33rd week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 52 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090204430 | Apparatus and methods for determining and processing medical outcomes - A data processing system is provided for determining clinical outcomes of medical data gathered by the system. The system can allow a person to define a medical study and can then administer the medical study and can collect and analyze data from potentially geographically diverse doctors, patients and other people associated with a study. Users enter sets of medical information. The system can analyze the medical data according to any number of clinical algorithms that may be custom defined and edited before and during the study. The system conditionally outputs the clinical outcome to the user. The clinical outcome can be used for treatment of patients participating in the study immediately after the data is input and analyzed. The medical outcomes can indicate such things as performance comparisons, composite outcomes, and risk stratification and assessments for such things as treatments, drugs, illnesses, doctors, patients and physician groups. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204431 | METHOD AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR PERFORMING CLINICAL TRIAL BUDGET ANALYSIS - An electronic method is provided of analyzing budgets for clinical trials. A clinical trial budget is entered into a processor. The budget includes activities and associated activity costs. The activities are classified into a set of standardized service categories. The processor then electronically allocates the associated activity costs with the respective standardized service category so that budget costs can be objectively analyzed. The budget further includes assumption specifications. The processor further calculates per unit costs of the assumption specifications. The activities and the associated activity costs are then equalized against reference assumption specifications using at least the per unit costs via calculations performed in the processor. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204432 | Physicians' Safety Terminal - The Physicians' Safety Terminal, PST, uses a computer download of the physician's desk reference, PDR, or similar data as one source of reference input. The other primary source of data input is the patient's medical profile. The PST automatically calculates the perceived safety of each medication with the risk factor in the patient's profile. On the side of this approximately 3 inch by 3½ inch device is a green, red, and yellow light. If the red light shows the doctor must realize that the medication is strongly counter indicated. Yellow means use caution and green means there are no exceptional warning signs. The PST also gives a graphic read out of the possible side effects of each drug typed into the patient's profile. At the end of the work shift the PST is then plugged into a central computer for any downloads of new data. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204433 | Method for writing medical prescriptions, storing, and accessing patient medical records with improved portability and improved patient data security using a USB dongle device - A method for writing medical prescriptions, answering prescription refill requests, and managing patient medical records using a portable USB dongle device that contains patient records and software for writing prescriptions, answering prescription refill requests, and accessing and updating the patient records all in a secure manner. The portable USB dongle device connects to a local terminal. The local terminal connects to a server. The server controls access to and improves security for the portable USB dongle device. The portable USB dongle device containing the patient records and software is easily removed and transported to other local terminals. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204434 | Healthcare Tracking - A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining location-time data automatically generated by a mobile electronic device associated with a healthcare provider, correlating the location-time data with a location of a healthcare patient, and using the location-time data to bill for care of the healthcare patient by the healthcare provider. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204435 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATING MEDICAL IMAGING DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE DELIVERY - A system and method of automatically assigning diagnostic imaging centers, uploading diagnostic data, selecting and routing data to electronically connected reviewing physicians, on-line report generation and automatic billing is presented. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204436 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS - A system and method for improving medical care through tracking reported findings or diagnoses of patient medical conditions and feeding back actual medical conditions and patient medical condition outcomes to determine accuracy of the reported findings. By feeding back the actual medical conditions and patient medical condition outcomes, a quantitative measure of each reported finding of each medical professional can be determined. One medical professional expertise in which the feedback system can be particularly useful is with medical image reading professionals, as this medical professional expertise provides a basis for other medical professionals to determine treatment and/or additional testing options. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204437 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING DIAGNOSES OF MEDICAL IMAGE READING - A system and method for improving diagnoses of patients may include accessing diagnostic information, prepared by a treating physician, of a medical condition of a patient from a third-party collector of the diagnostic information. Medical images associated with the medical condition of the patient may be accessed. At least a portion of the diagnostic information and the medical images may be communicated to a medical image reading professional to read and further diagnose the medical condition of the patient. In one embodiment, the diagnostic information includes a diagnostic question. By providing the diagnostic information to the medical image reading professional, the medical image reading professional may have additional knowledge of the medical condition of the patient and, therefore, diagnosis by the medical image reading professional may be improved. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204438 | Client Encounter Electronic Data Research Record Systems and Methods - A client encounter electronic research record system, method, and computer product includes pre-populated, research specific templates, selective, specialty-specific master databases, qualitative and quantitative specific databases and templates to achieve comprehensive, accurate and compliant research/efficacy documentation that captures client data concurrently with the client encounter session. The system is enabled for web distributed computing environment including graphical user interfaces, and text, digital image and tablet computer input. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204439 | Apparatus and method for managing electronic medical records embedded with decision support tools - An apparatus and a method are provided for managing health care information. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive health care data from information sources, and a processor configured to assign pre-specified content and context to each datum of the received health care data to structure the received health care data. The apparatus further includes a transmitter configured to transmit the structured health care data to a data repository. The processor is configured to embed a decision support tool into an electronic medical record. The decision support tool includes the structured health care data stored in the data repository. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204440 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING, ORGANIZING, AND PRESENTING RESEARCH-ORIENTED MEDICAL INFORMATION - A method and computer program manages medical research study information and laboratory test result information. The program generates an interactive user interface with elements for setting up a study ( | 2009-08-13 |
20090204441 | System and method for administering dynamic security benefits and payments - Disclosed is a novel security benefits product that provides customizable benefits to the purchaser for a variety of different triggering conditions. The product of the present invention may be sold to an individual or a group. The product contains a feature that allows a purchaser to modify and/or vary his or her coverage related to one or more serious health events, such as disability, accident, illness, or death. Additionally, a conversion feature is provided, which allows the insured individual who purchased the product through a third party to maintain the product of the present invention even after the individual is no longer affiliated with the third party. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204442 | METHOD OF VALUATION OF LIFE SETTLEMENTS AND OPTIMIZING PREMIUM FINANCING - The present invention proposes to integrate mortality table analysis and the future premium burden thereby creating a unit net asset value (“Unit NAV”) for investors holding a unit in the fund. A major component of Unit NAV in a viatical and life settlement transaction is the amount of expected premium burden yet to be paid during the anticipated lifetime of the insured. The future premium burden is in essence the “measure of risk” associated with the policy. As time passes, the predictability of paying future premiums is related to the cumulative mortality curve to a point in time. By determining the remaining cumulative mortality curve, the probability of having to pay the future premiums can be determined, and, incorporating these two elements into the valuation model, the anticipated “incremental value” at any point in time can be calculated. A determination can be made as to whether to use internal or external premium financing. Another point of novelty is that the proposed method simultaneously satisfies two different requirements of valuation adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204443 | INTEGRATED ROOF WIND RISK MITIGATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method for mitigating risk in issuing wind only roof insurance comprising: receiving a request for the wind only roof insurance; determining if a roofing system complies with a predetermined set of parameters; and issuing the wind only roof insurance | 2009-08-13 |
20090204444 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING RISK IN ISSUING WIND ONLY INSURANCE - A method for mitigating risk in issuing wind only insurance comprising: submitting a request for the wind only insurance; determining if a building complies with a predetermined set of parameters; if a compliant material was used in constructing the building, authorizing the request for wind only insurance; and issuing the wind only insurance. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204445 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES CONTRACTING WITH AND PAYING MEDICAL IMAGE READING PROFESSIONALS IN A NETWORK - A system and method for insurance companies contracting with and paying medical image reading professionals in a medical image reading professionals network. The network may be independent of a medical facility and be arranged to have each of the medical image reading professionals may be an expert in reading medical images of particular anatomical regions. The insurance companies may have lower overall costs by contracting with the medical image reading professionals who are experts in reading medical images of anatomical regions, modalities, and medical conditions as misdiagnoses are reduced due to proficiency of the medical image reading professionals. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204446 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VALUATION OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES - Computer systems and a computer-implemented method for valuing a life insurance policy in which a policy valuation program stored on a computer readable medium includes a data collection module and a life expectancy adjustment module, and a policy valuation module. In operation, according to one embodiment, the policy valuation computer program is operative to receive information related to a life insurance policy, initiate the data collection module programmed to communicate with one or more remote data repositories to search for and retrieve data related to mortality indicators for the insured, initiate the life expectancy adjustment module programmed to correlate the retrieved mortality indicators against mortality information to calculate an expected change in life expectancy based on the change in mortality, and calculate a value for the life insurance policy based on the expected change in life expectancy using the policy valuation module. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204447 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING RISK IN ISSUING INSURANCE - A method for mitigating risk in issuing insurance comprising: submitting a request for the insurance; determining if a method, material, system or item complies with a predetermined set of parameters; and issuing the insurance, wherein the predetermined set of parameters is selected from the group consisting of: the installation of a foam insulation, ballistic resistance (e.g., adhesion products, Spectra products, and resins), cut resistance, energy management, alert sensors (e.g., smoke detectors, fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors), process control, weather resistance, water resistance, mold resistance, loss of business, loss of property, loss to the environment, avionics, injury to persons, and security (e.g., document and personal security, money, anti counterfeiting). | 2009-08-13 |
20090204448 | BENEFIT MANAGEMENT - Methods, devices and systems are provided for benefit management. One system includes a server including an application interface and access to a data store having one or more client files. A client file can include a definable set of business rules for managing and administering benefits and can include fund use rules for accessing and applying funds to claims from one or more accounts. The system includes a program operable on the server to apply the definable set of business rules in connection with processing a claim. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204449 | Assigning and Managing Patron Reservations for Distributed Services Using Wireless Personal Communication Devices - A system and method for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions receive reservation requests at personal communication devices (PCDs). Reservation requests are transmitted to a computer associated with the selected attraction, which determines a proposed reservation time based on information describing the attraction, the patron, previously-made reservations maintained in a virtual queue, and the current state of a physical queue associated with the attraction. Proposed reservation time is transmitted to the PCD for confirmation or rejection by the patron. Confirmed reservations are entered in the virtual queue. Patrons are alerted by the PCD when their reservation time is approaching. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AND RESERVING TIME SLOTS FOR AN APPOINTMENT - The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting and reserving time slots for an appointment. The system or method transmits information relating to a plurality of available individual time slots for an appointment to an application running on a general purpose computer on the wide area network for display to the end user. The system or method also provides a graphical user interface that includes an interactive map showing information relating to the available time slots for the appointment. Through the interactive seating map the end user can select one or more available time slots. The interactive seating map may provide additional information on the one or more of available individual time slots when triggered by, for example, a mouse placed over one of the available individual time slots. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204451 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AND RESERVING ROOMS AT A VENUE - The present invention relates to a system and method for selecting and reserving rooms at a venue. The system or method transmits information relating to a plurality of available individual rooms at a venue to an application running on a general purpose computer on the wide area network for display to the end user. The system or method also provides a graphical user interface that includes an interactive map showing information relating to the available rooms at the venue. Through the interactive seating map the end user can select one or more available rooms. The interactive seating map may provide additional information on the one or more of available individual rooms when triggered by, for example, a mouse placed over one of the available individual rooms. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204452 | MANAGING A MULTI-SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENT - The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for managing multi-supplier environment. In some implementations, a method includes identifying a supplier model configured to identify information for executing different aspects of the transaction associated with different enterprise departments and a primary supplier from a plurality of selectable third-party suppliers in response to at least a request for a enterprise transaction. The model is configured to identify methodologies for executing the different aspects of a transaction. A plurality of requests for the different enterprise departments and the primary supplier are generated based, at least in part, on the supplier model and the transaction request. Each of the different enterprise departments and the primary supplier are associated with at least one of the plurality of requests. Each of the plurality of requests are automatically transmitted to at least one of the associated enterprise departments or the primary supplier in accordance with the supplier model. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204453 | AIRCRAFT FLIGHT PLAN OPTIMIZATION FOR MINIMIZING EMISSIONS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for performing flight planning to reduce an effect of emissions. A method is present for performing flight planning. A set of emissions data is identified for an aircraft for a plurality of route segments in a route as a function of parameters for the aircraft including the route, a weight, an altitude, and engine data. A flight plan is generated for the aircraft based on a total of each type of emission in the set of emissions data from the plurality of route segments. A portion of the parameters for the aircraft is modified to reduce the effect of the emissions and meet a set of objects for the flight plan until the flight plan meets an objective. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204454 | ONLINE HOSTED CUSTOMISABLE MERCHANT DIRECTORY WITH SEARCH FUNCTION | 2009-08-13 |
20090204455 | Methods for directly connecting people/jobs within a business for establishing performance-based compensation - Systems and methods for providing an automated system for directly connecting people, jobs, and/or departments within a business with business operational elements for establishing performance-based compensation to align compensation with activities that improve business efficiencies and profitability, including identifying areas of a business for implementing changes in processes, human resources, metrics, and systems, wherein the identification is provided based upon generating a visual representation of a business based on the energy and information systems of the business, and by making those changes to improve the operating efficiency of the business. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204456 | Methods for identifying areas for business change and prioritization based upon impact using diagrammatic representations of business systems - Systems and methods for providing an automated system for identifying areas of a business for implementing changes in processes, human resources, metrics, and systems, wherein the identification is provided based upon generating a visual representation of a business based on the energy and information systems of the business, and by making those changes to improve the operating efficiency of the business. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204457 | System and method for authenticating a user of multiple computer applications, networks or devices using a wireless device - An automated system and method for authenticating entities or individuals engaging in automated or electronic transactions or activities such as financial transactions, accessing computer applications, computer software, data networks or other automated or electronic devices requiring identity verification is provided. A unique Personal Identity Value is computed and stored in an Identity Register for the entity or individual and may be used for a variety of applications including recognizing incidents of identity theft. This Personal Identity Value is based on one or more computer logic resources that incorporate the relationship among a variety of identification information elements and parameters associated with the entity or individual, such as the entity's or individual's wireless device location, the entity's or individual's home location, other associated locations, automated activities engaged in and applications accessed. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204458 | Life Cycle Management System for Intelligent Electronic Devices - This invention relates to the Life Cycle Management System for distributed Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) starting from the design phase to the end of service phase. Hence, it caters to the needs from installation via engineering, installation/commissioning phases, until asset management and remote service support of the devices during the operational phase The increasing decentralization of the involved components via networks, especially via the Internet, is a key criterion and needs to be addressed by the life cycle management. The added value for the customer grows disproportionately with the degree of integration of multiple independent software components into a complex and often highly distributed control system. The architecture of today's control systems must be sufficiently flexible to allow customers to regard their plant components from various locations. Additionally, the stability, security and maintainability of such a system is strongly dependent on the homogeneity and interoperability of all involved components. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204459 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRIORITIZING OPPORTUNITY BASED CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS - A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204460 | Method and System For Workforce Optimization - A method, system and computer program product for workforce optimization in a service oriented industry, the method comprising planning and executing a business scheme which include providing as input business planning parameters relevant to the business scheme; developing a business plan to execute the business scheme based on the business planning parameters; identifying and allocating relevant resources for executing the business plan; intimating the identified resources with the plan to execute the business scheme. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204461 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WORKFORCE OPTIMIZATION - A system for workforce optimization in a service oriented industry, the system comprising a workforce optimization unit configured for planning and executing a business scheme which include providing as input business planning parameters relevant to the business scheme; developing a business plan to execute the business scheme based on the business planning parameters; identifying and allocating relevant resources for executing the business plan; intimating the identified resources with the plan to execute the business scheme. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204462 | TRADE SERVICES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system (and corresponding methodology) that supports trade services back office processing to enhance efficiency and productivity is provided. The system employs a unique consolidated screen layout that significantly improves the productivity of the users. Essentially, the system and page layout is composed of the following components: Queue Well, Activity Center, Message Center, Viewing Center and Action Tab. These components facilitate organization of panels that creates an intuitive user interface experience. The system employs a navigational hierarchy of Queue Well to Activity Center and then to the Message and Viewing Centers as appropriate. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204463 | METHOD, TOOL, AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING A PROJECT - A tool for performing project management analysis on a project. Also disclosed are a system and a method of analyzing the project. The tool includes a project manager implemented to receive project data relating to a schedule, a discrete event simulator to create a model of the project using the project data and to perform a simulation with the model, a database, and an interface to promote interaction between the project manager, the discrete event simulator, and the database. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204464 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING TIME PERIODS FOR MEETINGS - A portable electronic device method of determining time periods for a meeting includes receiving an indication of at least two invitees for the meeting, obtaining calendar data for the invitees, determining free time periods for the invitees based on the calendar data, and creating a list of the free time periods for the invitees. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204465 | Process and system for facilitating communication and intergrating communication with the project management activities in a collaborative environment - The computer-enabled system and method is provided to digitally capture communication related to a project and analyze the captured communication to create and manage work items of the project in a collaborative environment. The invention can be used annotate portions of a digitally captured communication that relate to a potential work item for the project, thereby simultaneously generating a work item and initiating a workflow for the work item. The system may further configured to automatically generate tasks to insert into the user's work breakdown structure when the work items are generated. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204466 | TICKET APPROVAL SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF PERFORMING QUALITY CONTROL IN FIELD SERVICE APPLICATIONS - A ticket approval system and method of performing quality control in a field service application. The method includes obtaining a ticket, performing at least one task associated with the ticket, collecting data associated with at least one task, and transmitting the data to a work management server including database and approval applications. Also provided is a method of reviewing the data received by the approval application for quality control purposes. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204467 | System and Method for Accessing Business Process Instances Through Mobile Devices - A BPM system is described for modeling, management and execution of business processes. A process designer component is used to graphically design a business process, which includes a set of activities linked by transitions. The business process is stored and executed using one or more engines. A mobile device can be used to access the business process instance executing on the engine. The mobile work portal can be generated to render information for the process instance onto the mobile device. A process application programming interface can be used to access and manipulate the process instance from the mobile device. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204468 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING WEB-BASED INVITATIONAL MESSAGES - A computerized, web-based system and method allows users, or “members,” to create a system invitation, send a system invitation, update a system invitation, delete a system invitation, and to “pre-set” a system invitation for expiration. Further, the system and method allows members to receive a system invitation, and accept or respond to a system invitation. The system and method also automatically processes system invitations, sorts received system invitations, and deletes system invitations in accordance with the pre-set expiration parameters selected by the member who sends a system invitation. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204469 | Internet Method, Process and System for Publication and Evaluation - A technical method for evaluation, publication and distillation of information, such as scientific articles and other similar work, said method, process and system comprising at least the following technical process steps (1) an interactive online reviewing process of said information before it is published; (2) a publication process of said information if accepted; (3) an evaluation process of said information once published; (4) a distillation process of said published information in a tier filtering system based on said evaluation process. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204470 | Multilevel Assignment of Jobs and Tasks in Online Work Management System - An online work management system provides a marketplace for multiple job owner and workers. The job owners provide a job description that defines task. The job description may be processed to generate task descriptions that may be published for workers' application. The task descriptions specify the qualification or restrictions for workers to have the task assigned. The online work management system also provides various functions supporting coordination and management of task assignment such as determining the trust level of the user's identity, search the tasks or workers, monitoring the progress of job, managing payment to workers, training and testing the workers, evaluating the review by the job owners, and generation of surveys. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204471 | Trust Level Based Task Assignment in an Online Work Management System - An online work management system provides a marketplace for multiple job owner and workers. The job owners provide a job description that defines task. The job description may be processed to generate task descriptions that may be published for workers' application. The task descriptions specify the qualification or restrictions for workers to have the task assigned. The online work management system also provides various functions supporting coordination and management of task assignment such as determining the trust level of the user's identity, search the tasks or workers, monitoring the progress of job, managing payment to workers, training and testing the workers, evaluating the review by the job owners, and generation of surveys. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204472 | Method and System for Managing Customer Relations - A method and system for managing customer relations by collaborating information for a group of various businesses with different or similar interests or that are complementary to one another. The businesses may even be in competition with one another. The system enables leveraging the overall information in a data collecting system, in order to increase profit and improve customer services, with an emphasis or the users' privacy. The system operates by dispensing, redeeming and documenting vouchers and information regarding total sales in real time via mobile communications. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204473 | CUSTOMIZED HEALTH BEVERAGE SYSTEM - A system and method for providing a customized health beverage system based on the preferences of a consumer. The customized health beverage system provides a flavor component list identifying a number of flavor components. The customized health beverage system also provides a health component list identifying a number of health components. The consumer is presented the flavor and health component list. The method includes a step of receiving from the consumer a customized health beverage preference based on the consumer's selection of health and flavor components from the health and flavor component lists. The consumer is provided the selected flavor and health components selected. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204474 | Method And System For Presenting Targeted Advertisements - A system and method may add to a web page a similar-content module which may contain information related to the context of the web page, may look like a portion of the web page, and may lead to a jump page which presents information in the similar-content module in more detail and contains an advertiser's advertisement or a link to an advertiser's web page. If a user is interested in the information in the similar-content module, he may click on the module and be sent to the jump page. Displaying the similar-content module will not cost any advertiser anything. A pay per impression advertiser will not be charged until its advertisement is displayed on the jump page, and a pay per click advertiser will not be charged until its link in the jump page is clicked on. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204475 | Media markup for promotional visual content - A classification method and system for possible content alteration of a media work may include criteria regarding content that is feasible for alteration. Such criteria may be maintained in records that are accessible to an interested party. Some embodiments may include a record of primary authorization rights applicable to a possible content alteration. A further embodiment feature may include a record of secondary authorization rights applicable to substitute altered content incorporated in a derivative version. Various exemplary identifier markup schemes indicative of a location or category of an alterable media content component may be implemented for audio, visual, and audio/video alterable content. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204476 | DETERMINING EFFECTIVENESS OF ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - An identifier associated with a client machine is accessed, and parameters that define a control group of client machines for a particular advertising campaign are accessed. The advertising campaign is associated with one or more standard advertisements. Whether the client machine is a member of the control group based on the identifier associated with the client machine and the parameters that define the control group is determined. If the determination of whether the client machine is a member of the control group indicates that the client machine is a member of the control group, a control advertisement is caused to be presented on the client machine. The control advertisement is an advertisement not associated with the advertising campaign. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204477 | Ink Cartridge Distribution System and Method - The present invention is directed to a method and system of scheduling the delivery of printer cartridges to businesses that minimizes the number of cartridges that a business needs to stock and the likelihood that a printer will not have a compatible cartridge when it runs out of ink or toner. The method comprises conducting a survey of the printers in a business and the consumption of ink cartridges by the printers. The data is used to calculate a schedule for the manufacture or remanufacture, distribution and storage of cartridges for the business. At a scheduled time, a remanufacturer is contacted to remanufacture cartridges that are needed by the business. Optionally, if recyclable cartridges are not available, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is contacted to provide a replacement cartridge. The cartridges may be delivered a distribution center, which then delivers the cartridges to the business, or may be delivered directly to the client. At the time of delivery, consumed cartridges are collected from the business and the survey of equipment and cartridge consumption is updated. Where there is a change in the survey, the new data is used to calculate an updated schedule. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204478 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Measuring Trends in Consumer Content Demand Within Vertically Associated Websites and Related Content - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for identifying and measuring trends in consumer content demand within a vertical network of websites and related content. In one embodiment, a method can include receiving, from a crawler, content from a plurality of webpages in at least one vertical. The method can include receiving, from a processor, data associated with a plurality of selected keywords associated with the at least one vertical, wherein one or more associations between at least a portion of the plurality of selected keywords can be generated. In addition, the method can include receiving, from a processor, session data associated with a plurality of consumers accessing content in webpages in the at least one vertical. Furthermore, the method can include determining third party data associated with the plurality of consumers accessing at least a portion of webpages comprising at least one of the selected keywords. Moreover, the method can include aggregating, based at least in part on the third party data, session data associated with visits to the webpages comprising at least one of the selected keywords. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204479 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AN IN-STORE MEDIA NETWORK USING TRADITIONAL MEDIA METRICS - A system and method for selling advertising may include operating an electronic display network operating in a retail store. The network may include electronic displays interspersed among product displays and arranged to present a shopper with each advertisement among multiple repeating advertisements a predicted number of multiple times as a function of shopper metrics and a configuration of the electronic display network during a shopping trip in the retail store. Airtime may be sold to an advertiser for an advertisement to be displayed on the electronic display network. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204480 | System for Providing Businesses with Intelligence about Lost Sales - A system that makes it possible for a maker, distributor, or vendor of a product to survey those who purchase a competing product, allowing them to determine why they lost that sale. An auction system for determining which questions are posed to a purchaser is also disclosed. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204481 | Discovery and Analytics for Episodic Downloaded Media - Matching advertising information to media content/user combinations in which information and content are delivered to a user over a network is disclosed. Content providers and advertisers may find out about the offerings of one another as well as user profiles and preferences thereby facilitating agreement of ads with content and users. Viral syndication is also facilitated by allowing the user to share downloaded media with friends and associates. Users may bookmark, share, and/or request/find more content with similarities to the downloaded content with various analytics being reported with respect to the same. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204482 | System and method for streamlining social media marketing - A method and system for streamlining social media marketing continuous activities are provided for finding Potential Friends (PFs) on various social media avenues, gathering information about PFs' interests and activities on an going basis, creating attractive presences (APs) on various social media sites, befriending with PFs to turn them in Actual Friends (AFs), conversing with AFs to foster the relationship with them, creating Social Campaigns (SCs) to promote Desired Items (DIs), running SCs with the help of AFs, and measuring results of SCs and overall progress. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204483 | REFERENCE PRICE FRAMEWORK - A method of computer-assisted price modeling is provided, which uses a reference price to assist in evaluating discretionary pricing of transactional services provided (i) by a professional among his own transactions or (ii) by a target professional among others' transactions. A universe of pricing episode data is segmented into groupings based on price predictive parameters. These data are then arranged in each grouping according to price. A reference price is determined within each grouping based on a predetermined level, rank or percentile. This reference price can then be used to evaluate the pricing episode data and provide various calculations or comparisons, including the revenue opportunity that could have been obtained by pricing at the reference price. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204484 | Method of Displaying Targeted Digital Electronic Advertising Using Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates and Associated Demographic Data - This invention describes a system for displaying targeted digital electronic advertising on mobile display systems based upon GPS coordinates and demographic data correlated to those GPS coordinates and current time. The display can “intelligently” download and project relevant and targeted advertising based upon (1) the displays known location, (2) current time, and (3) demographic data of people known to share the display's location at that time. Displayed content can thereby change in a dynamic fashion and with relatively unlimited frequency. Advertising content and demographic data can be stored local to the display device (“onboard”) or obtained in real time using any number of wireless networking technologies as the display moves through space and time. Further, total display times of a given advertisement can be calculated and stored as means to determine advertising fees. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204485 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELLING AND DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS OVER A NETWORK - Systems and methods are provided for selling one or more advertisements and displaying the one or more advertisements a fixed placement for a set duration of time on a web page within an Internet website in combination with displaying advertisements from the same advertiser in contextually relevant locations within the website. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204486 | COMPUTER SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR MANAGING FUNDING OF CATASTROPHE RELIEF EFFORTS - For managing funding of catastrophe relief efforts, defined is a special purpose entity ( | 2009-08-13 |
20090204487 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PARTIAL ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY - A method is disclosed including but not limited to initiating a trick play command having a trick play duration at the end user device during replay of video data an end user device main display; presenting an advertising data item having an advertising duration during execution of the trick play command; and presenting a remaining portion of the advertising data on a picture in picture (PIP) display on the main display after expiration of the trick play duration. A system is provided for executing the method. A data structure is provided in a computer readable medium for containing data used by the system and method. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204488 | DELIVERING ENTERTAINMENT-ENHANCED CONTENT-RELATED ADVERTISEMENT OVER MULTIMEDIA NETWORKS - A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for delivering entertainment-enhanced content-related advertisement over multimedia networks This is done by implementing a dedicated data structure that serves as a vehicle between a mediator server and the users. The dedicated multimedia vehicle is loaded with entertaining content from one database and integrated with the advertising content such that the advertising content in context related to the entertaining content. The users are then engaged in an interacting activity relating to the entertainment content and are tacitly exposed to the advertising content and pure advertising as well. The mediator server is capable then of providing the advertiser with targeted information regarding the users. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204489 | BIOLOGICAL MARKERS PREDICTIVE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS RESPONSE TO B-CELL ANTAGONISTS - Methods and assays examining expression of one or more biomarkers in a sample are provided for predicting or indicating the effectiveness of treatment of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient with a B-cell antagonist. Methods are provided for identifying patients whose RA is likely to be responsive to anti-RA therapy using a B-cell-antagonist. Methods for treating such patients with B-cell antagonists that incorporate the above methodology are also provided. Further provided are kits and articles of manufacture useful for such methods. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204490 | Online professional development system and virtual manager for performance artists - A system for online artist promotion comprises an artist interface, a broadcast application, an industry interface and a virtual manager. The artist interface allows artist to input artist histories and artist biographies, and to upload multimedia performances. The broadcast application allows the system to broadcast the multimedia performances. The industry interface allows industry professionals to input service provider information. The virtual manager guides the artist through development steps as a function of the artist history, and links the artists with the industry professionals as a function of the development steps and the service provider information. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204491 | Online professional development system and virtual manager for performance artists - A professional development system comprises a user interface, a provider interface, a plurality of development steps and a navigational tool. The user interface allows a user to input a user history and a professional goal. The provider interface allows service providers to input service descriptions and professional advice. The navigational tool guides the user through the development steps as a function of the user history, the professional goal, and the professional advice, and links the user to the service providers as a function of the developments steps and the service descriptions, in order to achieve the professional goal. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204492 | Online food ordering system and method - Restaurants register for an online food ordering system and method to have their menus presented on the online system. Registration is accomplished by payment of a fixed registration fee. A merchant account is created for each restaurant. The merchant account is associated with a unique account key that includes a local delivery indicator and direct payment receivable account information facilitating direct payment to the restaurant's account. A first server is appointed for receiving orders from customers. The first server includes a data storage device having menu items and information from each of the restaurants and each of the unique account keys associated with each restaurant. In communication with the first server are second and third servers for processing payments and transmitting orders to the restaurant for processing and fulfillment. An order confirmation means is further provided for notifying the customer upon submission of the order to the restaurant along with estimated pick-up or delivery times. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204493 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISEMENTS IN IPTV SERVICE - A system and method for providing advertisements in Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service are provided. The system includes a content server that stores content data; an advertisement server that stores advertisement data; a tag server that collects tag information input from a plurality of users, creates and updates a tag cloud for the content data; and a set-top box that receives the tag cloud, the advertisement data, and the content data and outputs the content data and the received tag cloud to a display unit., The set-top box transmits the tag cloud to the advertisement server while the content data is output and the advertisement server prepares a list of advertisements based on the tag cloud. The set-top box receives the advertisement data from the advertisement server according to the advertisement list and outputs the advertisement data to the display unit. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204494 | Technique for eliminating fraudulent use of printed coupons - A method for redeeming coupons, comprising the steps of storing on an electronic device an electronic coupon having encrypted data and unencrypted data, wherein the encrypted data is required for printing the coupon; reading data stored on the portable electronic device at purchase location, and comparing the unencrypted data with product data obtained at the purchase location, and if a match is detected, decrypting the encrypted data; and printing the coupon at the purchase location with the decrypted data | 2009-08-13 |
20090204495 | Method of advertising - The present invention comprises a method for advertising a product comprising the selection of an updatable venture comprising updatable parameters; one or more parametric interrelationships which give, upon operating on at least one of said updatable parameters, one or more resultant values; wherein at least one of said parameters is updatable to give one or more updated parameters; wherein upon the operation by said interparameteric relationships on at least one of said updated parameters, one or more updated resultant values are produced; and engaging at least one subscriber to said updatable venture who, upon accessing the resultant values through a user interface, is exposed to advertising specific to the product. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204496 | Method and system to manage multiple party rewards using a single account and artificial intelligence - A system for managing an account having at least one sub-account, including: a memory element, a processor, and an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer. The memory element stores a transaction history for the account, an incentive previously offered to the account, and an artificial intelligence program (AIP). The transaction history includes at least one transaction involving the main account or sub-accounts from the at least one sub-account. The processor is for: comparing the transaction history with a metric; generating, using the comparison of the transaction history with the metric, a desired transaction involving the account and a business entity; and modifying the incentive using the AIP and the comparison of the transaction history with the metric. Rewarding of the modified incentive is conditional upon execution of the desired transaction. The interface element is for transmitting the desired transaction and the modified incentive. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204497 | Centralized Media Production System and Method - A centralized media production system and its method of use is described. Web services are utilized in order processing in an electronic commerce system and fulfillment requests in a vendor manufacturing system. An XML-formatted WSDL file is used for submitting order and fulfillment requests. This process and system provides a way for software manufacturers to fulfill customer orders for physical copies of downloadable software, without being restricted to a particular e-commerce platform while allowing the manufacturer to interface with multiple vendors for fulfillment. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204498 | Government Targeted-Spending Stimulus Card System, Program Product, And Computer-Implemented Methods - Embodiments of the present invention, for example, provide a government stimulus card being issued and managed by a bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. The embodiments provide flexibility in the funding of stimulus programs, including no upfront payments by the government and letters of credit from third-party lenders, permitting the government to retain funds until the spending occurs by cardholders. Embodiments provide targeted-spending stimulus by excluding cash payments to consumers, by limiting usage of the card to only targeted merchants, by requiring reports from the bank that document consumer purchases using the stimulus card, and by establishing relationships with merchants to provide a discount for using the stimulus card as payment, advantageously resulting in a greater effect to the economy from government targeted-spending stimulus program. Embodiments also include funding a promotion card on behalf of an entity as part of a promotion program. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204499 | ELECTRONIC INCENTIVE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Product incentive distribution systems and methods are disclosed. One such system includes a product incentive distribution unit placed at a retail location in association with a product and configured to electronically receive product incentives. The product incentive distribution unit includes a display configured to display product information and product incentive information and a communication port configured to transmit product incentive information to a data communications device. The system also includes a handheld data communications device having a communication port configured to receive product incentive information and a memory configured to collect product incentive information. The system also includes a checkout system including a communications interface communicatively connectable to the data communications device, the checkout system configured to receive product incentive information from the handheld data communications device and apply the product incentive information to one or more products purchased by a user. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204500 | Online Marketplace for Sale of Discounted Stated Value Vouchers Redeemable by Vendors - A marketplace server computer for sale of stated value vouchers via an online marketplace. The vouchers are presented in a particular manner allowing for effective inventory management using rule-based approval of sales. The method involves receiving a vendor's commitment to sell vouchers, and maintaining a website for displaying a for-sale listing identifying the vouchers. Sales of vouchers are approved in accordance with predetermined rules, which rules may be changed by the vendor over time, and during a single for-sale listing of a single lot of vouchers. The for-sale listing may identify a maximum number of vouchers for sale, although more than the maximum number may be sold. Each buyer is thus encouraged to provide a buyer-specific highest acceptable bid for a voucher, and the vendor thus provides a buyer-specific discount that is the minimum acceptable discount for each particular buyer, provide that such bid is acceptable to the vendor. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204501 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MARKETING BEAUTY PRODUCTS - The present invention relates to a system and method of marketing beauty products, and more particularly to a system and method of marketing beauty products to male customers in a male-frequented setting. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a display having advertising space for beauty products, locating the display in a male-frequented venue, and providing information about and access to the beauty products at the display. The display may be, for example, a freestanding kiosk. The male-frequented venue may be an automotive store, such as an automotive parts store or service center, or a non-automotive store or venue, such as an electronics or home improvement store or sports arena. The method provides a cost-effective, economical, convenient, comfortable, reliable, and private way to advertise and provide access to beauty products directly to target consumers without the disadvantages related to marketing through traditional advertising and retail channels. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204502 | DIGITAL MEDIA ADVERTISEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for advertisement and promotion via digital media. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204503 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTABLISHING INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESENTATION INSTRUMENTS - This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for establishing an investment account associated with a presentation instrument. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a presentation instrument with an associated account identifier. The method further includes establishing an investment account with an associated account identifier. The method associates the presentation instrument with the investment account using the presentation instrument's account identifier and the investment account's account identifier, and loads funds onto the presentation instrument using the associated account identifier. Further, the method assigns the funds to the investment account based on the association of the presentation instrument with the investment account. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204504 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PAUSING, MIGRATING, AND RESTARTING RETAIL POINT-OF-SALE TRANSACTIONS - A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for managing transactions on point-of-sale terminals comprising a peer-to-peer network in a retail data processing system. A purchase transaction for a customer is initiated on a point-of-sale terminal in the system. Responsive to receiving a first input from a user of the point-of-sale terminal, the purchase transaction is suspended to form a suspended purchase transaction. Information about the customer is added to the suspended purchase transaction. The suspended purchase transaction is stored as a file on the point-of-sale terminal. Responsive to receiving a second input from the user of the point-of-sale terminal, a locally-stored list of suspended purchase transactions on the point-of-sale terminal is searched using the information about the customer. Responsive to locating the suspended transaction matching the information about the customer, the suspended transaction is selected to restart the suspended purchase transaction on the point-of-sale terminal. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204505 | METHOD FOR CREATING A SALES SLIP - In response to inputting order, a sales slip processor issues a sales slip with a slip code and a table code of a table at which the order is accepted, and stores order data in a sales holding file. In order to balance or rewrite sales slips, an operator inputs a sales slip code or a table code. The processor calls order data sets with a table code corresponding to the input code from the sales holding file and numbers the sets to create and store an edit data group in an edit file. One edit data set is selected and displayed on a screen display part. A data set next to the displayed edit data set can be retrieved from the edit file through one touch operation that designates a subsequent or previous slip with an input unit and displayed on the screen to thereby facilitate the retrieval of the order data with the same table code. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204506 | E-COMMERCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides a subsystem that guarantees quality, safety, or environmental performance of the commodities. The subsystem is provided with a database that stores numerical characteristics that characterize regulations, standards, or required specifications regarding the quality, safety, or environmental performance of the commodities in the e-commerce transaction, and the database can be viewed from both the buyer and seller. To the buyer, the seller delivers the commodity, the quality, safety, or environmental performance of which are guaranteed regarding the numerical characteristics that characterize the regulations, standards, or required specifications. The buyer, when carrying out inspection on the delivered commodity to see whether or not the regulations, standards, or required specifications are met to determine whether to accept or reject the commodity, guarantees the correctness of measurement values for determining acceptance/rejection upon the numerical characteristics that characterize the regulations, standards, or required specifications. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204507 | Method and system for discovering and generating an insight via a network - A method and system ( | 2009-08-13 |
20090204508 | System and method for providing a price quotation for a transportation service providing equipment selection capability - A method and system for computing the price for shipping goods. The method includes causing a computer to deliver first information to a user prompting the user to enter at the computer information about a rail transportation service for shipment of goods by one or more railcars. Information about a basic pool of railcars is received and filtered based on one or more filtering criteria to produce a filtered pool of railcars. The computer is then caused to deliver second information to the user prompting the user to select at the computer one or more railcars among the filtered pool of railcars for the shipment of goods. A price for the shipment of the goods is then computed at least in part on the basis of the rail transportation service and the one or more characteristics of the railcars in the filtered pool of railcars selected by the user. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204509 | STORAGE MEDIUM FOR STORING A PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE PRODUCT PURCHASING METHOD, AND A SERVER USED THEREFOR - A product purchase system using a network comprises a server | 2009-08-13 |
20090204510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PAYING CHARGE OF INTERNET ITEM USING REQUEST OF GIFT IN MOBILE CONFIGURATION - The present invention relates to wireless payment system and method in a mobile environment in which a sender makes a gift request for an internet item to a receiver using an MMS message and the sender is provided with the item according to payment of the receiver. The wireless payment system according to the present invention includes an item server for receiving a gift request MMS message for a specific item from a sender terminal, sending the gift request MMS message to a receiver terminal, receiving an approval result according to payment of the receiver, and if the approval result is success, providing the item to the sender; and a payment server for receiving connection of a payment request for gift purchase from the receiver terminal which received the MMS message, approving the payment request, and transmitting the approval result to the item server. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204511 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING TARGETED CONTENT - A system and method for distributing target content, i.e. advertising or promotional material, are disclosed. A user takes a photograph of an image meeting predefined criteria. Image data defining the photograph is extracted and transmitted to a server where the image data is matched with corresponding image data relating to a plurality of pre-stored images. Where a match is found content is transmitted back to the user. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204512 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A RESTOCKING STATE OF A PRODUCT - The present invention is directed to a method and system for determining a restocking state of a product in a retail store. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: acquiring an image of a current state of a product at an assigned shelf location; determining a remaining number of the product at the assigned shelf location based on the acquired image; comparing the remaining number of the product at the assigned shelf location to a predetermined restocking level for the product; and generating a restocking alert if the remaining number of the product at the assigned shelf location is less than the predetermined restocking level for the product. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204513 | POINT-OF-CARE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. Each device has an ambient temperature shelf life. Data associated with the devices is entered, including: the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the main inventory; and the current quantity and predetermined minimum quantity of devices in the subinventory. A first timestamp is associated with each device when the device is transferred from the main inventory to the ambient temperature subinventory. The first timestamp is compared to a second timestamp prior to use of the device to determine whether the device's ambient temperature shelf life is exceeded. The current quantity of devices in the subinventory is updated in response to an event that causes a change in the current quantity of devices in the subinventory. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204514 | Systems, Methods, and Media for Managing Shared Inventory in a Virtual Universe - Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for managing shared inventory in a virtual universe are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include receiving notification of a user session being established between a user and a virtual universe simulator. The method may also include accessing a list of shared inventory items for the user where the list of shared inventory items includes one or more shared inventory items each having an inventory source associated with it. Embodiments may also include retrieving at least one shared inventory item from its associated inventory source and passing the retrieved shared inventory item to the virtual universe simulator. Further embodiments may include retrieving an updated listing for the shared inventory items from their associated inventory sources and passing the updated shared inventory item list to the virtual universe simulator. Further embodiments may include passing metadata for shared inventory items to the virtual universe simulator. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204515 | INTERCOMPANY TRANSACTIONS ELIMINATION SYSTEM - A financial computer system at a holding company receives an approval of an intercompany transaction between two related subsidiary entities. The system generates an eliminating entry for the intercompany transaction at the time and every time it receives an approval, thereby providing timely and accurate financial information for the holding company. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204516 | ACCOUNTING DATA RETRIEVAL METHOD AND SYSTEM - An accounting method and system. The method includes determining by a computing system, that a second entity is dependent on a first entity for a specified time period. The computing system generates a first list comprising initially allowable purchase types list for items available for purchase by a user. The computing system generates a modified list from the first list. The computing system receives from the user, a selection for a purchase type from the modified list. The computing system presents an accounting data input form to the user. The computing system places the purchase type, a selected general ledger account, and a selected organization into the accounting data input form. The computing system stores the accounting data input form that includes the purchase type, the selected general ledger account, and the selected organization. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204517 | INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTING DATA ANALYTICS - Methods and apparatuses enable finding and resolving intercompany (I/C) transaction issues in accounting data for a corporate enterprise. A data management tool receives general ledger data that defines intercompany account balances for multiple business entities of the corporate enterprise. The data management tool identifies a trading relationship and a currency relationship between two business entities of the corporate enterprise. The data management tool groups account balances based on the identified trading relationship and currency relationship. The data management tool generates one or more reports or indicators that indicate the grouped account balances. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204518 | System for electronically implementing a business transaction between a payee and a payor - A system for electronic implementation of a business transaction between parties thereto is disclosed. The system comprises an operably inter-connectable network which includes a transaction processing unit of a payor selected financial service provider, a transaction processing unit of a payee selected financial service provider, a payor input/output unit operably connectable with the transaction processing unit of the payor selected financial service provider, and a payee input/output unit operably connectable with the transaction processing unit of the payee selected financial service provider. The transaction processing unit of the payor selected financial service provider and the transaction processing unit of the payee selected financial service provider are operably connectable to one another. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204519 | Method and system for generating account reconciliation data - A method and system for providing information regarding a customer account are provided. The customer account includes a plurality of entries, each entry being indicative of a request for payment where the request for payment is being issued by a biller entity to a customer entity. A payment record including remittance detail data is received over a network account reconciliation data at least in part on the basis of the remittance detail data and the entries in the customer account. A signal suitable for causing information derived from the account reconciliation data to be displayed on a display screen is then transmitted. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204520 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING CHARGING OF NON-CHARGING CONTROLLED SERVICES - A method and apparatus for charging control of service usage in an electronic communications system. An invocation of charging control is received from a service client for service usage by a user. Charging related data and rules checked for the user and it is determined whether the session should be charging controlled. In case of a non charging controlled session, a response message is returned to the charging client, indicating that the session is not charging controlled and that the service usage is to be reported at the end-of-session. A report of usage is received—from the client—including information of the usage consumed during the session at the end-of-session. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204521 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR WEB-BASED MANAGING AND REPORTING MORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS - A system and method for web-based mortgage/loan reporting and management are provided. A electronic mortgage is created. The mortgage is reported to parties involved. A funds request can be sent to a funding party such as a financial institutions. When a funding acknowledgement has been received a final mortgage report is generated and sent to the relevant parties for confirmation of completion of the mortgage. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204522 | BAR CODED BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for payment is provided, wherein consumers pay their bills at supermarkets, large retail chain, or other stores and receive immediate credit from billers for their payments. Payments are made using a bar code printed on the bill or sent to the consumer, e.g. by fax or email. The biller receives good payment funds, deposited directly into his bank account, and error-free electronic payment data for consumer bill payments by the very next business day. The biller backdates the received bill payments to the time and date the consumer actually paid, regardless of the time that the payment data takes to post to the biller's accounts receivable system. In another aspect, a method for person-to-person money transfers is provided, wherein a bar coded deposit slip, card, or other printout permits a sender to remit funds directly into a receiver's bank account, and such funds are quickly accessible for withdrawal at a nearby automated teller machine, or for a debit card purchase. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204523 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ONLINE PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS IN A NETWORK-BASED TRANSACTION FACILITY USING MULTIPLE PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS - A method and apparatus for facilitating online payment transactions between participants in a network-based transaction facility are described. In one embodiment, user interface information is communicated to a first participant via a communications network. The user interface information identifies various payment instruments available for processing online payment transactions in the network-based transaction facility. Further, payment option information is received from the first participant via the communications network. The payment option information indicates the willingness of the first participant to accept a payment from a second participant via one or more of the various payment instruments. This payment option information is passed to the second participant via the communications network. Afterwards, personal billing information is accepted from the second participant via the communications network to facilitate an online payment transaction between the first participant and the second participant. The personal billing information concerns a payment instrument selected by the second participant from the payment instruments specified by the first participant. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204524 | SECURITY SYSTEM - A credit card scanning protection system configured to send an electronic message to the cardholder's mobile phone (or other electronic device) when the cardholder's card is used in a transaction. In the event the cardholder receives notice of an unauthorized transaction, the cardholder can immediately call the issuing authority and query the transaction or have the card suspended. The system provides the card issuing authority with the ability to select and set rules relating to electronic message alerts. Examples include alerts for all cash withdrawals, transactions over a specified amount and transactions with a new merchant or in a new geographic area. The system also allows for customer interactivity whereby the cardholder can specify events which would govern the transmission of an electronic alert. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204525 | PAYMENT DEVICE TO ISSUER COMMUNICATION VIA AUTHORIZATION REQUEST - A method includes receiving a transaction authorization request in a server computer. The transaction authorization request is for the purpose of authorizing a payment card account transaction. The method further includes parsing the discretionary data field defined in the transaction authorization request, to receive information regarding a payment device that initiated the payment card account transaction. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204526 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING A FLEXIBLE CASE MODEL FOR COLLECTIONS - A computer-implemented method and system for creating a flexible case model for use in managing collections of multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. Attributes are defined, each of the attributes including a data source, wherein the data source can be inherited or rolled up. Plural different entity models are defined, wherein each of the entity models includes a plurality of the attributes, the different entity models being (i) a finance entity, and (ii) a promise entity which a customer can promise to pay. Plural collection object models are defined, wherein each of the collection object models includes a plurality of the entity models, including a finance entity and a promise entity. Where the plural collection object models sit in a case model hierarchy is defined, wherein a case represents multiple accounts of a customer needing collection. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204527 | Currency Code for Soft Earning Unit - Hard Currency is used as common denominator to value product and services. In the complete digital world, this common denominator can be dealt only in computing devices and we don't need hard currencies. Henceforth it is further referred as Soft Earning Unit(s) (SEU). The invention is intended for extending Currency Code Table and multiplier for SEU's of different geographic region(s) used in various application(s) for SEU. The invention includes the changes for Credit and Debit Card for SEU environment. The invention also includes change in the computing infrastructure for SEU and mix of SEU and Hard Currency environment. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204528 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING PURCHASE OF FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS ON BEHALF OF A BENEFICIARY AND PROVIDING INTERACTIVE INVESTMENT INFORMATION - A system, method and software for facilitating the purchase of financial investments for the benefit of beneficiary and providing educational and entertaining interactive tools regarding same is disclosed. The system includes at least one database containing information regarding one or more financial instruments. The system further includes at least one first user interface to enable a first user to access information regarding one or more financial investments, to facilitate the purchase by the first user of one or more financial investments, and to enable the first user to designate a second user beneficiary of the financial investment. The system also includes at least one second user interface that at a minimum provides information to the second user beneficiary regarding the financial investment. The system may also allow a first user to plan events and invite third users to such events and inform third users of opportunities to purchase investments for the benefit of the second user beneficiary. | 2009-08-13 |
20090204529 | Advanced Budget Bill Control System For End Users - A system and method for allowing a consumer of a commodity to set the parameters of a budget bill calculation system via an interactive user interface. The parameters are intended to help consumers control their budget bill calculations, payment structure, true-up factors and other aspects of their budget bills. Budget bill payment amounts are calculated based on historic weather patterns, previous consumption, previous bills, mathematical models or may be set by the consumer art a certain amount, and the parameters selected by the consumer. A budget payment amount is then presented to the user including a budget payment amount and, in some cases, an actual or estimated true-up amount including when and how ant recalculations of the budget amount and true-ups will take place. | 2009-08-13 |