Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080227066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORING AND OPTIMIZING FLOWCHARTS - A method and system for generating problem resolution flowcharts, whereby users do not author flowcharts directly but instead author a dependency matrix of questions and answers related by state or underlying problem cause. After creation of a matrix of questions and answers, a corresponding flowchart is then calculated based on the information in the dependency matrix, and also based on the likelihood of the various problems and their causes. The probabilities of problems and their causes may be estimated or may be calculated from historical data accumulated by use of the flow chart, or some combination of the two. These probabilities are incorporated into the answer cells of the dependency matrix. The resulting flowchart is tested and evaluated, and the results of testing and evaluation are used to make modifications in the matrix of questions and answers. The flowchart is then made available for execution by a problem determination engine, usable by staff at a help center or directly as self-help to a customer over a network. Experience from use of the problem determination engine is accumulated for use in further refinements of the dependency matrix and its probabilities. | 09-18-2008 |
20080232262 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK TOPOLOGY DISCOVERY USING CLOSURE APPROACH - Improved network topology discovery techniques are disclosed. For example, an automated method for discovering a topology of a network, having a plurality of nodes, includes the following steps. A first traceroute process is performed for a given source node and one or more destination nodes listed in a target list so as to discover one or more paths through one or more intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more destination nodes. The one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process are added to the target list. A second traceroute process is performed for the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process so as to discover one or more paths through one or more additional intermediate nodes between the given source node and the one or more intermediate nodes discovered during the first traceroute process. When one or more additional intermediate nodes are discovered as a result of performance of the second traceroute process, the one or more additional intermediate nodes are added to the target list and the traceroute process is repeated to determine the existence of any further intermediate nodes. When no new intermediate nodes are discovered as a result of performance of the second traceroute process or a subsequent traceroute process, the nodes in the target list are identified as a target closure set for the given source node. | 09-25-2008 |
20080243735 | ACTIVE SAMPLING COLLABORATIVE PREDICTION METHOD FOR END-TO-END PERFORMANCE PREDICTION - Active sample collaborative prediction method, system and program storage device are provided. A method in one aspect may include determining approximation X for matrix Y using collaborative prediction, said matrix Y being sparse initially and representing pairwise measurement values; selecting one or more unobserved entries from said matrix Y representing active samples using said approximation X and an active sample heuristic; obtaining values associated with said unobserved entries; inserting said values to said matrix Y; and repeating the steps of determining, selecting, obtaining and inserting until a predetermined condition is satisfied. | 10-02-2008 |
20080270225 | Apparatus and Methods for Determining Availability and Performance of Entities Providing Services in a Distributed System Using Filtered Service Consumer Feedback - The invention concerns apparatus and methods that determine availability and performance of entities providing services in a distributed system using filtered service-consumer feedback. In particular, apparatus and methods of the invention filter service-consumer feedback in order to reduce the effect of circumstances unique to individual service consumers or to groups of service consumers that do not accurately reflect the actual availability or performance of service-providing entities. In this way an accurate appraisal is gained regarding the performance and availability of a service-providing entity. Reactive methods of the invention can be combined with proactive methods such as, for example, active status probing, to further improve the accuracy of data concerning the status and availability of service-providing entities. | 10-30-2008 |
20090070280 | METHOD FOR PERFORMANCE BOTTLENECK DIAGNOSIS AND DEPENDENCY DISCOVERY IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER NETWORKS - A method for performance bottleneck diagnosis and dependency discovery in distributed systems and computer networks includes receiving a real-valued end-to-end measurement matrix, a number of end-to-end measurements, a number of time points, a number of network components, a loss function, and a plurality of constraints on output matrices. The method further includes learning basic output matrices by best approximation of a transpose of the real-valued end-to-end measurement matrix, selecting a first threshold based on a real-valued mixing-weights matrix and a second threshold based on a real-valued delay matrix, converting the real-valued mixing-weights matrix and the real-valued delay matrix into respective binary matrices using the first threshold and the second threshold, and returning the real-valued mixing-weights matrix, the real-valued delay matrix, and the respective binary matrices to represent bottlenecks dependencies of the distributed system or computer network. | 03-12-2009 |
20090210363 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR SUPERVISED DIMENSIONALITY REDUCTION WITH MIXED-TYPE FEATURES AND LABELS - Systems, methods and computer program products for supervised dimensionality reduction. Exemplary embodiments include a method including receiving an input in the form of a data matrix X of size N×D, wherein N is a number of samples, D is a dimensionality, a vector Y of size N×1, hidden variables U of a number K, a data type of the matrix X and the vector Y, and a trade-off constant alpha; selecting loss functions in the form of Lx(X,UV) and Ly(Y,UW) appropriate for the type of data in the matrix X and the vector Y, where U, V and W are matrices, selecting corresponding sets of update rules RU, RV and RW for updating the matrices U,V and W, learning U, V and W that provide a minimum total loss L(U,V,W)=Lx(X,UV)+alpha*Ly(Y,UW), and returning matrices U, V and W. | 08-20-2009 |
20100049393 | AUTOMATED DYNAMIC VEHICLE BLIND SPOT DETERMINATION - A driver's orientation within a vehicle is monitored. A change in the driver's orientation is detected. A change to a blind spot of the vehicle is calculated based upon the detected change in the driver's orientation. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 02-25-2010 |
20100060482 | AUTOMATED TRAFFIC SYNCHRONIZATION - Spatial relationship information and performance information are determined for vehicles within a vehicular environment. Traffic signaling information is received from a traffic regulation system associated with the vehicular environment. At least one synchronized control action is calculated for each of the vehicles to synchronize the vehicles with the traffic regulation system based upon the traffic signaling information, the determined spatial relationship information, and the determined performance information for each of the vehicles. The associated at least one synchronized control action is communicated to each of the vehicles. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 03-11-2010 |
20100063766 | AUTOMATED ENERGY TRANSFER CALCULATION AND COMPENSATION - Thermal energy transfer between the adjoining building units is measured. Actual energy consumption is measured in each of the adjoining building units. An energy compensation is calculated for each of the adjoining building units based upon the measured thermal energy transfer between the adjoining building units and the measured actual energy consumption in each of the adjoining building units. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 03-11-2010 |
20100131323 | TIME MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - Disclosed is a time management method which includes detecting a current activity of a user on a computer, classifying the current activity according to a predetermined characteristic, prioritizing the current activity according to a predetermined order of importance, and prompting the user to work on the highest important activity if not already working on it. Also disclosed is a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method of time management, a computer program product and a system for time management. | 05-27-2010 |
20100141778 | PHOTOGRAPH AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM - An electronic photographic device that automatically communicates an authorization signal that enables receivers of the authorization signal to authorize use of a likeness captured in a photographic image. The electronic authorization device includes an image capture mechanism for capturing the photographic image, a controller for initiating photographic authorization by generating an authorization signal at the capture of the photographic image by the image capture mechanism and a transmitter for transmitting the authorization signal generated by the controller towards a physical location at which the photographic image is captured. The authorization signal identifies a website URL at which information relating to the captured photographic image can be accessed to allow a person who has received the authorization signal to access the website and provide or deny an authorization for its use. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145965 | PRESENTATION OF WEBSITES TO A COMPUTER USER - A method, computer readable storage medium, computer program product and a service. A profile of a computer user is obtained that contains meta tags descriptive of the participants of a first social networking website. A second social networking website having meta tags is selected. A profile from the second social networking website is selected. The meta tags of the first and second social networking websites are compared to determine if there is a match of at least one meta tag. Then, a search is made for related websites having at least one meta tag that matches the at least one meta tag. A list of the related websites is then presented to the computer user. | 06-10-2010 |
20100242090 | USER AUTHENTICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A user authentication method and system. A computing system receives from a user, a first request for accessing specified functions executed by a specified software application. The computing system enables a security manager software application and connects the specified software application to a computing apparatus. The computing system executes first security functions associated with the computing apparatus. The computing system executes second security functions associated with additional computing apparatuses. The computing system determines if the user may access the specified functions executed by the specified software application based on results of executing the first security functions and the second security functions. The computing system generates and stores a report indicating the results. | 09-23-2010 |
20110022369 | Modeling States of an Entity - Methods, systems and apparatus for modeling states of an entity are presented. For example, a method, implemented on a processor device, of modeling one or more states of an entity is presented. The method includes obtaining a training dataset for training a model by applying a stimulus to the entity, forming a set of model parameters, and using the set of model parameters to form the model, such that the model is configured to predict at least one of the one or more states of the entity. At least one model parameter of the set of model parameters changes with time as a result of dependency of the at least one model parameter on the stimulus and as a result of time-dependency of the stimulus. The steps of obtaining the training dataset, forming the set of model parameters and using the set of model parameters are implemented on the processor device. | 01-27-2011 |
20110053129 | ADAPTIVE SYSTEM FOR REAL-TIME BEHAVIORAL COACHING AND COMMAND INTERMEDIATION - A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture reinforce behavior in an individual. A behavior associated with an individual is monitored. A determination is made, based on the monitoring, that the behavior substantially matches a behavior in a set of behaviors. A set of interactive actions associated with the behavior are identified. At least one of the interactive actions in the set of interactive actions is selected. The at least one of the interactive actions that has been selected is performed. A response from the individual is monitored in response to the least one of the interactive actions being performed. An indicator is associated with the at least one of the interactive actions based on the reaction from the individual. The indicator indicates a relative degree of success in obtaining a desired response from the individual. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054853 | RECOVERING THE STRUCTURE OF SPARSE MARKOV NETWORKS FROM HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA - A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture model data. A first dataset is received that includes a first set of physical world data. At least one data model associated with the first dataset is generated based on the receiving. A second dataset is received that includes a second set of physical world data. The second dataset is compared to the at least one data model. A probability that the second dataset is modeled by the at least one data model is determined. A determination is made that the probability is above a given threshold. A decision associated with the second dataset based on the at least one data model is generated in response to the probability being above the given threshold. The probability and the decision are stored in memory. The probability and the decision are provided to user via a user interface. | 03-03-2011 |
20110077934 | Language Translation in an Environment Associated with a Virtual Application - Methods and apparatus for language translation in a computing environment associated with a virtual application are presented. For example, a method for providing language translation includes determining languages of a user and a correspondent; determining one or more sequences of translators; determining a selected sequence of selected translators from the one or more sequences of the translators; requesting a change in virtual locations, within the computing environment associated with the virtual application, of one or more selected translator virtual representations of the selected translators to a virtual meeting location within the computing environment associated with the virtual application; and changing virtual locations of the one or more selected translator virtual representations to the virtual meeting location. One or more of determining languages, determining one or more sequences, determining a selected sequence, requesting a change in virtual locations, and changing virtual locations occur on a processor device. | 03-31-2011 |
20110123100 | Predicting States of Subjects - Methods for predicting states of a subject are presented. For example, a method for predicting states of a subject includes obtaining training data comprising a plurality of variables, obtaining training states associated with the training data, and forming a predictive model according to the training data and the training states, the predictive model predictive of the training states. The forming of the predictive model includes extracting one or more hidden components from the training data. The extracting of the one or more hidden components includes regression analysis including determining one or more relationships between the one or more hidden components and the plurality of variables, and determining one or more relationships between the one or more hidden components and the training states. A number of the one or more hidden components is less than a number of the plurality of variables and greater than a number of the training states. | 05-26-2011 |
20110191273 | Evaluating ontologies - A method for providing an evaluation/verification of the correctness of an ontology is described. The method includes loading a first ontology associated with a first rule set. an extended ontology and an extended rule set are generated based at least in part on the first ontology and the first rule set. The extended rule set is applied to the extended ontology. The method also includes determining (e.g., by a data processor) a correctness of the extended ontology. Results are generated which include the correctness. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described. | 08-04-2011 |
20120250963 | Predicting States of Subjects - Methods for predicting states of a subject are presented. For example, a method for predicting states of a subject includes obtaining training data comprising a plurality of variables, obtaining training states associated with the training data, and forming a predictive model according to the training data and the training states, the predictive model predictive of the training states. The forming of the predictive model includes extracting one or more hidden components from the training data. The extracting of the one or more hidden components includes regression analysis including determining one or more relationships between the one or more hidden components and the plurality of variables, and determining one or more relationships between the one or more hidden components and the training states. A number of the one or more hidden components is less than a number of the plurality of variables and greater than a number of the training states. | 10-04-2012 |
20130013130 | AUTOMATED TRAFFIC SYNCHRONIZATION - Vehicle performance capability information and spatial relationship information within a vehicular environment is obtained for each of a group of vehicles. Traffic light signaling information is obtained. At least one synchronized control action is determined for each of the group of vehicles by utilizing the vehicle performance capability information in conjunction with the spatial relationship information and the traffic light signaling information. | 01-10-2013 |
20130013538 | RECOVERING THE STRUCTURE OF SPARSE MARKOV NETWORKS FROM HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA - A method, information processing system, and computer readable article of manufacture model data. A first dataset is received that includes a first set of physical world data. At least one data model associated with the first dataset is generated based on the receiving. A second dataset is received that includes a second set of physical world data. The second dataset is compared to the at least one data model. A probability that the second dataset is modeled by the at least one data model is determined. A determination is made that the probability is above a given threshold. A decision associated with the second dataset based on the at least one data model is generated in response to the probability being above the given threshold. The probability and the decision are stored in memory. The probability and the decision are provided to user via a user interface. | 01-10-2013 |
20130232101 | AUTOMATED DYNAMIC VEHICLE BLIND SPOT DETERMINATION - A driver's orientation within a first vehicle is monitored. A change in the driver's orientation is detected. A change to a rear blind spot dimensional area of the first vehicle is calculated based upon the detected change. The rear blind spot dimensional area includes coordinates and dimensions of an area behind a peripheral view area of the driver and outside of rear viewable areas of viewable mirrors of the vehicle. The calculated change is applied to a statistical model of dangerous vehicle situations that includes a probabilistic function of at least one of a Gaussian distribution and a uniform distribution of at least one of the dangerous blind spot coordinates, dangerous information about the first vehicle, and dangerous characteristics of a vehicular environment surrounding the first vehicle. A dangerous situation associated with the first vehicle is predicted based upon a result of the calculated change applied to the statistical model. | 09-05-2013 |
20130312077 | USER AUTHENTICATION - A user authentication method and system. A computing system receives from a user, a first request for accessing specified functions executed by a specified software application. The computing system enables a security manager software application and connects the specified software application to a computing apparatus. The computing system executes first security functions associated with the computing apparatus. The computing system executes second security functions associated with additional computing apparatuses. The computing system determines if the user may access the specified functions executed by the specified software application based on results of executing the first security functions and the second security functions. The computing system generates and stores a report indicating the results. | 11-21-2013 |
20140052435 | LANGUAGE TRANSLATION IN AN ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A VIRTUAL APPLICATION - Methods and apparatus for language translation in a computing environment associated with a virtual application are presented. For example, a method for providing language translation includes determining languages of a user and a correspondent; determining one or more sequences of translators; determining a selected sequence of selected translators from the one or more sequences of the translators; requesting a change in virtual locations, within the computing environment associated with the virtual application, of one or more selected translator virtual representations of the selected translators to a virtual meeting location within the computing environment associated with the virtual application; and changing virtual locations of the one or more selected translator virtual representations to the virtual meeting location. One or more of determining languages, determining one or more sequences, determining a selected sequence, requesting a change in virtual locations, and changing virtual locations occur on a processor device. | 02-20-2014 |
20140067729 | Human Memory Enhancement Using Machine Learning - Techniques for providing a prompt for real-time cognitive assistance. A method includes analyzing input from at least one environmental sensor to identify context information pertaining to a user situation, identifying a likely subsequent cognitive task of the user in the user situation based on the context information and use of a learned model, determining an action with respect to information to be suggested to the user via a corresponding prompt, wherein the determining is based on the likely subsequent cognitive task, the context information and information learned from at least one previous user situation, computing a confidence value to represent a level of certainty in the action, and providing the prompt to the user if the action has a confidence value greater than a threshold value corresponding to the action. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067730 | Human Memory Enhancement Using Machine Learning - A system and an article of manufacture for providing a prompt for real-time cognitive assistance include analyzing input from at least one environmental sensor to identify context information pertaining to a user situation, identifying a likely subsequent cognitive task of the user in the user situation based on the context information and use of a learned model, determining an action with respect to information to be suggested to the user via a corresponding prompt, wherein the determining is based on the likely subsequent cognitive task, the context information and information learned from at least to one previous user situation, computing a confidence value to represent a level of certainty in the action, and providing the prompt to the user if the action has a confidence value greater than a threshold value corresponding to the action. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074533 | Smart Reminder Management - Techniques for smart reminder management. A method includes receiving input pertaining to a user task for which a schedule reminder is to be managed, automatically determining a timing and repetition management scheme for the schedule reminder based on a user model, analysis of current user context and a model of oscillators, determining a confidence level for the schedule reminder, associating the confidence level with the timing and repetition management scheme, and conveying the schedule reminder to the user in accordance with the timing and repetition management scheme. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074534 | Smart Reminder Management - A system and article of manufacture for smart reminder management include receiving input pertaining to a user task for which a schedule reminder is to be managed, automatically determining a timing and repetition management scheme for the schedule reminder based on a user model, analysis of current user context and a model of oscillators, determining a confidence level for the schedule reminder, associating the confidence level with the timing and repetition management scheme, and conveying the schedule reminder to the user in accordance with the timing and repetition management scheme. | 03-13-2014 |
20140207710 | TRANSDUCTIVE LASSO FOR HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA REGRESSION PROBLEMS - Various embodiments select features from a feature space. In one embodiment, a set of training samples and a set of test samples are received. A first centered Gram matrix of a given dimension is determined for each of a set of feature vectors that include at least one of the set of training samples and at least one of the set of test samples. A second centered Gram matrix of the given dimension is determined for a target value vector that includes target values from the set of training samples. A set of columns and rows associated with the at least one of the test samples in the second centered Gram matrix is set to 0. A subset of features is selected from a set of features based on the first and second centered Gram matrices. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207711 | TRANSDUCTIVE FEATURE SELECTION WITH MAXIMUM-RELEVANCY AND MINIMUM-REDUNDANCY CRITERIA - Various embodiments select features from a feature space. In one embodiment, a set of training samples and a set of test samples are received. The set of training samples includes a set of features and a class value. The set of test samples includes the set of features absent the class value. A relevancy with respect to the class value is determined for each of a plurality of unselected features based on the set of training samples. A redundancy with respect to one or more of the set of features is determined for each of the plurality of unselected features in the first set of features based on the set of training samples and the set of test samples. A set of features is selected from the plurality of unselected features based on the relevancy and the redundancy determined for each of the plurality of unselected features. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207713 | TRANSDUCTIVE FEATURE SELECTION WITH MAXIMUM-RELEVANCY AND MINIMUM-REDUNDANCY CRITERIA - Various embodiments select features from a feature space. In one embodiment, a set of training samples and a set of test samples are received. The set of training samples includes a set of features and a class value. The set of test samples includes the set of features absent the class value. A relevancy with respect to the class value is determined for each of a plurality of unselected features based on the set of training samples. A redundancy with respect to one or more of the set of features is determined for each of the plurality of unselected features in the first set of features based on the set of training samples and the set of test samples. A set of features is selected from the plurality of unselected features based on the relevancy and the redundancy determined for each of the plurality of unselected features. | 07-24-2014 |
20140207714 | TRANSDUCTIVE LASSO FOR HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA REGRESSION PROBLEMS - Various embodiments select features from a feature space. In one embodiment, a set of training samples and a set of test samples are received. A first centered Gram matrix of a given dimension is determined for each of a set of feature vectors that include at least one of the set of training samples and at least one of the set of test samples. A second centered Gram matrix of the given dimension is determined for a target value vector that includes target values from the set of training samples. A set of columns and rows associated with the at least one of the test samples in the second centered Gram matrix is set to 0. A subset of features is selected from a set of features based on the first and second centered Gram matrices. | 07-24-2014 |