| 18th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 71 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110106692 | LOAN PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TOOL - A loan portfolio manager system is provided to predict and prioritize loans at risk of default and foreclosure. The loan portfolio manager system may analyze the loans at risk to determine which of the loans are at risk and also candidates for modification. The loan portfolio manager system may generate recommended modification solutions for those at risk loans by applying configurable criteria and data analytics. The loan portfolio manager system may monitor and report on the health of loan portfolios, borrowers, and on success of loan modifications. The loan portfolio manager system may facilitate loan modification business process outsourcing through campaign management and buyer contact/interaction capabilities. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106693 | Automated Loan Risk Assessment System and Method - An automated loan risk assessment system and method are described. The system is adapted to receive information about a loan or an insurance application requesting insurance to cover same. The system calculates a risk score for the loan based on a plurality of risk factors including at least two of a fraud risk factor, a credit risk factor and a property valuation risk factor. The risk score can be used by a loan service provider in deciding whether or not to fund or insure the loan. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106694 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PAYMENT ALLOCATION AND PROCESSING OF BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS - A system and method provides electronic management and processing of bankruptcy-related claims and payments. The method includes receiving loan servicer data from a loan servicer portfolio. The method also includes receiving trustee data from a repository of trustee information. The method includes comparing one or more data fields related to the claims from the service provider data to corresponding one or more data fields related to the claims from the trustee data and assigning a score to the comparison results for the data fields related to the claims based on one or more business rules. The method includes calculating the total score for the comparison results for the claims, designating the claim as being valid if the total score for the claim is greater or equal to a predetermined value, and designating the claim as being invalid if the total score for the claim is less than a predetermined value. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106695 | PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and computer program product for least cost routing in payment processing. In an embodiment of the invention, a payment processing method can include receiving a transaction profile for a proposed transaction as payment for a purchase by a purchaser from a merchant at a card processing terminal configured to identify a card number for a card. The method further can include computing a cost of processing the proposed transaction for each of multiple different payment processors based upon the received transaction profile. The method yet further can include selecting one of the different payment processors corresponding to a lowest cost of processing computed for the received transaction profile. Finally, the method can include routing the proposed transaction to the selected one of the different payment processors. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106696 | Systems, Methods and Computer Program Products for Payment Processing - Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for payment processing and employee compensation disbursement. Employee compensation is determined and disbursed into virtual accounts associated with corresponding employees, so as to avoid costs associated with traditional check distribution. Employees are provided with a means for accessing funds stored in their virtual accounts and utilizing such funds in a variety of possible manners, where employers are provided with the benefit of the float on the employee compensation funds until the funds are actually retrieved by the employees from their virtual accounts. Incentives are also provided for employees to use funds in their virtual accounts to purchase products, merchandise and/or services back from the employer company, so that the company employer further benefits from increased sales and the ability to retain funds allocated to virtual accounts. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106697 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT ASSEMBLY WITH REMOTE CONTROLLED ARTICLE - A transaction product assembly includes a transaction product and a mechanical article. The transaction product includes an account identifier fixedly connected thereto, wherein the account identifier links the transaction product to an account and is machine readable by a terminal. The transaction product also includes a transmitting electrical assembly and at least one control button configured to interact with the transmitting electrical assembly in a manner causing the transmitting electrical assembly to output a radio frequency signal. The mechanical article includes at least one movable member, a receiving electrical assembly, and a motor. The receiving electrical assembly is configured to remotely receive the radio frequency signal output from the transmitting electrical assembly and to activate the motor. When activated, the motor induces movement of the at least one movable member relative to a remainder of the mechanical article in a manner consistent with the radio frequency signal. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106698 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING GIFT CARDS - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for enabling gift card recipients to redeem gift card amounts using existing accounts such as a credit/debit card. A system practicing the method identifies a giver and recipient of a gift card amount and associated accounts. A policy is established which governs how the gift card is redeemed, such as a specific merchant or item. When the recipient makes a purchase using an existing credit/debit card according to the policy, the gift card amount is applied to the transaction. No special codes, separate physical gift cards, or printable coupons are necessary for redemption. The recipient makes purchases using their normal purchasing credit/debit card via a qualifying purchase according to the policy, and the gift card is applied automatically. The recipient credit/debit card becomes a combination of an open-looped card and a closed-loop card. Thus, no money is wasted or lost. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106699 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH AUDIO FILE PITCH TRANSFORMATION - A transaction card includes an audio circuit, a housing, a switch, and an account identifier. The audio circuit is configured to capture an audio file and to transform a pitch of the audio file. The audio circuit includes a speaker configured to play the captured audio file as transformed by the audio circuit with a different pitch than the pitch originally captured for the audio file. The housing substantially encloses the audio circuit. The switch is movable by a bearer of the transaction card external to the housing. When the bearer interacts with the switch, the audio circuit is activated to transform the pitch of the audio file to the different pitch. The account identifier is fixedly coupled to the housing, and the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106700 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND PROGRAM FOR PERFORMING PERSONAL AUTHENTICATION AND INPUTTING OPERATION INSTRUCTION ON THE BASIS OF BIOMETRIC INFORMATION INCLUDING POSTURE INFORMATION - A method includes obtaining an image to be compared at the time of use which is intended for comparing biometric information at the time of use of a user, obtaining posture information at the time of use which indicates a posture when biometric information at the time of use of the user is shot, performing personal authentication for the user by comparing the image to be compared at the time of use with a preregistered image to be compared at the time of registration of the user, and inputting an operation instruction corresponding to operation information preregistered in association with posture information at the time of registration which is determined to match, by comparing the posture information at the time of use with a plurality of pieces of preregistered posture information at the time of registration of the user. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106701 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING VOICE-BASED CREDIT CARD PROCESSING - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for performing voice-based credit card processing. During operation, the system receives voice input from a merchant at a computer via a telephone to initiate a credit card transaction. Next, the system authenticates the merchant. After authenticating the merchant, the system prompts the merchant for a credit card number. Next, the system authenticates a consumer associated with the credit card. Note that the system can authenticate the consumer with pre-registered information that is associated with the credit card. Once the consumer is authenticated, the system prompts the merchant for a transaction amount. Next, the system receives the transaction amount from the merchant. The system then authorizes the credit card transaction for the transaction amount. Finally, the system reports the result of the authorization to the merchant. Note that embodiments of the present invention enable the merchant to process credit card transactions at reduced cost without the need for any equipment other than a telephone, thus providing the ability to have instant credit card enabled merchants on demand. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106702 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR WEB SITE ACCOUNT AND E-COMMERCE MANAGEMENT FROM A CENTRAL LOCATION - A method, system and computer readable medium for managing a user online financial transaction at a destination ecommerce web site using a credit or debit card account of the user, including a) transmitting an activation command to a financial institution processing financial transactions for activating the credit or debit card account of the user; b) submitting a charge request for the credit or debit card account to the financial institution via a destination e-commerce web site to which the user is logged in while the credit or debit card account is in the activated status; and c) transmitting a de-activation command to said financial institution for de-activating the credit or debit card account, wherein the financial institution only accepts and processes charge requests received from e-commerce web sites while the credit or debit card account is in the activated status and wherein the financial institution declines charge requests while said credit or debit card account is in the de-activated status, and wherein steps a) to c) are repeated at least once. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106703 | COMPUTERIZED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT - Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for managing a deposit account held by a financial institution. This includes receiving, via a computer network, a request to make a contribution to the deposit account by an electronic payment and interacting with a payment processing center for processing and authorization of the electronic payment. Upon authorization of the electronic payment, the contribution is transferred to the deposit account via a transfer interface that interfaces with the financial institution. In another aspect, a computer readable medium contains instructions for controlling a computing device to perform a method for managing a deposit account held by a financial institution. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106704 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REALIZE INSTANT, GUARANTEED PAYMENTS FOR BUSINESS-To-BUSINESS (B2B) - A method is disclosed for transferring funds between two business entities. The method includes the steps of including a first business entity transmitting a purchase order to a second business entity, the second business entity transmitting an authorization request to a payment processor, sequestering a first amount of money in an account associated with the first business entity, based in part on an amount indicated in the purchase order, granting preliminary access to a second amount of money in an account associated with the second business entity, and removing the sequestered first amount of money from the account associated with the first business entity and depositing the second amount of money to the account associated with the second business entity. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106705 | Account Administration Plans and Systems - A computer system for facilitating payments from an account according to particular embodiments of the invention is adapted for: (1) facilitating the transmission, to a plan service provider, of a first set of documentation of a first payment that would potentially qualify for reimbursement from the account; (2) receiving, from the plan service provider, verification that the first payment has been verified as qualifying for reimbursement from the account according to a set of reimbursement rules associated with the account; (3) storing, in memory, an electronic version of the first set of documentation; and (4) storing, in memory, an indication that the first payment has been verified as being properly reimbursable from the account. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106706 | System for electronic transaction settlement - An electronic communication system associated with a settlement house for settling an electronic transaction between a customer and a merchant. The communication system is configured to receive through a first electronic communication path a first account identifier of a first account associated with the customer and a transaction amount from the merchant, contact the customer through a second electronic communication path to allow the customer to select a payment method, and send through a third electronic communication path the transaction amount and a second account identifier of a second account associated with the customer to a financial services provider associated with the payment method. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106707 | RECHARGE AMOUNT TRANSFER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT MEANS USING PORTABLE PHONE - The present invention relates to a recharge amount transfer system for an electronic payment means using a portable phone. The present invention comprises: a first user terminal that indexes a recharge balance stored in a first electronic settlement payment means according to recharge amount transfer request information input by a first user, transmits a generated recharge amount transfer request SMS if the amount to be transferred is less than the recharge balance, receives a first recharge amount transfer completion SMS, and updates the recharge balance stored in the first electronic settlement payment means; a recharge server that indexes the first user information already stored according to the recharge amount transfer request SMS, generates and transmits a recharge amount transfer confirmation request SMS accordingly, receives a recharge amount transfer confirmation SMS, updates the first and second user information already stored in a recharge storage DB, and transmits the generated first and second recharge amount transfer completion SMS; and a second user terminal unit that receives the recharge amount transfer confirmation request SMS, generates and transmits a recharge amount transfer confirmation SMS according to the recharge amount transfer confirmation information input by a second user, receives the second recharge amount transfer completion SMS, and updates the recharge balance stored in a second electronic settlement payment means. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106708 | Techniques for temporary access to enterprise networks - Techniques for temporary access to enterprise networks are provided. Devices of customers are detected and authenticated for temporary enterprise network access to a facility of an enterprise when the customers are in a configurable geographic distance to that facility. Temporary access credentials for accessing select resources of the facility or enterprise network are pushed to the processing device upon successful authentication. When one or more terminating actions are detected, the temporary access credentials are revoked and access to the enterprise network ceases. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106709 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOVERY DURING AUTHENTICATION - Techniques for recovery during authentication include initiating sending a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) authentication message from user equipment of a user to a merchant node of a merchant. If the user is not authenticated in response to the HTTP authentication message, then sending a Short Message Service (SMS) message from the user equipment to the merchant node is initiated. The SMS message indicates a transaction between the user and the merchant. In some embodiments, techniques include changing an access point to a network until an access point utilized is on a list of acceptable access points, in response to a buy response message that indicates a transaction between a merchant and a user. A hypertext transfer protocol authentication message is sent through the access point that is on the list of acceptable access points | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106710 | ENCRYPTION SWITCH PROCESSING - Techniques for eliminating the need for merchants and acquirers to conduct Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) security audit procedures are provided. Merchants and acquirers can eliminate the operating expenses associated with conducting audits to ensure compliance with PCI Data Security Standards (“DSS”), while at the same time ensuring that cardholders' data remains secure, thus protecting the cardholders from fraudulent transactions. System security is further enhanced through the use of per transaction audits, with the scope of the audit being directly between the Point of Sale (POS) terminal and the payment processing network. PCI DSS compliance can thus be assured on a per transaction basis, as opposed to only ensuring compliance generally for a merchant or acquirer on a periodic basis. Per transaction PCI DSS compliance is assured, while at the same time eliminating the need for merchants or acquirers to conduct compliance audits. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106711 | DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTED DECISION MAKING FOR OPTIMAL HUMAN RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT - A decision support tool which takes a high-level view of supply and demand in the realm of labor resources and produces globally-optimal recommendations for assignment of practitioners to open seats. These assignments preferably optimize a utility function composed of different business metrics and can be customizable for different organizations and priorities. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106712 | Cost-Aware Service Aggregation - Cost aware service aggregation is described; for example, two or more web services may be connected to form an aggregate service in a way which minimizes computational costs and/or costs of network resources between the services. In an embodiment a service has a two or more contracts expressed using process-algebra which capture data representations and protocols of the web service. In an embodiment, a static analysis engine identifies combinations of contracts which are compatible according to the process-algebra. In an example, the identified combinations of contracts are ranked by cost to select an optimal combination. In other examples, network environment conditions are taken into account and dynamic adjustments made to the aggregation. In more examples, mappings of the data representations to other data representations are considered and appropriate proxy services are automatically used to implement these mappings if required. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106713 | POST FACTO IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF CAUSES OF BUFFER CONSUMPTION - Some embodiments provide a system for determining an aggregate delay associated with a task attribute value. During operation, the system can receive a set of projects, which include completed projects and currently executing projects. Next, the system can determine buffer consumption amounts associated with task chains in each project. A task chain can be a sequence of tasks in the project's task dependency network which ends in the project buffer. The buffer consumption amount associated with a task chain can be the amount of the project buffer that would have been consumed if the tasks in the task chain were the only tasks in the project. Next, the system can select a set of task chains based at least on the buffer consumption amounts. The system can then aggregate task delays for tasks in the set of task chains that are associated with the task attribute value. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106714 | Method and apparatus for verifying product sale transactions and processing product returns - The present invention relates to a computer-based system that provides a method for real time data storage and retrieval for the purpose of verifying and validating sales transactions and product return/warranty repair eligibility. An electronic product registration system is provided which stores information on purchased products and which enables a retail store or the like to verify compliance with return policies prior to accepting a product for return or replacement, thereby reducing improper or fraudulent product returns under warranty, while also providing related functionality to third parties such as law enforcement agencies and the like. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106715 | FAMILY MEMBERSHIP OF BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS BOUND TOGETHER BY CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS FOR SAFETY - A family-type organization of businesses and consumers bound together by strict organization rules may provide protection to all members from errors, intentional errors, lying, cheating, misrepresentations, false documentation, and many other types of fraud or illegal activities in business transactions within the family by use of credit or debit cards carrying a logo to identify the cards as belonging to the organization. In one embodiment, the logo may be described as a USA MOTHER HEN brand of card. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106716 | METHOD OF DOING BUSINESS PROVIDING LITIGATION SERVICES USING A VIRTUAL SCRIPTING ROOM - A method for preparing a presentation connects a plurality of geographically dispersed contributors to a controller through a network to collaborate to prepare the presentation, allows the contributors to propose contributions to the presentation residing on storage devices under the control of the contributors, makes the proposed contributions available for viewing and comment by all contributors, allows the controller to select one or more of the proposed contributions, and provides the controller access through the network to the storage devices to retrieve the selected contributions for inclusion into the presentation. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106717 | QUALITY CONTROL RECORD AND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING SAME - A system and method are presented for creating and maintaining quality control records. The system includes a plurality of client devices. Each client device captures information, data and decisions associated with raw material, components and assemblies of components. The information, data and decisions document operations and operating conditions at a plurality of stages in a life cycle of the raw materials, components and assemblies. The system includes a communication network and one or more servers operatively coupled to the client devices over the network. The servers create quality control records including the information, data and decisions for the materials, components and assemblies. The system includes one or more data stores that store the quality control records. The information, data and decisions includes measurements and readings taken by the input-output devices and decisions made at the stages and that document properties of the raw materials, components and assemblies. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106718 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A SOCIAL NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to collect one or more user-generated comments from each of a plurality of computing devices, detect a correlation in the one or more user-generated comments collected from the plurality of computing devices, and establish a social network between the plurality of computing devices according to the detected correlation. The one or more user-generated comments can be temporally associated with media content presented at the plurality of computing devices. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106719 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATCHING MOBILE DEVICE USERS - A system and a method for matching mobile device users are provided. The system includes a match server and a mobile device used by a mobile device user. The match server defines a plurality of living community regions, living community reference points, primary interest classes and detail interest classes, receives position coordinates from the mobile device, and defines a living community range of the mobile device user and infers the point of interest (POI) of the mobile device user based on the received position coordinates. Moreover, the match server generates a match list based on the living community ranges, the POIs and the personal profiles of the mobile device user and the other mobile device users, and transmits the match list to the mobile device. Accordingly, the system can effectively match the mobile device users having similar behavior patterns. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106720 | EXPERT SYSTEM FOR GAP ANALYSIS - An Expert System for analyzing a gap by determining a first parameter from a base document, a second parameter from a target document, a difference in magnitude between the first parameter and the second parameter, and a subject score as a function of the difference in magnitude and a subject importance. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106721 | System and Method for Mobile Interaction - According to one embodiment, a method for collecting feedback from a mobile device user using a mobile interaction application executed on one or more processors of a mobile device includes receiving a selection of a target of the feedback from the mobile device user; presenting a graphical user interface on a display of the mobile device, the graphical user interface including a multi-level rating scale and an open-ended comment element; receiving feedback associated with the selected target from the mobile device user through an input device of the mobile device, the received feedback corresponding to at least one of the multi-level rating scale and the open-ended comment element; and wirelessly transmitting a message including the received feedback associated with the selected target and corresponding to at least one of the multi-level rating scale and the open-ended comment element. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106722 | COMPARING UTILITY AND WARRANTY OF SERVICES - An invention for comparing utility and warranty of services in an information (IT) stack is provided. Embodiments of this invention are directed to comparing utility and warranty of services in an information technology (IT) stack comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of the plurality of layers having a set of services. In these embodiments, a utility and warranty tool provides this capability. Specifically, the utility and warranty tool comprises a determination component configured to determine, at each layer of the IT stack, a required utility and warranty (RUW) value for each of the set of services, wherein the RUW value represents a desired solution for implementing a business process; and determine, at each layer of the IT stack, an available utility and warranty (AUW) value for each of the set of services, wherein the AUW value is a measure of an ability of each of the set of services to satisfy the RUW at each layer of the IT stack. The utility and warranty tool further comprises a comparison component configured to compare the RUW value against the AUW value at each layer of the IT stack to determine whether each of the set of services satisfies the desired solution for implementing the business process. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106723 | Computer-Implemented Systems And Methods For Scenario Analysis - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for implementing a scenario analysis manager that performs multiple scenarios based upon time series data that is representative of transactional data are provided. A system and method provides candidate predictive models for a first scenario for selection where the set of candidate predictive models includes an identification of variables associated with a model. Model selection data is received from a scenario analysis manager where a selected model is configured to predict a future value of a first variable based on values of a second variable. Time series data is received representative of past transaction activity of the first variable and the second variable, and data representative of a future value of the second variable is also received. The future value of the first variable is determined using the selected model, the time-series data and the future value of the second variable. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106724 | ENTITY MORPHING IN METAMODEL-BASED TOOLS - A system and method for morphing entities in metamodel-based business process model and notation (BPMN) tools is disclosed. A command is received for an entity to be morphed from a first non-abstract entity type to a second non-abstract entity type. A modeling infrastructure (MOIN) returns all non-abstract sub-types or siblings of the entity based on an inheritance hierarchy in a metamodel associated with the entity. The second non-abstract entity type is determined from the non-abstract sub-types or siblings of the entity, and the selected entity is morphed from the first non-abstract entity type to the second non-abstract entity type. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106725 | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT POSITION AND SUBPOSITION MANAGEMENT - An analyzer module may receive a request to perform risk analysis on a financial object based upon a transaction associated with the financial object. A processor may choose a selector module based upon a type associated with the financial object. A chosen selector module may request business transaction data associated with the financial object from a position management module. Deal management data associated with the transaction data may be requested from a transaction management module and the deal management data may include a market data container. A processor may calculate risk information for the financial object based upon the business transaction data and the deal management data and the risk information for the financial object may be presented on a display device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106726 | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT POSITION AND SUBPOSITION MANAGEMENT - An analyzer module may read a selector key and a financial object number stored within a financial object. The financial object number may be sent to a selector module associated with the selector key. The selector module may read a selector strategy key stored within the financial object. A processor programmed by the selector module may retrieve a set of position values associated with the financial object based, at least in part, on the selector strategy key. A mapping module may be chosen by the selector module based upon a financial instrument type. The mapping module may store the position values within the financial object. A price calculator may generate a key figure for each of the position values. A list of the position values may be displayed to a user on a display device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106727 | Weather Risk Management System - This disclosure relates to a system for managing financial risk associated with weather-based service contracts, and more specifically, to a system based on the purchase of weather derivatives to select, manage, minimize, and redistribute financial burdens associated with costs incurred from the payment of services related to greater than average weather-based events. An option contract having a tick price, and an associated premium at a fixed strike price is selected at a desired coverage, in one embodiment, the desired coverage is associated with a payout with the associated tick price that covers the base price of performing the service for a nominal weather condition, the premium of buying the option, and the price of performing the services for exceptional weather precipitations of a three standard deviation from the nominal value. If a hedge trader offers this service rather than a service provider, the desired coverage will also cover the a commission for the trade. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106728 | CENSUS INVESTING AND INDICES - An investment index is generated by selecting a predetermined number of geographic regions having the highest ranked projected population growth and selecting a predetermined number of companies that have at least a predetermined percentage of the company's revenue derived from at least one or a combination of the selected number of geographic regions. The stock prices of the selected companies are then weighted. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106729 | ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION FOR PRODUCT SEARCH RELEVANCY - In one embodiment, a method is illustrated as including defining a set of perspective objects capable of being placed onto a modified web page, monitoring parameters of a web page, the parameters including a number of times a current object is executed on the web page, using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm to determine a perspective object with a preferred Return On Investment (ROI), and selecting the perspective object to be placed onto the modified web page. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106730 | Means for Regulating the Cosmetic Appearance and/or Health of Human Keratinous Tissue - Regulating human keratinous tissue (e.g., skin, hair, and/or nails). More particularly, the invention relates to regulating the cosmetic appearance and/or health of human keratinous tissue by orally administering a dietary supplement comprising a probiotic to a human. In another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of marketing, an article of commerce, and a personal care kit. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106731 | QUESTIONNAIRE GENERATION - A questionnaire generation process presents a first subset from a set of questions of the questionnaire and receives first answers from a user. The first answers are used to determine whether the first answers are sufficient to give definite values to conditions of first rules, wherein the first rules have conditions for providing output. When the first answers are not sufficient, the conditions of the first rules can be used to identify a second subset of the questions, wherein the second subset of questions has second answers such that a combination of the first and second answers is sufficient to give definite values to the respective conditions of the first rules, and the second subset of questions can be presented to the user. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106732 | METHOD FOR CATEGORIZING LINKED DOCUMENTS BY CO-TRAINED LABEL EXPANSION - Systems and methods are described that facilitate categorizing a group of linked web pages. A plurality of web pages each contains at least one link to another page within the group. A feature analyzer evaluates features associated with the one or more web pages to identify content, layout, links and/or metadata associated with the one or more web pages and identifies features that are labeled and features that are unlabeled. A graphing component creates a vector associated with each web page feature wherein vectors for unlabeled features are determined by their graphical proximity to features that are labeled. A co-training component receives the graph of vectors from the graphing component and leverages the disparate web page features to categorize each aspect of each feature of the page. A page categorizer receives aspect categorization information from the co-training component and categorizes the web page based at least upon this information. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106733 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PATIENT-MANAGED ORAL ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY - A system for facilitating patient-managed anticoagulant therapy having patient portals for receiving patient information associated with a current case. Each patient portal has a patient portal processor, patient portal memory, and an output device, and the patient information including current factors affecting patient reaction to anticoagulant therapy. The system also has a case repository connected to each patient portal, the case repository having a case repository processor and a case repository memory storing previous cases, each case having previous factors affecting patient reaction to anticoagulant therapy and at least one solution. The patient portal processor and/or the case repository processor are programmed for selecting at least one relevant case similar to the current case and provide the solution to that case for application to the current case. A similarity metric is applied to each previous case to determine the similarity of each previous case to the current case. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106734 | SYSTEM AND APPARTUS FOR FAILURE PREDICTION AND FUSION IN CLASSIFICATION AND RECOGNITION - The present invention relates to pattern recognition and classification, more particularly, to a system and method for meta-recognition which can to predict success/failure for a variety of different recognition and classification applications. In the present invention, we define a new approach based on statistical extreme value theory and show its theoretical basis for predicting success/failure based on recognition or similarity scores. By fitting the tails of similarity or distance scores to an extreme value distribution, we are able to build a predictor that significantly outperforms random chance. The proposed system is effective for a variety of different recognition applications, including, but not limited to, face recognition, fingerprint recognition, object categorization and recognition, and content-based image retrieval system. One embodiment includes adapting machine learning approach to address meta-recognition based fusion at multiple levels, and provide an empirical justification for the advantages of these fusion element. This invention provides a new score normalization that is suitable for multi-algorithm fusion for recognition and classification enhancement. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106735 | RECURSIVE FEATURE ELIMINATION METHOD USING SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES - Identification of a determinative subset of features from within a group of features is performed by training a support vector machine using training samples with class labels to determine a value of each feature, where features are removed based on their the value. One or more features having the smallest values are removed and an updated kernel matrix is generated using the remaining features. The process is repeated until a predetermined number of features remain which are capable of accurately separating the data into different classes. In some embodiments, features are eliminated by a ranking criterion based on a Lagrange multiplier corresponding to each training sample. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106736 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTUITIVE USER INTERACTION - The disclosed method and apparatus provide prediction and suggestion of proposed actions a user of an electronic device is likely to want to do, at certain circumstances. The actions take into account historical activities made by the user, as well as incoming events, environmental data, external data, or any other source of information. Proposing the actions may be done by one or more engines, each relating to one or more aspects of the device, actions, events, activities, preferences and the like. The actions proposed by all engines are merged and prioritized, and presented to a user. The options are presented to a user in a manner that enables activation of any of the options, with the relevant settings and parameters. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106737 | Policy Scheduling - A policy scheduler scheduling a policy is provided. The policy scheduler receives the policy for a system and information of a current state of the system. The policy scheduler evaluates one or more rules based on the current state of the system and generates a new rule via an evolutionary algorithm based on the information of the current state of the system. The policy scheduler adds the newly generated rule into the one or more rules and schedules the policy based on the one or more rules including the newly generated rule. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106738 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING IMPLEMENTATIONS - A system and method for managing implementations comprising real-time implementation decisions based on configuration rules and real-time events. The method ensures organizational-level control over implementation configuration. The method further facilitates prioritization of implementations based on organizational criteria. In real-time decision is based on configured rules, and provides a flexible yet consistent approach to implementation. The method facilitates communication throughout the implementation by allowing multiple concurrent modes of communication among implementation users, and between users and the system. Continuous improvement is facilitated by incorporating management of lessons learned, and by including recommendations for current implementation based statistics from prior decisions and from lessons learned. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106739 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF DISEASE - The invention provides a method for determining presence of a disease, comprising steps of; measuring the levels of expression of transcription products of genes in a biological sample obtained from a subject suspected of having a target disease, wherein the genes comprise at least one gene belonging to each of at least two disease-determining gene families related to the target disease; obtaining values representing deviations by standardizing the levels of the expression based on the levels of expression of transcription products of the corresponding genes in a plurality of healthy subjects; obtaining the average of values representing deviations with respect to the gene belonging to each of the disease-determining gene families; and determining whether or not the subject has the target disease by using the average; as well as a computer program product for determining presence of a disease. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106740 | TISSUE CLASSIFICATION METHOD FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TUMORS - The present invention discloses an informational computation method for classifying objects Specifically, the invention is a system, method, and computer-readable media for classifying tumors using a nonparametric statistical classifier in conjunction with an artificial neural network. The invention classifies unknown tumor types based on the correlation of unknown tumor's genetic expression compared to the genetic expression of know tumor types by first performing a nonparametric statistical analysis on the know data, training a artificial neural network with the known data, and then inputting the unknown tumor data into the neural network to calculate the probability that the sample tumor is a member of a class of tumors. By using a statistical classifier in conjunction with a neural network, the invention classifies unknown tumors more accurately then conventionally possible. Advantageously, by using a variety of tumor genetic expression data sets, including both published data sets and generated data sets, a tumor classifier, robust and accurate enough for clinical application, is provided. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106741 | SYSTEM FOR ADDRESS-EVENT-REPRESENTATION NETWORK SIMULATION - A system, method, and design structure for address-event-representation network simulation are provided. The system includes a hardware structure with a plurality of interconnected processing modules configured to simulate a plurality of interconnected nodes. To simulate each node, the hardware structure includes a source table configured to receive an input message and identify a weight associated with a source of the input message. The hardware structure also includes state management logic configured to update a node state as a function of the identified weight, and generate an output signal responsive to the updated node state. The hardware structure further includes a target table configured to generate an output message in response to the output signal, identify a target to receive the output message, and transmit the output message. The hardware structure may further include learning logic configured to combine information about input messages and generated output signals, and to update weights. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106742 | Neuromorphic computer - A neuromorphic computing device utilizing electronics to perform the function of neurons and synaptic connections. The invention provides variable resistance circuits to represent interconnection strength between neurons and a positive and negative output circuit to represent excitatory and inhibitory responses, respectively. The invention provides advantages over software-based neuromorphic computing methods. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106743 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PREDICT A DATA VALUE - Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for predicting the likelihood of topics appearing in a set of data such as text. A number of latent variable methods are used to convert the data into a set of topics, topic values and topic profiles. A number of time-course methods are used to model how topic values change given previous topic profiles, or to find historical times with similar topic values and then projecting the topic profile forward from that historical time to predict the likelihood of the topics appearing. Embodiments include utilizing focus topics, such as valence topics, and data representing financial measures to predict the likelihood of topics. Methods and systems for modeling data and predicting the likelihood of topics over other dimensions are also contemplated. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106744 | CONTENT RECOMMENDATION DEVICE, CONTENT RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM, CONTENT RECOMMENDATION METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A content recommendation device and a content recommendation method that recommend appropriate content with appropriate timing are provided. The content recommendation device ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106745 | Semantic Network with Selective Indexing - Indexing overhead in a semantic network is reduced by omitting some links from indexes in semantic network elements in response to one or more omission rules. Inference strategy over the semantic network is modified to prioritize inference strategies in such a way that the impact of the omissions on inference results is minimized. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106746 | AFFILIATE LINKING - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a social search engine. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an answer to a question from an answerer; identifying an entity in the answer, in which the entity refers to a product, a service, a company, or a merchant; obtaining permission from the answerer to provide an interactive link for the entity in the answer to a resource from which the entity can be obtained; receiving a user submitted query and determining that the query is related to the entity; and responsive to determining, providing the answer, including the link to the resource, as part of search results that are responsive to the query. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106747 | TURBINE LIFE ASSESSMENT AND INSPECTION SYSTEM AND METHODS - A system for creating an inspection or part replacement recommendation for a unit forming a part of a fleet includes an assessment module that receives inputs from at least one portion of at least one turbine and produces an inspection recommendation. The assessment module includes a health assessment module that creates a risk of event estimate based on the inputs and historical operations data and a performance analyzer coupled to the health assessment module that creates the inspection or part replacement recommendation based on the risk of event estimate and information related to a cost. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106748 | TECHNIQUE FOR FAST POWER ESTIMATION USING PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF COMBINATIONAL LOGIC - A method for computing power consumption includes querying a software database for a key node and a gate comprising an input port, connected to the key node, and an output port. The software database is created from a net list associated with a design. The method includes calculating a probability of activity level at the output port based on a predetermined activity level at the key node, and querying the software database for next gate comprising a next input port, connected to the previous output port, and a next output port. The method includes calculating a probability of activity level at the next output port based on the probability of activity level at the previous output port. The method includes computing a sub-circuit gate power by sum of power of all the gates based on the probability of activity level at output ports of the gates. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106749 | Personalized Prognosis Modeling in Medical Treatment Planning - Automated treatment planning is provided with individual specific consideration. One or more prognosis models indicate survivability as a function of patient specific information for a given dose. By determining survivability for a plurality of doses, the biological model represented by survivability as a function of dose is determined from the specific patient. Similarly, the chances of complications or side effects are determined. The chance of survivability and chance of complication are used as or instead of the tumor control probability and normal tissue complications probability, respectively. The desired tumor dosage and tolerance dosage are selected as a function of the patient specific dose distributions. The selected dosages are input to an inverse treatment planning system for establishing radiation treatment parameters. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106750 | GENERATING RATINGS PREDICTIONS USING NEURO-RESPONSE DATA - A system evaluates media materials such as programs and advertising by obtaining neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector system measurements from subjects exposed to the media materials. Media materials are categorized and/or tagged. Corresponding media materials eliciting similar neuro-response data from users in similar demographic categories are identified. In some examples, ratings predictions are generated by identifying ratings associated with corresponding media materials eliciting similar neuro-response data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106751 | DETERMINING REGIONS OF INFLUENCE OF FLUID MOVING DEVICES - A method for determining regions of influence of a plurality of fluid moving devices in an infrastructure is provided. In the method, a plurality of clusters are generated, with each of the plurality of clusters containing a representation of fluid supply data pertaining to a fluid moving device and one or more of the plurality of sensors based upon collected sensor and fluid supply data. In addition, regions of influence of each of the plurality of fluid moving devices are identified from an analysis of the generated clusters. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106752 | System and method of extensible observation for computer network monitoring - Extensible observer system with report management, visual observer, and event management functionality. Uses a component loader for loading new functionality. Leverages data provider, data extractor, and state display components. Includes report manager, report generator, and report propagator. Displays visual observers that include states generated using state display components. Visual observers selectable through hierarchical selector. Manages data-driven events, generating event responses, such as message distribution, based on triggering criteria. Data extractor components used to extract state information. Component generator produces skeleton component code. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106753 | DOCUMENT MANAGING SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a document managing system includes a communication unit, a printing unit, a reading unit, a document-management-information storing unit, a discarding-information storing unit, an informing unit, and a management-information analyzing unit. The reading unit reads a document recorded on a recording medium and acquires a document file. The document-management-information storing unit stores, together with the document file, document management information including a confidentiality level of the document. The discarding-information storing unit stores plural kinds of discarding information for discarding a plurality of the recording media each of which is different depending on the confidentiality level of the document. The management-information analyzing unit acquires the discarding information corresponding to the confidentiality level of the document read by the reading unit and informing the discarding information from the informing unit. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106754 | TUNING LDAP SERVER AND DIRECTORY DATABASE - A method and system for autonomously tuning a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server are disclosed. The method comprises activating a tuning thread when defined conditions are met; and using this thread to initiate automatically a tuning procedure to tune an LDAP server cache, to tune a database buffer pool for the server, and to perform runtime tuning of parameters of the database. Tuning may be initiated upon reaching a specified time, or when the cache hit ratio of the server falls below a given threshold or on issuing the extended operation. The tuning procedure may include Basic or Advanced Tuning procedures and an Advanced Tuning procedure. The Basic Tuning procedure is comprised of static tuning of the server based on the number and size of entries in the database, and the Advanced Tuning Procedure is a real time procedure based on real client search patterns. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106755 | NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR CONTENT BACKUP, RESTORING, AND SHARING - A method may include generating a list of current files stored in a user device, wherein the list of current files includes unique file identifiers, each associated with a corresponding one of the current files. The method may further include sending the list of current files from the user device to a network device and receiving a copy list from the network device in the user device. The copy list may be generated by comparing the list of current files to a list of previously copied files, and the list of previously copied files may include unique file identifiers, each associated with a different one of the previously copied files. The method may include sending the files listed in the copy list from the user device to the network device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106756 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DATA AND APPLICATION CONTINUITY IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - A system and method for providing or maintaining data and application continuity in a computer system. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a communication interface for a client system, a network layer for receiving data from the client system, a hardware infrastructure for creating instances of the client system for replicating data, and an applications module for executing one or more applications on the replicated data. According to a further aspect, the system includes a portal and user interface configured for providing a remote user with control, audit and other functions associated with the user's system configuration. According to another aspect, the portal and user interface provides access and control based on user privileges for a multi-tenant, multi-instant architecture or configuration. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106757 | Fixed content storage within a partitioned content platform, with replication - A content platform (or “cluster”) that comprises a redundant array of independent nodes is logically partitioned. Using a web-based interface, an administrator defines one or more “tenants” within the cluster, wherein a tenant has a set of attributes: namespaces, administrative accounts, data access accounts, and a permission mask. A namespace is a logical partition of the cluster that serves as a collection of objects typically associated with at least one defined application. Each namespace has a private file system with respect to other namespaces. This approach enables a user to segregate cluster data into logical partitions. According to this disclosure, tenant information, including all associated namespaces, in the cluster (the “source cluster”) is replicated to at least one target cluster over a replication link. Preferably, replication is available for multiple tenants in the source cluster, and a replication algorithm ensures that a particular tenant can be added to the replication link without stalling the progress of other tenants. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106758 | DHT-BASED DISTRIBUTED FILE SYSTEM FOR SIMULTANEOUS USE BY MILLIONS OF FREQUENTLY DISCONNECTED, WORLD-WIDE USERS - Content items in a distributed system are defined by a respective key, and each such content item is copied to R1 computer systems of the distributed system which have unique identifiers closest to a value of the respective key, where R1 is less than R2 which is less than R3, at least R2 number of the computer systems have copies of any respective one of the content items for all of the content items, and none of the computer systems farther than R3 in an address space of the distributed system have a copy of the subject content item. Modifications of individual content items are synchronized across all instances thereof responsive to a put operation and/or at periodic intervals. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106759 | System for Supermarket Energy Management - The present invention relates to the field of supermarket refrigeration & HVAC control. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for concurrent and remote management of multiple supermarket refrigeration systems located at one or more retail sites. Embodiments may include at least one on-site computer, at least one central server, at least one user computer, one or more communication network, and one or more on-site refrigeration control systems. In embodiments, the on-site computer communicates with the on-site refrigeration control system(s), which may be the same or different, and multiple on-site computers and/or different store locations may be used. The on-site computer is capable of translating data received from these various refrigeration control systems into a single system-friendly generic format and the translated data is stored on the on-site computer. This data is intermittently copied and stored on a central server. Meanwhile, data and more particularly data updates are sent from the refrigeration control system to the on-site computer for storage. At a desired interval, for example every five minutes, the central server detects whether the information on the on-site computer is different from the information on the server. When there has been an update, the server downloads the current information in bulk from the on-site computer. The information on the server is then accessed by one or more users to manage the refrigeration control systems, optionally remotely. In contrast with other existing refrigeration control management systems, systems and methods of the present invention can be used with multiple legacy refrigeration control systems, including old and new versions of a system from one particular OEM provider, and/or different models from one particular OEM provider, and/or different versions or models from several different OEM providers. These systems and methods provide for compatibility between different control systems, which does not currently exist. Benefits of the inventive systems and methods include being capable of delivering information to a user, in response to a user query, faster than systems in which the user computer communicates with and obtains data stored on the legacy system itself. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106760 | SYNCHRONIZING DATABASE AND NON-DATABASE RESOURCES WITHOUT A COMMIT COORDINATOR - A system to synchronize a database and a non-database resource includes an application to transmit a request to a service provider to perform an action. The service provider receives the request and performs the action, the action not being under commit coordination. The service provider further inserts an entry into an action-reversal table to reverse the action and makes the insertion permanent. The service provider, on behalf of the application, then deletes the entry from the action-reversal table. The application may then be configured to perform one of the following: (1) make the delete permanent by performing a COMMIT; and (2) roll back the delete by performing a ROLLBACK. At a later time, the service provider may reverse the action in the event the entry remains in the action-reversal table. Corresponding methods and articles of manufacture (i.e., computer-readable media) are also disclosed herein. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106761 | METADATA DRIVEN CUSTOMIZATION OF A SOFTWARE-IMPLEMENTED BUSINESS PROCESS - A method of facilitating customization of a software-implemented business process includes storing, within a mobile computing device, a subscription list of entities. The subscription list being defined by subscription metadata. Customized data is received. The customized data corresponds to the entities identified in the subscription list. The received customized metadata is stored on the mobile computing device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106762 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING AND TRACKING RESUME DATA SENT VIA URL - A resume database system allows for resume records on the resume database system to be viewed by others via a Uniform Resource Locator, URL. In addition, in response to instructions from an authorized user of the resume database system, input from an unauthorized, but otherwise verified, source can be added to the database by the resume database system. The verified user accesses the resume database and completes any necessary forms via a web browser and submits the information. The authorized user defines the actions that the verified user is allowed to take. These actions include, for example, only being able to review resume information, or being able to add information to the resume database without needing training on the operation of the database. A resume database server system coordinates the activity of the authorized and verified users. Communications between all three users is accomplished via a computer network. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106763 | STORAGE REPLICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for information storage replication are presented. In one embodiment a replication method includes performing an intelligent synchronization process of selected portions of a primary image and intelligent verification of the accuracy of the replication. The intelligent synchronization process can include forwarding information if the information is in use (e.g., has been altered, written to, etc.) and the intelligent verification can be performed on the information in use. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106764 | PROVIDING A SIMULATED DYNAMIC IMAGE OF A FILE SYSTEM - Embodiments described herein adapt static-image and clone technology to provide a simulated dynamic image to an application requesting a dynamic image. A storage system is configured to backup its file system by taking a first static image of the file system at a point in time. A clone of the first image may then be produced, the clone containing any subsequent changes to the file system and a reference pointer to the first image. A second static image of the clone is then produced. An application may request, from the storage system, an image of the file system. In response, the second static image may be presented to the application as a simulated dynamic image. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106765 | BACKUP DEVICE AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR BACK UP - A backup device which backs up data in a predetermined medium includes a first data acquisition element that acquires backup data, a second data acquisition element that acquires recorded data which has been already recorded in the predetermined medium, and a backup processing element that judges whether the backup data matches with the recorded data, records the backup data and reference data for referring to the backup data in the predetermined medium when the backup processing element judges that the backup data does not match with the recorded data, and records reference data of which reference destination is set to the recorded data which matches with the backup data in the predetermined medium when the backup processing element judges that the backup data matches with the recorded data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106766 | REMOTE COPY SYSTEM - Provided is a remote copy system capable of guaranteeing the time ordering of data to be handled by a remote site even when the tasks at the remote site are operated across a plurality of storages or a plurality of volume groups. A consistency group consisting of a secondary journal volume and a replica is associated with a journal group consisting of a primary data volume, a primary journal volume, a secondary journal volume, and a secondary data volume. Upon backing up a secondary data volume and forming a replica, the host system issues a backup time reservation command to a storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus creates a replica by comparing the time stamp added to the journal data and the backup reservation time. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106767 | STORAGE PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION - A system and method for enhancing data throughput in data warehousing environments by connecting multiple servers having local storages with designated external storage systems, such as, for example, those provided by SANs. The system and method may preserve a full reference copy of the data in a protected environment (e.g., on the external storage system) that is fully available. The system and method may enhance overall I/O potential performance and reliability for efficient and reliable system resource utilization. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106768 | BACKUP USING METADATA VIRTUAL HARD DRIVE AND DIFFERENTIAL VIRTUAL HARD DRIVE - Methods and systems are disclosed for backup using a metadata virtual hard drive (VHD) and a differential VHD. A particular system includes a memory device that stores files and a backup agent configured to detect changes to the files. The system includes a translation module configured to translate the detected changes into VHD formatted changes and a VHD module configured to write the VHD formatted changes to a metadata VHD stored at the memory device. The VHD module is also configured to generate a differential VHD based on the metadata VHD. A network interface at the system is configured to transmit the metadata VHD and the differential VHD to a remote storage device. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106769 | DISTRIBUTED STORAGE NETWORK THAT PROCESSES DATA IN EITHER FIXED OR VARIABLE SIZES - A distributed storage network receives a data object and determines a size of the data object. The network then determines whether the data object should be segmented into fixed size segments or variable sizes segments based upon some variable-length algorithm. If the fixed approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more fixed size segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. If the variable approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more variable-sized segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. Both the variable and fixed approaches enable storage of error-correctable data slices in a distributed storage manner. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106770 | Fixed content storage within a partitioned content platform using namespaces, with versioning - Archive cluster management is enhanced by logically partitioning a physical cluster that comprises a redundant array of independent nodes. Using a web-based interface, an administrator defines one or more “tenants” within the archive cluster, wherein a tenant has a set of attributes: namespaces, administrative accounts, data access accounts, and a permission mask. A namespace is a logical partition of the cluster that serves as a collection of objects typically associated with at least one defined application. Each namespace has a private file system with respect to other namespaces. This approach enables a user to segregate cluster data into logical partitions. Using the administrative interface, a namespace associated with a given tenant is selectively configured without affecting a configuration of at least one other namespace in the set of namespaces. One configuration option is “versioning,” by which an administrator can elect to enable multiple versions of a same data object to be stored in association with a given namespace. Each version of the data object has associated therewith a time of storage attribute that uniquely identifies the version in the archive. Once versioning is enabled for a namespace, the administrator can set a configuration parameter identifying a time period for maintaining a version in the archive cluster, as well as a parameter for a time period for maintaining a version of the data object on a replica associated with the archive cluster. A current version of the data object is freely accessible in the archive, and a prior version may be browsed via an API. Preferably, versioning is disabled for a data object under retention. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106771 | Fixed content storage within a partitioned content platform, with disposition service - A content platform (or “cluster”) that comprises a redundant array of independent nodes is logically partitioned. Using a web-based interface, an administrator defines one or more “tenants” within the cluster, wherein a tenant has a set of attributes: namespaces, administrative accounts, data access accounts, and a permission mask. A namespace is a logical partition of the cluster that serves as a collection of objects typically associated with at least one defined application. Each namespace has a private file system with respect to other namespaces. This approach enables a user to segregate cluster data into logical partitions. Using the administrative interface, a namespace associated with a given tenant is selectively configured without affecting a configuration of at least one other namespace in the set of namespaces. One configuration option is a “disposition service” that, once enabled for a namespace, automatically deletes objects that were once under retention and whose retention time has expired. Preferably, the disposition service deletes objects that do not have a “retention hold” associated therewith. The service enables the content platform to automatically reclaim cluster capacity while minimizing external involvement and archive load. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106772 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, DATA PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A data processing apparatus ( | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106773 | System and Method to Manage Electronic Data Related to a Legal Matter - A method includes receiving input at an online electronic data discovery system from a source device via a private network. The input indicates that data related to a legal matter is to be preserved, and identifies a custodian associated with the data. The method includes automatically accessing a directory via the private network and receiving information from the directory indicating a location of the identified custodian. The method includes sending a preservation notice to the identified custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the custodian is accessible via the private network. The preservation notice indicates that data related to the legal matter is not to be discarded. The method includes sending the preservation notice to another custodian when the information received from the directory indicates that the identified custodian is not accessible. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106774 | Bootstrapping Server Using Configuration File Stored In Server-Managed Storage - A method and apparatus for booting a clustered management system is provided where the configuration information required to boot the system is stored within the system itself. The techniques cope with several issues including finding the configuration data on the physical disk before the logical disk system is established, coping with replicated copies of configuration data, network partitions and disk drive failures that may prevent a booting node to have perfect knowledge of the state of the entire system, and active nodes modifying or moving configuration data while the booting node is searching for a consistent, correct copy of configuration data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106775 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE DOCUMENT VERSIONS IN A LARGE SCALE DOCUMENT REPOSITORY - In a large scale data repository, a single logical view of multiple versions of the same data is presented. In order to determine which data versions are equivalent without comparing each pair of entries in the database, the database entries are clustered with a clustering algorithm and then comparisons between entries are made only between the entries in each cluster. Once a set of entries has been determined to be equivalent, a composite master entry is constructed from those entries in the set that contain preferred metadata and the composite master entry is made available for searches and display to the user. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106776 | INCREMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION OF UNDO/REDO SUPPORT IN LEGACY APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods are described for incremental implementation of undo\redo support in legacy applications. In one implementation, a system enables a per-object undo/redo process to be realized in pre-existing computer programs that have limited or no undo/redo functionality, while minimizing changes to such pre-existing computer programs. An innovative process stores an undo/redo instruction for each user-initiated operation in a data structure, classifies each undo/redo instruction under one or more objects affected by the operation, or vice/versa, and verifies the validity of each undo/redo instruction before performing an undo/redo. In one implementation, the process stores only undo/redo instructions in the data structure for those operations that can be validated beforehand as being undoable/redoable. Various data structure schemes are available, each of which may increase performance while implementing the undo-redo support for a given legacy software, e.g., by increasing speed and/or decreasing data size, memory consumption, disk consumption, power consumption, and so forth. The ability to validate undoability/redoability before performing an undo/redo operation gives the architecture versatility for updating many different applications. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATION OF CONSISTENT LOCK MANAGEMENT - A system and method for automation of consistent lock management, wherein a shared resource is accessed through an accessor object. An accessor object class includes at least one const read access function and one write access function. A const accessor object is received for read-only access of a shared resource. The compiler is enlisted to enforce lock selection. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106778 | LOCK MANAGER ON DISK - A method and apparatus for managing shared resources in a clustered database management system is provided. In an embodiment, multiple master nodes exist in a database management system. A master node receives a lock request from a second node. The lock request is a request for a lock on a shared resource. The master node grants the lock request to the second node. While the second node holds the lock, the second node causes the master node to modify the shared resource. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106779 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPLEMENT OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION, MAINTENANCE AND PROVISIONING TASKS BASED ON NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERACTIONS - Systems and methods for implementing operations, administration, maintenance and provisioning (OAM&P) tasks includes a user interface for receiving a natural language request from an administrator of the system. The natural language request is then parsed into one or more tasks available on the system. A series of system commands are then generated to implement the one or more tasks. Required information may be obtained from the administrator or from other system resources. Once the commands, including required variables, are completed, the commands can be executed. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106780 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESSING DATA IN A DATA STORE - A method and apparatus for accessing messages y contained in a data store | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106781 | System and Method for Dating Using Vehicle License Plate Numbers - A web-assisted service where a license plate number or partial license plate number may be used to determine if the person in a vehicle is willing to engage in further communication and possible contact. When a member of the service sights and interesting person in a vehicle, they can enter the license plate number (or partial plate number if the entire number is not visible or other vehicle information) into a webpage that can be accessed via cellular telephone or any computer on the internet. If the person in the vehicle is a member, various profile information can be presented including a photograph, interests, what that person wants (dating, marriage, etc.), and a safe way to send a message to that person can be made available, namely communication through the service to the person. This can all be done without revealing the name or actual identity of either person for safety. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106782 | CONTENT-BASED IMAGE SEARCH - Image descriptor identifiers are used for content-based search. A plurality of descriptors is determined for an image. The descriptors represent the content of the image at respective interest points identified in the image. The descriptors are mapped to respective descriptor identifiers. The image can thus be represented as a set of descriptor identifiers. A search is performed on an index using the descriptor identifiers as search elements. A method for efficiently searching the inverted index is also provided. Candidate images that include at least a predetermined number of descriptor identifiers that match those of the image are identified. The candidate images are ranked and at least a portion thereof are presented as content-based search results. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106783 | MOBILE SEARCH WITH A LANDMARK - A wireless handset and method for enabling the wireless handset to determine an address with a landmark is described. The method includes receiving a first search text string from a keyboard associated with the wireless hands and receiving a second landmark text string from the keyboard, wherein the landmark text string is associated with a landmark having a particular location. The method then proceeds to process the first search text string and the second landmark text string. The first search text string and the second landmark text string are communicated to a search engine using a wide area network. A search result is generated that has at least one address that corresponds to the search term and the landmark. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106784 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PUBLISHING MEDIA OBJECTS - According to one or more embodiments, media objects are published on publisher resources. In one embodiment, a web resource is provided on a network having a first domain or location. Responsive to a terminal accessing the first location to render the web resource, a search parameter is signaled to a search engine that operates at a second location or domain on the network. A search response is received that includes media object data. The media object data identifies one or more galleries of media objects. The media object data may be used include at least a portion of a gallery of media objects as part of the web resource that is rendered for the terminal. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106785 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ENABLE NAVIGATION OF DATA ITEMS - There is provided methods and systems to enable navigation of data items based on aspect-value pairs extracted from the data items. First, the system receives the query. Second, the system identifies the plurality of data items found by the query. Third, the system identifies an aspect of at least one of the plurality of data items. Fourth, the system identifies a value of a plurality of values corresponding to the aspect. Fifth, the system a request to navigate to a set of data items within the plurality of data items, the request comprising the aspect and a requested value of the plurality of values. Each one of the set of data items has the aspect and the value. Sixth, the system presents, in a user interface, information about each one of the set of data items. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106786 | HOSTED SEARCHING OF PRIVATE LOCAL AREA NETWORK INFORMATION WITH SUPPORT FOR ADD-ON APPLICATION - Hosted searching of private LAN information is described. The apparatus includes a LAN crawler to automatically and repeatedly crawl a LAN having multiple devices, using a discovery module to discover the devices, a generic-probing module to attempt to collect the descriptive information according to a first set of probing requirements, and multiple specific-probing plug-ins each of which attempt to collect the descriptive information according to a second set of specific probing requirements. In another embodiment, the apparatus also includes a hosted on-demand search system including a centralized-search server to create and synchronize a private search database. The centralized-search server includes an application interface to receive a request to access the private search database from a third-party add-on application, to provide the accessed information to the third-party add-on application, and to receive from the third-party add-on application an application rendered component to be displayed on the user interface. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106787 | HOSTED SEARCHING OF PRIVATE LOCAL AREA NETWORK INFORMATION - Hosted searching of different local area network (LAN) information is described. The apparatus for hosted searching of different private LAN information includes a LAN crawler to automatically and repeatedly crawl a LAN having multiple devices, and a hosted on-demand search system including a set of one or more centralized-search servers to create and synchronize a separate private search database for each of the private LANs based on received reports from of different instances of the LAN crawler deployed on the multiple private LANs, at least some of which are operated by different entities. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106788 | DOCUMENT STREAM OPERATING SYSTEM - A document stream operating system and method is disclosed in which: (1) documents are stored in one or more chronologically ordered streams; (2) the location and nature of file storage is transparent to the user; (3) information is organized as needed instead of at the time the document is created; (4) sophisticated logic is provided for summarizing a large group of related documents at the time a user wants a concise overview; and (5) archiving is automatic. The documents can include text, pictures, animations, software programs or any other type of data. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106789 | DATABASE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPTIMIZING CROSS DATABASE QUERY - 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. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106790 | Rewrite of Queries Containing Rank or Rownumber or Min/Max Aggregate Functions Using a Materialized View - Techniques are provided for improving efficiency of database systems, and in particular, to refreshing materialized views maintained by database systems and rewriting queries to access the materialized views. According to the approaches, a ranked materialized view is incrementally refreshed, and during the incremental refresh operation, rows in the partitions of the materialized view are ranked within the partitions. | 2011-05-05 |
| 20110106791 | METHOD FOR ENRICHING DATA SOURCES - In a first aspect, the invention relates to a method implemented in a computer environment for identifying enrichment information relative to starting information, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: (a) accessing via a network a first information source in order to collect first information in response to a first request; (b) converting said first information into a first set of data structured according to a plurality of first attributes; (c) applying context information to a mapping source in order to identify at least one second source of information capable of providing information that can be used for enriching the first information; (d) accessing via the network the second source of information in order to collect therefrom second information in response to a second request containing one or more criteria contained in the first request and/or one or more attribute values of the first set of structured data; (e) converting said second information into a second set of data structured according to a plurality of second attributes, at least some of which are linked to first attributes by inter-attribute mapping information provided by the mapping source; and (f) presenting the data including data of the first data set and data of the second data set combined according to said mapping information. | 2011-05-05 |
