47th week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 56 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100299202 | Method And System For Pushing Advertisement To Client - The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for pushing an advertisement to a client. The method includes: recording characteristic information of each available advertisement position in a game; determining whether a client has accessed an advertisement position, and if the client has accessed an advertisement position, reading characteristic information of the accessed advertisement position; and selecting advertisement content matching the accessed advertisement position according to the read characteristic information, and pushing the advertisement content to the accessed advertisement position to be displayed. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299203 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING A CUSTOMER TO ADDITIONAL PURCHASING OPPORTUNITIES - A dynamic merchandising system creates for each of a plurality of products in a plurality of purchase orders a list of products purchased together. This information is then used to create ordered lists reflecting relationships between various product attributes, e.g., the relationships between different brand names purchased together, different product categories purchased together, different catalog pages of products purchased together, etc. From these ordered relationship lists information may be selected and presented to the customer for the purpose of directing the customer to additional purchasing opportunities. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299204 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING A CUSTOMER TO ADDITIONAL PURCHASING OPPORTUNITIES - A dynamic merchandising system creates for each of a plurality of products in a plurality of purchase orders a list of products purchased together. This information is then used to create ordered lists reflecting relationships between various product attributes, e.g., the relationships between different brand names purchased together, different product categories purchased together, different catalog pages of products purchased together, etc. From these ordered relationship lists information may be selected and presented to the customer for the purpose of directing the customer to additional purchasing opportunities. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299205 | PROTECTED SERVING OF ELECTRONIC CONTENT - Third parties are prevented from obtaining proprietary information that a content provider might not want to expose. Targeting data used to enable a selection service to select targeted or supplemental content can be passed as an anchor in a uniform resource locator or stored in a parent file for a page. A second file can reside in an inline frame (iFrame) on the page that is able to pull the targeting data from the parent page, if in the same domain, or parse the parameters from the data in the anchor. The targeting data can be submitted to a selection service, which can return parameters specifying content or a type of supplemental content to be displayed. The request submitted to a supplemental content provider can come from a nested iFrame in a separate domain, such that the targeting data or source of the parent file cannot be obtained through the nested iFrame. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299206 | SOFTWARE WITH INTEGRATED ADVERTISING CONTENT - Tools and techniques related to software with integrated advertising content are provided. These tools send requests for software, and receive the software in response to these requests. These tools then integrate advertising content into the software, and distribute the software with the integrated advertising content. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299207 | DYNAMIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PASSENGER INTERACTIVE EXCHANGE - An on-board dynamic and interactive information and exchange system and method enabling passengers while traveling in transportation vehicles to acquire services from selective vendors located at intended destinations merging the purchase power of an individual customer into the purchase power of a group of customers. It also can merge in real time the purchasing powers of said groups of passengers in a plurality of vehicles traveling towards same destinations at given time intervals into a common network forming an even greater purchasing group. It also enables passengers to receive prices and deals at changing terms as getting closer to destination, and vendors to gain ‘captive audience’ prospective customers at concrete times. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299208 | MERCHANT COMPETITION ALERT - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for determining the products involved in a transaction, and transmitting messages containing product specific data. Systems may be implemented to product identifiers during payment processing. The messages may be sent including product identifiers, and further information regarding the products associated with the product identifiers. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299209 | ADVERTISEMENT ALLOCATION BASED ON USER POPULATION FREQUENCY CAPPING - Systems and methods for providing advertisements in response to impression events (e.g., a request for a placement of an advertisement) corresponding to forecasted impressions (e.g., a forecast of a request for a placement of an advertisement). The advertisements are allocated according to solution data that respects frequency caps on the number of times the advertisement can be presented to a particular user population. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299210 | SYSTEM FOR SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATING PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION TO A PERSON - A system for selectively communicating promotional information to a person, includes a sensing system, a storage device, a controller, and a projection device. The sensing system measures a detectable feature associated with the person sensed by the sensing system and the storage device stores a plurality of promotional segments. The controller uses the measured detectable feature associated with the person for selecting one of the stored promotional segments and causing the projection device to project to the person at the predetermined location the selected promotional segment. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299211 | Method, Apparatus And System For Determining Behavior Attribute Of User And Method And System For Delivering Advertisement - A system and method for determining behavior attributes of a user and for delivering an advertisement. The behavior attributes of the user are determined by: obtaining, by the client, the transmission information of the user, matching the transmission information with preset matching words, determining the corresponding attributes of matching words which match the transmission information, obtaining the preset weights or accumulative weights of the corresponding attributes, reporting the user identity of the user, preset weights or accumulative weights, and attribute identities to the attribute server at the network side; respectively accumulating, by the attribute server, the reported preset weights or accumulative weights of the user according to the attribute identities, determining the attribute corresponding to the maximal weight as the behavior attribute of the user, or determining multiple attributes corresponding to weights with relatively large sums as the behavior attributes of the user. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299212 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A COMMERCE WINDOW APPLICATION FOR COMPUTING DEVICES - A commerce window system includes a consumer computing device, a commerce window gateway server and a plurality of merchants. The consumer computing device comprises a commerce application player executable by the consumer computing device. The commerce window gateway server comprises a commerce application and a secure payment application and the commerce window gateway server communicates with the consumer computing device via a first network connection. The plurality of merchants provide product offers to the consumer computing device via the commerce application and receive payments via the secure payment application. The commerce application comprises a plurality of commerce offer managers and each commerce offer manager is associated with a specific merchant and comprises a commerce offer application that presents product offers for sale by the specific merchant. A specific commerce offer application of a specific merchant is downloaded and executed by the commerce application player in the consumer computing device and displays product offers from the specific merchant in the consumer computing device. Each commerce offer manager further comprises an offer management application used to generate product offers by the specific merchant. Each product offer is associated with a product offer identifier and a specific merchant identifier. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299213 | System and method for providing internet based advertising in a retail environment - A system for providing information about an item to a customer. The system comprises a first processor effective to receive a first request from an electronic device regarding an item, the electronic device and the item both being disposed inside a store; a second processor connected to the first processor and effective to receive the first request and generate at least one keyword relating to the first request; and a third processor connected to the second processor and effective to receive the keyword, convert the keyword into a second request and forward the second request to a search engine. The third processor is further effective to receive least one advertisement from the search engine, the advertisement relating to the second request. A fourth processor is connected to the third processor and is effective to receive device information and the advertisement, the fourth processor effective to convert the advertisement based on the device information to produce a formatted advertisement; and wherein the first processor is effective to receive and forward the formatted advertisement to the electronic device. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299214 | TIME DIFFERENTIATION BASED ADVERTISING - Time differentiation based advertising. A method includes receiving bids for a content category from a first content provider and a second content provider. The method also includes determining a time difference between initiation of an action corresponding to the first content provider and corresponding to the second content provider based on the content category and the bids. Further, the method includes electronically initiating the action corresponding to the first content provider in response to an input associated with the first content provider. Furthermore, the method includes electronically initiating the action corresponding to the second content provider in response to an input associated with the second content provider after a time equivalent to the determined time difference has elapsed. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299215 | ADVERTISEMENT ALLOCATION - Systems and methods for allocating and providing advertisements in response to impression events (e.g., a request for a placement of an advertisement) corresponding to forecasted impressions (e.g., a forecast of a request for a placement of an advertisement). The advertisements are allocated according to solution data that includes two disjoint solution sets, with each solution set identifying an advertisement that can be allocated to a forecasted impression. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299216 | Electronic Commerce Transaction Method and Electronic Commerce Transaction System for Enterprise Network Marketing and Purchase Outsourcing - The invention discloses an electronic business method and system for enterprise cyber marketing and procurement outsourcing. The electronic business system includes: an enterprise information publishing system; a professional information publishing system; an authorizing, sending, receiving and managing system for email, network telephone, network fax and instant messaging tool; a bidding system; a B2B information flow subdivision charging system; a mutual evaluation system; and a complaint management system. In particular, the invention can be applied to a B2B electronic business method to overcome limitations of the existing B2B method. The invention is a people-oriented electronic business method and system, a multi-lingual professional online support method that is based on demands and with a low cost. The invention allows an enterprise to outsource its cyber marketing and procurement to multi-lingual professionals anywhere in the world, so that the enterprise can obtain the cyber marketing and procurement service by sharing the services offered by those multi-lingual professionals from anywhere in the world at low labor cost. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299217 | WARRANTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A warranty management system comprises a hardware device for inputting warranty information and a copy of a receipt. A network permits communication between the hardware device and a server. The server stores the warranty information and the copy of the receipt. The warranty management system also includes a means for verifying the authenticity of the warranty information and the related receipt. Some embodiments of the warranty management system may further include a means for comparing the failure rates of products and services. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299218 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF PROVIDING DISCOVERY AND PAYMENT FOR ONLINE COMMERCE - An approach is provided for discovering and paying for items in online commerce. A discovery application is launched to display one or more items available for purchase. Items that are selected for purchase are then transmitted to a payment application that is independent of the discovery application to obtain payment for the selected items. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299219 | Configuration and Management of Add-ons to Digital Application Programs for Network-Based Distribution - An improved system and method for configuring, submitting, distributing and/or managing add-ons for digital products previously submitted to a product distribution site are disclosed. The add-ons for digital products can be managed and made available for online purchase and distribution at the product distribution site. An add-on for a digital product can subsequently be offered to and acquired by an interested person that previously purchased the associated digital product through use of the digital product itself, which can interact with a product distribution site. The product distribution site can also be referred to as an online product hosting site. In one embodiment, the digital products are computer program products (e.g., computer software programs). | 2010-11-25 |
20100299220 | Systems and Methods to Confirm Transactions via Mobile Devices - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299221 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - The present invention comprises a system and method for managing an inventory of PINs in a PIN distribution network. The distribution network includes a hub coupled to a one or more servers and each of the servers is coupled to at least one client terminal. The system includes a hub for dynamically allocating PINs of the inventory among the servers so as to substantially maintain a quantity of PINs at each server at a desired level for each server. Additionally, the hub acquires additional PINs in response to at least one PIN in the inventory being distributed to at least one user from at least one of the client terminals. In variations, the hub maintains centralized databases and synchronizes the centralized databases with corresponding databases at each server. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299222 | ONLINE PURCHASING METHOD - A method and system is provided for managing multiple, simultaneous, multi-parameter negotiations for the purchase of products or services, such as agriculture products in an Online private contract environment. In the various embodiments, the method comprises a process to compile a database consisting of value-relevant product attributes and buyer demand attributes; a protocol to search, sort and display products and demand for products based upon these attributes; a protocol to aggregate products into “pooled” lots for sale; a protocol to allow sellers to negotiate simultaneously with multiple potential buyers on a private contract basis; a protocol to allow sellers to retain partial ownership in the products; and a protocol to produce a financial reconciliation upon delivery of the products or services. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299223 | System And Method For Communicating With An Electronic Exchange In An Electronic Trading Environment - System and methods for a connection proxy server are described. According to an example method described herein, a connection proxy server stores subscription, product tables as well as other downloads that are provided to a client terminal during initialization stage as well as later during a trading session. Upon detecting that a connection between the client terminal and a gateway is lost, the connection proxy maintains a communication session created for the client terminal at the gateway and receives data intended for the client terminal. If the connection is re-established between the client terminal and the gateway during a predetermined period of time, the connection proxy provides the stored data to the client terminal thus avoiding a surge in processing resources at the gateway due to the necessary downloads. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299224 | ENHANCED SHOPPING & MERCHANDISING METHODOLOGY - An enhanced shopping system for facilitating grocery shopping and in-store advertising is disclosed. The system utilizes uniquely changes (1) the way grocery retail industry captures and retains customers, (2) how customers organize their shopping efforts in grocery stores, (3) the approach to advertising and reaching customers, and (4) the information available to retailers and merchandisers related to customer (a) shopping patterns, (b) responses to merchandising and advertising, and (c) specific impact of discounting/coupons. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299225 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING PURCHASING INFORMATION - An approach is provided for displaying purchasing information on a mobile device. Purchasing information that is transmitted for display using a purchasing application on the mobile device is redirected for display on a browser application or a messaging application when the purchasing application is not resident on the mobile device. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299226 | Apparatus, System and Method for a Brand Affinity Engine Using Positive and Negative Mentions and Indexing - An apparatus, system and method of implementing a computerized brand affinity engine. The apparatus, system and method include at least a plurality of computerized access points having accessible thereto a plurality of sites mentioning at least one sponsor, a categorized, hierarchical database of keywords, wherein at least the keywords falling in at least one category of the hierarchy correspond to a sponsor category of the at least one sponsor, and a tracker, wherein the tracker tracks positive ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites and negative ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites, in accordance with positive and negative keywords of the categorized, hierarchical database in the sponsor category, and wherein the tracker issues an rating with regard to the at least one sponsor in accordance with the positive ones and the negative ones of the mentions. An assessment of optimal sponsors for particular markets and/or in particular geographies that additionally increases sponsorship opportunities in particular markets and/or in particular geographies is thereby provided. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299227 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RULE-BASED MULTI-SELECTION GIFTING - A method for multi-selection gifting, including identifying a multi-selection gift, the multi-selection gift including a plurality of items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule governing selection of at least two of the items of merchandise, and interactively guiding a gift recipient in selecting at least one item of merchandise in accordance with the at least one selection rule, wherein each selection rule is a member of the group including allowing the gift recipient to select up to a specified total number of items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift, allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total cost, and allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total measure. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299228 | ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RULE-BASED MULTI-SELECTION GIFTING - A method for multi-selection gifting, including maintaining, by at least one of a plurality of computers, a gift database including records for multi-selection gifts, each record including a plurality of product identifiers for items of merchandise, and at least one selection rule governing selection of at least two of the items of merchandise, and interactively enabling, by at least one of the plurality of computers, a gift giver to generate a multi-selection gift for at least one gift recipient, including presenting, to the gift giver, a group of selection rules for selection by the gift giver, the group including allowing a gift recipient to select up to a specified total number of items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift, allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total cost, and allowing the gift recipient to select items of merchandise in the multi-selection gift up to a specified total measure. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299229 | CAPABILITIES AND OPTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTING FUNCTIONALITY IN AN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM LANDSCAPE - A system and method for distributing computing operations across multiple systems in an enterprise resource planning system is provided. In an embodiment, notifications are used to exchange information updates between the systems. In an embodiment, notifications containing financial data are sent to an accounting system. The accounting system may extract the financial data from the notification, use accounting logic in the accounting system to associate the financial data with a general ledger account maintained by the accounting system, and post an accounting entry in a financial document to properly credit and/or debit the account. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299230 | RECURRING TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Techniques for processing of recurring payments are provided that allow a consumer to decide whether to update consumer account information at a merchant when a consumer is issued new account information for a payment card or the like. For example, a consumer may register with a payment processing network associated with the consumer's payment card. During registration, the consumer may indicate the payment card number and expiration date, the name of merchants that the consumer pays on a recurring basis using the payment card and the corresponding merchant website addresses, in what form the consumer would like to receive alerts (e.g. text message, email), and when to receive alerts (e.g. a particular number of days prior to the expiration date). The payment processing network sends the consumer an alert message based on the preferences indicated during registration, including the names and website links for each merchant indicated during registration. The consumer can use the alert message to access the merchant websites and update the account information for a new payment card. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299231 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MORTGAGING - A method that provides industry specific consulting, management, and production services to individual IP producers. More specifically, the method provides intellectual property leveraging strategies, accounting, and finance methods for individual IP producers based on a contractual relationship wherein a business entity delivers the industry specific consulting, management, and production services to the individual IP producer based on the evaluated value of the produced IP product. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299232 | Method of communications for an intelligent digital audiovisual playback system - Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299233 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR APPROVAL AND ALLOCATION OF COSTS IN ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT - A system, method and computer program product for approval and allocation of costs in electronic procurement is described, wherein approval and allocation of costs are made in response to an electronic invoice, which includes information used to allocate procurement costs to one or more cost centers. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299234 | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PROCESS - Techniques for performing an accounts payable process may include receiving transaction data including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verifying a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional criteria to the transaction data. An accounts payable system may include a host system in communication with one or more client systems. The host system may include a matching database configured to receive an accounts payable file including at least one of invoice data, purchase order data, and vendor data; and verify a transaction by matching a dynamic data set of client-specified multi-dimensional records to attributes of the accounts payable file. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299235 | Systems and Methods for Managing Tips and Gratuities - Disclosed are systems and methods for recording, maintaining, and reporting tips and gratuities, optionally including details such as employee, task performed, and shift. In one aspect, inter-employee tip and gratuity transactions are tracked and verified. In another aspect, taxing authority forms and/or returns are automatically generated with substantially decreased administration time and cost, thereby facilitating a user's participation in voluntary taxing authority programs. Additionally, the training required by such programs is automatically monitored. In yet another aspect, tips and/or gratuities may be paid as wages. In another aspect of the present invention, employees are provided an opportunity to increase declared tips if the originally declared tips place employee in jeopardy of an audit. In another aspect, interfaces to third-party systems such as POS systems, payroll systems, and the like are provided to further minimize system administration time and data accuracy. In another aspect, Web-based systems are provided. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299236 | TEMPORARY INTERNET SPEED INCREASE - A temporary Internet bandwidth increase is provided. A speed preview interface is presented for obtaining a request for an Internet bandwidth increase from a customer. The eligibility of the customer for the requested increase of the Internet bandwidth is verified. The increase of Internet bandwidth for the customer is provisioned for a predetermined period of time based on the verification of eligibility of the customer. The predetermined period of time may be a temporary fixed period of time or a period of time based on billing status. When the predetermined period of time is a temporary fixed period of time, the increase in Internet bandwidth is terminated after lapse of the temporary fixed period of time. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299237 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEFEASEMENT OF FUTURE OBLIGATIONS - The disclosed technology provides systems and methods that process and manage education savings plans involving participating institutions, institution trusts, and purchasers. The disclosed technology can communicate with participating institutions to obtain prices for qualified educational services. The disclosed technology can communicate a sale of a fraction (or more) of an educational unit to a purchaser, where the sale price is based on the price for qualified educational services at a particular participating institution. Each educational unit corresponds to a right to receive qualified educational services. The disclosed technology can communicate an instruction to the particular participating institution to transfer a number of cancelable interests to a corresponding institution trust, where the number of cancelable interests corresponds to the number of educational units in the sale. The cancelable interests correspond to an obligation to provide qualified educational services at the particular participating institution. The disclosed technology can store the above information in a database. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299238 | Method for valuing forwards futures and options on real estate - A system and method for matching buy and sell orders is provided. A daily cash index of real estate values for a local region is maintained based on real estate transactions and/or real estate transactional activity, and a trading instrument representative of an interest in real estate in the local region is created. In this regard, a cash settlement of the trading instrument is a function of the daily cash index on the date of said cash settlement. In addition, a plurality of buy orders relating to the instrument are generated; a plurality of sell orders relating to the instrument are generated; and the buy and sell orders are matched to determine a purchase and sale of the instrument. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299239 | SYSTEMS FOR RISK PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT - A switch engine module enables anonymous switches between a first trader and a plurality of second traders. The switch engine module receives interest rate risk portfolios from a plurality of traders, and for each prospective trader, provides available switches based on positions in other counterparty portfolios that offset the viewing traders' positions. The offsetting positions are encoded with credit preference information in order to identify eligible trades based on both counterparties credit preferences. The credit preferences of the participating traders can be taken in consideration in making switches. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299240 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A PERSONALIZED EXCHANGE MARKET - The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing a personalized exchange market, and more specifically, to systems and methods for establishing personalized pledge agreements for uncertain future events or occurrences. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method including the steps of facilitating a pledge offer via a network, the pledge offer specifying an outcome of an uncertain future occurrence, the uncertain future occurrence being independently definable; facilitating an acceptance of the pledge offer over via the network, the acceptance forming a pledge agreement; determining the outcome; and facilitating performance of the pledge agreement based on the outcome. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299241 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ON-LINE TRADING DISPLAY - The present method and software provides a display for a trader in tradable instruments that shows the market price and market depth. The display dynamically updates with data received from an electronic exchange and centers on the market price. Upon the trader moving a cursor over a trade entering portion of the screen to make a trade, the price is held stationary and no longer centers on the market price so as to permit the trader to select a price and quantity for trading. The displayed data is still being updated in the stationary screen, however. The trade is made by the trader selecting a price and quantity on the display. Movement of the cursor away from the trade selecting area results in the display again automatically centering on the market price in the dynamic display mode. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299242 | System and Method for Displaying Highest and Lowest Traded Price of Tradable Objects - A client terminal displays on a graphical interface a first indicator of a price associated with a lowest traded price of a tradable object during a predetermined period of time, a second indicator of a price associated with a highest traded price of the tradable object during the predetermined period of time, along with at least one quantity indicator associated with at least one order to buy/order the tradable object. The first indicator, the second indicator, and the at least one quantity indicator are displayed in relation to a static axis of price, and the client terminal dynamically updates the first and second indicator to new lowest and highest traded prices based on market updates received from an exchange. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299243 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRADE ORDER EXECUTION - An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for a sponsoring organization to: (1) utilize a rules-based computer system to capture trade orders from sub-advisors (money management firms) in order to implement a pre trade compliance review process, thereby enabling the sponsoring organization to prevent the execution of trade orders by a sub advisor that violates securities laws and/or account restrictions; and (2) determine and assign, based on expected market impact of a trade order to buy or sell securities, whether responsibility (discretion over the decisions related to how, when and with whom a trade order is executed) for executing the trade order is assigned to the money management firm for an investment portfolio or to the sponsoring organization of that portfolio. Trade orders are categorized in real-time as “high touch” (significant effort and market impact) or “low touch” (insignificant effort and market impact). | 2010-11-25 |
20100299244 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING AN INTEREST-BEARING INSTRUMENT - Systems and methods are provided that allow a financial instrument to be structured so that the underlying borrowed principal is callable, putable, or both. In a preferred embodiment, a Range Accrual Mortgage is structured so that the underlying borrowed principal is a mortgage that is callable, putable, or both by embedding into the loan structure a rate put option. Systems and methods according to the invention lend symmetry to the interest rate behavior of certain borrowings by making explicit the pricing and market value of options that were previously only implicit in the borrowing structure. For example, a mortgage in accordance with the invention should provide incentives for either the homeowner or the bank to refinance the mortgage and should do so whether interest rates rise or fall, and no matter what path interest rates follow from the inception of the instrument until the maturity of the instrument. The invention achieves the desired advantages, in part, by extending the characteristics of a borrowing via the addition of a rate put option on an interest rate and, in part, by permitting correlative adjustments to the outstanding loan principal. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299245 | Web-based home-loan assessment system and mortgage brokerage service - “The web-based home-loan modification assessment system prepares a detailed financial statement of borrower's income and expenses that the lender uses in determining whether or not to modify the borrower's mortgage agreement. The website is designed to streamline the information gathering process. The data input device can be a keypad, a pda, or a phone. The borrower answers questions about his current financial status. Once submitted, the personal data is organized into a request form for a loan modification. The processor determines the amount that the borrower is able to afford using either a front end debt-to-income ratio, or back end debt-to-income ratio. The net present value of the real property is then calculated. The request form is then submitted to the borrower for review and approval in real time. If the calculations support modifying the mortgage agreement, the information is submitted to the lender for consideration.” | 2010-11-25 |
20100299246 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THIN-FILE RECORDS AND DETERMINING THIN-FILE RISK LEVELS - In some embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for generating filters to determine whether a consumer is likely to have a scoreable credit record based on non-credit data, and to determine a potential risk level associated with an unscoreable credit record based on non-credit data. Existing scoreable and unscoreable records are compared to determine factors correlated with having an unscoreable record, and a multi-level filter is developed. Unscoreable records having at least one entry are compared to determine whether they are “good” or “bad” risks, factors correlated with either condition are determined, and a filter is developed. The filters can be applied to records comprising demographic data to determine consumers that are likely to have unscoreable records but represent good risks. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299247 | Methods and Systems for Characteristic Leveling - Characteristic normalization (or leveling) is a process that yields consistent and equitable characteristic definitions across multiple sources of credit information. This leveling ensures that when the same data is present for multiple credit sources, for example two or more credit reporting agencies, it is interpreted in the same manner, acknowledging that differences in the data itself may still be present. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299248 | Method and system to create and distribute excess funds from consumer spending transactions - The present invention provides a system for accumulating credits from a customer account belonging to the customer and managed by an institution and placing the credits into a provider account. The system includes an information processor including a data store with data identifying the customer, the rounding determinant, the managed institution, and the account. The data store includes data authorizing the processor to access and read the customer account and further includes data to calculate rounders after receiving a plurality of payment transactions from the read customer account and to calculate an excess based on the rounders. The data store also includes data to withdraw the excess from the customer account and data to transfer the withdrawn excess to the provider account. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299249 | SKU LEVEL CONTROL AND ALERTS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for determining the products involved in a transaction conducted with a subsidiary user of a payment account, and transmitting messages containing product specific information. Systems may be implemented to transmit product identifiers during payment processing. The product specific information may be included in alert messages sent to an account holder. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299250 | OFFSET OPTIMIZATION SYSTEM - Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for optimizing amounts collected in an offset action where a creditor garnishes funds from a debtor's deposits account to satisfy delinquent debt payments. In operation, embodiments of the present invention leverage a deposits account's transaction history to detect a deposit pattern for the account and, based on the detected pattern, predict the date of the next large deposit to the garnishable account. An offset associate, using the present invention, can then schedule the offset action to occur on the expected date of the next large deposit. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299251 | PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH REVENUE GENERATION - The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for a user. The system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for the user by matching user information with information regarding the opportunities. The system further provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, a community recommendation, minimizing penalties/fees associated with user's debts, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills, wherein the transfer of funds may include different funds transfer systems and methods. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299252 | PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH REVENUE GENERATION - The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for a user. The system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for the user by matching user information with information regarding the opportunities. The system further provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, a community recommendation, minimizing penalties/fees associated with user's debts, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills, wherein the transfer of funds may include different funds transfer systems and methods. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299253 | Recurring Transaction Processing - Techniques for processing of recurring payments are provided that do not require merchants to update consumer account information when a consumer is issued a new account number for a payment card or the like. For example, when a consumer is issued a new account number by an issuer, the new account number can be provided to a payment processing network. A server computer in the payment processing network then identifies any recurring payments associated with the user's old account number and provides the consumer with a list of merchants for which the consumer had established recurring payments associated with the old account number. The consumer is then provided the opportunity to select those merchants for whom the consumer wishes to continue the recurring payments using the new account number. The payment processing network then creates a mapping between the old account number and the new account number for the merchants designated by the consumer and continues to process recurring payment authorization requests received from the designated merchants using the old account information. As a result, the merchants do not need to make any updates to the consumer account information maintained by the merchants, and the consumer is provided with the ability to easily select which merchants can continue processing recurring payments using the old account number. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299254 | RECURRING TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Techniques for processing of recurring payments are provided that do not require merchants to update consumer account information when a consumer is issued a new account number for a payment card or the like. For example, when a consumer is issued a new account number by an issuer, the new account number can be provided to a payment processing network. A server computer in the payment processing network then identifies any recurring payments associated with the user's old account number and provides the consumer with a list of merchants for which the consumer had established recurring payments associated with the old account number. The consumer is then provided the opportunity to select those merchants for whom the consumer wishes to continue the recurring payments using the new account number. The payment processing network then creates a mapping between the old account number and the new account number for the merchants designated by the consumer and continues to process recurring payment authorization requests received from the designated merchants using the old account information. As a result, the merchants do not need to make any updates to the consumer account information maintained by the merchants, and the consumer is provided with the ability to easily select which merchants can continue processing recurring payments using the old account number. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299255 | CASH REDEMPTION OF FUNDED PORTABLE CONSUMER TRANSACTION DEVICE WITHOUT PURCHASE TRANSACTION REQUIREMENTS - According to one implementation, a method is presented for redeeming cash from a funded Prepaid Portable Consumer Transaction Device (PPCTD) without conducting a purchase transaction in a payment processing apparatus. A first merchant at a first location receives a tender for deposit into an account having an identifier. A second merchant at a second location tenders a PPCTD corresponding to the account to a consumer in response to receiving the identifier from the consumer. In response to receiving from the consumer the tendered PPCTD and a request for substantially the full value in the account, the second merchant tenders substantially the full value of the account to the consumer. The second merchant makes the tender without requiring that the consumer conduct a purchase transaction for the sale of a good or service from the second merchant. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299256 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING PERSON-TO-PERSON MONEY EXCHANGE - A system conducts online financial transactions between individuals or between individuals and entities such as banks, merchants and other companies. Each user establishes an online account, which is used to transfer funds to and from other online accounts. Any user may initiate a send money transaction or a request payment transaction with any other entity provided that entity has an e-mail address. The online fund transfer may include a verification of a user's information including verifying a mailing address. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299257 | Method And System For Commodity-Based Currency For Payment of Accounts - A system and method for permitting gold or other commodities to circulate as currency requires a network of system users that participate in financial transactions where payment is made in units of gold. The gold is kept in secure storage at a deposit site for the benefit of the users. The payments in gold are effected through a computer system having data storage and transaction processing programs that credit or debit the units of account of gold held for the account of each system user. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299258 | System and method for verifying the authenticity of a check and authorizing payment thereof - A system and method for verifying the authenticity and payment of a bank check at any of a plurality of banks or check cashing sites, wherein a payor or issuing site determines a first set of data including account and individualized payee data, which is communicated to a processing center for temporary storage and eventual comparison. Upon presentation of the check for redemption, the cashing site will establish a second set of data at least including the pre-printed account data and, depending on the embodiment, the individualized payee data that appears on the face of the check when presented. The second set of data is communicated to the processing center where the first and second sets of data are compared. Subsequent to comparison, authenticating data will be communicated to the cashing site, which is indicative of redemption authorization or refusal. Additional embodiments include assuring payment for and delivery of merchandise associated with an Internet commercial transaction. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299259 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING A SINGLE-USE FINANCIAL ACCOUNT NUMBER - A device for facilitating financial account transactions is described which includes a processing unit including a cryptographic processor. The device also includes an input unit, a display unit and a memory device connected to the processing unit. The memory device contains a private cryptographic key, a first data element and a second data element. The processing unit encrypts the first data element using the private cryptographic key and the second data element, modifies the second data element, combines the encrypted first data element and the second data element to generate a single-use financial account identifier, and displays the single-use financial account identifier. This identifier is then transmitted to a central processor for authorization of the transaction. The central processor extracts and decrypts data elements from the transmitted identifier using the private cryptographic key, compares those data elements with data elements stored in a memory, and verifies the single-use financial account identifier in accordance with the comparison. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299260 | PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH REVENUE GENERATION - The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for a user. The system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system identifies a revenue producing opportunity for the user by matching user information with information regarding the opportunities. The system further provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, a community recommendation, minimizing penalties/fees associated with user's debts, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills, wherein the transfer of funds may include different funds transfer systems and methods. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299261 | CREDIT APPLICANT AND USER AUTHENTICATION SOLUTION - The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299262 | CREDIT APPLICANT AND USER AUTHENTICATION SOLUTION - The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299263 | Method and System for Deterring Product Counterfeiting, Diversion and Piracy - A client system receives a request for a set of unique security codes and also receives product data associated with a product on which the security codes are to be printed. The client sends at least some of the product data to a host system and receives a batch identifier from the host. The host stores received product data with the batch identifier. The client generates the set of security codes and then provides the codes to be printed on the product. After the products enter the stream of commerce, the host can receive an authentication request including a security code, and in response the host will verify that the security code is valid and return to the requestor the authentication result and at least part of the product data associated with the batch identifier. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299264 | OPEN MARKET CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - A method of content distribution for one or more user devices, comprising: associating the one or more user devices with a user domain; acquiring content with one or more user accounts linked to the user domain; accessing the acquired content with the one or more user devices according to predetermined privileges, wherein access for an individual user device of the one or more user devices is valid while the individual user device is associated with the user domain and has an active status with the user domain. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299265 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY AUTHENTICATION AND KEY EXCHANGE - This is for a payment device that may be constructed from separate modules in a secure fashion such that the aggregation of the modules constitutes an overall secure device without the use of additional covers, cases, or tamper-resistant housings. The methods and system are provided whereby the devices within a modular payment system can exchange data between each-other in a secure fashion. While data encryption is being used elsewhere, the present invention extends the security zone from each secure payment module within a modular device out over the cable to the next device. This allows the user to purchase payment device components, place them as they see fit, and not have to obtain certification on their end product as a POS-A level payment device. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299266 | Digital Incentives Issuance, Redemption, and Reimbursement - A system and method for issuance, redemption, and reimbursement of digital incentives. A central database connected to the internet: enables customers to register unique customer registration information; is able to store this information and assign unique identifiers to it; and is accessible to incentives providers to make available digital incentives. Existing point-of-sale terminals: are authenticated to have access to the central database; have payment devices; are connected to the internet; and are provided with a message broker that facilitates communication with the central database. The customer redeems digital incentives at one of the existing point-of-sale terminals at the time of purchase by first presenting their unique identifier. The message broker routes the unique identifier to the central database which authenticates and validates the existing point-of-sale terminal, the customer's unique identifier, and the payment device. The central database then returns validated applicable digital incentives to the message broker which forwards the validated digital incentives for redemption. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299267 | DEVICE INCLUDING ENCRYPTED DATA FOR EXPIRATION DATE AND VERIFICATION VALUE CREATION - In order to make it more difficult to obtain numbers that can be used to conduct fraudulent transactions, a portion of a real account number is encrypted. The encrypted portion of the account number is used to generate a new account number, a new expiration date, and a new verification value. This information can be determined using processor that may reside in a point of sale terminal, a smart card, or a computer operated by a user. The new account number, the new expiration date, and the new verification value can be used in a payment transaction. A server computer in a central payment processing network may determine that the new account information is not the real account information, and may subsequently generate a modified authorization request message using the real account information and may send it to an issuer for approval. The transmission of data is more secure, since real account information is not sent from the merchant to the payment processing network. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299268 | FRAMEWORK FOR SHARED PROCUREMENT SERVICES - Techniques for supporting shared procurement services in an enterprise application. According to one set of embodiments, associations between procurement service providers and procurement clients are stored, where the associations represent outsourcing relationships between these entities in the operational structure of an enterprise. The associations are then used by the application to facilitate the management of procurement-related content and the processing of procurement transactions. In one embodiment, the associations enable procurement-related content to be created/managed centrally by a procurement service provider and then made accessible to procurement clients serviced by the procurement service provider. In another embodiment, a rules-driven mechanism is provided for routing procurement requisitions from procurement clients to associated procurement service providers for processing. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299269 | METHOD OF SOLICITING AN AGGREGATE PURCHASE - There is provided a method of soliciting an aggregate purchase of goods/services from a plurality of prospective buyers. The method includes presenting to the plurality of prospective buyers an offer for purchase of multiple units of goods/services. The method includes presenting to the plurality of prospective buyers purchase commitment levels regarding the offer. At least one of the levels is a committed level corresponding to the prospective buyer agreeing to purchase a specific number of units related to the offer. The method includes receiving from the prospective buyers purchase commitment level indications with respect to the purchase commitment levels. The method includes presenting to the plurality of prospective buyers information derived from the purchase commitment level indications of prospective buyers for at least two of the purchase commitment levels. The information includes an indication of aggregate number of units which correspond to purchase commitment level indications of a committed level. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299270 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY DEVICE ACTIVATION - A system for providing an energy device activation service is disclosed. The system includes one or more network-enabled energy devices and an energy management interface comprising at least one processor. The energy management interface is to establish a network connection with each one of the one or more energy devices via a first communication network, establish a network connection with an energy device activation service via a second communication network, query the one or more energy devices to receive at least one of an operational parameter and a capability from each one of the one or more energy devices, and transmit the at least one of an operational parameter and a capability to a first database of the energy device activation service. The energy management interface is also to determine if each one of the one or more energy devices is an approved energy device based on energy device information stored in a second database of the energy device activation service, determine if each one of the one or more energy devices is eligible for activation based on at least one business rule stored in a third database of the energy device activation service, retrieve a contract from a fourth database of the energy device activation service when at least one of the one or more energy devices is determined to be an approved energy device that is eligible for activation, and activate the at least one approved and eligible energy device to enable at least one of an energy generation feature and an energy consumption feature of the at least one approved and eligible energy device when an acceptance of the contract is received by the energy management interface. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299271 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING TRANSACTIONS - A method and system are provided for using an electronic communication system such as a computer or computer network (e.g., the internet or world wide web, an intranet, LAN or WAN, cellular or mobile telephone, or an audio or visual conferencing system) to perform a transaction between one or more buyers, one of whom acts as a moderator, and at least one seller. A moderator creates a group organized for purchasing a product/service from one or more sellers. A moderator may invite one or more sellers to offer a product/service at a given price, and the moderator may review and potentially forward to the buying group offers to sell from other sellers. When multiple buyers are interested in buying from one or more sellers, opinions of the multiple buyers are considered when the group determines to accept a seller's offer or negotiate with the seller. The moderator may provide seller's offering price and other information to other sellers such that the other sellers submit competing offers. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299272 | WORKFLOW STATUS TRACKING AND REPORTING - A system and method for tracking a status of a portable electronic file is provided. The system includes a workflow server having at least a rules engine and a tracking engine, the workflow server being configured to update a status tracker that is embedded into the portable electronic file, and at least one end user connected via a network to the workflow server. The end user is capable of receiving and submitting the portable electronic file to and from the workflow server, whereby the workflow server is configured to track at least a submission of the portable electronic file. Upon actuation of the embedded status tracker within the portable electronic file by the end user, a status report indicating the status of the portable electronic file is displayed to the end user. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299273 | Method and electronic integrated model generically facilitating efficiency with diffusion-based prognostics of operations, short-long term planning, risks, and impacts - An improvement using electronic spreadsheet technology for operationalizing a single source (one Workbook) generic planning model of templates, as a unit suitable to microcircuitry and any storage medium, including risks and impacts for organizational, comprehensive, functional, financial, and systems planning (crisis prevention, technology impact, R/D) self-adjusting over one-five-fifteen year planning periods at a personalized or organizational level helping the user plan, manage, and make decisions more efficiently considering changing societal and technological conditions in compliance with 5(D)(1)-(2) Patentability on the drawing especially relevant to individuals, non-profit organizations, small businesses, government, and institutions in accord with documented authentication of origination in Declaration. The user can personalize a predefined master budget, generate non-financial or financial reports, organize resources, assess performance, and store forms. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299274 | Clearinghouse System and Method for Carriers, Advertisers, and Content Providers of Carrier-Based Networks - A computerized system, method and process allows telecommunications carriers to find, evaluate and select locations for equipment through direct access to end users, while providing citizens the opportunity to offer the use of their dwelling or other assets to carriers. The system and method further provides a computerized mechanism for (a) creating an inventory and marketplace for available properties for use in telecommunications networks, (b) providing quality and/or performance monitoring and control for wireless communication systems based on data in the clearinghouse, and (c) providing localized content over wireless networks using the clearinghouse. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299275 | CONTENT-BASED SOCIAL COMPUTING - A system and method for social computing distribute a message from an author to one or more subscribers as a function of the content of the message. In an embodiment, the content of a message is related to a meta-tag. In another embodiment, the author of a message is associated with a group of people which are of interest to the subscribers. In another embodiment, the transmitted messages can be based on the subject matter of content that is associated with a subscriber. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299276 | INVITATIONS WITH PRE-POPULATED PROFILE INFORMATION - Tools and techniques related to invitations with pre-populated profile information are provided. These tools may receive requests to create invitations for invitee users to join social networks, populate these invitations with profile information on behalf of at least one inviter user, and send these invitations to the invitee users. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299277 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND ENHANCING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS - The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for enhancing the dissemination of information throughout an organization, and more particularly to developing meaningful mentoring relationships within such an organization. Tools are provided that allow mentors and learners to define their current traits as well as relationship goals and, based on those defined traits and goals, locate valuable learners/mentors. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299278 | Methods for controlling shipment of a temperature controlled material using a spill proof shipping container - A shipping container is used with methods for controlling shipment of a temperature controlled material so that once a customer order is initiated with a customer origin point and a customer destination the shipping container with a phase change material maintaining a sample chamber within the shipping container within a desired temperature range is shipped to the customer origin point where a temperature controlled material is loaded into the sample chamber and then the shipping container is shipped to the customer destination and then returned to a repurposing site and periodic location of the shipping container is tracked by use of a wireless location sensor associated with the shipping container during its shipment. The health of the shipping container, as well as the temperature of its sample chamber, can also be monitored, tracked, recorded and retrieved either during shipment or at the conclusion of a shipping cycle. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299279 | SCORECARD REPORTING SYSTEM - A data processing system generates a scorecard analysis that displays multiple scorecard windows, each directed to a specific different perspective on a particular business function. Each perspective may have at least one corresponding objective, and each objective may have at least one corresponding key performance indicator. Each scorecard may include drill down capability from a top level analysis to more detailed information on a perspective, objective, or key performance indicator. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299280 | System and Method for Displaying Trade Information for Electronic Trading Exchange - A system and method for displaying trade information is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a host exchange a plurality of trade notifications, each trade notification corresponding to an executed trade, and for each executed trade of interest, determining whether the executed trade belongs in an aggregated set with one or more other executed trades. All executed trades in an aggregated set are for the same associated tradable object, have traded at the same associated trade price, and have been executed within a predetermined time period of each other. Aggregated sets are displayed a user display with an associated aggregated quantity, and the remaining executed trades of interest are also displayed. Trades are displayed using an associated indicator for indicating whether the corresponding executed trade or aggregated trade traded on the bid side or on the offer side of the market, and which indicates whether additional volume is available at the associated trade price. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299281 | Facilitating management of 401K retirement savings plans - A consultation analysis for a 401K retirement savings plan comprises a plurality of informational elements. Participant profiles are a first one of the informational elements and are provided for each one of a plurality of classes of participants in the 401K retirement savings plan. A model portfolio is a second one of the informational elements and are provided for each one of the participant profiles. At least a portion of the model portfolios include a plurality of asset classes. Designation of a plurality of performance-quantified investment choices for each one of the asset classes is a third informational element. The performance quantified investment choices are performance-quantified with respect to at least one performance factor. Designation of a plurality of suggested ones of the investment choices for each one of the asset classes is a fourth informational element. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299282 | Method and System for Modeling Volatility - A method for determining the implied volatility of a swap option employs intuitive factors to arrive at a close approximate of volatility. The volatility curve is a convex shaped curve which more closely follows real market volatility than previous methods. The slope of the curve is provided by employing a premium model which allows for a correlation between rates and volatility. The convex shaped curve is arrived by assuming a lognormal distribution for the underlying volatility. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299283 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING PARAMETERS TO AUTOMATED SECURITY ORDER EXECUTION SYSTEMS - In one aspect, the present invention permits users of trading algorithms to jointly achieve the objectives described above, namely: (a) permit access to trading algorithms of (arbitrary) complexity without requiring proprietary protocol extensions; (b) allow users to easily identify and store one or more sets of dynamic vs. static parameters (and related details, including user interface layout); and (c) allow any given pre-defined set of parameters to be easily invoked and used to submit orders. In another aspect, the invention comprises a computer system comprising: (a) an authoring tool operable to enable a user to design custom trading strategies and create interface definitions; and (b) a pre-processor operable to receive a custom strategy order message delivered via a standard protocol, load an definition for a corresponding custom strategy, enrich the order message based on the definition, and pass the enriched message to a trading strategy destination. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299284 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING UTILITY USAGE AND PRICING INFORMATION TO A CUSTOMER - Methods and systems are provided for providing electricity usage information to a customer using a market-based pricing plan. According to various embodiments of the invention, this usage information includes real-time information on the current level of electricity being consumed as well as the current rate and/or cost level of that usage. By providing this and other information to a customer through a single, convenient device that is easy to read, customers of electricity are more likely to change consumption habits based on pricing information FM Radio Broadcast Digital System provides real-time pricing information directly to the consumer via the airwaves | 2010-11-25 |
20100299285 | Method for Providing Pavement Degradation Equipment - A method for providing pavement degradation equipment comprises the following steps: a first party providing pavement degradation equipment to a second party, the pavement degradation equipment comprising at least one tool comprising a first end adapted for connection to a motor vehicle and a second end comprising a superhard material for engagement with the pavement; using a rental agreement comprising terms of payment based on use of the equipment; the first party providing a mechanism for measuring the use of the equipment; and the first party charging the second party for use of the equipment according to the terms of the rental agreement. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299286 | Method and Apparatus for Analyzing Financial Data - A system analyzes multiple financial accounts having a common account holder and identifies a particular attribute, such as interest rate, associated with each of the multiple financial accounts. The system then makes a determination regarding whether an adjustment of funds among the multiple financial accounts would benefit the account holder. If the adjustment of funds would benefit the account holder, then recommending the adjustment of funds to the account holder and offering to perform the recommended adjustment of funds. The system executes the adjustment of funds if the account holder accepts the offer to perform the recommended adjustment of funds. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299287 | Monitoring time-varying network streams using state-space models - In one embodiment, a statistical model is generated based on observed data, the observed data being associated with a network device, online parameter fitting is performed on parameters of the statistical model, and for each newly observed data value, a forecast value is generated based on the statistical model, the forecast value being a prediction of a next observed data value, a forecasting error is generated based on the forecast value and the newly observed data value, and whether the data of the network stream is abnormal is determined based on a log likelihood ratio test of the forecasting errors and a threshold value. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299288 | RULE-BASED VOCABULARY ASSIGNMENT OF TERMS TO CONCEPTS - Methods and systems are described that involve rule-based vocabulary assignment of terms to concepts. Instead of assigning individual terms to each concept in a conceptualization of a domain, such as taxonomy, ontology, and so on, production rules are defined and assigned to each concept. The production rules produce at least one term to name a concept by referring to semantically related concepts to this concept. The production rules may include context information specifying the context where a given rule is valid. The methods and systems can be used to improve search capabilities for entities by enabling easier annotation of large conceptualizations. Further, the methods and systems can improve user experience by allowing context specific naming of entities. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299289 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS USING A LOGIC BASED APPROACH - A system and method of obtaining information concerning the structure-function relationship of biological networks can be studied holistically through the ensemble characterization of all the networks that realize a given biological function. A logic-based approach enables significant advances in computability and concept development (minimality and reducibility). The approach is applied to a biologically relevant trajectory and reveals some interesting properties. By using the approach, a cell cycle network is decomposed into three components with the functioning of each component explained. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299290 | Web Query Classification - A query phrase may be automatically classified to one or more topics of interest (e.g., categories) to assist in routing the query phrase to one or more appropriate backend databases. A selectional preference query classification technique may be used to classify the query phrase based on a comparison between the query phrase and patterns of query phrases. Additionally, or alternatively, a combination of query classification techniques may be used to classify the query phrase. Topical classification of a query phrase also may be used to assist a search system in delivering auxiliary information to a user who entered the query phrase. Advertisements, for instance, may be tailored based on classification rather than query keywords. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299291 | Cruncher - An MIP Solver Accelerator - Methods and systems are provided for solving an optimization problem using a model expressed in a mixed integer programming (MIP) language. The problem is constrained within a space of valid solutions by a plurality of MIP variables. A skeleton set of the variables are designated as eligible for fixed value assignments. An initial solution for the problem is obtained, which forms the basis for refinement. New versions of the problem are prepared and solved iteratively by fixing a proportion of the skeleton set to their best known values, as found in a previous problem-solving iteration. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299292 | Systems and Methods for Application-Level Security - A system and method for application-level security is disclosed. Application-level security refers to detecting security threats from functional user behavior. Information about functional user behavior is transformed into a behavior session. The behavior session is transformed into a behavior pattern. The behavior pattern is correlated with evaluation patterns to detect potential security threats. Behavior patterns are collected over time to improve analysis. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299293 | Computer-implemented land planning system and method designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem - A computer-implemented land planning system is designed to generate at least one conceptual fit solution to a user-defined land development problem. The system electronically creates at least one candidate solution to the land development problem. The candidate solution incorporates a number of engineering measurements applicable in development of an undeveloped land site. A fitness function quantitatively evaluates the candidate solution based on its fitness. A heuristic problem-solving strategy manipulates the engineering measurements of the candidate solution to achieve a more quantitatively fit solution to the land development problem. A computer output device outputs to a user documentation illustrating the fit solution to the land development problem. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299294 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PARTIAL CLASS MEMBERSHIP OF A DATA RECORD IN A CLASS - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a partial class membership of a data record in a class. The apparatus includes a record set acquisition module that receives a set of reference records having the same independent variables and belonging to a known class within a group of classes. An unknown-class record receiving module receives an unknown-class record having same independent variables as reference records. A class identification module creates a class vector for each reference record identifying whether the record is in a class. A weighting module calculates a set of unknown-class record weights for the unknown-class record. A classification module determines a partial class membership for the unknown-class record for each class in the group of classes using the set of unknown-class record weights. Each partial class membership identifies a probability that the unknown-class record belongs to a corresponding class in the group of classes. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299295 | MESSAGE ROUTING USING CYCLICAL NEURAL NETWORKS - A system for routing business-to-business (“B2B”) messages includes a cyclical neural network. The cyclical neural network contains neurons for determining a needed destination of a message based on content type of the message, for example. Neurons are monitored to establish a “state of understanding” of the network during processing, and tags may be applied to messages upon a determination of the needed destination. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299296 | ELECTRONIC LEARNING SYNAPSE WITH SPIKE-TIMING DEPENDENT PLASTICITY USING UNIPOLAR MEMORY-SWITCHING ELEMENTS - According to embodiments of the invention, a system, method and computer program product producing spike-dependent plasticity in an artificial synapse. In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving a pre-synaptic spike in an electronic component; receiving a post-synaptic spike in the electronic component; in response to the pre-synaptic spike, generating a pre-synaptic pulse that occurs a predetermined period of time after the received pre-synaptic spike; in response to the post-synaptic spike, generating a post-synaptic pulse that starts at a baseline value and reaches a first voltage value a first period of time after the post-synaptic spike, followed by a second voltage value a second period of time after the post synaptic spike, followed by a return to the baseline voltage a third period of time after the post-synaptic spike; applying the generated pre-synaptic pulse to a pre-synaptic node of a synaptic device that includes a uni-polar, two-terminal bi-stable device in series with a rectifying element; and applying the generated post-synaptic pulse to a post-synaptic node of the synaptic device, wherein the synaptic device changes from a first conductive state to a second conductive state based on the value of input voltage applied to its pre and post-synaptic nodes, wherein the resultant state of the conductance of the synaptic device after the pre- and post-synaptic pulses are applied thereto depends on the relative timing of the received pre-synaptic spike with respect to the post synaptic spike. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299297 | SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC LEARNING SYNAPSE WITH SPIKE-TIMING DEPENDENT PLASTICITY USING PHASE CHANGE MEMORY - A system, method and computer program product for producing spike-dependent plasticity in an artificial synapse is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for producing spike-dependent plasticity in an artificial neuron comprises generating a pre-synaptic spiking event in a first neuron when a total integrated input to the first neuron exceeds a first predetermined threshold. A post-synaptic spiking event is generated in a second neuron when a total integrated input to the second neuron exceeds a second predetermined threshold. After the pre-synaptic spiking event, a first pulse is applied to a pre-synaptic node of a synapse having a phase change memory element. After the post-synaptic spiking event, a second varying pulse is applied to a post-synaptic node of the synapse, wherein current through the synapse is a function of the state of the second varying pulse at the time of the first pulse. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299298 | METHOD FOR MAKING OPTIMAL SELECTIONS BASED ON MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA - A method for making optimal decisions includes the ability to consider and weigh multiple factors, where those factors might be numeric, or non-numeric, objective or subjective. Further, the method ensures that factors are not prematurely eliminated. This contrasts with behavior common to decision-tree based approaches. The method further allows for weighting based on multiple statistical means as well as by the application of non-statistical values. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299299 | Identifying Self-Conscious Program - This theory presents a method of providing a variety of software programs and artificial intelligence with self-consciousness based on the artificially programmed phenomena of life on the premise that they are defined as being conscious of the existence of the individual self unaided. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299300 | RUNTIME INTERPRETATION OF DECLARATIVE PROGRAMS - Embodiments are directed to interpreting declarative program types at runtime without compiling and mapping between a declarative type and a dynamic runtime type. A computer system accesses a portion of a declarative program, where the declarative program includes fully modeled activity types. The computer system dynamically constructs a dynamic activity type based on one of the fully modeled activity types of the declarative program, where the dynamic activity type is configured for interpretive execution without compilation. The computer system also interpretively executes the dynamically constructed dynamic activity type such that the dynamic activity is executed without compilation. | 2010-11-25 |
20100299301 | System and Method for Automatically Predicting the Outcome of Expert Forecasts - Systems and methods are provided that predict the accuracy of expert forecasts based on a corpus of prior expert forecasts. Expert forecasts (also referred to as opinions) are analyzed and processed to determine an opinion and related positions expressed by the expert. Each opinion is combined with relevant industry information to create a structured model for the opinion. A plurality of structured models for a given expert are then analyzed along with information related to the actual outcome of prior predictions to create a decision model for the particular expert. A new opinion issued by an expert is then analyzed using the decision model for that expert to predict the accuracy of the new opinion from the expert. Recommended actions in accordance with or against the new expert opinion may then be provided. | 2010-11-25 |