query-based profiles include data indicative of how relevant the queries performed on the input event stream(s) are and/or how those queries are relevant to the input event stream(s) on which they are performed.

Abstract: A method for verifying data consistency between update-in-place data structures and append-only data structures containing change histories associated with the update-in-place data structures is provided. The method includes loading data from an update-in-place data structure to a first set of hash buckets in a processing platform, loading data from append-only data structures to a second set of hash buckets in the processing platform, performing a bucket-level comparison between the data in the first set of hash buckets and the data in the second set of has buckets, and generating a report based on the bucket-level comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting and ranking entities identified in screen content displayed on a mobile device. For example, a method includes receiving an image captured from a mobile device display for a mobile application and determining a window that includes a chronological set of images, the images each representing a respective screen captured from a display of a mobile device and having an associated timestamp. The method also includes identifying entities appearing in images in a first portion of the window using text for images in a remaining portion of the window as context to disambiguate ambiguous entity references.

Abstract: A leader replica of a replica host group of a distributed storage service is configured to replicate the leader replica and its associated one or more secondary replicas to create a duplicate host group comprising a duplicate leader replica and one or more duplicate secondary replicas. The leader replica may appoint the duplicate leader replica or another host as the leader of the duplicate host group. The leader replica may assign a subset of database keys to be served by the duplicate host group and forward data requests directed a key of the subset of keys assigned to the duplicate host group. The leader replica may further update a global key table of the distributed data storage system to direct data requests associated with the subset of database keys to the duplicate leader replica.

Abstract: The annotation of a returned reference from an executable component to signify that there are no external references to the particular object graph referenced by the returned reference. If either 1) there are no input arguments to the executable component or 2) each input argument is either immutable or represents an object graph that has no external mutable references pointing into the object graph, and no internal mutable references that reference external objects, the particular attribute is assigned to the returned reference. Accordingly, if the returned reference is writable (as determined by evaluating the declaration code or the call code for the executable component), the returned reference is free to have whatever access permissions assigned to it, and may also be assigned to an isolated memory location, though such assignments will cause the returned reference to lose the particular attribute.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to enhancement or refinement of estimated locations based upon user-specific information. Upon user authorization, geographical information is extracted from a number of user-related sources, including the web browser history, search history, maps history, address book, e-mail archives and calendar entries. Such information is used to build a spatial index of specific physical locations for a geocoded result set. From this, heat maps identifying particular locations from the user-related sources are created for different periods of time. The heat maps may be used to refine an initial location estimate of the user. This may be done by determining whether one or more positions in a given heat map provide a more accurate position of the user than the initial estimate. If so, a best position is selected. This can be used to provide enhanced driving directions to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing noise in a social media feed of the type including successive posts each having a substantially homogeneous format. The method may involve: identifying a plurality of related updates to a record; configuring a single smart post to include underlying content from each of the plurality of related updates, and a visual cue distinct from the substantially homogeneous format; and displaying the smart post in the feed.

Abstract: Quasi-identifiers (QIDs) are detected in a dataset using a set of computing tasks. The dataset has a plurality of records and a set of attributes. An index is generated for the dataset. The index has an indicator for each attribute value of each record in the dataset. Each indicator specifies all the records in the dataset having the same value for the attribute. Each task is assigned an attribute combination and a subset of the plurality of records in the dataset and is passed to a thread for execution on computing resources. The executing task inspects the set of records specified by the index indicator for each attribute value in the attribute combination to produce a result. The result of at least one task identifies a unique record for the associated attribute combination. The attribute combination producing the unique record is a QID.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable a general framework for partitioning application-defined computations (e.g., jobs) in a scalable environment. The general framework decouples partitioning of a computation from the other aspects of the computation. As a result, the effort required to define an application-defined job is reduced or minimized, as the user is not required to provide a partitioning algorithm. A user can optionally take advantage of a partitioning framework by providing application-defined interfaces to perform the desired job. Optionally, a user can provide additional information to allow for modification of how partitions are assigned.

Abstract: Identifying a context for parsing a natural language expression. In an embodiment, a table comprising rows addressed according to context compartments is disclosed. Each compartment represents a context and comprises row(s), and each row represents a concept and comprises an outline field indicating an order of the concept in its context. Input expression(s) are received, and a first search is performed on the table to identify rows representing concepts corresponding to element(s) of the expression(s) and rows representing concepts corresponding to combinations of concepts represented by previously identified rows until a first row representing a higher-order concept is identified. Based on the first row, a first context compartment is determined, and a second search, that is restricted to the first context compartment, is performed to identify a second row representing a concept corresponding to an entirety of at least one of the input expression(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, method, and user interface for searching for messages with attachments on mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a messaging application is programmed such that, in operation, a user is presented with a search screen in which the user may define search parameters for a search. A search parameter associated with an option to search for messages of a specified type is provided, and more specifically, an option to search for messages (e.g. electronic mail messages) having one or more attachments is made available to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products for providing an augmented reality display of an image with record data. In one example, image data is received at one or more processors. A request message is sent requesting record data associated with the image data from one or more of a plurality of records stored in a database system. In some implementations, when the requested record data is received, a graphical display of the record data in combination with the image can be provided on a display device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention dynamically vary the number of replicas based on certain conditions to protect users from data loss. The size of the database is one condition that can be used to determine the number of replicas required. A database system may create three replicas. When the database size exceeds a first threshold, a fourth replica may be created. The fourth replica is maintained as long as the database size is above a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. However, when the database shrinks below the second threshold, then the fourth replica is deleted. Using two different thresholds in this manner prevents the system from frequently cycling between three and four replicas.

Abstract: In an approach for evaluating a predictive model, a computer identifies features of training samples in a set of training samples and selects at least one evaluation metric from a set of evaluation metrics as one or more available metrics based on the identified features. The computer applies a predictive model created based on the set of training samples to a set of test samples so as to calculate values of the one or more available metrics and evaluates the predictive model by using the one or more available metrics and the values of the available metrics. With the technical solutions described with respect to the embodiments of the present invention, one or more evaluation metrics that are applicable to specific training sample features may be determined from several evaluation metrics, so that users can precisely evaluate predictive models by using the determined evaluation metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing server replication and verification are disclosed. The method includes replicating data related to a first server and generating metadata for a replicated copy that provides attributes of the replicated copy; storing the metadata at a replication server; providing the metadata from the replication server to a second server to verify that a replication operation has been successful; using the metadata to locate the replicated copy and perform verification at the second server without involving the first server; and storing at the replication server, an indication of the results of the verification performed at the second server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining in a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository entries that are managed by an LDAP directory server. An LDAP directory server receives a client request to add a specified entry to an LDAP repository, determines, based on a managed entry configuration, that the specified entry requires a managed entry operation, and adds the specified entry to the LDAP repository. The LDAP directory server further adds a managed entry to the LDAP repository in accordance with the managed entry operation, where the managed entry is added to the LDAP repository without receiving any client request specifying the managed entry.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting data determines a desired duplication rate based on a level of desired anonymity for the data and generates a threshold for data records within the data based on the desired duplication rate. The system produces a data record score for each data record based on comparisons of attributes for that data record, compares the data record scores to the threshold, and controls access to the data records based on the comparison. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for protecting data in substantially the same manners described above.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting data determines a desired duplication rate based on a level of desired anonymity for the data and generates a threshold for data records within the data based on the desired duplication rate. The system produces a data record score for each data record based on comparisons of attributes for that data record, compares the data record scores to the threshold, and controls access to the data records based on the comparison. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for protecting data in substantially the same manners described above.

Abstract: A method may include importing into a memory a set of data into a data structure having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and metadata for the set of data. A rules engine determines one or more operations on particular columns of the set of data according to a set of rules. A rule may include a condition defined in terms of the metadata. Determined operations are input into a data analysis tool, the determined operations are performed, and results of the operations are displayed. The rule can include comparing a metadata attribute of a first column with a metadata attribute of a second column; comparing a metadata attribute of a first column with a metadata attribute associated with the rule; or comparing a first scope of a first column with a second scope of a second column.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for group number-based microblog aggregation and a system for group number-based microblog aggregation, which are used for realizing microblog aggregation display for group numbers. In the present disclosure, the binding relationship between a group number and microblog accounts is established, a large number of microblog accounts are bound by one group number, so that a client can initiate a microblog aggregation request based on the group number, and microblog messages issued by a large number of bound microblog accounts can be obtained by only transmitting one group number in an inquiry interface. According to the present disclosure, group users can learn the microblog dynamic states of other group users in real time conveniently, group functions are expanded, and time and network traffic of the users are saved.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for training a search query intent classifier using wiki article titles and a search click log. Titles of wiki articles that correspond to links that are associated with a specified wiki article and/or titles of wiki articles that are included in a category that includes the specified wiki article are extracted and included with the title of the specified wiki article in an initial set. Each title in the initial set is correlated with respective clicked URI(s) using a search click log. The initial set is expanded to include search terms that are correlated to the clicked URIs based on the search click log to provide an expanded set. The search query intent classifier is trained to classify search queries with respect to a query intent that is associated with the title of the specified wiki article based on the expanded set.

Abstract: A device may receive information that identifies a search query. The device may use the search query to cause a search of internal and external documents to be performed to identify internal and external search results. The device may cause the internal search results and the external search results to be presented for display. The internal search results may be presented for display to visually distinguish the internal search results from the external search results. The device may receive an indication that an external search result has been flagged for review, and may provide a notification that the external search result has been flagged for review. The device may determine that the external search result has been approved for presentation as an internal search result, and may store an indication that the external search result is to be identified as an internal search result for a future search.

Abstract: A system and method for information retrieval are presented. A natural language query is received from a client computer. The natural language query is analyzed to identify a plurality of terms, and a relationship between a pair of terms in the plurality of terms is determined using a knowledge model. The knowledge model defines a plurality of entities and interrelationships between one or more of the plurality of entities for a knowledge domain. A triple statement is constructed using the relationship between the pair of terms, and a query is executed against a knowledge base using the triple statement to generate a set of results. The knowledge base identifies a plurality of items, each of the plurality of items is associated with at least one annotation identifying at one of the entities in the knowledge model. The set of results are transmitted to the client computer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wirelessly communicating with a wireless station. In one implementation, a mobile device comprises a memory unit configured to store communication information associated with communicating on at least one channel of a wireless network. The mobile device further comprises a processing system that is configured to establish communications with the wireless station via a communication link, retrieve the communication information from the memory unit, and to provide at least a portion of the communication information to the wireless station.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide techniques for receiving a query from a user of a mobile device, and for conveying to the user not only search results, but also feedback relating to query. For example, the user may be prompted to elicit supplemental information relating to the query, or provided other feedback. The feedback may be conveyed in a manner which minimizes how much of the mobile device's display screen is dedicated to presenting the feedback.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating and using a bitmap index are disclosed. The bitmap index stores bit strings. In a particular implementation, each bit string in the bitmap index corresponds to an attribute of an audience. Each location in each bit string corresponds to the same audience member. The bitmap index supports parallelized and distributed execution of queries with respect to data indexed by the bitmap index. For example, the described bitmap index can be used to index advertising data, healthcare data, financial data, etc.

Abstract: A system includes a computer(s) coupled to a data storage device(s) that stores a training data repository and a predictive model repository. The training data repository includes retained data samples from initial training data and from previously received data sets. The predictive model repository includes at least one updateable trained predictive model that was trained with the initial training data and retrained with the previously received data sets. A new data set is received. A richness score is assigned to each of the data samples in the set and to the retained data samples that indicates how information rich a data sample is for determining accuracy of the trained predictive model. A set of test data is selected based on ranking by richness score the retained data samples and the new data set. The trained predictive model is accuracy tested using the test data and an accuracy score determined.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for training recognition canonical representations corresponding to named-entity phrases in a second natural language based on translating a set of allowable expressions with canonical representations from a first natural language, which may be generated by expanding a context-free grammar for the allowable expressions for the first natural language.

Abstract: A cooperative image processing system comprises an image processing apparatus and a portable information apparatus; the image processing apparatus comprises: a file creator that creates a file; a transmitter that transmits the file to the portable information apparatus; and a log information generator that generates log information of the image processing apparatus which includes a transmission history; the portable information apparatus comprises: a display; one or more processors; a cooperation portion that shows on the display an operation screen; transmits user instructions entered through the operation screen, to the image processing apparatus; receives the file in exchange for the user instructions; and transfers the file to any one of the one or more processors; a log information obtaining portion that obtains: the log information of the image processing apparatus and that of the portable information apparatus; and a log information manager that consolidates the log information of both of them.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for ephemeral eventing. Ephemeral eventing may involve sending metadata portions associated with content items from a user device to a content management system prior to uploading the content portions of the content items. The content management system may then assign the content items to one or more events. The event assignments may then be sent back to the user device, allowing the content items to be locally displayed according to their events as if the content items had already been uploaded to the content management system.

Abstract: Embodiments regard protected handling of database queries. An embodiment of a method for querying database system views and tables includes: receiving a user query from a user, the user query being directed to one or both of a view and a table of a database, wherein the user is not a database administrator; parsing the user query with a query parser to identify elements of the user query, parsing the query including determining whether the query meets certain database access criteria; automatically generating a database query based on the parsing of the user query, the generation of the database query including generating a database query that is limited by the database access criteria; accessing the one or both of the view and the table using the generated database query, wherein the access is limited to read-only access; and obtaining a result of the access of the one or both of the view and table.

Abstract: A computer determines that the type of one or more of a relational operator and operands of a relational expression originated in a first type system, and determines the sign of at least one of the operands. The computer rewrites the relational expression based on the sign of at least one of the operands, sends the rewritten relational expression for evaluation in a second type system, and receives the evaluated rewritten relational expression after evaluation in the second type system. The computer can rewrite the relational expression by generating a group of terms joined disjunctively, as well as by generating a group of conjunctive terms joined disjunctively.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing an on-demand scheduler in a mobile device and the structures to support realtime on-demand schedulers. A lightweight word-based structure is disclosed for storing scheduling-related data on the mobile device. Using this lightweight word-based structure enables on-demand and real-time scheduling. This type of lightweight structure also permits scheduling activities to be performed in a disconnected mode, which can then be later synchronized with the server to confirm the booking In addition to appointment scheduling, this technique can also be implemented for scheduling of any type of resource.

Abstract: For processing multi-geo intent keywords, a keyword is identified from a webpage corresponding to an advertiser. A plurality of search queries which include the keyword are obtained. For each search query of the plurality of search queries, a determination is made whether the search query includes a location term, and in response to the determination that the search query includes the location term, the location term is associated with the keyword. A determination is made that the keyword is multi-geo intent keyword having multiple geographical locations associated therewith, based on multiple location terms being associated with the keyword. In response to identifying the keyword as multi-geo intent keyword, a determination is made that the webpage does not correspond to a single geo-location. The keyword is provided as a suggestion to the advertiser for bidding, based on the determination that the webpage does not correspond to a single geo-location.

Abstract: A device for generating opinion pairs having sentiment orientation based impact relations, having: a reception unit which receives a plurality of object-oriented opinions; an extraction unit which extracts opinions having impact relations among the plurality of object-oriented opinions; an analysis unit which analyzes sentiment orientations of the extracted respective opinions; and a generation unit which establishes correlations between the opinions having sentiment orientation based impact relations to generate the opinion pairs having the sentiment orientation based impact relations. The present device can search and locate more implicit opinions as supplementary opinions by detecting impact relations from a plurality of opinions, and help users interested in different objects obtain more comprehensive comments and summaries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general solution to presenting media interface and navigation tools for content provided from a plurality of sources. The invention maintains a user at a single site regardless of the source of the media content. This permits a consistent interface to be presented to the user. Because the user remains at the same site, differences in tiered membership may be tracked so that the user is only presented with content that the user is permitted to view. The invention uses a metadata language to characterize content so that viewer type, membership level, and other information can be maintained and used for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Abstract: Measures, including methods, apparatus and computer program products, are provided for establishing a common identity for a user of a client computer in a network comprising a first domain and a second domain. A method comprises: transmitting a first request from the client computer to the first domain; receiving, at the client computer, a first identity for the user associated with the first domain and a first redirection instruction, wherein the first redirection instruction instructs the client computer to transmit a second request to the second domain; transmitting, from the client computer to the second domain, a second request and information relating to the first identity; and receiving, at the client computer, a second identity for the user associated with the second domain and a second redirection instruction, wherein the second identity is related to the first identity.

Abstract: A framework is provided for selecting media files for playback in a computer game. In one embodiment, user actions in the computer game are monitored. Further, user characterizations of media files may also be retrieved. The user characterizations may be input by a plurality of users via a media player application. A media file may be then selected for playback based on the monitored user actions and retrieved user characterizations. The selected media file may better suit an emotional experience of a user playing the computer game.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for aggregating posts submitted to a messaging system. A server system identifies a plurality of posts that were submitted to a messaging system from a plurality of users with which a first user has an acquaintanceship relationship. The server system analyzes content from a body of each post to determine a group of the posts that each reference a common topic. The server system provides information so as to cause the computing device to display to the first user, in place of an individual display for each post in the group, an aggregate post that presents, as a primary entity, a second user of the messaging system that is affiliated with the common topic and that did not submit to the messaging system a post that referenced the common topic.

Abstract: Performing a user initiated search query is disclosed and comprises receiving user input comprising description details of at least one desired object, retrieving a plurality of objects from a database sharing one or more of the description details of the user input, constructing a tree data structure based on the description details of the plurality of objects, the tree data structure comprising one or more attributes related to each of the plurality of objects retrieved, displaying visual images associated with the retrieved plurality of objects, the visual images matching at least one of the attributes related to the plurality of objects, and receiving a user selection of one or more of the visual images.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for facilitating evaluation of data types for dynamic lightweight objects in an on-demand services environment. In one embodiment and by way of example, a method includes uploading a data file having data at a first computing device in response to a request, and detecting data types relating to the data within the data file. The detecting includes scanning data rows and data columns of the data file. The method may further include classifying the detected data types into one or more categories, and creating one or more dynamic objects based on the one or more categories.

Abstract: A server system stores a hosted conversation having a special-purpose automated participant and a standard participant. The server system receives a request to modify the conversation from a first participant, determines a set of edits that update the conversation to an updated state in accordance with the request to modify the conversation; and sends, the set of edits to a second participant. When the first participant is a standard participant: the request includes an indication of preliminary edits; the conversation is updated in accordance with the preliminary edits; and the set of edits include concurrency-resolved edits. When the first participant is a special-purpose automated participant: the request includes an operation to be performed on the conversation; the operation is performed on the conversation at the server system; and the set of edits updates the conversation, in accordance with the operation.

Abstract: Information may be presented to a user by receiving a selection of one or more terms passively displayed in a document, loading the terms to a search configuration, generating first results responsive to a user's predicted interest as expressed in the search configuration, and enabling display of the first results.