03rd week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 55 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090018844 | Interactive Property Tour - A system for creating a web based tour for an item of interest characterised in that it includes the steps of:
| 2009-01-15 |
20090018845 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTENT RECOMMENDATION - The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recommending content and updating user proprofile. The method adds a step of content alarm processing before recommending to user on a basis of the current content recommending method, so that the recommendation, which can be offered directly to a user in a previous time must be processed correspondingly in a manner of the content alarm before being sent to the user. Alternatively, after receiving an user's feedback information, the method and the system processes the feedback information correspondingly in a manner of the content alarm and updates the user profile according to the feedback information processed in the manner of the content alarm. The invention can recommend contents more carefully and accurately, making the recommendation conforming further to the user's requirement so as to avoid as far as possible the recommendation of unwished program to users. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018846 | SUBSCRIBER PREFERRED MEDIA SYSTEM AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method for providing subscriber preferred media. To create a subscription for a category of media content, such as a music subscription, a user may receive in an electronic device media sample portions (such as song sample portions) representative of different genres. The user may play or listen to the media sample portions for a sample time not to exceed the time of the respective media sample portion. For each media sample portion for which the sample time exceeds a benchmark time, the system may set a user preference for the genre of such media sample portion. As part of a subscription, the user then may receive media file offerings (such as song offerings) within the same genre as that of the corresponding preferred media sample portion. A comprehensive subscription service may include subscriptions for a variety of media categories, such as music, movies or other video, news and information, etc. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018847 | MODELING AND FORECASTING SERVICE PERFORMANCE - A method for modeling a financial risk in a service level agreement (SLA) between a service provider and a customer for the service provider to provide one or more services to the customer is provided. The method includes forecasting a service performance of the service provider for at least one performance metric of the SLA, modeling at least one scenario for the SLA based on one or more negotiated terms between the service provider and the customer as found in the SLA, and applying the forecasted service performance of the service provider against the at least one modeled SLA scenario to calculate a financial risk of the service provider with regard to the at least one modeled SLA scenario. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018848 | Method and apparatus for sending a notification to contacts of a user - In some embodiments, a computer automatically sends notifications to contacts of a traveler, if the traveler does not indicate his return from a trip on time. The traveler arranges for a notification by logging in to a website and entering trip information regarding a trip to be taken by the traveler. The entered trip information includes the traveler's destination, a return date and time, and at least one electronic communication address for contacting a contact. If the traveler indicates his return by the return date and time, the traveler may log in to the website and cancel the notification. However, if after the return date and time, no indication is received that the user has returned from the destination, a computer automatically sends a notification to the electronic communication address, the notification indicating that the user has not returned from the destination by the return date and time. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018849 | Web-based over-the-air provisioning and activation of mobile terminals - In a method for over-the-air provisioning of a mobile terminal in a wireless network, a first transaction between the mobile terminal and a web server is performed via an external port. During the first transaction, the mobile terminal obtains user subscription information for subscribing to network services. During a second transaction between the web server and the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal obtains device management information for authorizing the mobile terminal to access the network services. The first and second transactions are conducted via the same external port. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018850 | Security in a geo-spatial environment - A method and system of security in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of organizing a community network includes obtaining member data associated with a member of the community network, determining a location of the member based on the member data, storing the member data in a member repository, obtaining a personal privacy preference from the member, applying the personal privacy preference to a geo-spatial map, and displaying the member data on the geo-spatial map based on the personal privacy preference. The method may further include determining a community membership of the member based on the location, obtaining a group privacy preference associated with the community membership from the member, determining a validation level of the member, applying the group privacy preference to the geo-spatial map based on the validation level, and displaying the location on the geo-spatial map based on the group privacy preference. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018851 | Method and apparatus for arranging business introductions - A network that uses registration information of multiple parties along with a matching function to match two parties that have a business contact that both parties would benefit from if the parties were introduced. Once found, the network notifies one party that a match has been found. This party is then allowed to either accept or reject an initial introduction without informing the second party. If the introduction is accepted, the second party is then notified that a match has been found and the first party accepted the initial introduction. Now the second party has an opportunity to accept or reject the initial introduction. If accepted the first party is notified that the second party has accepted the introduction and simultaneous messages containing contact information are sent to the first and second parties. The parties then contact each other directly to consummate the initial introduction. Afterwards, the parties will arrange to make formal unsupervised introductions with the business contact. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018852 | METHOD OF WIDE AREA NETWORK COMPETITION - An example method of conducting a competition over a wide area network includes the steps of receiving a fee from at least one user, allocating a quantity of potential votes to the user based on the fee, providing competition entries for evaluation by the user, and receiving a vote from the user corresponding to one of the competition entries. The method may award the competition entry receiving the highest number of votes. The award may include a portion of the fee. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018853 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018854 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018855 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018856 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018857 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018858 | USING A SOFTWARE APPLICATION TO CONFIGURE A FOAM SPRING MATTRESS - An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018859 | Method for vehicle repair estimate and scheduling - The present invention is directed to a method for producing a repair estimate and scheduling for repairing a vehicle having one or more defects using a portable computing device. The invention is also directed to a system for producing such estimate and scheduling. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018860 | METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR BACK OFFICE CHECK CONVERSION - A method and computer program for facilitating back office check conversion in a retail establishment, such as during reconciliation of cash drawers. The method broadly includes the steps of retrieving first check data from a point of sale system; imaging the check to capture second check data; comparing the first and second check data to confirm that they are substantially identical; determining whether the check is eligible for automated processing; and, if so, adding the image of the check to an electronic file for subsequent transmission of the check data to a financial institution. The method may also include allowing for scheduling automatic resubmission of a returned check. The method may also include maintaining a database of the check data, and allowing for accessing and searching the database for particular check data via an electronic network. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018861 | HEALTHCARE CHARGE CAPTURE AND INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A provider-patient encounter device delivers medical information and services by receiving content from context sponsors, linking the content to service codes and presenting the content to providers. The service codes represent medical procedure codes and medical diagnosis codes. Each service code includes a provider demographic code, a service priority code, and a supplemental service code. The provider-patient encounter device presents a selectable list of service codes and presents content from a context sponsor assigned to a service code when the provider selects the service code from the selectable list of service codes. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018862 | System and Method for Providing Optimized Medical Order Sets - System and method for preparing patient order sets by an attending physician include optimization of orders particularly when multiple diagnoses are being treated. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018863 | PERSONAL ASSESSMENT INCLUDING FAMILIAL RISK ANALYSIS FOR PERSONALIZED DISEASE PREVENTION PLAN - Family health history information can be used to assess familial risk for common diseases and determine early detection and prevention medical strategies. Assessed familial risk of disease can then be used to determine recommendations for disease prevention and screening that are targeted to familial risk. Other factors can be included to generate personalized disease prevention recommendations. For example, personal health history information, personal health behavior information, or both can be collected and assessed to generate personalized disease prevention recommendations based on the information collected. Recommendations for disease prevention and screening based at least on familial risk can be used to provide a personalized disease prevention plan that encourages a person to make behavior changes that will reduce the risk of disease and utilize preventive health services. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018864 | Method and system for ensuring compliance with mandated pre-operative policies and procedures to prevent wrong-site surgeries - There are provided systems and methods for ensuring compliance with mandated pre-operative policies and procedures to prevent wrong site surgeries. In an embodiment, at least two operating room personnel perform a pre-operative assessment prior to a scheduled surgical procedure. The at least two participants to the pre-operative assessment provide some indicia of their personal identity as a form of attestation to their respective participation in the pre-operative assessment. Upon verifying the submitted indicia of personal identification information received from each of the at least two operating room personnel participants to the assessment, critical operating room lighting fixtures and critical outlets are switched from an initialized disabled state to an enabled state to permit activation by the operating room personnel to allow the procedure to run its normal course. In another embodiment, a recording device is activated prior to the start of a pre-operative assessment. At least two participants perform a pre-operative assessment while the recording device is activated. The recording device is then de-activated at the conclusion of a pre-operative assessment. Responsive to the de-activation of the recording device, operating room lighting fixtures and critical outlets are switched from a disabled state to an enabled state. Accordingly, a failsafe method is provided for ensuring strict compliance with the performance of the pre-operative assessment in a timely manner. The system and method is dependent upon a repeatable obligatory behavior that is easily implemented and can be added to existing physical infrastructure at a very low cost. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018865 | Earnest custom calibration system delivering dietary supplements - The present invention relates to the delivery of emulsions and dry powders mixed to supply a customized calibration of dietary supplements derived from the coordinated efforts of the user, the user's physician, and the user's supplier or pharmacy. The system of utilization is three pronged and coordinates all three venues into development of a safer, purer, quality, product accessible through manual, electronic, and internet applications for its production and procurement which is user specific and personal and it additionally affords inherent, by virtue of attending professionals, medical checks and balances on its use. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018866 | Claim Processing Validation System - A system evaluates processing rules used for processing claim data related to reimbursement for provision of healthcare to a patient by specific payer organizations. The system includes at least one repository of information including first claim data. The first claim data processing rules and associated output data comprise first claim result information derived by applying the first claim data processing rules to the first claim data. The system also includes a source of a second claim data processing rule and a rules processor for applying the second claim data processing rule to the first claim data in deriving second claim result information corresponding to the first claim result information. A comparator compares the second claim result information with the first claim result information to identify changed result data elements and associated data fields in a claim form used in obtaining reimbursement in response to a claim. An output processor provides data representing a visual display image highlighting data fields associated with the changed result data elements. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018867 | Gesture-based communication and reporting system - The present invention relates to a gesture-based reporting method and system, including a critical results reporting pathway, which is used to communicate critical findings to users according to predetermined methods (i.e., e-mail, facsimile, etc.), and create an electronic auditing trail to document receipt, understanding, bi-directional queries, and track clinical outcomes. Based on a predetermined rule set, predetermined data elements within the structured database could trigger the critical results reporting pathway. There is a quality assurance component to the invention, such that technical deficiencies in an imaging quality can be noted, analyzed, and tracked. There is a workflow and data analysis portion to the invention, wherein workflow is enhanced, and structured data is mapped to a standardized lexicon, such that data mining can be performed. Thus, the present invention extends beyond reporting alone and is a tool to facilitate electronic communication, consultation, education/training, and data mining for quality assurance. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018868 | Method for Utilizing Cell Therapy Product Facility and Network-Based Business Model Using the Same - A method is provided for utilizing a cell therapy product facility and an internet franchise market business comprising: producing a cell therapy product by a CT (Cell Therapy)-module (1) of prefabricated units having specific functions, and; storing of hematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow cells and other cells, by a BC (Banking of Cell and Tissue)-module (2) of prefabricated units having specific functions. Both modules eliminate contamination and maximize efficiency. It provides an operating method and a use method and business method for the above cell therapy product facility. The invention enables easy, low cost production of a product having sufficient quality to be transplanted into patients and put into clinical application within a short period of time. The facility module of the invention can be installed and used wherever adequate space is available. The invention provides improved quality and reliability of cell therapy products. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018869 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA AGGREGATION FOR REAL-TIME EMERGENCY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - The present invention provides a system and a method for providing information about resource availability, especially during an emergency such as a natural disaster. The system stores resource information about multiple facilities, across cities, counties, states and even countries. Such information can be provided to designated users based on specified access levels for the user and the resource information. Further, the system is able to exchange the resource availability information with external systems and databases. The resource information is also automatically updated to reflect the most current information. The system is useful in directing resources to participate in an emergency. Further the system aggregates resource information based on one or more attributes, such as region, hospital, city, state, etcetera, that is associated with the resource information. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018870 | Method for Preventing Chronic Disease - A new method for preventing chronic disease is described. The method comprises the act of using the result of any biometric test for an individual's levels of omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids as an input in any computerized analysis that determines an economic outcome for the tested individual. This outcome will encourage improved health behavior, which will lead to lowered incidence of chronic disease, improved physical and mental health, improved employee performance, and lower health care costs. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018871 | Consumer-driven pre-production vaccine reservation system and methods of using a vaccine reservation system - The present inventive subject matter relates to an automated, consumer-driven, pre-production, seasonal vaccine reservation system for facilitating the efficient production, distribution, and/or administration of health-critical, long-production-lead-time seasonal vaccines, or other pharmacological agents, whereby use of such a consumer-driven vaccine reservation system provides a highly effective means for substantially ensuring or guaranteeing that consumer demand for seasonal vaccine can be fully and consistently met, but without subjecting the producers of vaccine and/or other cognizant parties associated with the healthcare industry to undue financial risk. In addition to the physical elements comprising such a consumer-driven vaccine reservation system, the present invention also represents various unique operational methods for accurately matching seasonal vaccine supply with seasonal consumer demand, thereby substantially facilitating production, distribution, and/or timely administration of vaccine. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018872 | WARRANTY METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present invention compensates loss resulting from unexpected outcome of service or unanticipated product performance. A consumer is provided an option to purchase a warranty prior to or during product purchase or service engagement, the warranty offering pre-determined levels of award calculated from a probabilistic, multi-variable process. Each level of award is associated with a warranty purchase price and a degree of variation of actual outcome from expected outcome. For medical services, variables could include age and gender of the patient, skill level and history of the doctor, quality of the hospital, difficulty of the procedure, type of medical equipment used, prior condition of the patient, geographic location and patient profile. The warranty could require the physician to provide additional medical or surgical care, without charge, to optimize actual outcome prior to granting an award. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018873 | Deferred Premium Annuities - Deferred premium annuities and accompanying methods are described herein. In some instances, a deferred premium annuity allows a purchaser (e.g., an individual) to pledge assets rather than pay cash up front to purchase an annuity. In these instances, an annuity provider then issues an annuity to the purchaser. In some instances, the provider then may then receive ownership of or an interest in the pledged assets upon death of the purchaser unless the purchaser pays for the annuity before the death of the purchaser. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018874 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ISSUING INSURANCE UNDERWRITING INSTRUMENTS - A method and system for issuing an insurance underwriting instrument using at least one computing processor. The system includes a computer processor and a first and second query-able plurality of memory locations storing data indicative of images of a plurality of forms associated with a particular type of fidelity or surety bond and data indicative of policies respectively. The system further includes a user interface for inputting data indicative of an insurance client and of the fidelity of surety bond. A calculator application is included which automatically calculates a premium for the insurance underwriting instrument based on the input data using the computer processor. The system includes software for selecting a sub-set of the data indicative of the images and software for automatically rendering the bond to be issued using the data of bond customer. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018875 | 1ST RESPONDER GUIDANCE AND DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM ENABLING VICTIM TRACKING AND EXTRACTION - The invention uses processes, algorithms and programs to support emergency personnel decisions. It consists of several automated and semi-automated software components, hardware components, and processes, which are integrated into a single system that streamlines building intelligence gathering and victim extraction processes, and provides emergency personnel decision support. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018876 | Rating system and method for rating an aquatic operation - A swimming pool or aquatic facility rating method and system to rate a commercial pool or an organization's aquatic operation. The rating system and method is a based on a numerical star system that provides the operators and their patrons with a symbolic representation pertaining to the quality of the facility and its operation. The outcome of this rating method and system is a score which can vary form one to five stars. It is beneficial to both the owners of these facilities and their current and prospective customers to have a quantifiable system that is objective, reliable and easily understood. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018877 | System and Method for Modeling Business Processes - According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a computerized method for modeling business processes includes receiving, at a computer, interaction data for interaction sessions. The interaction data includes session states indicative of session screens. The interaction data further includes transitions between the session states. The computerized method also includes identifying, at the computer, business processes based on the interaction data. The computerized method further includes identifying, at the computer, instances of the business processes in the interaction data. The computerized method further includes storing the instances as event records. The event records include a parameter indicative of a corresponding business process. The computerized method further includes generating a model based on the event records. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018878 | Method and Apparatus for Gathering Participant Free Time to Schedule Events on an Electronic Calendar - A scheduling system includes a client calendar application that a meeting organizer employs to send a request for free time form to prospective participants of a future meeting via email. The client calendar application receives completed request for participant free time forms back from the prospective participants via email. The client calendar application parses the completed free time forms and determines a consensus free time when all prospective participants are free for the meeting. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018879 | METHOD AND SYSTEM SUPPORTING BUSINESS SOLUTION VALIDATION IN A COMPONENT BUSINESS MODEL - A method and system for validating business solutions by evaluating the business services from which the solution is composed, aggregating these evaluations in accordance with a service composition structure, and comparing the aggregated evaluation to target objectives for the business solution, where the service evaluations and the target objectives use the same metrics, which are surrogates for the business solution objectives. A business solution has a Business Level Agreement (BLA) which states business objectives. A business service has a Business Service Level Agreement (BSLA) which states operational objectives. A business solution is seen as a composition of business services. Therefore, the BLA is validated by evaluating and then aggregating the BSLA's for all business services from which the business solution is composed, and then comparing the aggregation against target values of the surrogates. Validation occurs: (1) during solution template composition, (2) at service binding times, and (3) during solution execution via business monitoring. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018880 | Computer-Implemented Systems And Methods For Cost Flow Analysis - Computer-implemented systems and methods for analyzing costs associated with a cost flow model having components of relationships and entities. A system and method can be configured to receive data associated with the cost flow model that identifies the costs associated with the relationships among the entities. One or more matrices are created that are representative of the costs and the entity relationships. One or more sparse matrix operations are performed upon the created one or more matrices in order to determine cost contribution amounts from an entity to another entity. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018881 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A disclosed image processing apparatus includes an adjusting unit configured to convert input image data into image formation data, an arithmetic unit configured to calculate an image formation ink cost based on the converted image formation data, and a determining unit configured to compare the calculated image formation ink cost with a black-and-white image formation ink cost, wherein the calculated image formation ink cost is fixed based on a determination result of the first determining unit. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018882 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ENTERPRISE WORKFLOW AND INFORMATION - A system for enterprise workflow management includes software and hardware for gathering information regarding the current state of workflows within the enterprise, examining the operational relationships among the systems and entities relating to the workflows, and facilitating improvement of the workflows throughout their respective lifecycles. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018883 | System for evaluating process implementation - A method for evaluating process implementation is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one functional map that relates a first criteria indicative of operational failures associated with operating the process and a second criteria indicative of operational times associated with operating the process. The method also includes establishing a first value indicative of a quantity of operational failures predicted to occur during start-up of the operation of the process. The method also includes establishing a second value indicative of a quantity of operational failures allowed to occur during continued operation of the process. The method further includes predicting a first timing indicative a time the process will be operated to achieve the second value as a function of the first and second criteria. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018884 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING AND REPORTING EMISSIONS - The present invention relates to methods and systems of tracking enterprise gas emissions such as greenhouse gas emissions. The systems and methods relate to collecting or entering data relating to one or more emissions source of an enterprise or an enterprise location, calculating emissions totals, and, according to certain embodiments, generating emissions reports. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018885 | RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - Implementations of a method of managing risk and compliance method may include providing one or more controls, monitoring a business activity to produce one or more monitoring results, evaluating the one or more controls using risk criteria from a risk database to produce one or more control gaps, evaluating a business process using the one or more risk criteria to produce one or more control gaps, remediating one or more of the one or more controls, receiving an audit request, communicating information regarding the one or more controls in response to the audit request, receiving an audit report including one or more audit findings, evaluating the one or more audit findings to identify one or more control gaps, and remediating one or more of the one or more controls using the one or more control gaps. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018886 | WEB-BASED SYSTEM AND APPLICATION FOR COLLABORATIVE PLANNING OF A NETWORKED PROGRAM SCHEDULE - An automated web-based system and application manages the creation, sharing and validation of program schedule data collaboratively among multiple teams in a structured manner to generate a networked program schedule such as for an events-based IMP/IMS. The Integrated Planning Solution (IPS) application provides a structured approach to large events-based planning that is time and cost efficient, produces well-managed, adequate and realistic schedules, is repeatable from project-to-project and can leverage information from previous projects. A focus of the IPS application is collaborative planning of the ‘accomplishment criteria’ for level 3 in an events-based program. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018887 | Method of and System for Modifying Attendance Status for Electronic Calendar Events - An electronic calendar system and method permits an attendee of a calendar event to modify the terms of his or her attendance and notifies a requester of the event of the modification of terms of attendance by the attendee. The terms of attendance may include an event start time and an event end time. The system displays to the attendee an attendance modification dialog. The attendance modification dialog may include a late arrival field and an early departure field. The attendance modification dialog may include a telephone attendance option. The attendance modification dialog may be displayed to the attendee in connection with an event invitation, an event reminder, or a calendar event item. When the attendee completes the modification dialog, a message informing to the event requester of the modification is automatically sent. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018888 | Lead Marketplace System and Method with Lead Auctions - A lead marketplace system and method are provided. The lead marketplace system and method provides an auction for leads. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018889 | ADMINISTERING CONTRACTS OVER DATA NETWORK - A method for administering performance of a contract over a data network includes storing a lien waiver and receiving an application for payment over the data network from a contract participant based on performance under the contract. The stored lien waiver is retrieved and sent to the participant via the data network upon approval of the application for payment. The at least one data tag may be included in the lien waiver prior to storing the lien waiver. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018890 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HYBRID DELIVERY OF REMOTE AND LOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT VIA A CENTRALIZED SERVICE - The present solution is directed to a hybrid customer support model for providing remote online support service in conjunction with local onsite support service. A local technician provides on site support service for a device at a premise for a predetermined amount of time. The onsite support by the local technician may be limited to a subset of the tasks for resolving an issue with the device or otherwise be limited to applying a subset or scope of skills to resolving the issue. In one embodiment, the local technician has a first type of skill from a plurality of skills. The local technician identifies an issue with the device and sends the issue to a centralized service. The centralized service receives an identification of the issue—the resolution of which may include a plurality of tasks. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of tasks is performed by one or more remote technicians having a skill type corresponding to the task. A resource pool is managed via the centralized service to support information flow in the hybrid model. The centralized service tracks service information and results. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018891 | Market value matrix - A method of and system for flexibly integrating organization related data, information, knowledge and systems into a market value matrix and using said matrix to support the optimization one or more aspects of organization risk, return and value. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018892 | OPTION FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGING ON DEMAND SERVICE OFFERINGS - A method of and system for managing on-demand service offerings in a service delivery chain. The method comprises the steps of a service provider announcing upfront capacity pricing, an on-demand premium structure, and an on-demand exercise structure; a service distributor committing to upfront capacity and to units of on-demand options; and the service provider provisioning a number of resources to the collection of service distributors. Preferably, the upfront capacity pricing includes three components. A first component is a price structure for capacity or resources to be purchased for immediate use, a second component is an on-demand premium structure, and a third component is an on-demand usage fee structure. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018893 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ON-LINE SURVEY RECRUITMENT - A system and method are disclosed for presenting on-line survey invitations to users over a network. The system selectively presents survey invitations to users in accordance with a survey recruitment definition associated with a tag embedded within a Web page (node) downloaded and executed on a user computer. A particular survey is selected from a set of presently active surveys applied by a survey logic server to received requests based upon a category (node ID) provided by a user computer in accordance with the execution of logic contained in the survey recruitment definition. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018894 | Lead Marketplace System and Method with Ratings System - A lead marketplace system and method are provided. The lead marketplace system and method provides an auction for leads. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018895 | Technique for correlating purchasing behavior of a consumer to advertisements - A technique for correlating purchasing behavior of a consumer with advertisements to which the consumer has been exposed. The technique includes monitoring exposure of said consumer to advertisements to produce an advertisement monitoring signal, photographing an image related to an item purchased by the consumer to produce image data, processing the image data to derive consumer purchase data, and correlating the consumer purchase data with the advertisement monitoring signal. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018896 | Scaled Subscriber Profile Groups for Emarketers - A web based system and method for determining relevance of marketing group association by calculating the relevance factors of depth and weight of interest in a subscriber group is described. An emarketing management system typically includes a subscriber database, email marketing creation module, and a data management module. Collectively, the system allows marketers to group or segment subscribers according to marketing groups that are most relevant to the subscriber. By grouping or segmenting, marketers can design the most relevant content in subsequent email campaigns or distribution events, or to gain insight into subscriber behavior. The emarketing system may further integrate with external applications, such as a web analytic system or the emarketers own database, to gather, report and analyze data to refine relevance factors. A method for operating this system is also described. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018897 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING RELATIVE PREFERENCES FOR MARKETING, FINANCIAL, INTERNET, AND OTHER COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS - A method analyzes preferences of one or more participants. Each of the participants may be presented with a plurality of evaluation items that illustrate various marketing options. Response data from the participants that indicates at least an approach, if any, toward the evaluation items is obtained. An approach entropy value may be generated for the marketing options based on the response data for each participant. A relative preference order for each participant for the marketing options may be determined from the generated approach entropy values. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018898 | Method or apparatus for purchasing one or more media based on a recommendation - Music is often embedded in or otherwise coupled to videos including television shows, movies, commercials, and user-generated video viewed on television, DVDs, movie theaters, or via computer networks. Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatus enabling user selection and/or purchase of copies of the embedded music. The present invention allows a user to immediately purchase and obtain (e.g., by wireless transmission) complete versions of music associated with a video as well as other music by the artist or other artists. During presentation (play) of the video, a user can request information about the background music or related products through an interactive interface, which includes an indicator that alerts the user to subject media available for review and/or purchase. A method and apparatus for coupling audio data with identifier tags in cooperation with the interactive interface is also disclosed, as is a control system for effecting operation of the interactive interface. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018899 | User collaboration system and server - There is provided a facile sound communication tool that can quickly communicate with a necessary partner when needed. The real-time contexts of users are detected from sensors that are worn by the users, and diverse sensors that are located around the respective users to obtain data. The data is transmitted to a server. A context analyzer of a processor in the server determines the busyness of the respective users on the basis of the data, and a collaboration controller controls a communication between the respective users on the basis of the busyness. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018900 | PARKING FACILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM - A parking access control system and a method of its operation in association with a parking facility. A customer operates a call box to initiate a communications session with an attendant control device operated by an attendant. In particular, the customer requests the attendant to control an exit gate so as to enable the customer to exit the parking facility with a vehicle. In response, the attendant may input into the attendant control device one of several available predetermined override conditions, which will be logged as an override transaction entry in a database in memory. After the override condition is entered, then the exit gate will operate so as to enable the customer to exit the parking facility. The override transaction entry further may also include an identification of the attendant. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018901 | INFORMATION OUTPUT NETWORK SYSTEM - An information output network system includes: a route information storage unit that stores plural departure-and-arrival points in public transportation, and information on traveling routes in public transportation regarding the respective plural departure-and-arrival points; an input reception unit, provided in one of the departure-and-arrival points stored in the route information storage unit, that receives an input to specify at least one of the departure-and-arrival points stored in the route information storage unit; a search unit that searches for information on a traveling route from the departure-and-arrival point where the input reception unit is provided to the departure-and-arrival point received by the input reception unit, from the information stored in the route information storage unit; and a search result output unit that outputs the result of search by a search unit. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018902 | COMMUTER CREDITS SYSTEM AND METHOD - Disclosed are systems and methods for implementing a Commuter Credit Program that allows commuters and non-commuters to generate credits that may be redeemed as cash on tollway system or for other benefits. Exemplary systems and methods identify participants or a proxy account ID at various locations on the transportation system or at other prescribed locations to qualify the participant and issue commuter credit. Similarly, exemplary systems and methods positively identify participants at various locations in the transportation system such that the credits can be used in lieu of paying cash on the tollway or at other prescribed locations to receive alternative benefits. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018903 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TARGETED EVENT NETWORKING - A method and apparatus that eliminates blind networking and allows targeted networking amongst event attendees, both for personal as well as professional reasons, while also making events ubiquitously available anytime anywhere beyond the physical limitations of time and space, such that anyone anywhere in the world can not only attend the event from the comfort of his office desk or home but also network with the other event attendees without physically attending the event is disclosed. Event hosts can be any non-profit/for-profit organization or entity hosting events of any nature in any realm. Another embodiment of the invention provides enhanced, multiple levels of profile content privacy that give complete freedom, control, and flexibility to the users to express themselves fearlessly by controlling the specific chosen contents in their profiles for input, storage, analysis, retrieval, and/or display to specific chosen authorized users or groups. Another embodiment of the invention provides integration in a chat/instant messaging to allow a user to set up an online meeting with one or more participants in the chat and/or that allows a user to find a meeting place where one or more participants can decide to meet in person locally or globally in various parts of the world. Another embodiment of the invention is related to sales and revenue generation, particularly for e-commerce/e-services companies whose products or services, which include but not limited to, yellow page, directory, or business information databases by area, reach large numbers of users directly. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018904 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXTUAL ADVERTISING AND MERCHANDIZING BASED ON USER CONFIGURABLE PREFERENCES - A computer-implemented system and method for contextual advertising and merchandising based on user configurable preferences is disclosed. The system in an example embodiment includes an advertising (ad) preferences service to obtain user preference information related to advertising, enable user configuration of the user preference information related to advertising, and modify the presentation of advertising to the user based upon the user configured preference information. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018905 | Power Puzzler - The current challenge in advertising is for internet advertisers and newspapers to get customers from the opposite media venue to use their product. Power Puzzler can draw newspaper readers to the internet, and also draw internet surfers to the newspaper. This unique usage of a standard crossword puzzle also has a unique capability that no other advertiser has been able to invent to date. It can advertise multiple businesses in one ad, while other advertisements are limited to one business at a time. The challenging puzzle draws the newspaper consumer to the Power Puzzler website for the solution to the puzzle. There, businesses gain additional exposure because each reference to the advertiser's business (slogan, logo, or company name) is a hyperlink to that advertiser's own website. Consumers are challenged by each puzzle to recall the advertisers' logo or slogan, and this achieves the goal of the puzzle—brand recognition. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018906 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING SALES - Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for conducting sales. The method embodiment comprises receiving an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item, identifying one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry, identifying comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data, presenting one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group comprising one discount item and the respective comparable items, and furthering the sales process based on user input responding to the presented one or more comparable groups. Also disclosed is a method further comprising receiving a request from the user for multiple sub-items associated with the item, and engaging in a dialog with the user to enable payment for each of the multiple sub-items with one of a multiple payment types. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018907 | MANAGING IMPRESSION DEFAULTS - There are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for receiving an ad call from a client computing system, determining whether an instance of the ad call was previously-received, and if so, designating a first ad creative supplier associated with the previous instance of the ad call as ineligible to participate in an auction in which a second ad creative supplier is selected to serve an ad creative responsive to the ad call. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018908 | ELECTRONIC COUPON DEVICE - A paperless online system is provided consisting of issuance of a PVC magnetic stripe Coupon Card to retail customers (cardholders) upon registration and Electronic Coupons, linked to a Coupon Card by cardholders via networks of personal computers or other devices. Each Electronic Coupon is descriptive data supplied by product Manufacturer or Service Provider, electronically stored in a Central Database, and is formatted to be displayed online for browsing and selection. Coupon data specifically describes instructions and discount amounts pertaining to the Electronic Coupon, UPC codes to which it applies, effective and expiration dates, as well as the number of Electronic Coupon instances to be issued in total and to each individual customer. Each Electronic Coupon can be linked to a card of any cardholder interested in receiving the discount designated by the Electronic Coupon. Electronic Coupon does not contain a barcode and does not need to be printed out in order to be redeemed. Retail Merchant's Point of Sale method is provided for Electronic Coupon redemption. It entails handling the transaction initiated with the Coupon Card as a type of payment, in order to provide appropriate discounts to cardholder. Multiple products or services can be discounted per each card swipe, corresponding to the Electronic Coupons linked to that card. The backend central processing method and system is provided, including the following: importing Electronic Coupon data into the Central Database, Coupon Card transaction receiving, processing and returning the result to Merchant's Point of Sale terminal, Manufacturer or Service Provider settlement and billing process, retail Merchant settlement and funding process. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018909 | Optional progressive price reduction system using sponsorship subsidization. - An optional progressive price reduction system using sponsorship subsidization which allows content owners to provide multiple purchasing options for consumers. The purchasing options provided by this system offers an incentive for consumers to obtain expensive internet based content delivered through a facilitator. At the point of sale of a product, consumers can choose a payment option comprising a prepaid sponsorship model which reduces the retail price according to the consumer's preference or pay the full retail price for consumers who wish to avoid advertising. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018910 | Virtual world interconnection technique - A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A virtual world patron can participate in various virtual world activities and transactions. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The virtual world patron may be a possible recipient of a real-world consequence or benefit based on a virtual world occurrence. In some instances confirmation of an awarded real-world benefit may be provided via a communication interconnection. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018911 | Systems and methods of providing advertising content - A system for providing advertising content includes a public display; a database configured to store the advertising content; and a central processing element configured to dynamically interact with participants in an activity and present the advertising content in connection with information about the activity on the public display. A method of providing advertising content includes conducting an activity involving participants; receiving input regarding the participants engaged in the activity; and displaying advertising content from a database concurrently with information regarding the activity. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018912 | Systems and Methods to Provide Communication Connections via Partners - Methods and apparatuses to provide user interfaces dynamically customized according to partners through which the user interfaces are accessed in a customer acquisition process. One embodiment includes providing to a plurality of entities a platform, configured to assign references for embedding in listings for presentation and configured to connect people for real time communications according to the references embedded in the listings, the references to be used to request the platform to provide the connections; responsive to a request received via a first entity of the plurality of entities, presenting a user interface of the platform in a first format to identify the first entity; and responsive to a request received via a second entity of the plurality of entities, presenting the user interface of the platform in a second format to identify the second entity. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018913 | SYSTEM FOR SERVING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS OVER MOBILE MESSAGING SERVICES - A system is described for serving targeted advertisements over mobile messaging services. The system may include a processor, a memory and an interface. The memory may store a content related to a mobile alert service and an advertisement. The content may be provided to a user when an alert condition is met. The interface may be operatively connected to the memory and may communicate with the user. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and the interface. The processor may receive a request from the user, via the interface, to subscribe to the mobile alert service. The processor may detect when the alert condition is met and generate a mobile message containing the content. The processor may retrieve an advertisement related to the content and may attach the advertisement to the mobile message. The processor may provide the mobile message to the user via the interface. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018914 | REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM - A remote monitoring system, for use in applications such as a vending machine, is disclosed. The remote monitoring system provides a user with a first code. The user transmits the first code to the entity that services the vending machine (or other installation). The first code not only provides the user with the opportunity to win a prize but also provides information about the status of the vending machine. The user then receives a second code that the user may enter into the machine to determine whether the user has won a prize but also to change the operation of the vending machine. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018915 | Systems and Methods Related to Delivering Targeted Advertising to Consumers - In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for delivering targeted advertising to users. A digital ad targeting system is adapted to operate with respect to expressly provided profiles of and relating to consumers. The expressly provided profiles may include psychographic information of and relating to consumers. The system may include an application, a database, and/or an interface. Related methods are disclosed. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018916 | MERCHANT REWARDS METHODS, SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTS THEREBY - A method, system and products thereby for enhanced customer loyalty program with improved access to restaurant information. The system having a server configured to perform operations including storing restaurant data of a participating restaurant in a database and retrieving the restaurant data in response to a search engine command. The server may be further configured to receive electronic notification from the participating restaurant of a qualified purchase transaction associated with a customer account in a customer rewards program. Additionally, the server may be further configured to transfer an award associated with the qualified purchase transaction to the customer account, and process a customer's directive for redeeming the award for use at the participating restaurant. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018917 | PLATFORM FOR ADVERTISEMENT REFERRALS FOR AUTHORS OF VIDEO CONTENT - Advertisements are combined with content, such as videos, in accordance with criteria provided by advertisers and content owners. Advertisers upload advertisement(s) for publication with content. Content owners upload content and select advertisers and/or advertisement(s) for sponsorship consideration. Advertisers review the content and decide whether or not to approve the advertisement/content combination. In one embodiment, a fast track pre-approval process may be used by advertisers for selected content owners. Upon approval, advertisement(s) are combined with the content and the combined content is made available for publication to an online audience. A portion of the revenue generated by the publication of the combined content is provided to the content owner. In addition, the size of the portion of revenue may be based on a sponsorship level, or the type of advertisement(s) combined with the content. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018918 | Influence-based Social Network Advertising - A system and method of advertising in computer-implemented social networks is disclosed. The influence level of members of the social network and explicit and inferred relationships among members are determined. Advertisements are delivered in association with content objects representing one or more members of the social network, where the content objects may include member profiles, as well as other content that is associated with the member. Selection of the advertisements may be based on inferences of member interests derived from system usage behaviors, as well as explicit indicators of members' interests and preferences. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018919 | System and Method for Tracking and Establishing a Progressive Discount Based Upon a Customer's Visits to a Retail Establishment - Methods, computer readable media and apparatus are disclosed for determining and applying a discount for a customer. In some embodiments, the process includes receiving transaction data that represents a current transaction, receiving a customer identifier of a customer, determining a current transaction time and a last transaction time, determining that a duration between the last transaction time and the current transaction time equals or exceeds a predetermined time period, and determining that the current transaction is a first instance of the customer equaling or exceeding the predetermined time period. Since it was the first time the customer equaled or exceeded the predetermined time period, a discount is applied to the current transaction. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018920 | Interaction Prompt for Interactive Advertising - Systems and methods for dynamically sizing, structuring and operating advertisements that include a variety of content, including interaction prompts and other elements, which enable an engagement-based revenue generation model. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises storing advertising content, serving an XML file from an advertising server to an advertisement manager in order to control a player on a user computer, dynamically generating the advertisement through the player based on directions from the advertisement manager and the stored content, and tracking and reporting a user's engagement with the advertisement in order to determine compensation for the publisher. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018921 | Taste sampling process and product - A method for marketing a target product having a flavor to a consumer. A consumable film that is distinct from the target product is provided to the consumer using at least one of the following channels: a print advertisement of the target product, a direct mail advertisement of the target product, a print media insert advertising the target product, a dispenser located at a point-of-purchase of the consumer, a display located at the point-of-purchase of the consumer, a coupon for the target product, a channel for test marketing the target product, an advertisement of the target product contained within a package that includes a product different from the product, or an advertisement of the target product attached to the exterior of a package that contains a different product. The consumable film contains at least one water soluble polymer. The consumable film adheres and dissolves in the mouth of the consumer and thereby renders a likeness of the flavor of the target product to the consumer. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018922 | System and method for preemptive brand affinity content distribution - An endorsed advertising engine, system and method, which includes at least one vault having media assets, a recommendation engine that matches the media assets from the vault with at least one requested creative, and a delivery engine that integrates the requested creative with the matched media assets from the vault. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018923 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOMMENDING A PAYMENT METHOD IN A TRANSACTION - The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer-implemented methods apparatus, and computer program product for recommending a payment method in a transaction. The process generates a user profile based on user information. The process receives data regarding incentives available for using a set of payment methods to form incentive policy data. The process identifies a set of parameters associated with the transaction. The process generates a set of recommended payment methods in the set of payment methods using the user profiles the incentive policy data, and the set of parameters to form a recommendation. The set of recommended payment methods are recommended to complete the transaction. The process provides the recommendation to a user. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018924 | MOBILE WIRELESS FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FOR AUTOMATICALLY SELECTING A PAYMENT INSTRUMENT - The specification and drawing figures describe and illustrate a point-of-sale payment system. The point-of-sale payment system includes a mobile wireless communications instrument having at least one data processor. The data processor is capable of automatically selecting a payment instrument for transmitting a payment sum across a mobile wireless communications network and, if necessary, a credit network. The point-of-sale payment system may also include a data transmission subsystem for receipt, storage, processing, and transmittal of data across the wireless communications network and/or the data transmission subsystem. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018925 | Holiday commerce and holiday expressions in a geo-spatial environment - A method and system of holiday commerce and holiday expressions in a geo-spatial environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of organizing a community network includes obtaining member data associated with a member of the community network, determining a location of the member based on the member data, storing the member data in a member repository, obtaining a selection of an occasion from the member, displaying decoration options associated with the occasion to the member, obtaining a purchase selection of decoration options from the member, and displaying a decoration representation associated with the decoration options at the location on the geo-spatial map. The method may further include obtaining a residence representation associated with the member, and displaying the residence representation at the location on the geo-spatial map. The method may also include delivering a decoration associated with the decoration options to the member. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018926 | Web-based virtual clothing coordinator including personal mannequin with customer-directed measurements, image modification and clothing - A web-based clothing coordinator interacts with a customer through a computer network. Precision measurements taken from a body of a subject are compared with corresponding measurements taken from clothing offered for sale, and an exactness-of-fit is determined and communicated to the customer | 2009-01-15 |
20090018927 | SYSTEM FOR SHOPPING IN A STORE - A system for shopping in a store is provided that includes a multi-network for communications in a store, a shopping cart that weighs items placed therein and then transmits that weight information through the multi-network, and a wireless end device that may be handheld and/or releasably attached to the shopping cart whereby a shopper uses the wireless end device to send and receive information to the store though the multi-network. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018928 | Lead Marketplace System and Method with Ping Campaigns - A lead marketplace system and method are provided. The lead marketplace system and method provides an auction for leads. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018929 | Virtual Group Shopping Mall - As a movie/television show, etc. is being watched, a viewer is able to purchase items viewed during a presentation. A viewer may stop the presentation either to purchase merchandise or services or alternatively, save items for later in a “virtual group shopping mall.” A voice or written message may be added to allow more content to be placed with each saved item. A group may be identified and given access to the virtual shopping mall. This enables members of the group, such as friends, to see shopping preferences of others in a group. Further, shopping lists may be generated for group members based upon items placed in the virtual mall, thereby enabling a list of “must haves” for the group. Purchases may be made using M-commerce or a potential purchaser may be directed to a store having a product or service desired for purchase. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018930 | Website Enabling Selection of Camps / Activities from a Plurality of Providers - A camp registration website and method for enabling a user to select camps offered by a plurality of providers. The camp registration website allows a user to search for, gather information regarding, and register for camps offered by a plurality of different providers. The camp registration web server may provide a master application to the user that is useable to apply for the various selected camps. The website may also maintain personalized information for a respective user, such as a personalized calendar for a respective user that stores date information regarding the camps selected by the user as well as local current events of interest. The web server may provide calendar information over the network to the user's client computer system to synchronize with a calendar program, such as Microsoft Outlook, Palm, etc., executing on a user device. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018931 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A BUSINESS TRANSACTION INITIATION PROTOCOL - A system and method are disclosed for engaging two or more parties in a buyer-initiated transaction interaction where the asset that is the subject is not available for sale or the requesting party is unaware that the asset is available for sale or use. The requesting party identifies the asset is the subject of the transaction and contacts an intermediary. The intermediary initiates the transaction interaction with the owner of the asset by presenting the owner with a premium. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018932 | System and method for idea sharing - An idea sharing community, particularly for marketing and branding, includes a database and an interface. The interface allows idea providers to upload creative idea proposals to the database. Idea users can search for idea proposals and purchase the idea proposals. The idea sharing community may include a brand interaction system in which brands may be presented with online discussion boards etc that allow users to upload creative ideas in respect of the brand. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018933 | Method and apparatus for dealer connectivity - An adaptable application is installed throughout a distribution network for directly accessing a variety of different databases utilized by different business systems. The direct access application periodically queries the database with which it is associated. In response to the query, sales and inventory data is read from the dealer business computer system by a data access services module. The information retrieved from the query is placed in a transmission queue. A data mapping module transforms the data into the manufacturer's standard transaction format, and presents the transformed data to a communications module. The information is then transmitted to the manufacturer or other upstream distribution channel entity. The information forwarded from each of the dealers is accumulated at the manufacturer's location. Various reports can be run which are useful to the efficient running of the distribution channel. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018934 | System and Method for defense ID theft attack security service system in marketing environment - Each service system with a variety of databases in marketing environment maintains and audits purchasing transaction data to look for ID theft and transmits suspicion events to security service system which is attached to marketing environment. Security service system maintains status data and identifies information including biometric identity, portable device identity, and message to defeat ID-theft attacking. Identifying events is transmitted to service systems for derived information to reflect operation. Services systems include Insures Service Systems, Bank Service Systems, Business Service Systems, and Portable Devices under Security Service Systems monitoring in marketing environment. And also a portable device with a local CPU, memory, I/O interface, wireless network and a host interface provides user for purchasing transaction with merchant. A portable device retains pertinent purchasing transaction data and establishes personal account in memory to aid person analyzes with the collected data and identify potential ID theft attacks in the marketing environment. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018935 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT - Summarizing, the present invention relates to a computerized method for processing and displaying data of a business unit comprising the steps:
| 2009-01-15 |
20090018936 | FROM INDIRECT FINANCE TO DIRECT FINANCE DEBT-CLEARING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A from-IDF-to-DF debt-clearing system and method is disclosed. Internet technology is used to construct a direct-finance fund trading platform, whereby a debtor can raise a fund to clear his debts, especially the debts of credit cards and fiduciary loans. After receiving an application of a debtor, the direct-finance fund trading platform analyzes the credit condition and debt-clearing requirement of the debtor and then assigns a bridge loan to the debtor. After delivering the bridge loan, the platform enters into a fund-trading module to bid for the debtor and clears the bridge loan with the obtained fund, and the debtor pays a contribution amount to the platform periodically. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018937 | Apparatus and method for providing transaction history information, account history information, and/or charge-back information - An apparatus and method for providing transaction history information, account history information, or charge-back information, including a memory device for storing at least one of transaction history information, account history information, charge-back information, stopping of payment information, non-payment due to insufficient funds information, and account information, for at least one account, a processor for processing information regarding a transaction on an account in conjunction with the information stored in the memory device, wherein the processor generates an information report containing at least one account history information, account payment information, account non-payment information, charge-back information, stopping of payment information, and non-payment due to insufficient funds information, and a transmitter for transmitting the information report to a communication device associated with at least one of a merchant, a vendor, and a provider. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018938 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTIVE BILL ENTRY - A system and methods for the processing of documents generated in shipping transactions using predictive data entry is disclosed. The system utilizes a Predicted Bill Entry engine and database to shift from a bill entry process to a bill review process by predicting the shipment characteristics between common sender and receiver pairs. Shipping information collected at the time of pickup or quote is converted into a temporary shipment record. The engine then compares the temporary shipment record with the predictive bill entry database. If a match is found, the user will be presented with a predictive record for bill review. Alternatively, the user can use the Predicted Bill Entry engine by entering the certain shipping information. The Predicted Bill Entry engine searches for a match in the Predicted Bill Entry database. If a match is found, the user is presented with a predictive record for bill review. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018939 | AUTOMATED FLOAT PRICING FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY DISTRIBUTED DEPOSITS AND ACCOUNTS - An automated system can be provided for continuously and accurately assigning float to deposit credits within a financial institution. A normalized market segment is continuously assigned to each account by extracting information from a plurality of disparate demand deposit account systems. Deposit credits are gathered from disparate known capture sites and the normalized market segment is assigned to a deposit credit for a corresponding account. A float assignment can then be made for a deposit credit so that the float reflects both a deposit location and current domestic information for the corresponding account. A system for implementing the invention can include a float system connected to a transaction exchange system. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018940 | Enhanced Fraud Detection With Terminal Transaction-Sequence Processing - A computer-implemented fraud detection system and method are disclosed. A method includes monitoring past customer account transactions conducted with a selected one or more transaction devices, and generating a predictive model that combines customer account transaction profiles with transaction device profiles related to the one or more transaction devices, and storing a representation of the predictive model in a storage. A system for detecting fraud in financial transaction includes a fraud detection computer that receives, through a communications network, customer account transaction data obtained by a monitoring device of a transaction device according to one or more transaction device variables of a transaction device profile. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018941 | EQUITY HOLDER LAND TRUST BUSINESS METHOD - A method for transferring real property ownership includes locating real property having an identified owner. A non exclusive purchase option is prepared to acquire interest in a land trust associated with the real property when predetermined conditions are satisfied. An offer is presented to the owner including an agreement for an investor to assume responsibility for the real property, and the purchase option for the real property in exchange for the owner establishing a revocable inter-vivos land trust associated with the real property and naming the investor as a remainder agent and co-beneficiary to the trust. A qualified independent 3 | 2009-01-15 |
20090018942 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE AUCTION - A computer-implemented method of conducting an online auction includes the steps of receiving listing information from a seller for creating a listing for a product offered for sale by the seller, enabling the seller to select a chance-based incentive to encourage bidders to bid on the product, storing the listing information in a computer searchable database, the listing information identifying those listings having associated chance-based incentives, receiving one or more search requests including search criteria from one or more bidders, searching a database for products matching the search criteria, transmitting information for those products matching the search criteria such that a list of those products matching the criteria can be displayed to one or more bidders and identifying those products having a chance-based incentive, receiving one or more bids for the product from one or more bidders and identifying a successful bid for the product and the successful bidder placing the successful bid and determining whether the successful bidder is the winner of the chance-based incentive. | 2009-01-15 |
20090018943 | web based technology system and method for the marketing of online quotations and offers to consumers and businesses looking to acquire products or services, where a consumer or business is able to register his requirements once and publish them anonymously to any product or service provider, regardless of whether they have a website, who may wish to provide a quotation for providing that product or service. - The quotes2me service uses the concept of “e-wallets” to flip the existing processes that a consumer or business goes through to acquire a product or service, instead of using several channels such as physical stores, call centres, directories, search engines or price comparison sites to source and negotiate the best deal for a product or service the consumer can register his “requirements” into a web based form which is then anonymously published into a Quote Opportunities database. Product or service providers are able to select Quote Opportunities and register their best quotation or offer against them. Consumers compare the offers received and are connected to the Quote Provider that they wish to purchase from. | 2009-01-15 |