04th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090024524 | OPTIMIZED RECHARGING OF PREPAID ACCOUNTS - The invention relates to a method for recharging an electronic credit prepaid by a user, particularly for paying for services in a data or telecommunication system. The inventive method comprises the following steps: a) setting a lower account threshold value for the credit; b) signalling if the account falls below the threshold value; and c) triggering a recharging function if the value falls below the threshold value. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024525 | Vehicle Wallet - Disclosed are methods and systems related to electronic purchase transactions. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024526 | ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION AND TRANSACTION SYSTEM - One preferred embodiment provides mobile device based registrations and transactions by providing an aggregator, in the form of a server connected to the internet for collecting and selectively distributing user data. The aggregator may obtain the user data through the mobile network operator, a third party data source (e.g., a credit reporting bureau), or from one-time user input with the aggregator. The user can selectively transmit their user data quickly (e.g., with the selection of a single link) via their mobile device between the aggregator and a third party content provider (e.g., a gambling site, adult content site, banking site, etc.). | 2009-01-22 |
20090024527 | MERCHANT-INITIATED ADJUSTMENTS - Tools for adjusting a debit transaction, which can allow a payee to adjust the amount of the transaction without having to provide cash back to the payor. Instead, the refund amount may be applied as a credit against the debit transaction. In an aspect, the credit may be for any amount up to the original amount of the check (less any credit already applied). Optionally, one or more security and/or anti-fraud measures may be implemented, e.g., ensuring that the check is not subject to a collection proceeding and/or ensuring that the requested credit is not more than the amount of the check itself). | 2009-01-22 |
20090024528 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARITABLE FUND RAISING IN CONJUNCTION WITH GAME-OF-CHANCE PARTICIPATION BY DONORS - A method for making a contribution to a charitable organization through a financial transactions device by a participant having an account with a financial institution accessible through the financial transaction device. The method comprising: (a) the participant conducting a financial transaction at the financial transactions device, the financial transaction involving the financial institution; (b) the participant solicited to make a contribution to the charitable organization through the financial transactions device; (c) the participant making the contribution by deduction from the participant's account at the financial institution; (d) crediting the contribution to an account of the charitable organization; (e) soliciting the participant to participate in a game of chance through the financial transactions device; (f) the participant selecting a game entry object or automatically receiving the game entry object; (g) closing participation in the game of chance; (h) selecting a game winning object; (i) comparing the participant's game entry object with the game winning object; (j) declaring the participant to be a winner if there is a predetermined relationship between the game entry object and the game winning object; and (k) crediting a prize amount, if any, to the participant's account. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024529 | WIDE AREA NETWORK PERSON-TO-PERSON PAYMENT - According to the invention, transferring money using a computer network is disclosed. In one step, information is saved on credit received for a first user ( | 2009-01-22 |
20090024530 | AUTOMATIC GIFT MESSAGING SYSTEM - Electronic and automatic gifting techniques are provided for messages, such as short message service (SMS) or multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages, wherein a gifter designates a recipient for one or more gift(s) offered in a set of gifts. Based on a selection of gift(s), message(s) are automatically generated for the gift(s) having unique identifier(s) that correspond to products or services of an enabling entity that enables the products or services. The message(s) including the unique identifier(s) are then automatically transmitted to the recipient. The unique identifier(s) can be encrypted/hashed with a secret provided by the recipient for an additional layer of security. Any of gifter information, giftee information, context of the service, or external information, such as global positioning service (GPS) location, can be used to make recommendations for gifts in the set of gifts. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024531 | IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PERSONAL AUTHENTICATION, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM HAVING SOFTWARE PROGRAM STORED THEREIN - A general user given beforehand a proxy right by an administrator is allowed to register a special user having the right to use an apparatus in a range of the function right equal to that of himself by operating a special user setting window. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024532 | PHONE-MEDIATING TRADING METHOD - A phone-mediating trading system and a method for use with the same are provided. After the user uses a user phone to construct linkage to the trading host, the trading host generates a set of random data to the user phone where the set of random data is encrypted with a private key designated to the user phone. The encrypted set of random data is transmitted to the trading host, and decrypted through the use of a public key that is stored in the trading host and corresponds to the user's phone number. If the decrypted set of random data, as determined by the trading host, is the same as the originally-generated set of random data, the user is allowed to perform trading with the trading host. This method is efficient and convenient to implement without performing a conventional complex identification process for identifying the user. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024533 | Payment systems and methods - In one embodiment the present invention includes a payment system for a commercial transaction. The payment system includes an account server that a consumer accesses using the consumer's mobile telephone number. The account server updates the consumer's account and the merchant's account according to the transaction. The account server sends a confirmation directly to the consumer's mobile telephone. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024534 | ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - A method for providing an internet network based marketplace for intellectual property assets, comprises the steps of: identifying and production of a list of intellectual property assets which a poster wishes to license or sell, and making the list of intellectual property assets accessible to the network in a controlled format with marketing information. This intellectual property is presented to viewers interested in licensing or acquiring one or more items on the list of intellectual property. The marketplace can provide for confidentiality of viewers until they elect to establish contact with the poster. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024535 | Finite Equity Financial Instruments - The value of finite equity-based financial instruments is related to future financial performance of an underlying company or companies. One instrument based on periodically reported financial performance operates on a swap basis between two parties. One party pays the second party a fixed, negotiated in advance, payment at the end of one or more calculation periods during the lifetime of the instrument. The other party pays the first party a variable payment equal to the reported financial performance during the calculation period multiplied by a percentage predetermined in advance. A second finite equity instrument is freely traded on a futures exchange between an issue date and a settlement date. At the settlement date the price of the instrument is fixed at a settlement value which is derived from the summed financial results of a company or companies between the issue date and the settlement date. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024536 | Methods and Systems for Reconciling Profit and Loss - In various embodiments, a network based system for reconciling financial data to a general ledger is provided, which comprises a financial data module configured to receive or transmit data from a front office and/or back office concerning a financial transaction or instrument; an adjustments module coupled to the financial data module configured to adjust the data received or transmitted from the front office and/or back office; a tracking module coupled to the financial data module configured to track adjustments made to the financial data; a reconciling module coupled to the data module configured to reconcile financial data from the front office and/or back office; and a lock down and signoff module coupled to the financial data module configured to prevent altering of the financial data and allow an authorized user to provide a digital signature to verify the integrity of the financial data at a close of business day. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024537 | Exchange-traded fund and process for trading same - The invention provides an exchange-traded fund for the trading of relatively illiquid securities and a process for forming and trading the same. The exchange-traded fund includes securities that are component securities of an Underlying Index and securities that are not component securities, thereby affording Authorized Participants the flexibility to designate securities within each category for inclusion in a portfolio deposit for the creation of a Creation Unit. This approach is necessitated by the relatively illiquid securities such as municipal bonds that lack sufficient liquidity for easy assembly in the amounts necessary for the in-kind creation or redemption of Creation Units for typical exchange-traded funds. This approach facilitates the ability of Authorized Participants to assemble a portfolio deposit and thereby allow for the effective functioning of an arbitrage process, while simultaneously enhancing the ability of the exchange-traded fund to track the applicable Underlying Index. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024538 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING STOCK INFORMATION AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A method for providing stock information and a broadcast receiving apparatus using the method are provided. According to the method for providing stock information, stock information is received according to the RSS protocol, and the received information is displayed as display information on a display of the broadcast receiving apparatus. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024539 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING CREDIT RISK IN A LOAN PORTFOLIO - A method and system for assessing credit risk in a loan portfolio of a lending institution is described. One embodiment receives a risk rating for each loan in the loan portfolio, the risk rating having been assigned based on a set of risk characteristics associated with the loan's concentration segment in accordance with a bifurcated model; receives a set of characteristics for each loan in the loan portfolio; receives capital numbers associated with the lending institution; performs a set of calculations for the loan portfolio to produce a credit-risk snapshot of the loan portfolio at a particular time, the set of calculations including at least one of expected loss, unexpected loss, economic capital, value at risk, and shareholder value added; and outputs the credit-risk snapshot of the loan portfolio to a user. Some embodiments also produce a trend analysis based on a plurality of credit-risk snapshots. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024540 | PERSONAL OR FAMILY FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method for determining a state of personal finances includes establishing a personal finance code. The personal finance code includes amounts associated with a set of sources of income and amounts associated with a set of uses of funds. The personal finance code includes amounts associated with a set of asset categories. The set of asset categories include income producing assets, income consuming assets, and non-producing income producing assets. The method also includes determining a set of guidelines associated with the personal finance code. The set of guidelines is associated with at least one time period. In addition, the method includes deriving a comparison between the set of guidelines and a set of fiscal behaviors. The set of fiscal behaviors is associated with the at least one time period. The method further includes projecting the comparison over at least one subsequent time period to determine a projected effect. The projected effect includes a relative valuation of assets in at least one of the set of asset categories. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024541 | POWER PURCHASE METHODS, AGREEMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FOR TAX-ADVANTAGED FINANCING RESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY EQUIPMENT - A business method is disclosed for tax-advantaged financing renewable energy consumer premises equipment (CPE) for installation and operation on a residential premises of a residential consumer. The method comprises (a) agreeing to supply power generated by the renewable energy CPE to the residential premises of the residential consumer and (b) taking a real property security interest in a primary residence of the residential consumer, whereby the real property security interest secures payments for the power supplied to the residential consumer. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024542 | Device, maintenance support apparatus, and support system - The system of the present invention is configured to online support the operation of a device using an expendable under restriction of refill. The system receives device information regarding identification of a model of the device and expendable information including a degree of consumption of the expendable from the device via a network, and estimates an operating status of the device under restriction of the refill of the expendable according to the received device information and the received expendable information. The system generates device support information relating to the operation of the device under restriction of the refill of the expendable based on the estimated operating status of the device, and outputs the generated device support information via the network. The arrangement of this system desirably relieves both the user load and the support load in maintenance and support of the device. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024543 | Financial activity based on natural peril events - A computer implemented method and system for automatically setting prices of financial products in a financial activity having a plurality of possible outcomes, includes receiving a first request from a participant terminal to purchase a financial product for one of the possible outcomes, i; and electronically computing a price for the requested financial product, in response to the first request, based at least in part on a first formula. Also included is a method for automatically updating the prices for all other outcomes, other than the outcome, i, based at least in part on a second formula. In one example, the financial products include contracts in a one-sided market of buyer participants where the outcomes are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive | 2009-01-22 |
20090024544 | System and method of identifying and sorting international mail pieces based on applied-postage adequacy in order to enhance postal service revenue protection - Provided is a method of reducing postal revenue losses associated with the processing and delivery of international mail pieces. Algorithmically-resolved image data associated with a mail piece is compared to international-mail-services postage data and a determination is rendered, based on the comparison, as to whether any postage indicated as paid is sufficient to further process the mail piece in accordance with the level of delivery service requested. In various aspects, an attempt to algorithmically ascertain the identity of the sender is undertaken for purposes of automated charge assessment relative to a mail piece for which it is determined that insufficient postage has been tendered. In accordance with alternative aspects, if the sender identity cannot be ascertained, the mail piece is variously (i) rejected for manual handling or (ii) routed for automated sortation and delivery in accordance with a “downgraded” delivery service level for which the amount paid is adequate. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024545 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL OF INDIVIDUAL CIRCUITS - A power consumption management system. The system includes a power appliance at a consumer site and a power appliance control point at a LSE site. The power appliance is capable of measuring and controlling power consumption on a plurality of circuits located at the consumer site, as well as controlling end consumer devices. The power appliance control point is capable of receiving power consumption data for each of the plurality of consumer circuits, and is capable of commanding the power appliance to control power consumption on individual circuits. The power appliance is further capable of directing power supplied from individual LSE's to individual circuits at the consumer site, and capable of varying such usage according to more complex schemes, for example, by time of day or environmental conditions. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024546 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREDICTIVE MODELING OF SPATIALLY DISTRIBUTED DATA FOR LOCATION BASED COMMERCIAL SERVICES - A computer system implements a method to provide a class membership probability prediction based on collected usage data from a user device of a user. After device usage data, which contains location information, is collected from the user device, the collected usage data is processed to generate a predictive model by utilizing a machine learning algorithm. In response to a user input, a class membership probability estimation is produced by processing the user input through the probability predictive model. The resulted class membership probability estimation can then be used as a prediction of a demographic profile of the user. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024547 | MULTI-INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR TOXICOGENOMIC APPLICATIONS (MISTA) | 2009-01-22 |
20090024548 | Compatibility Scoring of Users in a Social Network - The compatibility score of individuals in a social network is computed based on the compatibility of interests expressed by these individuals. The compatibility score between any two interests is calculated as the log of the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express both interests as his or her interests divided by the product of: (i) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the first of the two interests as his or her interest and (ii) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the second of the two interests as his or her interest. The compatibility score between two individuals is calculated as the sum of the compatibility scores between each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the first of the two individuals and each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the second of the two individuals. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024549 | Methods and Systems for Determining Entropy Metrics for Networks - Methods and systems for network monitoring using network metrics which are generalized entropy functions of the Markov monoid matrix M generated by an altered connection matrix C. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024550 | Systems and Methods for Wireless Network Selection - Systems and methods for selecting a wireless network are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a first network device identifier for a first network device and a second network device identifier for a second network device, obtaining a first network profile comprising a first attribute, the first network profile based on the first network device identifier, obtaining a second network profile comprising a second attribute, the second network profile based on the second network device identifier, and selecting either the first network device identifier or the second network device identifier based on an attribute analysis of the first attribute and the second attribute. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024551 | MANAGING VALIDATION MODELS AND RULES TO APPLY TO DATA SETS - Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for managing validation models and rules to apply to data sets. A schema definition describing a structure of at least one column in a first data set having a plurality of columns and records providing data for each of the columns is received. At least one model is generated, wherein each model asserts conditions for at least one column in a record of the first data set. The schema definition and the at least one model are stored in a data quality model. Selection is received of a second data set and the data quality model. A determination is made as to whether a structure of the second data set is compatible with the schema definition in the selected data quality model. Each model in the data quality model is applied to the records in the second data set to validate the records in the second data set in response to determining that the structure of the second data set and the schema definition are compatible. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024552 | UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES - This disclosure relates to creating, facilitating, or otherwise managing unified development guidelines. Software for managing development guidelines can comprise computer readable instructions operable when executed to, in response to a trigger, identify a first guideline rule and a second guideline rule based, at least in part, on the trigger, where the guideline rules are at least partially stored in a central rules repository for a development group and each rule is associated with a validity period. This software then generates a development guideline using the identified first guideline rule and the second guideline rule. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024553 | AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF NEW RULES FOR PROCESSING SYNTHETIC EVENTS USING COMPUTER-BASED LEARNING PROCESSES - A computer implemented method. A first synthetic event is received. The first synthetic event is derived from a first cohort comprising a first set of data and a second cohort comprising a second set of data. The first synthetic event comprises a third set of data representing a result of a mathematical computation on the first and second cohorts. A first rule set is created, the first synthetic event being expected as a result of application of the first rule set to the first cohort and the second cohort. The first rule set is applied to the first cohort and the second cohort to achieve a first result. The first result comprises a second event that is compared to the first synthetic event. A comparison is formed, the comparison comprising additional data that can be used to describe a difference between the second event and the first synthetic event. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024554 | Method For Matching Electronic Advertisements To Surrounding Context Based On Their Advertisement Content - A system for selecting electronic advertisements from an advertisement pool to match the surrounding content is disclosed. To select advertisements, the system takes an approach to content match that focuses on capturing subtler linguistic associations between the surrounding content and the content of the advertisement. The system of the present invention implements this goal by means of simple and efficient semantic association measures dealing with lexical collocations such as conventional multi-word expressions like “big brother” or “strong tea”. The semantic association measures are used as features for training a machine learning model. In one embodiment, a ranking SVM (Support Vector Machines) trained to identify advertisements relevant to a particular context. The trained machine learning model can then be used to rank advertisements for a particular context by supplying the machine learning model with the semantic association measures for the advertisements and the surrounding context. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024555 | Method and Apparatus for Automatic Comparison of Data Sequences - The invention is concerned with a method and an apparatus for automatic comparison of at least two data sequences characterized in—an evaluation of a local relationship between any pair of subsequences in two or more sequences; —an evaluation of a global relationship by means of aggregation of the evaluations of said local relationships. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024556 | SEMANTIC CRAWLER - A method and an apparatus for extraction of information from a plurality of electronic text documents. The method comprises defining and generating a reference graph. The reference graph represents a specific theme of a reference text document. The method further comprises comparing the reference graph with a second graph using an extraction criterion. The second graph represents a specific theme of a second text document. Further, the result of the comparison is checked if the result falls within the extraction criterion boundary value. Then, the checked result of the comparison is extracted if the result falls at least within the extraction criterion boundary value. The method continues the comparison and the checking of the result of the comparison of the defined and generated reference graph with a further graph. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024557 | Clause and Proof Tightening - A computer-implemented method for verification of a target system includes defining a formula describing the target system, the formula including clauses, which include variables and which express constraints on states of the target system. The formula is processed so as to derive, using the clauses, a proof relating to a property of the target system. After deriving the proof, a variable that has a constant value is identified in the proof. The number of the variables in the proof is reduced using the identified variable, thereby producing a tightened expression, which is applied in making a determination of whether the target system satisfies the formula. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024558 | Methods and systems for storing and retrieving rejected data - Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided to facilitate the storage, retrieval, and display of rejected data objects. Even when a data object is accepted on a user system, the data object may be rejected before reaching a backend repository if the user system and backend repository are asynchronously connected. In one implementation, a rejected data object is collected, converted into a storage format, and stored on a storage medium. Information relating the rejected data object in the storage format to a first data model is also stored. At some future time, a request is received and utilized to locate the rejected data object. Then, the rejected data object is translated from a storage format into the first object format by using the relational information. A value from the translated rejected data object can then be displayed contemporaneously with a second data value from an accepted data object. This may allow a user to see transactions and data that might otherwise be lost. Further, this may allow a system analyst to correct system problems when abnormal trends in the rejected data are observed. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024559 | Context based media content presentation - The invention allows location and other context based presentation of media content while capturing new content with a mobile device. First media content is captured with the mobile device located at a current location. A current context of the mobile device is determined. Second media content is retrieved based on the determined current context of the mobile device. Then, the captured first media content is presented concurrently with the retrieved second media content. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024560 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HAVING ACCESS TO WEB PAGE - Provided are a method and apparatus for accessing a web page. The method includes searching a first web page for links and extracting path information of each link found; generating a link hierarchy composed of nodes, each having the extracted path information; displaying the generated link hierarchy; and receiving a signal, which selects a node in the displayed link hierarchy, accessing a second web page corresponding to path information of the selected node in response to the signal, and displaying the second web page. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024561 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING SERVICE METADATA - A system and method for synchronizing service metadata into a format for canonical representation of service metadata and publishing the synchronized service metadata into a metadata repository. The method comprises: receiving service metadata from a service producer; normalizing the service metadata into the format for canonical representation of service metadata; and publishing normalized service metadata into a metadata repository that supports the format for canonical representation of service metadata. The system comprises: at least one connector for each service producer, wherein the connector permits a synchronization system to communicate bi-directionally with the service producer; one normalizer for each service producer, wherein the normalizer transforms the service metadata into a format for the canonical representation of service metadata; and at least one provider for each service producer, wherein the provider publishes the canonical representation of service metadata into a metadata repository. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024562 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE LOADING IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - An apparatus and a method for enhancing memory utilization by compressing unused programs and their system files are provided. The method for generating a profile for a selective loading of a terminal includes receiving a selection of at least one application program that is to be activated, identifying that there is at least one application program to be activated among present deactivated application programs and to be deactivated among present activated application programs, compressing other application programs and system files related to the other application programs than at least one application program to be activated and generating a profile comprising a list of at least one application program to be activated. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024563 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING PER QUERY RESOURCE CONSUMPTION - There is disclosed a method for estimating query resource consumption for a system storing a representative query resource consumption table. When a query is received, information of a representative query including representative resource consumption information is retrieved from the representative query resource consumption table, where a type of representative query is determined according to the received query. A resource consumption ratio of the received query and the representative query is calculated (computed), and a query resource consumption of the received query is estimated using the representative resource consumption and the calculated resource consumption ratio. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024564 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING A FILE SYSTEM - A method for accessing a file system that includes creating a document index for an active document, identifying a similarity score for each of a plurality of stored documents to generate a list of similar documents, wherein the similarity score is computed by comparing the document index for the active document with a search index for the plurality of stored documents, and displaying the list of similar documents in a file system interface. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024565 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MASKING INDEX VALUES IN A DATABASE - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for masking index values in a database. During operation, the system receives a request to mask a column in a database, wherein the column is an index-column. Next, the system retrieves a tree which is used to index the column, wherein the tree provides a sorted representation of values in the column. The system then locates the root-node of the tree. Then, for each child-node in the tree, the system determines if the child-node is a leaf-node. If so, the system masks a node-value for the leaf-node without resorting the tree. If not, the system leaves the node-value unmasked. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024566 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING OF DATABASE OPERATIONS - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates distributed processing of database operations. During operation, the system receives a database operation at a distributed command processor, wherein the database operation includes a query language command. Next, the system performs a set of non-data processing operations associated with the database operation to obtain a set of non-data processing results. The system then sends the query language command to a database, which enables the database to execute the query language command to obtain a result. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024567 | PROFILE BASED SET OF PLANS FOR A DATABASE - A method for selecting a plan for a query is disclosed. The steps of the method include using a current plan when a query is invoked, where the current plan has a corresponding current profile. Determining when the current profile is changed into a new profile. When the current profile has changed, comparing the new profile to a set of stored profiles. When the new profile matches one of a set of stored profiles, then set the new profile as the current profile. And set one of a set of stored plans that corresponds to the first stored profile, as the current plan. When the new profile does not match one of the set of stored profiles, then invoke an optimizer to determine a new plan for the new profile. Set the new profile as the current profile, set the new plan as the current plan, save the new plan into the set of stored plans, and save the new profile into the set of stored profiles. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024568 | DATA SKEW INSENSITIVE PARALLEL JOIN SCHEME - A method for creating a joined data set from a join input data set is disclosed. The method starts by categorizing the join input data set into a high-skew data set and a low-skew data set. The low-skew data set is distributed to the plurality of CPUs using a first distribution method. The high-skew data set is distributed to the plurality of CPUs using a second distribution method. The plurality of CPUs process the high-skew data set and the low-skew data set to create the joined data set. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024569 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING COMPLEX DATABASE INFORMATION - Methods and systems are described for storage and retrieval of complex data. An example method may store a first data item in a first data table included in a database. An aggregated data object may be generated based on preprocessing the first data table based on satisfying a predefined retrieval query. The aggregated data object may be stored based on a preprocessed format in a cluster table included in the database. The first data table may be updated, and the aggregated data object may be updated in the cluster table based on the update of the first data table. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024570 | USER DEFINED QUERY REWRITE MECHANISM - A database statement contains a table function. The database statement is compiled by a database statement compiler. The database statement is rewritten by replacing the table function with a replacement database statement. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024571 | Supporting aggregate expressions in query rewrite - In one embodiment, a plurality of materialized views is stored, where each view includes a set of aggregate expressions. Storing each materialized view comprises identifying one or more disjuncts in the set of aggregate expressions, generating a set of disjunct trees that represent the set of aggregate expressions, and storing the set of disjunct trees. When a query that requests aggregated data is received, one or more disjuncts are identified in an aggregate expression specified in the query. A disjunct tree for the disjuncts in the query is generated. Based on the disjunct tree for the query and on the set of disjunct trees for each materialized view, a particular materialized view is determined from the plurality of materialized views. The query is rewritten into an equivalent query that references the particular materialized view, where the equivalent query would retrieve the requested aggregated data from the particular materialized view. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024572 | Estimating the loaded execution runtime of a database query - In a method for estimating a loaded execution runtime of database query, a database query for a database is received for a loaded database. Load information for the database is received. A prediction of query runtime tree is accessed. The prediction of query runtime tree is built from historical query information regarding historical database queries previously executed on the database. The prediction of query runtime tree includes a classifier function adjusted for an historical impact of loading of the database. The database query is processed through the prediction of query runtime tree, such that a loaded execution runtime of the database query is estimated based upon information pertaining to historical database queries similar to the database query. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024573 | Method and system for performing search on a client device - Techniques for facilitating efficient local search are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, a server analyzes a hierarchical directory of data stored on a data storage server in order to generate a binary data image including selected data from the directory. The binary data image is then communicated to client devices in service such that all subsequent searches can be conducted against the binary data image in a client device. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024574 | System and Methodology for Extraction and Aggregation of Data from Dynamic Content - A system and methodology for extraction and aggregation of data from dynamic content is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for extracting and structuring items of data from content available via the Internet, the method comprises steps of: receiving input of a user specifying at least one source of content available via the Internet, types of data to be extracted from the at least one source, and fields for structuring extracted items of data; retrieving content from the at least one source; parsing the retrieved content to extract items of data of the types specified by the user; and mapping the extracted items of data to the fields specified by the user so as to transform the extracted items of data into a structured format. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024575 | METHODS FOR SIMILARITY SEARCHING OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS - A computer-based method for identifying at least one pair of similar chemical reactions between a plurality of reactions each related to preparation of at least one product from at least one reagent may include generating for each reaction a structural representation involving dynamic and conventional bonds and, based on the this structural representation, generating for each reaction a set of fragment descriptors of a predetermined length comprising the dynamical bonds and a corresponding descriptor vector. The method may further include calculating similarity indices between descriptor vectors of the plurality of reactions and comparing the similarity indices to identify at least one pair of similar reactions. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024576 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING PRIORITIZED SEARCH RESULTS INCLUDING AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FACTOR FOR A LIMITED SUPPLY SYSTEM - The present invention provides for generation of prioritized search results in a limited supply system, which includes receiving a search request having search request parameters, which may be received through the Internet by a search portal and the search parameters may be the search terms submitted by the user. The present invention further includes determining one or more search result elements for the limited supply system based on the search request parameters, where each of the search result elements indicate a corresponding listing entity and calculating expression of interest (EOI) terms for each of the search result elements based on search result obligations between the limited supply system and the listing entities. Thereupon, the present invention includes prioritizing the search result terms based on the corresponding EOI terms, which may then be presented to the search requesting entity. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024577 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORGANIZING, POSTING AND SEARCHING INFORMATION ON A NETWORK - A system, method, computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable program code for posting and searching specific content on a network, comprising: providing an image, the image including a first characteristic, and wherein the image is indexed to a search category; providing a sub-category indicator, configured to represent a sub-category associated with the image; providing a description associated with the sub-category indicator; and incorporating the image and the sub-category identifier into network content. The system and method further comprises: searching a network for the image and indexing the location of the image according to the sub-category indicator. The system and method may be applicable to network information providers/seekers using a broad range of search categories, such as employment, shopping, sports, news, social networks, adult content, and network spam. The system and method provide an improved method for organizing the vast amounts of data on networks, such as the Internet. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024578 | Delta Operations On A Large Object In A Database - A computer modifies data inside a database large object (LOB) of unknown structure without modifying other data in the remainder of the LOB. Insertion of new data at a specified location in the LOB does not require movement of existing data in the LOB. Instead, the computer is programmed to insert new data at a physical end of the LOB, and modify metadata based on the specified location. Similarly, deletion of existing data from a specified location in the LOB is performed without movement of other data in the LOB, by updating the metadata. The computer uses the metadata when reading from the LOB, so that the new data is automatically read whenever the specified location is accessed. The computer may optionally output a handle that is static, relative to other insertions and deletions, to identify specific data within the LOB, for use in building indexes on the LOB. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024579 | COMPOSITIONAL BALANCE DRIVEN CONTENT RETRIEVAL - Respective models of visual weight in images are determined. An image query is generated from a determined visual weight distribution. At least one of the images is retrieved from a database based on comparisons of the image query with respective ones of the visual weight models. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024580 | COMPOSITIONAL BALANCE AND COLOR DRIVEN CONTENT RETRIEVAL - For each image in a collection of images, a respective model of visual weight in the image and a respective model of color in the image are determined. An image query is generated from a target visual weight distribution and a target color template. For each of the images a respective score is calculated from the image query, the respective visual weight model, and the respective color model. At least one of the images is retrieved from a database based on the respective scores. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024581 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLABORATIVE EXPLORATORY SEARCH - Described is a new framework that combines the best of both exploratory search and social search: Collaborative exploratory search. This system allows a small group of focused information seekers to search through a collection of information in concert. The system provides exploratory feedback not only based on the individual's search behavior, but on the current, active search behavior of one's fellow search allies. The assumption is that the users who have gotten together to search collaboratively have the same information need, but differing perspectives and insights as to how to best express the queries to meet that need. The collaborative exploratory search system will therefore provide tools and algorithmic support to focus, enhance, and augment searcher activities. Searchers can, by interacting with each other through system-mediated information displays, help each other find all relevant information more efficiently and effectively. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024582 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SELECTIVELY PROVIDING DEFAULT VALUES TO DATABASE REQUESTS - Methods and systems for handling database requests are provided. Default values for one or more database fields are stored in a default value file. A software entity can use the default values to complete a requested set of data when, for example, the data returned from the database is incomplete. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024583 | TECHNIQUES IN USING FEEDBACK IN CRAWLING WEB CONTENT - A method for providing feedback to a web crawler is provided. A content processor determines whether a crawled web page is useful to an application. This determination is passed to a learning module. The learning module analyzes crawled web pages and the determinations of usefulness made by the content processor and generates rules for crawling more useful web pages and less non-useful web pages. The learning module provides these rules to the crawler, which applies them in making crawling decisions. Rules expire after a period of time. Paths from a web site's main web page to useful web pages are preserved. A token tree is constructed to facilitate the generation of rules. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024584 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A real-time query processing system to locate and retrieve object data in a RFID network is presented. The object data can be located in any data stored on the network or may be data that is generated in response to the user request. The system is operated by a user-friendly web-based GUI that allows remote access by out-of-network computer systems. The real-time query processing system provides comprehensive and flexible searching of the RFID network using a simple interface that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. It enables an immediate and tailored response to supply chain and business management questions as they arise, and greatly facilitates management of the entire supply chain and the RFID network. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024585 | COMPONENT-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR COLLABORATIVE EXPLORATORY SEARCH SYSTEMS - Described is a component-based control system involving the interface and middleware layers for collaborative exploratory search. The components include modules for multi-user input and display capabilities, and are individually configurable to allow simultaneous manipulation of multiple search parameters and algorithms. In a collaborative exploratory search, a team of people with a shared information need engage in exploratory search together. This search happens synchronously, leveraging realtime feedback in the search loop. The search team works together, finding patterns and information that each player individually might not have found, and doing so more efficiently than any single person could have. Each team member brings their own expertise and point of view to a shared problem. Distributing tasks and roles among team members leverages individual expertise and creates efficiencies of scale. Supporting the different roles and tasks involves resolving complexities in control and display; a regulatory component performs this task. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024586 | System and method for parallel graph search utilizing parallel structured duplicate detection - A method and system for performing a graph search, includes partitioning a graph into multiple independent regions that do not interfere with each other for a period of time. A state space abstraction is used to identify the independent regions. Then using parallel structured duplicate detection a search work load is distributed across multiple processing units to maximize an amount of time during which the independent regions are capable of being maintained independent. This allows the search of the multiple independent regions of the partitioned graph to be undertaken in parallel. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024587 | Indexing and searching of information including handler chaining - Embodiments are provided to manage information associated with a number of disparate information sources. In an embodiment, a system includes a data structure having a uniform metadata representation and a metadata handler for interacting with the data structure. The data structure can be associated with an underlying file or some other type of information source. In one embodiment, a number of handlers can be chained together to extract and return information according to a desired mode of operation. The embodiments provide extensibility and can be tailored according to a desired implementation. Other embodiments and implementations are available. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024588 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION - Methods and systems for searching for information. First, a classification code corresponding to a specific classification is received. At least a first keyword is selected from a plurality of keywords in a keyword bank corresponding to the classification code. Information is searched for according to the first keyword. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024589 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ACCESSING DATA - Some embodiments of the invention provide a user interface that allows a user to specify one or more attributes that should be included in a master reference data set, and identify which of these attributes should serve as enterprise specified identifiers that can be used to identify the particular master reference data set in an enterprise data storage. Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that allows the master reference data set to be accessed and updated in the data storage through the use of the enterprise specified identifiers. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024590 | USER CONTRIBUTED KNOWLEDGE DATABASE - A large open database of information has entries for commonly understood data, such as people, places and objects, which are referred to as topics. The database has a type system and contains attributes and relationships between topics. The invention also comprises a powerful query language and an open API to access the data and a website where contributors can update the data or add new topics and relationships. The elements of the invention comprise a scalable graph database, a dynamic user contributed schema representation, a tree-based object/property query language, a series of new Web service APIs, and set of AJAX dynamic HTML technologies. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024591 | DEVICE, METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR PRODUCING RELATED WORDS DICTIONARY, AND CONTENT SEARCH DEVICE - Image data from a client terminal is sent to a server along with its tags. In the server, hop number between the input tags or between the input tag and an accumulated tag that is added to image data accumulated in an image database is counted. Moreover, appearance frequency of the input tag is counted. Furthermore, entry sequence of the input tag is counted. When the hop number, appearance frequency and entry sequence are counted, evaluation values corresponding to the counted values and a reference value are integrated to calculate a score. The score is registered in the image database along with the combination of the tags. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024592 | METHOD FOR RETRIEVING CONTENT ACCESSIBLE TO TELEVISION RECEIVER AND SYSTEM FOR RETRIEVING CONTENT ACCESSIBLE TO TELEVISION RECEIVER - In a system for retrieving content accessible to a television receiver ( | 2009-01-22 |
20090024593 | QUERY PREDICATE GENERATOR TO CONSTRUCT A DATABASE QUERY PREDICATE FROM RECEIVED QUERY CONDITIONS - Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for a query predicate generator to construct a database query predicate from received query conditions. A plurality of query conditions are received, wherein each query condition includes a comparison operator and a comparison value for a database attribute, and wherein the comparison operator is capable of comprising matching and non-matching operators. The query conditions are processed to determine at least one logical operator to include between the query conditions. A database query predicate is generated to use in a database query to apply against the database comprising the received query conditions chained using the determined logical operators. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024594 | TECHNIQUES FOR INTEGRATING DISPARATE DATA ACCESS MECHANISMS - Techniques for integrating disparate data access mechanisms are provided. A user attempts data access against an infocube and its data access mechanism. Transparently, that access attempt is translated into a format recognized and processed by a relational database access mechanism to produce results. The results are then translated from a relational database format back to an infocube format and presented to the user within the infocube's data access mechanism. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024595 | AUTOMATIC EXPANDED LANGUAGE SEARCH - A computer-implemented method can include translating a search query from a first language to a second language, comparing the translated query with content in the second language, and identifying content in the second language relevant to the translated query based on the comparing. Also, a computer-implemented method can include translating content in a second language at one or more network locations into a first language, comparing the translated content with a search query written in the first language, and identifying, from the translated content, content relevant to the query based on the comparing. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024596 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS TO REPRESENT, STORE, MANIPULATE, AND PROCESS METADATA INFORMATION - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable media to represent, store, and manipulate metadata. The method for representing metadata includes defining a map to metadata stored in a global database for each of a plurality of metadata containers, receiving a query for metadata associated with a file, determining which of the plurality of metadata containers the query requires, and responding to the query based on metadata associated with the file from the global database retrieved using the corresponding map for the determined metadata container. The method for storing metadata includes defining a map for metadata to be stored in a global database for each of a plurality of metadata containers, receiving information to be entered as metadata associated with a file, determining which of the plurality of metadata containers is compatible with the received information, and storing the information in the global database associated with the respective file using the corresponding map for the determined metadata container. Other methods relate to manipulating the metadata. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024597 | Forming web search queries from browsing annotated images - Systems and methods for annotating images with search queries are described. Systems and methods for forming search queries by browsing annotated images are also described. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024598 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INFORMATION SORTING AND RETRIEVAL USING A LANGUAGE-MODELING KERNEL FUNCTION - Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and computer program product for sorting and/or selectively retrieving a plurality of documents in response to a user query. More particularly, embodiments are provided that convert each document into a corresponding document language model and convert the user query into a corresponding query language model. The language models are used to define a vector space having dimensions corresponding to terms in the documents and in the user query. The language models are mapped in the vector space. Each of the documents is then ranked, wherein the ranking is based at least in part on a position of the mapped language models in the vector space, so as to determine a relative relevance of each of the plurality of documents to the user query. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024599 | METHOD FOR MULTI-LINGUAL SEARCH AND DATA MINING - A system and method for performing a search and retrieval of documents in a computer network is presented, wherein the user can conduct a multi-lingual search and receive results in his or her natural language. The system includes steps wherein a user inputs a query in a source language, and selects one or more target languages. The query is then translated into the target languages and a contextual search is performed using the original and translated queries. Once search results are obtained, a language translator utility then identifies the language of the search result and that result is then properly translated into the language of the user. This system is particularly useful for searches over the Internet. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING LANGUAGES AND DATA ELEMENTS - Data languages, executable programs, and user interfaces are synchronized by a database for storing data enumerations in a first language, a configuration file for mapping language neutral tags to the data enumerations, a user interface operable responsive to the language neutral tags for presenting to a user interface view selected data enumerations in the second language; the user interface responsive to user selection at the user interface view of a data enumeration in the second language corresponding to a selected language neutral tag for accessing the configuration file to retrieve a corresponding data enumeration in the first language, and for returning the corresponding data enumeration to the database. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024601 | PRESENCE TRACKING AND NAME SPACE INTERCONNECTION TECHNIQUES - The present invention is directed to a presence and availability system including:
| 2009-01-22 |
20090024602 | Method and apparatus for searching a video library by genre - A graphic user interface is provided to allow a user to search an interested title among a plurality of titles by genre. In one embodiment, a list of types classifying the titles is displayed. A user is allowed to select one or more of the types to narrow down the list so that an interested title can be readily located in form of movie banners. As types are being selected, the list is progressively reduced. When one of the selected types is relaxed, the list is increased. In any case, movie titles in the list fall into a category classified by either one or all of the selected types. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024603 | Method and system for performing search using acronym - Techniques for facilitating efficient local search using acronym are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, a graphic user interface is provided to accept inputs from a user; letters successively entered as the inputs from the user are received; and titles are then progressively reduced and displayed in accordance with the letters, wherein the titles have words each beginning with one of the letters. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024604 | DYNAMIC METADATA FILTERING FOR CLASSIFIER PREDICTION - A classifier is used to predict relevant results with arbitrary filtering conditions specified by the user. The classifier model is stored as a database table and joined with a metadata properties table instead of calculating the query result probability using the full classifier model. A user-specified query based filter is applied to the joined tables to obtain the list of documents satisfying the filter. The probability is then computed using the sub-model. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024605 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USER AND REFERENCE RANKING IN A DATABASE - A method and system for user and reference ranking in a database or index. Users may provide reference anchors to references and those may be rated by other users. References may be rated by users and the feedback of those ratings may dynamically alter a prior user's score or ranking. The weight of a user's rating thereafter may be influenced by his score or ranking. Users or the system may create categories, which may be cross-referenced, and users may provide ratings of those categories as well. Users may also suggest search fields for categories. Feedback ratings for the search fields and categories may also affect a user's score or ranking. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024606 | Identifying and Linking Similar Passages in a Digital Text Corpus - A corpus contains digital text from multiple documents. A passage mining engine identifies similar passages in the documents and stores data describing the similarities. The passage mining engine groups similar passages into groups based on degree of similarity or other criteria. The passage mining engine ranks the similar passages found in the text corpus based on quality or other criteria. A user interface is presented that includes hypertext links associated with the similar passages that allow a user to navigate the documents. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024607 | QUERY SELECTION FOR EFFECTIVELY LEARNING RANKING FUNCTIONS - A learning system for a search ranking function model may include a computer program that iteratively refines the model using new queries and associated documents from an unlabeled training set. The unlabeled training set may include a set of queries for which the associated documents have not been labeled as “relevant” or otherwise labeled. The new queries may be selected based on a similarity to and an accuracy of each neighbor from a labeled training set, such as a labeled validation set. Upon selection, the documents associated with the new queries may be labeled. The new queries and their associated documents may be accumulated into a labeled training set, such as a labeled training set, and a refined model may be learned based on the augmented labeled training set. The model may be iteratively refined until it is determined that the model is adequate. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024608 | Determining a subset of documents from which a particular document was derived - Embodiments of the present invention pertain to determining a subset of documents from which a particular document was derived. According to one embodiment, similarity measurements indicating similarities between contents of documents are received. A subset of the documents that the particular document was derived from is determined based on dates the documents were created and the similarity measurements without requiring document tracking information to be associated with the documents to determine the subset. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024609 | System and method for storing documents accessed by multiple users in an on-demand service - In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for storing documents that are being tracked in an on-demand service. These mechanisms and methods for storing documents in an on-demand service can enable embodiments to provide the sharing of documents and the storing of the documents in association with a tag. The ability of embodiments to provide the sharing of documents and the storing can enable an efficient searching for a shared document. In an embodiment, the shared document is categorized upon being stored. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024610 | COMPUTER AIDED AUTHORING, ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT BROWSING, RETRIEVING, AND SUBSCRIBING AND PUBLISHING - Provides methods, apparatus, and systems for computer aided authoring. Included are: a method for browsing an electronic document, an apparatus for aided authoring, an electronic document browser, a method for retrieving an electronic document, a system for retrieving electronic documents, a method for subscribing and publishing an electronic document as well as a system for subscribing and publishing electronic documents. An example method for computer aided authoring includes: generating one or more topic summaries based on an electronic document while a writer is writing said electronic document, wherein the reliability of the topic summary is ensured by the writer; and saving said topic summary information in correspondence with said electronic document. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024611 | System and method for transmitting securities information - A system for transmitting information about securities comprising: a relational database and an analysis processor. The relational database is used to store a relational table that contains a plurality of relations concerning users of securities. When the analysis processor receives information about securities, the analysis processor determines a plurality of users who match the information about securities according to the relational table, and then transmits the information about securities to the plurality of users. When the system is transmitting information about securities, relational tables are established in order to reduce search loops that are required for determining the users, thus speeding up operations of the system and reducing system loads. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024612 | FULL TEXT QUERY AND SEARCH SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - The invention is a method for textual searching of text-based databases including databases of compiled internet content, scientific literature, abstracts for books and articles, newspapers, journals, and the like. Specifically, the algorithm supports searches using full-text or webpage as query and keyword searches allowing multiple entries and an information-content based ranking system (Shannon Information score) that uses p-values to represent the likelihood that a hit is due to random matches. Additionally, users can specify the parameters that determine hits and their ranking with scoring based on phrase matches and sentence similarities. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024613 | CROSS-LINGUAL QUERY SUGGESTION - Cross-lingual query suggestions (CLQS) aims to suggest relevant queries in a target language for a given query in a source language. The cross-lingual query suggestion is improved by exploiting the query logs in the target language. The disclosed techniques include a method for learning and determining a similarity measure between two queries in different languages. The similarity measure is based on both translation information and monolingual similarity information, and in one embodiment uses both the query log itself and click-through information associated therewith. Monolingual and cross-lingual information such as word translation relations and word co-occurrence statistics may be used to estimate the cross-lingual query similarity with a discriminative model. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024614 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE CONTENT SEARCHING - A search engine that can be configured to combine information related to a web page (channel) or content file view and/or “click throughs” with revenue information in order to determine relevance of the various matched content listed in the search results, is disclosed. By combining revenue information with page view/click through information, potentially more relevant results can be presented to the user for viewing. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024615 | System and Method for Creating and Searching Medical Ontologies - A method for creating and searching medical ontologies includes providing a semi-structured information source comprising a plurality of articles linked to each other, each article having one or more sections and each article is associated with a concept, creating a directed unlabeled graph representative of the information source, providing a plurality of labels, labeling a subset of edges, and assigning each unlabeled edge an equal probability of being assigned one of the labels. For each node, the probability of each outgoing edge is updated by smoothing each probability by an overall probability distribution of labels over all outgoing edges of each node, and the probability of each incoming edge is updated the same way. A label with a maximum probability is assigned to an edge if said maximum probability is greater than a predetermined threshold to create a labeled graph. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024616 | CONTENT RETRIEVING DEVICE AND RETRIEVING METHOD - A content retrieving device has: a content storing unit in which are stored a plurality of contents that are associated with one or more character strings; a thesaurus storing unit in which is stored a thesaurus that includes vertical relationship information between character strings; an inputting unit by which a character string is inputted; an extracting unit extracting an associated character string that is associated with an inputted character string, by using the thesaurus and on the basis of association degree information that expresses association degrees between character strings included in the thesaurus by numerical values determined in accordance with the vertical relationship information=between the character strings; and a retrieving unit retrieving contents associated with the associated character string and the inputted character string. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024617 | VIDEO PLAYER FOR EXHIBITING CONTENT OF VIDEO SIGNALS WITH CONTENT LINKING TO INFORMATION SOURCES - A method and apparatus for retrieving information relevant to tracked objects appearing in a display of a video signal is disclosed. The method is performed by a viewing computer having stored thereon an augmented display tool. In response to a user requesting the video signal, a content directory storing content information relevant to the tracked objects is acquired from a video-overlay server. The augmented display tool causes the viewing computer to acquire and display the video signal and record a time measurement and spatial coordinates of each point selected by a viewer using a pointing device. The augmented display tool uses the content directory to find an object identifier corresponding to each selected point and extracts relevant information from a global object directory maintained at the video-overlay server. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024618 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDEXING WEIGHTED-SEQUENCES IN LARGE DATABASES - The present invention provides an index structure for managing weighted-sequences in large databases. A weighted-sequence is defined as a two-dimensional structure in which each element in the sequence is associated with a weight. A series of network events, for instance, is a weighted-sequence because each event is associated with a timestamp. Querying a large sequence database by events' occurrence patterns is a first step towards understanding the temporal causal relationships among the events. The index structure proposed herein enables the efficient retrieval from the database of all subsequences (contiguous and non-contiguous) that match a given query sequence both by events and by weights. The index structure also takes into consideration the nonuniform frequency distribution of events in the sequence data. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024619 | Processing video files using metadata and time stamp - A method for processing video data involves receiving data from a series of images and analyzing the data to identify geometric forms. The forms are stored as metadata of a first data level and are linked by time stamps to the images in which the forms were identified. The metadata from an image and the previous image are compared, and delta metadata is generated from the difference. Delta metadata is also marked with time stamps. Metadata and delta metadata are analyzed, and objects are extracted from the geometric forms. The objects are stored as time-stamped metadata and delta metadata of a second data level. The process is repeated for higher data levels. A user inputs a database query to identify from among the stored input images that particular image sequence in which the extracted object is recorded. Queries started at higher data levels are quicker but less accurate. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024620 | Method and Apparatus for Providing Search Result Using Language Chain - Provided is a multiple information retrieval apparatus and method using a language chain to provide directly executable multiple information when a search result regarding a query word is provided. The retrieval apparatus includes: an I/O display window inputting query words; a search button which approves the input query words over the Internet; a search engine database containing information about the query words; a search query word information source having information which sets the query words as a title; a language chain which connects the grouped words with at least one connector; a parsing key for selecting the grouped words, and an image or video display window which can display images or videos using a web-browser. Accordingly, the retrieval apparatus provides multiple domains regarding query words, indices of electronic publishing materials and home page lists. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024621 | METHOD TO SET UP ONLINE BOOK COLLECTIONS AND FACILITATE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS ON BOOKS - A computer-implemented method for recommending books is provided, which comprises the following: receiving data representing at least one image of a collection of books; automatically determining at least one piece of standard information about the collection of books by processing the image data; and recommending at least one book that is not included in the collection of books to a person associated with the collection of books based on the collection of books. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024622 | IMPLEMENTATION OF STREAM ALGEBRA OVER CLASS INSTANCES - Creating and executing a distributed stream processing operator graph based on a query. The operator graph includes movable stream algebra operators for processing events received from high volume data streams. The operators are partially compiled and distributed to computing devices for completion of the compilation and subsequent execution. During execution, the operators maintain minimal state information associated with received events via an expiration time assigned to each of the event instances. Additional events are generated and aggregated by the operators for communication to a service responsible for the query. | 2009-01-22 |
20090024623 | System and Method to Facilitate Mapping and Storage of Data Within One or More Data Taxonomies - A system and method to facilitate mapping and storage of data within one or more data taxonomies are described. Content information is received over a network. The content information is further analyzed to determine at least one theme representing subject matter related to the content information. Finally, the content information is stored within respective predetermined categories organized within at least one taxonomy, the predetermined categories being associated with the at least one theme. | 2009-01-22 |