Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to search for image data with an intuitive operation to which active elements are added. A digital photo frame 1 searches a non-volatile data base memory 15 or a network for image data based on parameters respectively related to a position and a direction in which the digital photo frame 1 is arranged, a distance or a depth from the digital photo frame 1, and time. The digital photo frame 1 displays an image expressed by the image data thus searched.

Abstract: A method for processing blocks of data in a file is provided. The method includes determining a plurality of blocks of data in the file for a compression process used for compressing data in the file. This process is iterated over all the plurality of blocks of data in the file. A block of data is read into memory, and the offset from which it is read is also stored. A strong collision-resistant cryptographic hash representation, such as a strong collision-resistant cryptographic hash, of the block is determined. The cryptographic hash representation (CHR) of the block of data as well as the data itself, is added to a table with the CHR as a unique index. The offset of the block of data in the source file, as well as the CHR for that block are appended to a separate table.

Abstract: A non-transitory medium recording an information processing program causing a computer to execute procedures, the procedures includes receiving, as input, positional information that indicates a position of a part of the data file from the reference position, searching a second management information item corresponding to the input, searching a first management information item corresponding to the input and the searched second management information item, and accessing the part that is among the parts of the data file and stored at a position indicated by the searched first management information item; calculating, based on a frequency of access to the accessed part, a distribution of frequencies of access to the parts associated with the first management information items; and updating, based on the distribution of the frequencies, the positional information indicated by the second management information items and first management information items.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for generating media recommendations in a media recommendation network. Aspects of the method and system include receiving by a server a plurality of play histories of media items from a plurality of users of devices, wherein at least a portion of the media items are tagged with corresponding time and location data indicating a time and location of play; receiving by the server a media recommendation request from a requester, including receiving seed information indicating a current location of the requester; using at least one of user preferences of the requester and the seed information to identify correlated users from which to search corresponding play histories from among the plurality of play histories; comparing the seed information to the corresponding play histories and generating a list of related media items contained therein; and returning the list of related media items to the requester.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for matching participants in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) recommendation network that is loosely coupled to a subscription music service. In general, the system includes a central server and a number of peer devices. For each of the peer devices, an associated user is either a subscriber to the subscription music service or a non-subscriber. When a user of a peer device desires to identify new friends with which to exchange recommendations in the P2P recommendation network, a friend recommendation function of the central server identifies new friends for the user of the peer device based on the user's status as either a subscriber or a non-subscriber to the subscription music service.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for communicating parameter of an inverter, the apparatus being connected to a plurality of inverters for communication, includes a communication unit for communicating with the inverter to transmit and receive parameter of the inverter; and a controller for storing parameter of the inverter in at least one of a storage address corresponding to an inherent identification number of the inverter, a user terminal and an external storage device according to an inputted command signal, or transferring parameter of the inverter to be transmitted, to the communication unit and then to at least one of the inverter, the user terminal and the external storage device.

Abstract: Method, system, and programs for content search are disclosed. A user interface configured based on context information is presented within a host application. A plurality of selectable search results are then fetched based on the context information and a query received from a user through the user interface. An input associated with a selection of one or more selectable search results is received from the user through the user interface. The user interface is updated based on the plurality of selectable search results. In response to the selection, the one or more selected search results are provided to the host application with the context information.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating models from a dataset includes multiple steps. First, a description of a view of a dataset is provided. The description includes multiple fields associated with the dataset. Next, a set of properties is determined for each of the multiple fields. Finally, the description is automatically translated into one or more models based on the respective properties of the multiple fields and a set of predefined heuristics.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a solution to optimize/minimize the total capacity of Gold Image within the entire datacenter which utilizes a scale-out type of storage systems. A method of server image provisioning comprises checking whether a gold image exists in a first storage system, the gold image being one of a real gold image or a virtual gold image; if no gold image exists in the first storage system, searching a remainder of the storage systems until a real gold image is found in a second storage system; after finding the real gold image in the second storage system, creating a virtual gold image in the first storage system, the virtual gold image in the first storage system being associated with the real gold image in the second storage system; and creating a snapshot volume in the first storage system based on the virtual gold image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing relevant content for inactive uniform resource locators are described. One method described comprises receiving at least one request for a web page associated with an inactive URL, providing a first web page comprising at least one of a search field and a suggested search query in response to the at least one request, receiving at least one search query, receiving another request for a web page associated with the inactive URL, selecting content based at least in part on the at least one search query, and providing a second web page comprising the content in response to the another request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to knowledge representation systems which include a knowledge base in which knowledge is represented in a structured, machine-readable format that encodes meaning.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for searching an index by category. More specifically, systems and methods have been developed for launching a search program that sends to a browser a search address associated with a selected search category for transmission to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for locating an object owner. The system provides a microchip database that stores a plurality of microchip records containing microchip identification codes, owner contact information and the like. Microchips are embedded in objects such that when the object is scanned the microchip identification code can be retrieved and used to search and retrieve contact information from the microchip database using one or more search engines. When using the microchip identification code to conduct a search a link to a website displaying information associated with the microchip record is presented first in the list of search results.

Abstract: A data control apparatus that enables data communication among devices with simple operations. A first communication unit communicates with a first device placed on a predetermined surface of the data control apparatus. A second communication unit communicates with a second device. A detection unit detects a position of the first device placed on the predetermined surface of the data control apparatus. A communication control unit controls communication between the first device and the second device according to the position of the first device detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A database system and a method of optimizing cross-database query. The database system includes a plurality of databases. At least two of the databases are stored with one or more data collections composed of tables with the same structure. A federated view of the data collection is created on each of the databases. A request routing layer for routing, in response to a query request crossing the data collections, the query request crossing the data collections to one of the at least two databases according to a predetermined routing rule, so as to query by using the federated view of the database.

Abstract: A server device receives a user request and retrieves, based on the user request, a list of popular topics, a generic ranking score for each topic in the list of popular topics, and a topic profile for a first topic in the list of popular topics. The server device identifies a user profile for the user and determines a personalization score for the first topic in the list of popular topics, where the personalization score for the first topic is based on one or more similarities between the user profile and the topic profile for the first topic. The server device determines a revised ranking score for the first topic in the list of popular topics based on the personalization score and the generic ranking score for the first topic; and ranks the topics in the list of popular topics, using the revised ranking score for the first topic.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a computer program for use in the creation and editing of multimedia works which provides a much simplified method of selecting and placing multimedia clips, with a length of less than about 20 seconds, into a longer composition. In one preferred embodiment, the user is provided with a graphical user interface where he or she can add to or modify the multimedia content contained therein by simply clicking the mouse above an empty track location, with the replacement clips being chosen and inserted into the work automatically. In another embodiment, the user will specify the screening criteria for a plurality of tracks, which tracks will then be automatically populated with clips according to the user's rules to generate a multimedia work.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a system for integrating expert sources of knowledge into a general search service. The method can include a general search engine interface to receive a search query with at least one search term from a user. An expert knowledge engine can enable retrieval of expert information and analyzes. A predictive model module can be used to determine a probability that an expert knowledge engine may provide a valuable response to the query. The search query can be routed to the expert knowledge engine based on a cost-benefit analysis. A query reformulation module can reformulate a query for use by the expert knowledge engine. A display module can be employed to combine the expert search results with other search results.

Abstract: A media content delivery interface for delivering media content based on a geographic location of a user. The media content delivery interface may include a mapping device configured to receive a positioning signal and determine a geographic location of a media playing device based on the positioning signal, a processor configured to receive the geographic location from the mapping device and generate a search signal for searching a media database for a media file having a geographic property related to the geographic location, and a distribution device coupled to the processor, configured to selectively distribute the searched media file from the media database to the media player device.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to email addressee verification. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: obtaining an email message including at least one email address; evaluating each email address of the email message against at least one email rule, and assigning a score to each email address based on the evaluation; and comparing the score assigned to each email address to a threshold, and flagging any suspect email address based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for causing a first multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) on a home network to communicate a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message to a second MMSC on a foreign network, the MMS message being modified to conform to multimedia-messaging parameters of a recipient mobile device. A query is issued by the first MMSC to the second MMSC to obtain one or more multimedia-messaging parameters of the recipient mobile device. The parameters include characteristics of the recipient mobile device and subscription details as well as parameters set by the foreign network. The first MMSC modifies the MMS message to conform to the parameters and communicates the modified MMS message to the second MMSC. The second MMSC delivers the MMS message to the recipient or provides a failed-delivery notification to the first MMSC. A reason for the failed delivery might also be indicated.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing metadata entry includes an output device, an interface element and a tagging element. The output device is capable of rendering an activity such as a media file via an electronic device. The interface element is capable of accepting a user input of a selection of a key of the electronic device. The tagging element is configured to modify a metadata entry of the rendered media file in response to selection of the key.

Abstract: A method and a computer system for storing data files in a data memory, wherein meta attributes comprising subject attributes, object attributes and relationships between these attributes are assigned to a data file. The meta attributes are selected from a meta attribute model or a knowledge card in which the meta attributes are structured in accordance with their meaning and context. A respective datafile is stored in the data memory on the basis of the meta attributes assigned thereto. The meta attributes assigned to a data file can be added to the data file or can be associated with the data file by means of a unique link.

Abstract: Apparatuses, computer readable media, methods, and systems are described for processing a workload record for each of a plurality of assessors, each of the workload records identifying an assessment previously assigned to a particular one of the assessors, calculating a complexity score for each of the assessments, calculating a workload index for each of the assessors based on the complexity score of the assessment previously assigned to that assessor, and assigning a new assessment to a particular one of the assessors based on the workload indexes.

Abstract: There is provided a client device including a storage section which stores content data, a control section which acquires content identification information for identifying the content data stored in the storage section, and a transmission section which transmits, to a server device, a registration request including user identification information for identifying a user who uses the client device and the content identification information acquired by the control section, and which, when the server device holds the content data identified by the content identification information, causes the server device to hold information obtained by associating the user identification information with the content identification information as user-specific registration information.

Abstract: A filtering method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor an audio/video data file and filtering data. The computer processor analyzes the filtering data with respect to the audio/video data file and retrieves specified audio/video data portions comprising data objects within frames of the audio/video data file. The computer processor removes gaps existing in the audio/video data file and receives tags comprising instructions for presenting video data of the audio/video data file, audio data of the audio/video data file, and the specified audio/video data portions. The computer processor stores the video data in a first layer of a multimedia file, the audio data in a second layer of the multimedia file, and the specified audio/video data portions in additional layers of the multimedia file. Each of the first layer, the second layer, and the additional layers comprises a tag layer comprising the tags.

Abstract: Subsurface horizon assignment. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: obtaining, by a computer system, a seismic data volume; identifying, by the computer system, a plurality of patches in the seismic data volume, and the identifying thereby creating a patch volume; displaying, on a display device, at least a portion of the seismic data volume and the plurality of patches of the patch volume; and assigning a patch of the plurality of patches to a subsurface horizon of the seismic data volume.

Abstract: A computer system is used to create and distribute applications. An audience qualifier and a set of categories corresponding to the audience qualifier are selected. A master application template is selected. The master application template may be pre-certified. For each of the selected categories, an application instance is created from the master application template, where the modifications to the master application template for each category are determined at least in part by the characteristics of the category. Metadata describing the audience qualifier and category are associated with each application instance. The application instances may be certified. The application instances are distributed in accordance with the metadata.

Abstract: A method for managing the exchange of information is provided, wherein the method includes receiving at least one information location identifier, wherein the at least one information location identifier may be associated with at least one information portal and associating with at least one network browser. The method further includes generating an information location identifier template responsive to the at least one information portal and communicating with the at least one information portal to identify resultant information.

Abstract: A computer system with read/write access to storage devices creates a snapshot of a data volume at a point in time while continuing to accept access requests to the mirrored data volume by copying before making changes to the base data volume. Multiple snapshots may be made of the same data volume at different points in time. Only data that is not stored in a previous snapshot volume or in the base data volume are stored in the most recent snapshot volume.

Abstract: An audio playback device and method searches initiates a web search for images related to music or other audio files being played, downloads images from selected web pages returned by the search engine, and outputs one or more images from the selected web pages on a display to enhance the user's listening experience.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for generating, storing, retrieving, and utilizing a search macro or shortcut link to a resource, such as a web site that provides access to an information database. The system may load a page into an application from the resource. The resource may have a Uniform Resource Identifier, and the page may have a search field that causes the application to generate a message when activated. The system may read the Uniform Resource Identifier insert a placeholder into the search field, and activate the search field, which causes the application to generate a message. The system may read the message and parse the message to isolate a search string containing the placeholder. The system may store the search string in a data structure, and may also store the Uniform Resource Identifier and associate it with the search string in the data structure.

Abstract: A computer system is used to create an application. An application is created using an authoring environment. The application is converted into a master application template by creating an application representation and creating associated metadata that define at least one allowable modification that may be made to the application representation. An application is created from the master application template, and the application and master application template are submitted to a certification body for certification. The certification process affirms that the application, with any modification to the application specified by the master application template metadata, meets all requirements for certification. The certified master application template is used to create a certified application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking news articles. A plurality of news articles referenced in one or more hub pages are identified, where each of the hub pages include respective references to one or more of the news articles. A score component is derived for a news article from a measure of a prominence of the news article in the hub pages that includes a reference to the news article.

Abstract: A networked peer and item recommendation system makes recommendations to users such as documents of interest and peers with whom the users may want to connect. User profile information is maintained in a profiles database. A log enables the collection of user behavior information. A cluster filtering algorithm determines a cluster that a querying user belongs to. A collaborative filtering algorithm locates other users having implicit and explicit profiles in the database that are similar to the profile of the querying user. A dynamic expert verification algorithm is associated with the collaborative filtering algorithm to verify the qualifications of users and produce bias towards users with higher quality interactions. A search engine returns items based on a keyword provided by the querying user. A sorting algorithm sorts the items returned by the cluster filtering algorithm, collaborative filtering algorithm and search engine for presentation to the querying user.

Abstract: A vehicle identification number (VIN) decoder (VDC) implementing a unique VIN decoding method may, for a given VIN, shorten the VIN and form a stem and a leaf therefrom. Utilizing the stem, the VDC may operate to find matching leaf values, if any, from a set of look up tables. Depending upon a match outcome, one or more trim identification code (TIC) values can be assigned to the VIN and a candidate list can be constructed utilizing the assigned TIC value(s). The candidate list, which can be optimized, may contain one or more candidate trims for the VIN. For each candidate trim, a confidence score and match probability can be generated. The VDC may provide decoded information containing trim data associated with at least one of the one or more candidate trims for the VIN to a client device over a network connection.

Abstract: A technical term dictionary stores terms of a first language and each translated term of a second language. A translation memory stores source sentences of the first language and each target sentence of the second language. A translation unit translates a text of the first language into an output text of the second language by the technical term dictionary and the translation memory. A corresponding translation pair extraction unit extracts, from a source sentence matched with a sentence of the text and a target sentence corresponding to the source sentence stored in the translation memory, a corresponding translation pair comprising a word in the source sentence and a translated word corresponding to the word in the target sentence. An unmatch check unit checks whether the translated word does not match with a translated term corresponding to the word in the output text.

Abstract: The invention relates to computer readable medium storing program code which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform a method for creating a quick recovery volume of a primary data set used by a first computer in a backup storage system, which includes identifying a snapshot image of the primary data set generated by a snapshot application, creating the quick recovery volume of the primary data set from the snapshot image of the primary data set and controlling transfer of data from the first computer to an archival storage unit. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for creating a quick recovery volume of a primary data set that includes creating a snapshot image of the primary data set and creating a quick recovery volume of the primary data set from the snapshot image of the primary data set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a task having at least one action and/or at least one action based on previously agreed service standards to control a task-based device in a home network using universal plug and play (UPnP), and a recording medium storing a program for executing the method are provided. The method includes fetching a task generator using a device having a user interface (UI) function from among devices connected to the network; displaying a control menu including service items based on the fetched task generator using the UI function; and if a service item based on the task generator is selected from the service items included in the control menu, generating at the device the task based on the task generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing user ratings in a web services environment. A method includes storing a comment associated with a web service and storing an influence rating associated with an author of the comment. The method also includes transmitting information associated with the web service, the comment, and the influence rating to a user. Additionally, the method includes receiving feedback from the user, and determining an updated influence rating based upon the feedback and the influence rating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for returning results to a query based upon topic are disclosed herein. Aspects disclosed can be particularly useful when searching for videos or other media content for which associated textual information are generally relatively sparse compared to other types of content. Text associated with the query can be semantically associated with various domain topics by mapping one or more words included in the query to one or more domain topics based upon a conditional probability of the domain topic given the query. A set of results can be identified based upon a conditional probability of the result given the domain topic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: A system and method of determining an earliest delivery date for a demand on the basis of a fact table stored in a database, where the demand indicates both a desired date and a desired quantity for items from a stock, where a fact time series is comprised by and/or deducible from the fact table, and where the fact time series comprises fact tuples indicating both a fact date and a change in quantity of stock items that occurred on this fact date. The method includes generating an aggregated time series from the fact time series by defining and/or obtaining discrete time intervals, and generating, for at least one discrete time interval, an aggregated tuple indicating both its corresponding discrete time interval and the aggregated change in quantity of stock items that occurred in its corresponding discrete time interval.

Abstract: Provided is a conversation assistance device which enables a user to easily search for a desired content. The conversation assistance device includes an input unit, a memory unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. A template database stored in the memory unit includes a plurality of templates. Each of the templates associates category sentences in a plurality of languages with a keyword. A keyword is specified by one keyword expression and one or more character inputs (keyword reading). When the input unit receives any of the plurality of character inputs, an example sentence selection unit retrieves one of the templates having a keyword corresponding to the input character.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing file system checks may include identifying a file system to check. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying a base log including file system metadata within the file system at a previous time. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a set of changed inodes within the file system since the previous time. The computer-implemented method may additionally include creating an updated log based on the base log and the set of changed inodes. The computer-implemented method may also include checking the updated log for consistency. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Creating a database for constructing a proxy of humans and animals, utilizing segments of appearance, voice, sound and thought process for enabling communication with, passive and active interaction with and observance of the constructed proxy, while said proxy is not available for real-time communication and other said functions.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for providing a computer and collaboration platform around knowledge transfer, expertise, innovation, tangible, intangible and information assets are disclosed. The system converts a static expert content into an active forum in an effective manner to promote collaboration among users in the various categories. The system converts the static content into one or more sections according to a parsing rule. Each section is assigned with one or more categories and one or more plug-ins for forming a framework. The system captures the framework as a model and generates one or more data partnering objects, and stores them in a database. Pursuant to a user's request and attributes of the user, appropriate one or more of the data partnering objects are retrieved from the database to generate an active forum. The system, then, publishes the active forum.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a media production application. The application receives a script of a media project and parses the script to identify (i) story sections of the media project and (ii) characters in the media project. The application automatically creates data structures for the story sections and the characters, and associations between the story sections and the characters. The application receives several different types of data related to production of a media project and automatically schedules production activities for the media project based on the different types of data. For each location at which one or more story sections will be filmed, the application receives a photo of the location. The application displays a graphical outline of the media project in which each story section is represented by a thumbnail of the photo of the location at which the story section will be filmed.

Abstract: An input lookup key is hashed and the hashed key divided into stride bits into a multi-level Trie structure. A compression function logically combines the stride bits to generate the compressed index bits into the stride tables. The bucket in the last stride table found by the hashed key may have several keys that collide at the same hash value. Discriminant bits are read from the key and select a stored key in the bucket table for verification of its result. Since the hashed key is a compression of the longer input key, more information is contained per bit of the hashed key than in the long key. The multi-stride lookup is performed first on the hashed key, allowing a faster convergence to the lookup result. The first stride can index a single hash table, with the remaining hash bits and discriminant bits used to select from among colliding keys.

Abstract: A method for analyzing records in a data base which collects predetermined data and creates or appends a record, assigns individual conditions to homogeneous groups, retrieves rules, applies the rules to the data, reviews results generated from applying the rules to the data and generates at least one message.