45th week of 2015 patent applcation highlights part 47 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150317690 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING MEDIA CONTENT WITH MUSIC-STYLED ADVERTISEMENTS, INCLUDING USE OF LYRICAL INFORMATION - Described herein are techniques for streaming digital media content, such as music, video, or television content. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes support for providing music-styled advertisement or other sponsor-directed content. Metadata describes media content that can be streamed or otherwise provided to a user's media device. A media streaming logic and targeting service analyzes a playing media content, and selects advertisements for delivery in conjunction with that content. For example, the system can determine a genre, tempo, or mood of music being streamed during a session, and select advertisements targeted to a style of music. Information associated with the user, for example their location, can be used to predict their mood, and select appropriate advertisements. Advertisements can also be selected based on an analysis of, for example, a playlist description or a song lyrics. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317691 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING MEDIA CONTENT WITH ADVERTISEMENTS BASED ON PLAYLIST CONTEXT, INCLUDING PLAYLIST NAME OR DESCRIPTION - Described herein are techniques for streaming digital media content, such as music, video, or television content. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes support for selection of targeted advertisement or other sponsor-directed content based on a playlist context. A media device enables access by a user to one or more playlists of media content at a media server. Advertisements can be selected for providing to the user, based on one or more characteristics of a playlist, such as the playlist's description, or the playlist being part of an advertisement campaign. For example, a playlist bearing a particular descriptive title can be used to trigger advertisements that may be relevant to that descriptive title. Adding a particular song to a playlist can be used to trigger advertisements that may be relevant to that song. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317692 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR EXTRACTING USER PROFILES AND HABITS BASED ON SPEECH RECOGNITION AND CALLING HISTORY FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM ADVERTISING - A system, method and computer program product for providing targeted messages to a person using telephony services by generating user profile information from telephony data and using the user profile information to retrieve targeted messages. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317693 | AUDIENCE TARGETING WITH UNIVERSAL PROFILE SYNCHRONIZATION - Universal synchronization of profiles of audience members targeted for the delivery of content. A unique global identifier may be assigned to and used to manage a profiled audience member. This identifier may also be associated to an authoritative identifier and cookie information used in connection with the collection of profile data. An authoritative identifier may be received in connection with activity, and might not be accompanied by a global identifier. The authoritative identifier may then be used to identify the global identifier, which in turn may be used to identify the cookie related information of record for the profiled audience member. Comparing the cookie related information to previously retained cookie information may be used to determine that the cookie information for a particular, profiled audience member has changed, so that it can be restored. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317694 | CREDITING ECOMMERCE ENTITIES FOR CONVERSIONS - Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for crediting an entity for a conversion. A method includes: providing an interface to an entity; receiving transaction information from the entity through the interface; creating a token; providing the token to the entity; storing the transaction information in association with the token in a first log; receiving from the entity a user identifier associated with the transaction along with the token; associating the user identifier with the token in a second log; determining a linking between impressions and conversions including using the token to determine a relevant user identifier and transaction details, and using the determined relevant user identifier to locate prior impressions made to the user; and debiting a content sponsor associated with the prior impression, and crediting a publisher that published the impression and the entity, when a linking impression and conversion is located. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317695 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRESENTATION OF ADVERTISEMENTS - A system and method for the presentation of advertisements is present. According to one embodiment, a number of impressions of an advertisement message are presented over a computer network such as the Internet to a variety of viewer computers. Depending on the actions taken by the viewers (e.g., whether the Viewer selects the advertising message and accesses a web-link to the advertiser's web-site), bonus exposure (e.g., an additional number of impressions provided to the viewers) of the advertising message is given. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317696 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRESENTATION OF ADVERTISEMENTS - A system and method for the presentation of advertisements is present. According to one embodiment, a number of impressions of an advertisement message are presented over a computer network such as the Internet to a variety of viewer computers. Depending on the actions taken by the viewers (e.g., whether the Viewer selects the advertising message and accesses a web-link to the advertiser's web-site), bonus exposure (e.g., an additional number of impressions provided to the viewers) of the advertising message is given. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317697 | AUTOMATIC BID GENERATION - Example techniques may include: receiving information from a content provider; generating a bidding strategy based on the information, where the bidding strategy indicates a percentage of first content to be presented at a specified location on a computing device display; generating an initial bid for the one or more criteria associated with the first content in a content auction based on performance of second content that has one or more attributes in common with the first content, where the initial bid includes a monetary amount to pay in the content auction for an action relating to the first content; determining performance metrics for the one or more criteria and the initial bid based on results of the content auction; and automatically determining a revised bid for the one or more criteria based on the performance metrics and the bidding strategy. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317698 | Method of Posting Information Regarding Sales Transactions to Social Networks - A programmed computer having a processor, memory, and a storage medium, said storage medium is disclosed. The storage medium comprises code for receiving an identifier corresponding to a purchaser of a good or service in a retail transaction, data about the retail transaction, and data identifying the good or service, data relating to a social network account associated with the purchaser on a social network, and code for using the social network account to transmit to the social network for display to others a message from the purchaser associating the retail transaction with the purchaser, wherein the message includes information relating to at least one of the retail transaction and the good or service. The system further permits real time scanning or product codes for available discounts, code for retailer recommendation and product promotion. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317699 | METHOD, APPARATUS, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR INSERTING AUDIO ADVERTISEMENT - The present invention provides a method, apparatus, device and system for inserting an audio ad. The present invention determines, according to feature information of audio into which an audio advertisement is inserted, an insertion time point of the audio advertisement when playing the audio, and executes an operation associated with the insertion of the audio advertisement at the insertion time point on a user equipment. The present invention enables an audio advertisement to be inserted into audio at a suitable time point to reduce the incongruity of the audio ad, so as to enhance the user experience. Furthermore, the present invention may rapidly update the advertisement contents in real time, so that a vast amount of Internet ads can be delivered quickly, so as to better satisfy both the user experience and revenue requirements. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317700 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INCORPORATING MARKETING IN USER AUTHENTICATION - A method, system and computing device for incorporating marketing into a user authentication enables valuable marketing information to be received from or provided to users, in an authentication context where the users are likely to be attentive and focused. Thus marketing information is likely to be thoroughly reviewed by the users, easily recalled by the users at a later time, and user profile data collected from the users is likely to be accurate. The method includes presenting an authentication challenge to a user of a computing device, the authentication challenge including a number of challenge elements; receiving a response to the authentication challenge from the user; and presenting a non-authentication marketing activity to the user, the non-authentication marketing activity including a number of activity elements, and where the activity elements correspond with the challenge elements. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317701 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEARCHING FOR AND TRANSLATING REAL ESTATE DESCRIPTIONS FROM DIVERSE SOURCES UTILIZING AN OPERATOR-BASED PRODUCT DEFINITION - Systems and methods for managing, generating, and reporting real estate data from a plurality of source databases that are distributed over a computer network are disclosed and described. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317702 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOVING POSITIONS IN A WAITING LIST - A method of changing positions in a waiting list in exchange for a donation to charity includes receiving information regarding a mobile device and a user of the mobile device at a database server to reserve a position in a waiting list at a business establishment, sending a message to the mobile device, determining whether the link displayed on the mobile device is selected, providing a web page to the mobile device enabling the user to make an electronic payment to a charity, determining whether confirmation of a payment for the donation to charity has been received from a payment server, updating the user's current position to a new position in the waiting list when confirmation of a payment has been received from a payment server, and notifying the business establishment and the user of the updated user's current position as the new position. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317703 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDIVIDUALIZED PRICING FOR HEALTHCARE - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing personalized pricing of medical services. A system can receive, from a healthcare provider, a range of prices for a medical service. The system can collect information associated with providing the medical service for a patient, and calculate a patient fairness factor score for the patient for the medical service based on the information. The patient fairness factor score can reflect an estimate of how complex providing that particular medical service for that particular patient is likely to be. The patient fairness factor score can closely affect the healthcare provider's cost to provide the medical service. Then the system can provide a price quote, within the range of prices and based on the patient fairness factor score, for the healthcare provider to provide the medical service for the patient. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317704 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION - A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliance of a first type corresponding to the first user ID; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the difference value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the display data. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317705 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION - A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage corresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of a first electric home appliance among electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating display data indicating that the differential value corresponds to the first conversion value; and transmitting the display data to an information terminal device corresponding to the first user ID. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317706 | SERVER DEVICE, INFORMATION DEVICE, POWER OUTLET, CHARGING INFORMATION GENERATING METHOD, AND CHARGING INFORMATION GENERATING PROGRAM - Provided is a server device whereby more customers are gathered at a store, and the spending per customer is increased. In a server device ( | 2015-11-05 |
20150317707 | DIGITAL DATA COMMERCE SYSTEM AND METHODS WITH DIGITAL MEDIA OBJECT TO CLOUD REDIRECTION - The invention provides, in some aspects, a digital commerce system that includes a first digital data device, a second digital data device and a third digital data device, each of which is connected to a network that provides at least intermittent communications coupling between the second digital data device and each of the first and second digital data devices. Redirection logic executing on at least the second digital data device effects storage on the third digital data device of a digital media object downloaded from the first digital data device to the second digital data device. The redirection logic accomplishes that in such a manner that storage of the digital media object on the third digital data device is effected before storage of that digital media object on the second digital data device—if the digital media object is stored to the second digital data device at all. In related aspects of the invention, redirection logic executing on at least the second digital data device circumvents storage of the downloaded digital media object at least until that object has been stored on the third digital data device. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317708 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROUP SHOPPING WITH A SHARED SHOPPING LIST - Systems and methods are provided for facilitating group shopping using a shared shopping list. A group such as a family having a shared shopping list may check in at a merchant location. The shared shopping list may be stored by a service provider or a payment provider. As the members of the group move around within the merchant location, one or more wireless beacons at the merchant location may communicate with user devices of the group members to track the locations of the group members. When a group member approaches or is close to an item on the shared shopping list, the user may be provided with an alert that they are nearby or approaching the location of the item. In some embodiments, directions to a list item or a related item such as a replacement item for an unavailable list item may be provided in the alert. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317709 | SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF FOR EFFECTUATING AN ELECTRONIC NEGOTIATION BETWEEN A CONSUMER DEVICE AND A MERCHANT - A method and system are provided for effectuating an electronic negotiation between a consumer device and a merchant. The method includes identifying an interest of the user respective of a product offered by the merchant on an e-commerce website based on a received indication from the e-commerce web site; requesting a counter offer to a price requested by the e-commerce website; upon receiving the counter offer, retrieving metadata associated with the product; computing a score representing a probability that a merchant of the product would accept the counter offer based on the retrieved metadata; selecting at least one content item for display on the consumer device in response to the counter offer, the at least one content item is selected based on the counter offer and the retrieved metadata; and causing a display of the at least one selected content item on a display of the consumer device. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317710 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANONYMOUS GIFTING - A method and system for enabling selectively anonymous gifting. A gift requester may ask a trusted intermediary to post a request for a good, a set of goods, or a service, wherein the posting may or may not identify the requester. The intermediary may be identified and an approval of the gift request posting by the intermediary is implicitly or explicitly published. The giving party may also optionally choose to remain anonymous or may be identified to the intermediary, the gift requestor and/or a recipient of a requested gift. These objects may be enabled by an electronically intermediated social network, such as FACEBOOK™ social networking service, LINKEDIN™ social networking service, TWITTER™ social networking service and/or MEETUP™ social networking service. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317711 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MERCHANT ONSITE PERSONALIZATION GIFTING PLATFORM - An online personalized gifting system and method includes an application executed on a computing device to communicate with a merchant server owned and managed by a merchant for generating customized gift structures that may be sent to a recipient. The application transmits the gift structure templates to a merchant server in communication with a user computing device, communicates with the merchant server to receive a selected one gift structure template that has been obtained by the merchant server from the user computing device, and communicate with the merchant server to receive at least one of user-supplied textual, audio, or video content that has been obtained by the merchant server from the user computing device. The application communicates with a production facility located at a site of the merchant to generate a gift structure in accordance with the selected gift structure template and the user-supplied content using a production facility. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317712 | CARD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for personalizing and dispensing greeting cards and gift cards, wherein a user can use a kiosk to search available greeting cards and gift cards, make a selection, edit the selection, pay for the selection, and dispense the finalized greeting card or gift card from the kiosk. Among other customization options, the system enables the user to change the text, the images, and the language of a selected greeting card or gift card. Additional items such as stamps, pens, stickers, and coupons may be provided to, or purchased by, the user. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317713 | VEHICLE INFORMATION DELIVERY AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A technique and method for vehicle information delivery and management includes: receiving, by a management module of a service provider manager associated with a service provider, a notification from an application executing on a client device of an end user that vehicle data corresponding to a vehicle being viewed by the end user on a premises of the service provider has been displayed to the end user; storing, by the management module, the vehicle data corresponding to the viewed vehicle; and storing, by the management module, a time that the vehicle was viewed by the end user. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317714 | FRESHNESS AND SEASONALITY-BASED CONTENT DETERMINATIONS - The relevance or ranking of various dynamically-determined instances of content can be adjusted or otherwise improved based on aspects such as the freshness or seasonality of the content. In many conventional relevance or ranking algorithms, factors such as popularity, performance, and profit are used to determine which content to present to a user, as well as how to display the selected content. Such algorithms do not necessarily reflect domain-specific knowledge very well, and thus fail to accurately select content that is of differing levels appeal at various ages of the content and/or during various seasons of the year. Freshness and/or seasonality adjustment scores can be used to generate improved relevance, selection, or ranking determinations for various categories of content. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317715 | System for Verifying Source of Food and Providing Customized Information with Respect Thereto - A method for operating a computer system to provide information about a product to a customer is disclosed. The method includes receiving a login request identifying a specific business establishment and the customer from a customer device that is remote from the data processing system, and initiating a session for the customer between the computer and the customer device. When the computer receives a product code identifying a product in the business establishment that originates at a producer of the product, the computer sends information to the customer about the product, the information being verified by an organization independent of the producer of the product and the business establishment. The login request can be generated by the customer device interacting with a display at the business establishment, the display identifying the business establishment and optionally a location within the business establishment at which the customer is located. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317716 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CATEGORIZING ITEMS OF CLOTHING AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING FOOTWEAR HAVING AN IMPROVED FIT - A method and a device for categorizing articles of clothing and a method and a device for selecting footwear having an improved fit are specified. A parameter describing the fit and/or the size of an article of clothing is acquired on the basis of a measurement carried out on the article of clothing in question. This measurement is performed for a plurality of articles of clothing of different manufacturers but having an identical manufacturer clothing size, a plurality of different manufacturer clothing sizes being furthermore considered. A frequency analysis for the occurrence of specific values of the at least one parameter is then performed for articles of clothing having an identical manufacturer clothing size. The articles of clothing are categorized by a new allocation of the clothing size, a new clothing size being allocated to the articles of clothing in such a manner that the parameters of the articles of clothing provided with the new clothing size within this new clothing size have a smaller dispersion. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317717 | COMPUTER AIDED SHOPPING WITH REVIEWS SYSTEM - The claimed system and method allows a user to set up a variety of preferences to receive information about products and services. In a store, a customer may select a product and the system may use those preferences to serve data that has been determined to be relevant to the users. The user may select a broadcast list to receive the request and the system may rank and sort the responses based on relevance to the specific user. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317718 | Defining a Selection Process - A selection process is defined for items provided by an e-commerce site to shoppers' web browsers. One or more selection attributes are identified for each e-commerce shop item. A selection function is defined in association with each selected attribute. At least one rule is defined for combining one or many of selection scores from respective selection functions to obtain an item score. The selection process is then defined as selecting items in response to the item scores. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317719 | DETERMINING CUSTOMER INTENT IN AN ONLINE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT - One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method for receiving information about customer intent in an online retail environment. The method includes providing a user interface where the customer can select products of interest to add to a watchlist. Further, with respect to each of the items in their watchlist, the customer can also set conditions for future notifications, including but not limited to a decrease in price or a free shipping offer or stock availability. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317720 | PROCESSING ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Control or prevention of usage of an online ecommerce system to transfer funds by evaluating proximity between a location where cash payment is made and a location where a cash refund is requested. When the proximity exceeds a distance threshold, the cash refund at the second location is prohibited, and when the proximity is less than the distance threshold, the cash refund is permitted. Various embodiments ask the customer to specify a choice of refund stores, evaluate whether the person who made the cash payment for the order is different than the person who requested the refund, require identification, check publicly available Internet social site information for a relationship between the people, check for a pattern of requesting refunds, limit the refund to store credit, or a combination thereof. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317721 | ENTERPRISE MOBILE APPLICATION FOR MANAGING SALES ACTIVITES - Methods and system are disclosed that assist in executing tasks related to managing sales activities by an app on a mobile device. In one aspect, a user interface is provided via the app on the mobile device. The user interface renders information related to appointments associated with the sales activities. Upon receiving an input, a context menu is instantiated on the user interface. The context menu includes graphical elements that are associated with user interfaces for managing the sales activities. Upon receiving an input on the graphical element, a correspondence between the graphical element and the associated user interface is determined and the corresponding user interface is instantiated. The tasks related to managing the sales activities may be executed via the app on the mobile device. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317722 | PROCESS FOR ORDERING A SELECTION IN ADVANCE, DIGITAL SYSTEM AND JUKEBOX FOR EMBODIMENT OF THE PROCESS - This invention relates to a process for ordering a selection in advance, characterized in that it includes a step in which a menu is displayed followed by a selection in this menu, to make specific requests and particularly: a step displaying the event for which the advance order of a selection is made, and then selection of the event; a step displaying the identity of destination equipment on which the selection is to be played, and then selection of this equipment; a step displaying the date and time at which the selection is to be made on the destination equipment; a step in which particular requests are recorded and downloaded onto a file only after payment has been verified. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317723 | REVENUE-GENERATING ELECTRONIC MULTI-MEDIA EXCHANGE AND PROCESS OF OPERATING SAME - In a process for creating media content, media submissions are requested and electronically received from end users and stored in a computer database. The submissions are searched for material to be included in the media content, and cross-checked against the other submissions for originality and timeliness. After the material is selected from one or more submissions, the content is developed and released to an audience for review. The end users whose submission material was included in the released content are rewarded. In one embodiment, third parties are permitted to access and search the submissions on an open exchange. The third parties can bid for rights in submissions on the open exchange. After receiving these bids, they are forwarded to the particular submission's end user for acceptance or rejection. Appropriate billing and payment processes are used to bill and pay the parties involved. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317724 | Limiting Bid Selection to Eligible Content Items - Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A request is received for content to be displayed on a resource to a user. The user is identified. Candidate content items are identified from an inventory of content items that are responsive to the request. The candidate content items are evaluated including determining bid-eligible content items including content items that satisfy an eligibility threshold based on an eligibility status associated with a respective candidate content item. The eligibility status is based at least in part on results associated with past opportunities to present a content item to identified user. An auction is conducted to identify a winner from among the bid-eligible content items. The winning content item is provided responsive to the request. An eligibility status is updated for losing and winning content items in the auction. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317725 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND PROCESSES FOR CONDUCTING AND/OR COMPLETING ONE OR MORE COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED AUCTIONS IN REAL-TIME - Systems and methods conduct one or more real-time auctions during a live event at a venue, wherein the one or more real-time auctions comprise at least one auction item and/or service. The system and methods comprises digital mobile application software downloaded to a first digital mobile device, at least one positioning system configured to determine when the first digital mobile device is located within or near the venue and a computer server in digital communication with the at least one positioned system and the first digital mobile device. The computer server transmits information indicative of a real-time auction to the first digital mobile device when the first digital mobile device is located within or near the venue during the live event, wherein the computer server receives data indicative of at least one first auction bid for the at least one auction item and/or service from the first digital mobile device via the digital mobile application software executed by the first digital mobile device. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317726 | GOAL PLANNING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of identifying and prioritizing goals for retirement is provided. The method comprises obtaining by a computer a list of goals from a user to create a first list and providing a list of pre-selected goals to the user. The user's preferred goals are obtained by a computer from the list of pre-selected goals to create a second list and the first list and the second list are combined into a combined list. In the next step, the goals are prioritized by a computer on the combined list based on the user's preferences. A first question is proposed by a computer to the user and the user's response to the first question is recorded by a computer. The goals are reprioritized by a computer on the combined list based on the user's preferences. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317727 | ON-LINE SAVINGS ACCOUNT - An on-line savings page for managing a savings account includes a list of items the user is saving for, where each item has a specified priority. A savings rate for each item is determined by the savings account based on the priority and total savings rate. The user is notified of any changes in the savings account, such as price changes, inventory changes, etc., as well as relevant information related to the item, such as sales, offers, recalls, etc. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317728 | MORTGAGE SYNTHESIS AND AUTOMATION - A system and methods are provided to enable a user to apply to multiple mortgage lenders, receive real-time loan approvals from said lenders, and complete the acquisition of a mortgage loan via a series of electronic communications via network-accessible computing systems. A mortgage application is automatically generated using intelligent synthesis of data received from multiple sources based on limited personal data manually provided by the user, such as a name, date of birth, social security number and access to financial accounts. The generated mortgage application may be submitted to multiple lenders' automated underwriting systems and loan pricing engines. Multiple lenders' decisions may then be received and provided to the user, so that the user may select from multiple available mortgage loans. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317729 | Financial Evaluation Based on Foreign Remittance Activity - Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for establishing and/or altering a consumer's payment performance assessment based on foreign remittance transactions are disclosed. A line of credit may be extended to customers for foreign remittance transactions. Customer information may be received and evaluated to determine whether to extend the line of credit to the customer. Numerical values may be assigned to one or more items of the customer information. If a total numerical value representing the customer information meets predetermined criteria, the line of credit is extended to the customer. The customer's foreign remittance transactions may be monitored and reported to one or more consumer agencies to establish and/or alter the consumer's payment performance assessment. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317730 | Customizable Digital Trade Order Ticket - Methods and systems for configuring a digital trade order ticket to facilitate a computer trade are provided. A request to create a digital trade order ticket is received by a computing device. A template is selected from a plurality of templates in the event that an authentication indicator indicates the request is authenticated. Each template includes a consumer identifier, trade order characteristics that are unique to a user assigned to the consumer identifier, trade order characteristics that are generic to all users, and instructions that are unique to the user. The template that is selected has a consumer identifier that matches the consumer identifier in the request. The digital trade order ticket is displayed to the user based on the template. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317731 | EXCHANGE ORDER PRIORITY RETENTION FOR ELECTRONIC TRADING USING AUTOMATIC BOOK UPDATES - The present invention involves providing a computer based platform for allowing a user to establish a target trading book; evaluating the user's unmatched exchange trades to determine an actual trading book at a point in time; determining a differential between the target trading book and the actual trading book; and identifying at least one exchange trade action to transition from the actual trading book to the target trading book, wherein the exchange trade action is based on preserving at least one unmatched order with the oldest possible entry time stamp. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317732 | System and Method of Securities Trading Using a First Sight Multiple Node Network along a Communications Link - A system comprising a group of linked servers and processors along a communication link configured to allow the first server(s) and/or processor(s) that witness a predetermined trading trigger or satisfied trading condition to communicate this information to the ends of the communication link. The server(s) and/or processor(s) which first witness the trading trigger may be configured to send information about the trading trigger or satisfied trading condition to the other server(s) and/or processor(s) in the network, and additional third parties. The other servers and processors at other locations in the communication network may be utilized to support more complex detection and communication strategies. The two endpoint servers at opposite ends of the network individually and independently examine the trading trigger and the security prices at the particular market closest to the endpoint servers. The two endpoint servers individually and independently decide based on this analysis whether to send a trade order to the market closest to the endpoint server. Additionally the system of linked servers and processors may operate on more than one communications link. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317733 | INVESTOR SOCIAL NETWORK - A computer based method for facilitating social network based trading on a computer comprises receiving an indication from a first interface device that a first transaction has been selected by a first user in a first security, providing transaction data defining the first transaction to a second interface device, through a social network, receiving an indication from the second interface device that a second user seeks to perform a second transaction copying at least one parameter of the first transaction in the first security, providing an option to the second user at the second interface device to pay an elective fee to the first user, and publicizing, on the social network, a fee paid for the second transaction from the second user to the first user. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317734 | DARKPOOL MATCHING OF ORDERS WITH PRICE DISCRETION - Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for processing a discretion order in a dark pool matching environment. A first order to buy or sell a trading product is received from a computer of a first trader. The first order has a first price and a first size. A second order to buy or sell the trading product that is contra to the first order is received from a second trader. The second order defines a second quantity and a price range of possible prices at which the second order can be executed. The price range comprises at least a second price. The second quantity of the trading product is reserved in an OMS of the second trader such that the second quantity of the second order is permitted by the OMS to be executed at any price within the price range. The second order is received before or after the first order is received. A processor determines that the first price of the first order is within the price range of the second order. Responsive to the determination, two items are output to the second trader: (1) the price of the first order and (2) an execution indicia selectable by the second trader to cause at least a portion of the second order to be executed against at least a portion of the first order. The first price of the first order and the execution indicia are not output or otherwise disclosed to the second trader prior to the act of determining that the first price of the first order is within the price range of the second order. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317735 | Determination of Implied Orders in a Trade Matching System - A computer implemented method for determining implied orders in an electronic trading system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first set of one or more real orders, wherein the orders are not tradable against each other. One or more implied orders are identified within the first set of real orders. Market data corresponding to the implied orders can also be identified. At least one additional order is received and the tradability of the additional order is determined against the real or implied orders within the first set of real orders. A resting set of orders is determined from those real and implied orders within the first set of orders not affected by the tradability of the additional order. Implied orders are determined from within the set of resting orders. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317736 | METHODS AND TOOLS FOR GURANTEEING PORTFOLIO EXPECTED RETURN WHILE MINIMIZING RISKS - Methods and tools for guaranteeing portfolio expected return while minimizing risks are disclosed, Firstly, extracting the user's investment portfolio, the expected return data, the user's position in upper and lower limits of the various investment and the long and short positions in investment requirements and the user's investment orientation, and quantitatively calculating portfolios of financial risks in all positions; Secondly, according to the result of user's data and system risk quantitative calculation and the profit and loss optimization value, dynamically adjusting the actual effective boundary; within the multi-dimensional actual effective boundary calculating the optimum portfolio weights ratio to meet the user's expectation of investment returns and position limits, while minimizing investment risks; Then, listing the corresponding increase or decrease in trading, profit and loss and cash flow when transforming the current portfolio into the optimized portfolio, thus improving the user's investment performance while reducing investment risks. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317737 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANAGING RISK IN AN INVESTMENT FUND - A method of managing risk in an investment fund is implemented on a computer based system. The method includes (a) determining a primary investment in accordance with a primary investment objective; (b) determining a secondary investment objective that is a financial opposite of the primary investment objective; (c) determining secondary investment in accordance with the secondary investment objective; (d) performing a rebalancing cycle having (i) at a first point, (1) calculating a net asset value of the investment pair according to formula EQ.NAV=(EQ.primary+EQ.secondary); (2) calculating a nominal net asset value according to formula NN.NAV=(HU.primary*PI.market price+EQ.secondary) (3) calculating an actual leverage factor according to formula LF.actual=(NN.NAV/EQ.NAV); (ii) at a second point calculating by a computer of a rebalance trade of the primary investment according to formula RBTR=(EQ.NAV*LF.target−NN.NAV). | 2015-11-05 |
20150317738 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MATCHING CUSTOMERS WITH OPTIONS FOR INVESTMENT - A computerized system includes a server which can be accessed by a plurality of customers (investors), and by suppliers of options for investments. The suppliers upload the options to the server. Each investor creates an investment profile indicative of investments suitable for that investor, and the server automatically matches the investors to one or more of the options for investment according to the profile, and transacts chosen investments based on data entered using said functions. Customer-specific data describing the details of the investments made by the investors is stored at locations associated with the investors, and a computer system at that location repeatedly forms a temporary communication path with the server, so that, in the case that a report is to be produced based on the data, the server can communicate with the computer system at the location associated with the customer to obtain the required data. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE REPAIR COST ESTIMATE VERIFICATION - A computer system for processing data for verification of vehicle repair estimates in connection with insurance claims includes an insurance claims database having data relating to insurance claims. One or more computer processors are configured to receive claim identifying data from a repair facility computer system; determine, based on the claim identifying data, an insurance claim associated with the claim identifying data; establish secure communication with the repair facility computer system; receive data indicative of a repair estimate associated with the insurance claim from the repair facility computer system; access an evaluation of the estimate based on a plurality of rules, compare the estimate to one or more thresholds, and forward the estimate to a claim handler system. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317740 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD FOR ESTIMATING INSURANCE RISK OF A STRUCTURE BASED ON TREE PROXIMITY - Computer-implemented methods of estimating insurance risk of one or more structures are described. The computer-implemented methods may be based on a combination of tree characteristic information and insurance loss data that are used together to calculate a Tree Proximity Score for the one or more structures through a computer processor. The tree characteristic information may include vegetation density data, tree height, tree geometric characteristics, and tree species information, and may be based on tree sensor data which may include satellite imagery, aerial imagery, or LiDAR. The insurance loss data may include wind loss data such as a wind loss frequency, severity, or ratio. The high level of correlation between the Tree Proximity Score and insurance loss data is shown in an example. The Tree Proximity Score may be used in the insurance industry in insurance policy implementation and underwriting. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317741 | Online Claim System for Automated Insurance Claim Monitoring - An automated insurance claim monitoring system includes an OCS that receives data relating to a claim filed by a customer, automatically generates claim events based on the received data, and makes the claim events available to a device where the customer can view the events. The OCS may thus be used to provide a comprehensive review of all recent events relating to the processing of a claim, enabling a customer to use the device for obtaining the overall status of the claim as the claim is processed. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317742 | Digital Content Insurance and Restoration - Methods, apparatuses, and systems for monitoring a browser's download activity to detect a download event associated with a digital content file, to determine an insurance policy related to the digital content file, and to provide a user with an option to insure the digital content file as described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317743 | MEDICARE ADVANTAGE RISK ADJUSTMENT - An apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor may receive a diagnosis input, where the diagnosis input represents a condition of a patient. The processor may also identify a health risk value in a data file stored in the memory using the diagnosis input. In the data file, the diagnosis input is associated with the health risk value. The health risk value is a numerical risk factor that represents an increased risk of treating the patient with the condition. The processor may also calculate a raw risk score based at least in part on the health risk value, where the raw risk score indicates a multiplier that is used at least in part to determine payments to a health care plan. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317744 | COVERAGE FOR TRANSMISSION OF DATA APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention provides systems and methods which afford a technical application for insuring, bonding, and underwriting a transmission of a data set, streaming data, and/or document over the Internet through TCP/IP and all other electronic media such as WAP, VOIP, fiber optic channels, microwave channels, and through standard electrical switches, electrical outlets and power lines. The present invention includes a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions to cause a system perform a method for insuring, bonding, and/or underwriting data transmission. The method includes enabling a first remote client coupled to a communications network to insure, bond, and/or underwrite a transmission of an electronic data set, streaming data, and/or document, with a selected coverage type for a selected coverage amount, from the first remote client to one or more second remote clients. The method includes charging a fee to an appropriate account for the selected coverage type and amount. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317745 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSURANCE PRODUCT PRICING AND SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT - Systems, apparatus, interfaces, methods, and articles of manufacture that provide for insurance product pricing and safety program management such as, for example, utilizing vehicle telematics to determine product premiums, surcharges, and/or discounts and providing safety program management advice regarding how product pricing may be changed. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317746 | Vehicle Fee-Tax Management System - A fee-tax manager which provides a fee-tax administrator module which provides a hierarchical structure of a plurality of fee-tax modules which function to couple one or a plurality of fee-tax identifiers to each one of a plurality of fee-taxes of a plurality of fee-tax entities for retrievable storage by matched correspondence with fee-tax retrieval elements which comprise part of a fee-tax inquiry generated by the functionalities of a plurality of fee-tax retrieval modules of a fee-tax user module of the fee-tax manager application program. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317747 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH A MERCHANT - A method implemented using a computing device in communication with one or more memory devices is provided. The method includes receiving a request from a client computing device to provide financial performance data for at least a first merchant of a plurality of merchants, retrieving transaction data associated with the plurality of merchants from the one or more memory devices wherein the transaction data is associated with payments processed through a payment network, comparing the transaction data associated with the first merchant to the transaction data associated with each of the plurality of merchants to determine at least one ranking of the first merchant relative to the plurality of merchants based on at least one financial performance factor, and transmitting the at least one ranking to the client computing device, in response to the request, without providing a name of the first merchant. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317748 | TRANSACTION IDENTIFICATION AND RECOGNITION - A method of matching transaction data with a transaction receipt using one of a plurality of transaction-specific elements is described. Transaction-specific elements are determined ( | 2015-11-05 |
20150317749 | System and Method for Characterizing Financial Messages - A system for characterizing financial messages having a plurality of data fields. A data integration unit selects data fields of the financial message and stores the selected data items as representation parameters in memory. At least one characterization unit characterizes a subset of representation parameters by scoring the financial message and assigning the selected subset of representation parameters to at least a first characterization parameter. The characterisation unit also assigns at least a first confidence value to the at least a first characterization parameter. At least one decision unit compares the first confidence value with a first threshold value. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317750 | EVENT AND LOCATION BASED SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM - A system and method for establishing an event and location based social networking system is provided. A client application permits a user to create a profile, participate in events, and engage in a location-based social networking. The profile provides user information and characteristics the user seeks in other members. The system uses profile matching to permit social networking at an event or a location. The system also facilitates communications between users at a location/event, and enables users to initiate and engage in direct personal contact, if desired. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317751 | Method of Posting Information Regarding Sales Transactions to Social Networks - A programmed computer having a processor, memory, and a storage medium, said storage medium is disclosed. The storage medium comprises code for receiving an identifier corresponding to a purchaser of a good or service in a retail transaction, data about the retail transaction, and data identifying the good or service, data relating to a social network account associated with the purchaser on a social network, and code for using the social network account to transmit to the social network for display to others a message from the purchaser associating the retail transaction with the purchaser, wherein the message includes information relating to at least one of the retail transaction and the good or service. The system further permits real time scanning or product codes for available discounts, code for retailer recommendation and product promotion. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317752 | VIRTUAL FORUM FOR TRAVEL SERVICES - Methods, systems, and computer program products for communicating between a travel service provider and a plurality of travelers using a virtual social network. A virtual forum is created in a virtual social network and associated with a travel service provided by a travel service provider. The virtual forum may be linked with user accounts in the social network belonging to travelers who have booked the travel service. The links may be defined in response to the traveler booking the travel service, or by the traveler requesting the link. The travel service provider may then provide information relating to the travel service to the traveler via the virtual forum. The virtual forum may further provide a communications medium for travelers to interact with other travelers. Interested parties who have not booked the travel service may be able to access a portion of the information available through the virtual forum. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317753 | JOB RECOMMENDATION ENGINE USING A COMPANY EMPLOYEE PROFILE - A system maintains data relating to members and business organizations on a social networking service. The system analyzes the data to identify attributes of employees at a first business organization, creates an employee profile for the first business organization using the identified attributes of the employees, compares the employee profile for the first business organization to a profile of a member, and recommends to the member a job posted by the first business organization when the employee profile for the first business organization is similar to the profile of the member. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317754 | CREATION OF JOB PROFILES USING JOB TITLES AND JOB FUNCTIONS - A system maintains member profiles and job profiles on a social networking service, identifies a first business organization using one or more of the member profiles and the job profiles, identifies a job title or a job function at the first business organization using one or more of the member profiles and the job profiles, and creates a job profile for the job title or job function at the first business organization using the member profiles and the job profiles. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317755 | ELECTRIC POWER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, ELECTRIC POWER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND ELECTRIC POWER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT METHOD - An electric power information management apparatus includes a power meter that measures electric power data on electric power to be supplied from a storage battery of a vehicle to an electric power facility; a security module that associates and encrypts identification information corresponding to the vehicle and the measured electric power data; a communication device that transmits to an electric power management database the identification information corresponding to the vehicle and the electric power data encrypted by the security module to store the electric power data associated with the identification information in the electric power management database; and an electric power control device that extracts necessary electric power from the electric power facility and supplies the electric power to the storage battery of the vehicle corresponding to the identification information, based on the electric power data stored in the electric power management database, being associated with the identification information. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317756 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYSIS OF BEVERAGE DISPENSING DATA - There is provided a computer-implemented method of providing price recommendations for beverage dispensing facilities, the method comprising: receiving signals indicative of beverage dispensing at least at one beverage dispensing facility from at least one beverage dispensing sensor which monitors the at least one beverage dispensing facility and generates the signals; automatically analyzing the signals for calculating a statistical pattern of beverage consumption at the at least one beverage dispensing facility; automatically generating a price recommendation profile for the at least one beverage dispensing facility according to the statistical pattern; and selecting for presentation the price recommendation profile. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317757 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REPRESENTING USAGE OF AN ELECTRONIC LEARNING SYSTEM - A method and system for representing usage of an electronic learning system. The method and system involve receiving an input indicative of a selection of a property of the electronic learning system to be represented, the property including a course content provided by the electronic learning system and an activity available for that course content; receiving representation parameters that define a scope of the usage to be represented; determining an event count for the property during the period of interest; and generating a usage indicator for the property based at least on the event count. The usage indicator is generally reflective of at least a usage amount of the property during the period of interest. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317758 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATING A RESOURCE WITH A COURSE - A method of associating an educational resource with an electronic course. The method includes providing an electronic learning server, the electronic learning server receiving, from an instructor device, information identifying an electronic course that is accessible on the electronic learning environment, the electronic learning server providing the instructor device access to a catalog of educational resources that are usable in conjunction with the electronic course, associating the at least one educational resource with the electronic course; and communicating the association between the at least one educational resource and the electronic course to a content store from which the selected at least one educational resource can be obtained. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317759 | Presenting Career Paths Based On Observed Employment Information - In some implementations, a computer-implemented method is provided that includes accessing a database of career path data structures, each career path data structure including an initial node that represents an initial career position, a subsequent node that represents a subsequent career position, and a path element that represents a career transition between the initial career position and the subsequent career position and is associated with data regarding people that have made the career transition between the initial career position and the subsequent career position. The method includes receiving a career path query. The method includes identifying a set of the career path data structures based on the career path query. The method includes generating a set of career paths from the career path data structures, each career path including a directed graph that includes two or more nodes. The method includes providing a representation of the set of career paths. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317760 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR IDENTIFYING A CAREER PATH - An apparatus, computer-readable medium, and computer-implemented method for identifying a career path includes receiving, career-related information from a user, the career-related information including at least one of a career start point, a career end point, a career start location, and a career end location, selecting a plurality of career path records from a data store based at least in part on the career-related information received from the user, each of the plurality of career path records including a plurality of career points comprising a career path, grouping the plurality of career path records into career path clusters, each career path cluster corresponding to a unique career path, identifying a career path cluster in the career path clusters which contains the greatest number of career path records, the identified career path cluster having a corresponding career path, and transmitting information regarding the corresponding career path. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317761 | FLIGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING SIGNAL THEREOF - Disclosed are a system and method for providing flight information. A system for providing flight information according to one embodiment comprises a control unit identifying an airport user, controlling to generate and provide flight information to the identified airport user, receiving a predetermined item or an information request signal within the provided flight information, and controlling a processing corresponding to the received item or information request signal, and an information providing device outputting the flight information and processed results corresponding to the request signal, wherein the control unit controls to provide flight information including visual information respective to entry and departure and airplane flight information linked to the visual information in at least one format of a map, a graph, and a three-dimensional (3D) display, and wherein the information providing device includes at least one of a mobile device of the identified airport user and a previously installed in-airport display device. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317762 | CPU/GPU DCVS CO-OPTIMIZATION FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN GRAPHICS FRAME PROCESSING - Systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for minimizing power consumption in graphics frame processing. One such method comprises: initiating graphics frame processing to be cooperatively performed by a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU); receiving CPU activity data and GPU activity data; determining a set of available dynamic clock and voltage/frequency scaling (DCVS) levels for the GPU and the CPU; and selecting from the set of available DCVS levels an optimal combination of a GPU DCVS level and a CPU DCVS level, based on the CPU and GPU activity data, which minimizes a combined power consumption of the CPU and the GPU during the graphics frame processing. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317763 | GRAPHICS PROCESSING SYSTEMS - A tile based graphics processing pipeline comprises a plurality of processing stages, including at least a rasteriser that rasterises input primitives to generate graphics fragments to be processed, and a renderer that processes fragments generated by the rasteriser to generate rendered fragment data, and a processing stage | 2015-11-05 |
20150317764 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE POWER CONSUMPTION OF A GRAPHICS ENGINE - Methods and apparatus are disclosed to manage power consumption at a graphics engine. An example method to manage power usage of a graphics engine via an application level interface includes obtaining a policy directive for the graphics engine via the application level interface, the policy directive identifying a threshold corresponding to power consumed by the graphics engine operating in a first graphics state. The example method also includes determining a power consumed by the graphics engine during operation. The example method also includes comparing the power consumed to the threshold of the policy directive, and when the threshold is met, setting the graphics engine in a second graphics state to cause the graphics engine to comply with the policy directive. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317765 | DEEP IMAGE DATA COMPRESSION - A method of compressing a deep image representation may include receiving a deep image, where the deep image may include multiple pixels, and where each pixel in the deep image may include multiple samples. The method may also include compressing the deep image by combining samples in each pixel that are associated with the same primitives. This process may be repeated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Some embodiments may use primitive IDs to match pixels to primitives through the rendering and compositing process. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317766 | IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image display apparatus includes a display unit configured to display, when processing information representing an image process to be performed on an image to be displayed is associated with the image to be displayed, the image which has been subjected to the image process corresponding to the processing information after the image which has not been subjected to the image process is displayed. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317767 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND MEDIUM - An image processing device according to the present invention includes: a weight calculation unit that determines an area where a feature value of an input image is saved, based on a gradient of a feature value of a pixel of the input image and a direction of the gradient, and calculates a weight for reducing a regularization constraint that is a constraint based on regularization of image processing in the area where the feature value is saved; a regularization term calculation unit that calculates a regularization constraint of a high resolution image restored based on the input image by using the weight; a reconstruction constraint calculation unit that calculates a reconstruction constraint that is a constraint based on reconstruction of the high resolution image; and an image restoring unit that restores the high resolution image from the input image based on the regularization constraint and the reconstruction constraint. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317768 | Method for Determining Display Mode of Screen, and Terminal Device - A method includes determining a connection line between two eyes in each piece of profile picture information by identifying profile picture information of each viewer of at least two viewers, and determining a positive direction of each connection line according to the connection line between the two eyes in each piece of profile picture information and a preset positive direction determining rule. When the positive directions of all the connection lines are the same, calculating an included angle between the positive direction of each connection line and a positive direction of a reference line, and performing averaging on all the included angles to obtain a first included angle; and determining a display mode of a screen according to the first included angle. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317769 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A DISPLAY SCREEN OF A PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A system and method for controlling how images are displayed on a display screen of a portable computing device changes the orientation of the images on the display screen when the orientation of the portable computing device changes. If the orientation of the portable computing device is changing only infrequently, the orientation of the images on the display screen may be rapidly changed when the orientation of the portable computing device changes. If the orientation of the portable computing device is changing relatively frequently, the orientation of the images may not switch until after a delay period has expired after each change in orientation of the portable computing device occurs. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317770 | CAMERA DEFOCUS DIRECTION ESTIMATION - Apparatus and methods for estimating defocus direction from a single image obtained, such as in a digital camera apparatus, are presented. To determine defocus direction, point spread function (PSF) differences for the image are evaluated in the frequency domain, with frequency pairs being found having largest difference in their Fourier transform magnitudes, from which a direction estimate feature is extracted, and defocus direction estimated based on relation of estimated feature and statistics derived from camera image tests. The method can be applied for controlling autofocus mechanisms in cameras, or other applications requiring rapid determination of defocus directions, such as from a single image. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317771 | X-RAY DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - According to an embodiment, a grid is provided between an X-ray generator and a flat panel detector. Processing circuitry configured to convert original image based on X-rays having passed through the grid and detected into a plurality of pieces of frequency band data, remove interference fringes contained in at least one piece of frequency band data among the pieces of frequency band data, reduce noise contained in the pieces of frequency band data, correct a scattered radiation of the original image based on a scattered radiation contained in the X-rays having passed through the grid and a scattered radiation contained in X-rays having passed through a grid that removes scattered radiation to a larger extent than the grid, and synthesize a plurality of pieces of frequency band data to generate image. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317772 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHROMA NOISE REDUCTION - Systems and methods for reducing chrominance (chroma) noise in image data are provided. In one example of such a method, image data in YCC format may be received into logic of an image signal processor. Using the logic, noise may be filtered from a first chrominance component or a second chrominance component, or both, of the image data, using a sparse filter and a noise threshold. The noise threshold may be determined based at least in part on two of the components of the YCC image data. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317773 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus has a decomposition unit that decomposes an image into multiple frequency component images, a reduction unit that reduces linear noise included in the frequent component images, and a reconstruction unit that reconstructs the frequency component images with reduced linear noise. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317774 | AUTO-FOCUS IMAGE SYSTEM - An auto-focus image system includes a focus signal generator and a pixel array coupled thereto that captures an image that includes a plurality of edges. The generator computes a focus signal from a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each measured from and contributed by a different edge as a quantity with a unit that is a power of a unit of length, such as a distance in the edge, an area, or an even-order central moment. A relative weight of the contribution by an edge is reduced depending on at least a pair of shape measures, each being computed from a plurality of sample-pair differences of the edge. One may be the edge-sharpness measure. The weight may be zero if the pair of shape measures falls outside a predetermined region. At least one symmetrical sequence of gradients exists such that an edge with it has reduced relative weight. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317775 | IMAGE BLUR CORRECTION APPARATUS AND IMAGE BLUR CORRECTION METHOD - An image blur correction apparatus, comprises a blur correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a blur correction amount based on a shake amount of the apparatus; an estimation calculation unit configured to calculate an estimated value of the blur correction amount using a blur correction amount calculated up until a previous time; a correction unit configured to correct an image blur by cutting out an image using the blur correction amount or the estimated value; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not to calculate the estimated value in accordance with a frame rate of a moving image. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317776 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - An image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention obtains recovery image data by performing restoration processing using a restoration filter based on a point spread function of an optical system, on original image data obtained from an imaging element by imaging using the optical system. The restoration filter used in this restoration processing (a combination filter and realization filter Fr) is generated by combining multiple base filters Fb. Base filter Fb may be arbitrarily selected from filters that are confirmed beforehand to be effective to prevent image quality degradation. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317777 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILTERING AN IMAGE - The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for filtering an image. Said apparatus comprises an image input ( | 2015-11-05 |
20150317778 | Noise Enhanced Histograms - Apparatus for binning an input value into one of a plurality of bins which collectively represent a histogram of input values, each of the plurality of bins representing a corresponding range of input values, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving an input value; a noise source configured to generate an error value according to a predetermined noise distribution; and a binning controller configured to mix the received input value with the error value so as to generate a modified input value and to allocate the modified input value to the bin corresponding to that modified input value. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317779 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image processing system includes an imaging device, an angle detecting unit, a relative angle calculating unit, and a relative angle correcting unit. The imaging device captures an image of an object to be inspected. The angle detecting unit detects an angle of the imaging device. The relative angle calculating unit calculates a relative angle between the object to be inspected and the imaging device. The relative angle correcting unit corrects a tilt indicated by the relative angle calculated by the relative angle calculating unit. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317780 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL SURFACE MEASUREMENT - A system and method for three-dimensional measurement of surfaces. In one embodiment, a measurement system includes a laser projector, a first camera, and a processor. The laser projector is configured to emit a laser projection onto a surface for laser triangulation. The first camera is configured to provide images of the surface, and is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the laser projector. The processor is configured to apply photogrammetric processing to the images, to compute calibrations for laser triangulation based on a result of the photogrammetric processing, and to compute, based on the calibrations, coordinates of points of the surface illuminated by the laser projection via laser triangulation. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317781 | EXTRINSIC CALIBRATION OF IMAGING SENSING DEVICES AND 2D LIDARS MOUNTED ON TRANSPORTABLE APPARATUS - A method and system for determining extrinsic calibration parameters for at least one pair of sensing devices mounted on transportable apparatus obtains ( | 2015-11-05 |
20150317782 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING PARTS - The method and apparatus for inspecting parts generally includes three main components: an indexer assembly, a clamp assembly, and a camera system. The indexer assembly is configured to rotate parts individually into proximity to the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is configured to clamp the part and move the part into proximity to the camera system. The clamp assembly may be comprised of a first portion and a second portion which are independently moveable with respect to one another. The camera system is configured to scan the part as the clamp assembly moves the part past and create an image thereof. The camera system is further configured to analyze the image to inspect the part. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317783 | Inspection Apparatus - An apparatus for inspecting flat objects, in particular wafers, containing an object holder, a camera arrangement having a camera for recording an image of at least one part of the object; and a drive arrangement for producing a relative movement between the camera arrangement and the object from a first recording position to at least one further recording position; is characterized in that the camera arrangement has at least one further camera; the object areas imaged in different cameras are at least partially different, wherein all cameras together simultaneously record only part of the total inspection area of the object; and each object point of the entire inspection area can be imaged at least once in one of the cameras as a result of the relative movement between the camera arrangement and the object, as produced with the drive arrangement. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317784 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A user's operability in an image processing apparatus such as a camera scanner is improved. The image processing apparatus has: a pickup image obtaining unit for obtaining a pickup image on a stage through an imaging unit; a distance image obtaining unit for obtaining a distance image on the stage through a solid measuring unit; a solid information obtaining unit for obtaining solid information of a solid object put on the stage based on the obtained pickup image of the solid object and the obtained distance image of the solid object; a projecting unit for projecting a projection image showing a contents area onto the solid object through a projector based on the obtained solid information; and a processing unit for executing the contents in accordance with a user's gesture to the projected projection image. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317785 | METHOD OF GENERATING A MULTI-MODALITY ANATOMICAL ATLAS - Method of generating a multi-modality anatomical atlas. The method includes receiving first and second medical images of a region-of-interest (ROI) of a same individual. The first and second medical images are acquired by different first and second imaging modalities. The method includes generating first and second feature images based on the first and second medical images. The first and second feature images include a same designated anatomical feature of the ROI. The method includes determining a transformation function by registering the first and second feature images and applying the transformation function to the first and second medical images to register the medical images. The method includes generating a multi-modality anatomical atlas. The multi-modality atlas has the first and second medical images. The first and second medical images are first and second reference images. The multi-modality anatomical atlas includes an organ model that corresponds to an organ in the ROI. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317786 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR WELD MEASUREMENT - An apparatus and method for measuring broken spot weld artifacts has a framework for supporting a light and a plurality of cameras for acquiring controlled images of a specimen with minimal distortion and parallax. The framework holds the specimen flat and in a reproducible position, controlling movement while imaging. The image data is received in a computer programmed with image processing software capable of isolating and measuring the artifacts. A calibration standard is used to correct for aberrations. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317787 | LEAK DETECTION - Apparatus and corresponding method are invented for detecting a leak in equipment forming a target, such as a stuffing box. The apparatus includes an image analyzer configured to receive an image from camera and analyze the image to determine if a leak on the equipment is present by comparing a color channel of the image with a reference and the image analyzer having an output port for delivering a notification upon the image analyzer determining that a leak is present on the equipment. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317788 | Method for Registering Deformable Images Using Random Markov Fields - A method registers a source image with a target image, wherein the images are deformable, by first measuring dissimilarity between the source image and the target image. The dissimilarity minimized using a discrete energy function. At multiple scales, multi-scale Markov random field registration is applied to the source and target images to determine a deformation vector field. Then, the target image is warped according to the deformation field vector to obtain a warped target mage registered to the source image. | 2015-11-05 |
20150317789 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CATEGORIZING HEART DISEASE STATES - A method, system and computer program for categorizing heart diseases is presented. An example method includes receiving a series of cardiac images of a heart, the cardiac images including a myocardium, and interior fibrous muscles of the heart. Cardiac images are segmented, into a myocardium segmentation showing an anatomical shape and a motion of the myocardium, and an interior fibrous muscles segmentation showing an anatomical shape and a motion of the interior fibrous muscles. The myocardium segmentation is converted into a regional characterization of the anatomical shape and motion of the myocardium. The interior fibrous muscles segmentation is converted to a regional characterization of the anatomical shape and motion of the interior fibrous muscles. Heart, conditions are characterized based on the regional characterizations of the anatomical shape and the motion of the myocardium and the interior fibrous muscles. | 2015-11-05 |