Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080300062 | Electronic Device for Enhancing an Interactive Experience with a Tangible Medium of Expression - An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a ny of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory, modules; at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface. | 12-04-2008 |
20140080380 | Toy Vehicle and Launcher - A toy vehicle includes a rear wheel assembly, front wheel assembly, a driving mechanism and a frame. Each wheel assembly may include two wheels while the driving mechanism may be disposed within the toy vehicle and may include a flywheel motor operably coupled to the rear wheel assembly. The flywheel motor may provide for various types of play, including allowing the toy vehicle to balance on a part of the frame, drive on four wheels, or drive on its side, such that only the wheels disposed on one side of the toy vehicle are contacting the ground. The toy vehicle may drive in different pathways when driving on its side depending upon whether it is driving on its first or second side, as each side may include projections of different shapes extending from the wheels. | 03-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100210382 | BASES, HOME PLATES, AND PITCHER'S RUBBERS FOR USE ON SYNTHETIC TURF INFILL MATERIAL - A base, a home plate, and a pitcher's rubber for use on synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball includes an upper portion in the shape of the at least one of base, home plate, and a pitcher's rubber, and a lower portion comprising a plurality of downwardly-depending projections extending about 1/2 inch to about 1 inch below a bottom surface of the upper portion. The plurality of downwardly-depending projections is engageable with the synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball. | 08-19-2010 |
20140018197 | BASES, HOME PLATES, AND PITCHER'S RUBBERS FOR USE ON SYNTHETIC TURF INFILL MATERIAL - A base, a home plate, and a pitcher's rubber for use on synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball includes an upper portion in the shape of the at least one of base, home plate, and a pitcher's rubber, and a lower portion comprising a plurality of downwardly-depending projections extending about ½ inch to about 1 inch below a bottom surface of the upper portion. The plurality of downwardly-depending projections is engageable with the synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball. | 01-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120118651 | CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLES WITH WINDOW MECHANISMS - Children's ride-on vehicles having window mechanisms, and window mechanisms for such vehicles. In some embodiments, the window mechanism is a manual window mechanism, and in some embodiments the window mechanism is a powered, or motorized, window mechanism. The window mechanism includes a window drive assembly that selectively drives movement of a window member relative to the vehicle body. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a powered window drive assembly that includes a window motor assembly and a window linkage to couple the output of the window motor assembly to the window member. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a manual window drive assembly. In some embodiments, the window member includes a receiving region coupled to the window linkage. In some embodiments, the window mechanism includes a window support assembly that maintains the window member in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle body. | 05-17-2012 |
20130309936 | Push Toy with Amusement Features - A push toy includes a collecting mechanism and a stifling mechanism in order to enhance the play value. The push toy is comprised of a handle, a housing, and a wheel assembly such that a user may roll the push toy along a support surface. The push toy may collect objects, such as toy balls, store the objects within the housing, and subsequently release or expel the objects so they may be collected again. | 11-21-2013 |
20140074165 | Feeding Kit - A feeding kit forming a storage and preparation assembly for infant feeding implements that includes a receptacle to receive a teether and a plurality of wells to form food/drink inserts for the teether. The teether includes a lid that is removably coupled to a feeding portion, such that the inserts may be inserted into the feeding portion, a portion which includes a feeding member with a plurality of apertures. | 03-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090218819 | AUTOMATIC GENERATION CONTROL AUGMENTATION FOR WIND PLANT INTEGRATION - An automatic generation control (AGC) augmentation system and method for wind power plant integration for controlling the power contribution to a grid by the wind plant is disclosed that provides for the calculation of the area control error (ACE) by actively communicating to the wind plant ramp rate limits and curtailment requests contributing to the ACE calculation. The augmented control of the ACE minimizes the amount of lost energy production by the wind plant. | 09-03-2009 |
20100025994 | INTRA-AREA MASTER REACTIVE CONTROLLER FOR TIGHTLY COUPLED WINDFARMS - A wind turbine generator control system is provided for controlling output of a plurality of tightly-coupled windfarms connected at a point of common coupling with a power system grid. A master reactive control device employs algorithms whose technical effect is to coordinate the real power, reactive power and voltage output of the multiple windfarms. The controller incorporates a reactive power regulator that can be used to regulate reactive power, power factor or voltage at the point of common coupling and an active power regulator that can be used to regulate real power at the point of common coupling; such that each windfarm is not asked to contribute or violate its own operating capability. | 02-04-2010 |
20100094474 | VOLTAGE CONTROL AT WINDFARMS - A voltage control arrangement for a system of multiple windfarms with transmission lines. Voltage is regulated at a point of regulation on the system, such as a high voltage substation or other system bus. Regulation is achieved at the point of regulation by sensing the voltage, comparing to a reference voltage, and adjusting the reactive power output of the wind turbines and other equipment in the system. The regulation point may be shifted to another point if needed to respect voltage limits at that points of the system after attempting to shift reactive load to restore voltage within limits at the other points in the system. The reference voltage may be adjusted to minimize losses for the system of multiple windfarms and transmission lines. A loss optimizing algorithm is applied to the combined multiple windfarm and transmission line to shift reactive load among local windfarms to minimize losses and to shift reactive load among individual wind turbines within an individual windfarm. | 04-15-2010 |
20110141641 | CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION - A circuit breaker is provided for protecting dynamoelectric machinery. The circuit breaker includes a feeder input connection connected to a feeder line. The feeder line is connected to a dynamoelectric machine. A substation connection is connected to a substation bus. An interrupting breaker is connected between the feeder input connection and the substation connection. A shorting switch is connected to the feeder input connection, and an impedance device is connected to the shorting switch and a ground or neutral. The impedance device, shorting switch and ground/neutral reduces excessive voltages on the feeder line when the feeder line is isolated from the substation by the circuit breaker, and the impedance device is selected to reduce a torque transient experienced by the dynamoelectric machine. | 06-16-2011 |
20120010756 | VOLTAGE CONTROL AT WINDFARMS - A voltage control arrangement for a system of multiple windfarms with transmission lines. Voltage is regulated at a point of regulation on the system, such as a high voltage substation or other system bus. Regulation is achieved at the point of regulation by sensing the voltage, comparing to a reference voltage, and adjusting the reactive power output of the wind turbines and other equipment in the system. The regulation point may be shifted to another point if needed to respect voltage limits at that points of the system after attempting to shift reactive load to restore voltage within limits at the other points in the system. The reference voltage may be adjusted to minimize losses for the system of multiple windfarms and transmission lines. A loss optimizing algorithm is applied to the combined multiple windfarm and transmission line to shift reactive load among local windfarms to minimize losses and to shift reactive load among individual wind turbines within an individual windfarm. | 01-12-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100196034 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING NIP WIDTH BASED ON A SCANNED NIP PRINT IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting nip width based on a scanned nip print in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include automatically inserting a sheet of media into a fuser nip in the image production device upon receiving a signal from a user interface, the fuser nip being an intersection of the fuser roll and the pressure roll, generating a nip print in the fuser nip, the nip print being an image created from the pressure between the fuser roll and the pressure roll, scanning the nip print, determining if a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, the nip width being the distance of an arc length created by an intersection of the fuser roll and the pressure roll, and if it is determined that a nip width adjustment is required based on the scanned nip print, adjusting the nip width. | 08-05-2010 |
20100196064 | APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING AND METHODS OF STRIPPING MEDIA FROM SURFACES IN APPARATUSES USEFUL FOR PRINTING - Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for stripping media from surfaces in apparatuses useful for printing are disclosed. An apparatus useful for printing comprising a first member including a first outer surface; a second member including a second outer surface; a belt including an inner surface and an outer surface; a first nip formed by contact between the inner surface of the belt and the second outer surface and contact between the outer surface of the belt and the first outer surface; and a stripping mechanism comprising a stripping member disposed internal to the belt. The stripping member is positionable relative to the first nip to vary a pressure applied by the outer surface of the belt against the first outer surface downstream from the first nip. The media are stripped from the outer surface of the belt after exiting from the first nip. | 08-05-2010 |
20130189004 | SELF-POSITIONING STRIPPER BAR APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR BELT ROLL FUSER SYSTEMS - A self-positioning belt roll fuser stripping apparatus and system includes an internal pressure roll entraining a fuser belt. The internal pressure engages an external pressure roll to form a fusing nip. The internal pressure roll includes an internal pressure roll bearing to which a mounting plate is attached, allowing the mounting plate to move about a rotational axis of the internal pressure roll. A strip bar is attached to the mounting plate, and configured to force the fuser belt toward the external pressure roll. A mounting plate ski is configured to contact an external pressure roll bearing to limit movement of the mounting plate, positioning the strip shoe as desired when the mounting plate is moved to guide the strip show toward the fusing nip. | 07-25-2013 |
20130189006 | SELF-STRIPPING BELT-ROLL FUSER APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS - A belt-roll fuser system includes a belt-roll fuser apparatus wherein a belt is entrained about at least a first internal pressure roll and a second internal pressure roll. The first internal pressure roll and the second internal pressure roll are configured to force a belt against an external pressure roll at a fusing nip, the belt conforming to the external pressure roll across substantially a length of the fusing nip. A passive belt support may interpose internal pressure rolls for ensuring a consistent fusing pressure across the length of the nip. A pressure belt may interpose the fuser belt and the internal pressure rolls. | 07-25-2013 |
20130336682 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING BULGE RADIUS OF A PRESSURE MEMBER - An apparatus, system and method are provided for controlling a bulge radius of a pressure member in a belt-roll fuser. The belt-roll fuser has a first pressure member. The belt-roll fuser also has a fuser belt having a portion that faces a surface of the first pressure member at a region defining a fusing nip. The belt-roll fuser further has a second pressure member that faces another portion of the fuser belt at the fusing nip such that the fuser belt is entrained between the first pressure member and the second pressure member. The belt-roll fuser additionally has a deformation member configured to deform the first pressure member. | 12-19-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100021069 | PDF DE-CHUNKING AND OBJECT CLASSIFICATION - Systems and methods are described that facilitate identifying objects in a document (e.g., a PDF document) for automatic image enhancement (AIE). A PDF document is “chunked” or segmented into chunks, and boundaries between chunks are identified as real or imaginary. Chunks sharing imaginary boundaries are combined, while real boundaries are retained, to generate “de-chunked” objects. These objects are then classified, and an AIE application is executed on objects meeting pre-specified classification criteria. In this manner, objects of r which AIE is not desired are not subjected to the AIE application, thereby saving time and processing resources associated with enhancing the document. | 01-28-2010 |
20110194125 | DISTRIBUTED DATA FLOW FOR PAGE PARALLEL IMAGE PROCESSING WITHIN PRINTING SYSTEMS - A system renders print jobs via a marking engine. A raster image processor receives the job from the input module and renders it to one or more raster images. One or more contone image processors receive the one or more raster images to perform cross-channel image processing to render the raster images into a form compatible with the marking engine, wherein the output is partially sub-partitioned by color separation. An image refactoring and distribution network completes the sub-partitioning by separation of the rendered contone raster images by color separation and distributes each color sub-partition to a marker channel module specific to each color sub-partition. A marking engine receives the color sub-partitioned image data, marks the image onto a substrate and outputs a hardcopy of the image. | 08-11-2011 |
20120274955 | Data architecture for mixed resolution interleaved cross-channel data flow and format - The present application provides a mixed resolution, interleaving-based, cross-channel data flow and data format for a printer image path. The architecture provides pixel data for a colorant of a given writing channel at its nominal (full) resolution, while pixel data for other colorants is provided at lowered resolution. Pixel data for a primary channel at its full resolution is interleaved with data for other secondary channels at lower resolution. Known sub-sampling or compression techniques can be used to lower the resolution of the secondary channels. The data at the different resolutions is generated by the digital front end (DFE), which distributes the data for each writing channel at the time it is needed. Preferably, the low resolution data is sent first to the writer, followed by high resolution data, so that data buffering is minimized. | 11-01-2012 |
20130097099 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BILLING BASED ON COLOR COMPONENT HISTOGRAMS - Disclosed is a processor-implemented method for processing images. The processor receives image data of a color space defined by input provided to a system by a user, determines at least one color attribute of the pixels in the received image correlating to at least perceptual image characteristics, determines statistics using the attribute(s), and analyzes the statistics to classify the image into a category. Based on at least the category, a billing structure for the image is determined. For example, chroma and/or hue of pixels can be used to create histograms, whose data is used to determine a degree of color and/or content of an image, which is categorized. Color space components of received pixels can also be statistically analyzed. Such determinations consider billing based on human perception of use of color. Billing for color images in this manner satisfies the user and increases use of color output (e.g., printing). | 04-18-2013 |
20140210898 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING INK USAGE IN AN INKJET PRINTER - An inkjet printer estimates ink usage in the printer with reference to image pixels and a history of inkjet firing for each inkjet. The printer includes an apparatus that generates an ink mass for each image pixel with reference to the image pixel and a predetermined number of previously ejected image pixels and identifies a total ink mass measurement for a printhead with reference to the ink masses generated for the image pixels of an image to be printed by the inkjet printer. | 07-31-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100292161 | POLYPEPTIDES AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are fragments of fibronectin and vitronectin and variants thereof that have certain activities, including growth factor-binding activity. Also described are fragments of growth factors that bind to fibronectin and inhibit binding of full-length growth factors to fibronectin. Compositions containing such fragments are useful in cosmetic treatments (e.g., the treatment of wrinkles or UV photodamage of skin), and the treatment of wounds and cancer. | 11-18-2010 |
20130005824 | TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC TISSUE - The present invention features methods of treating patient for ischemic tissue damage. The methods can be carried out by administering (e.g., intravenously administering) a curcuminoid or a pharmaceutically active salt, metabolite, or analog thereof at low doses. | 01-03-2013 |
20150087597 | POLYPEPTIDES AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are fragments of fibronectin and vitronectin and variants thereof that have certain activities, including growth factor-binding activity. Also described are fragments of growth factors that bind to fibronectin and inhibit binding of full-length growth factors to fibronectin. Compositions containing such fragments are useful in cosmetic treatments (e.g., the treatment of wrinkles or UV photodamage of skin), and the treatment of wounds and cancer. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090236792 | System of opposing alternate higher speed sheet feeding from the same sheet stack - In a printing system in which the print media sheets are alternately fed from the same stack in the same tray by two sheet feeders at opposite sides into different sheet paths, at least one of the sheet feeders is repositionable towards and away from the other for feeding different size sheets, and the connecting sheet path is repositionable with the repositioning of the sheet feeder. The repositioning of the sheet feeder and its associated sheet path may be automatic in coordination with the normal resetting of a tray stack edge guide with the loading of different size sheets into the tray. The enhanced rate sheet feeding may be for a dual print engine printing system and/or selectably common or reversed sheet facing. Alternating coordinated lifting of a nudger roll of one sheet feeder with operation of the opposing sheet feeder, and retard nips spaced from the stack, may be provided. | 09-24-2009 |
20110062652 | VACUUM LEVEL SWITCH FOR A VACUUM CORRUGATED FEEDER - This invention provides a simple vacuum level switch to be used inside the feedhead's vacuum plenum to detect when the vacuum level exceeds a predefined threshold. This switch is composed of an opening in the plenum that is covered by a cap which is in turn spring-loaded against the opening. The mechanical properties of the spring are such that the cap is pushed away from the opening by ambient air pressure at the point when the vacuum threshold has been reached during sheet acquisition. A Hall Effect or optical sensor is used to detect this motion and the corresponding signal is sent to the feeder controller. This enables more intelligent control of the feeder while also providing an inexpensive method for tracking sheet acquisition times. | 03-17-2011 |
20130156484 | Automatic Media Loading and Unloading System for Producing Dimensional Documents - A media loading and unloading system, for use with a media cutting system having a cutting table and cutting apparatus to cut or score media held on a surface of the cutting table, includes an elevator assembly and a bi-directional transport system. The elevator assembly includes a drive and multiple vertically displaced bins that are vertically movable up and down by the drive. The bi-directional transport system transports media in a lateral feed direction from the elevator assembly to the cutting table surface and removes media from the cutting table surface in a lateral direction opposite to the feed direction to the elevator assembly. | 06-20-2013 |
20130266358 | Media Feeding System for Cutting Dimensional Documents and Methods of Making and Using Same - A media feeding and cutting system is disclosed herein which comprises a media cutter including a cutting surface and a digital cutting device, a first feeder configured to automatically transport individual sheets of media from an in-feed receptacle toward the cutter, a positioner configured to position the medium on the cutting surface, a second feeder disposed adjacent to or connected to the cutting surface which is configured to automatically transport the cut medium from the cutter to an out-feed receptacle, and a processor configured to operate the cutter, first feeder, positioner and second feeder. Additional related systems and methods also are disclosed. | 10-10-2013 |
20130267397 | Personalized Packaging Production System - A personalized packaging production system includes an in-feed tray, an out-feed tray, a cutting table disposed intermediate the in-feed tray and the out-feed tray and an interchangeable cutting/creasing assembly. A sheet feeder is positioned between the in-feed tray and the cutting table to feed media sheets from the in-feed tray to the cutting table, and an exit nip is positioned between the out-feed tray and the cutting table to remove media sheets from the cutting table to the out-feed tray. | 10-10-2013 |
20130269495 | BLADE CLEARANCE GROOVE FOR CUTTING PLOTTER - Disclosed is a cutting plotter with a feed roller that draws a sheet of media in a Y-direction while shifting the sheet back and forth along the Y-direction in response to a cutting order. The cutting plotter includes a cutting device that reciprocates in an X-direction and cooperates with the feed roller to cut the sheet in a desired shape in response to the cutting order. A base plate is disposed below the cutting device in the X-direction. The base plate has a channel formed in it. The channel is sized and configured to receive a portion of a blade of the cutting device when the blade engages the sheet and the blade traverses laterally along the channel. | 10-17-2013 |
20130322947 | CREASING APPARATUS HAVING ROTATING BASE WITH RECESS - An apparatus includes a sheet path, an elongated member positioned on a first side of the sheet path, and a base positioned on a second side of the sheet path opposite the elongated member. The base is positioned relative to the elongated member so that a sheet of print media passes along a processing plane between the elongated member and the base when traveling in a processing direction along the media path. The processing plane is parallel to flat sides of the sheet of print media as the sheet of print media passes between the elongated member and the base. The base comprises a surface positioned parallel to the processing plane. The surface of the base has a recess having a shape corresponding to the elongated member. The surface of the base rotates in the processing plane. | 12-05-2013 |
20140053698 | Cutting Machine Media Feeder System With Fixed In-Feed and Out-Feed Trays - A media feeder system for use with a media cutting system having a cutting table includes an upper out-feed tray and a lower in-feed tray bins are disposed laterally adjacent one side of the cutting system table. A bi-directional media transport system transports media in an in-feed direction from the in-feed tray to the cutting table surface and removes media from the cutting table surface in an out-feed direction from the cutting table surface to the out-feed tray. The media transport system includes a sheet acquisition system having gripping apparatus that adjust for a height of the media held in the bins. | 02-27-2014 |
20140274643 | Apparatus, System and Method for Cutting and Creasing Media - An apparatus is disclosed that includes a computer operated cutting and creasing tool configured to move only in an X direction during use, a cutting and creasing platform having an elastically deformable creasing portion configured to support a sheet of media during contact with a creasing tip and a non-deformable cutting portion configured to support the sheet during contact with a cutting blade, and a positioner configured to draw the sheet of media along the cutting and creasing platform during cutting and creasing. Methods of making and using the apparatus also are disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100032892 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUFF MANAGEMENT IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for fluff management in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing sheet separation in the media stack, determining if the sheet separation meets predetermined criteria, wherein if the sheet separation does not meet the predetermined criteria, adjusting the air flow used for fluffing the media stack. | 02-11-2010 |
20100158593 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FLUFFER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for fluffer environmental control in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include determining a media type to be used for processing a print job, determining a target relative humidity for the determined media type, measuring an ambient temperature and relative humidity, determining whether air blown from a media stack fluffer needs to be heated based on the determined target relative humidity and the measured ambient temperature and relative humidity, wherein if it is determined that the fluffer air needs to be heated, heating the fluffer air to reach target relative humidity, and processing the print job. | 06-24-2010 |
20100289209 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT OF A MEDIA STACK IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for non-contact measurement of a media stack in an image production device is disclosed that may include detecting the position of an unfluffed media stack, setting a desired media stack height by changing a media elevator position using a media elevator control unit based on the detected unfluffed media stack position, determining if printing and fluffing has started, wherein if it is determined that printing and fluffing has started, detecting the position of the transition between the fluffed and unfluffed portions of the media stack using the one or more sensors, determining if the position of the transition between the fluffed and unfluffed portions of the media stack is below a predetermined threshold, wherein if it is determined that the position of the transition between the fluffed and unfluffed portions of the media stack is below the predetermined threshold, setting the desired media stack height by changing the media elevator position based on the detected position of the transition between the fluffed and unfluffed portions of the media stack. | 11-18-2010 |
20100298971 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING SHEETS OF MEDIA FROM A MEDIA STACK IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for feeding sheets of media from a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing a number of fluffed media sheets in the media stack, determining if the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds a predetermined value, wherein if it is determined that the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds the predetermined value, feeding the fluffed media sheets to an image production section of the image production device. | 11-25-2010 |
20140038802 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING PERSONALIZED PACKAGING - A personalized package creation system uses an imaging device to capture an image of a barcode. An image capture module decodes the barcode to retrieve data, such as package dimension data and one or more package structural parameters. Based on the package dimensions and the structural parameter, a processing device defines a set of cutting instructions. An automated package generation device applies the cutting instructions and uses a cutting device to creating a package. | 02-06-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110060612 | System and Method for Evaluating Sustainability Projects of an Organization - According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for evaluating sustainability projects of an organization is disclosed. The method may include retrieving from a computer system a sustainability objective of the organization. In certain embodiments, the method may include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of project submissions of the organization. Each of the plurality of project submissions may be associated with the sustainability objective of the organization. The method may further include retrieving from the computer system a plurality of first scores, each first score being associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions. In particular embodiments, the method may include generating at the computer system a displayable output representing an expected contribution of each one of the plurality of project submissions towards the sustainability of the organization. The displayable output may comprise a plurality of second scores. Each of the plurality of second scores may be associated with at least one of the plurality of project submissions. In addition, each of the plurality of second scores may be based at least in part on at least one of the plurality of first scores. The method may further include storing in the computer system an identification of one or more potential projects from among the plurality of project submissions. Each potential project may be adapted to advance the sustainability objective of the organization. At least one of the one or more potential projects may have a highest comparative second score of the plurality of second scores. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060613 | System and Method for Aligning Projects with Objectives of an Organization - According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for aligning projects with an objective of an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing in a computer system a representation of an objective of an organization. The method may further include storing in the computer system a plurality of sustainability projects of the organization. Additionally, the method may include establishing a computer-based logical link between the objective of the organization and at least some of the plurality of sustainability projects of the organization. In certain embodiments, the method may include receiving from the computer system data representing one or more respective metrics for each of the at least some of the plurality of sustainability projects of the organization. The method may further include generating one or more key performance indicators for each of the at least some of the plurality of sustainability projects of the organization. Each key performance indicator may indicate a contribution of a particular sustainability project of the organization towards achieving the objective of the organization. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060614 | System and Method for Managing Sustainability for an Organization - A computer-implemented method for managing sustainability for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing in a computer system a plurality of characteristics of an activity. The activity may contribute to the carbon footprint of an organization. The plurality of characteristics may include a unit of measurement, an activity category, a plurality of hierarchical descriptors, and a respective multiplier for each hierarchical descriptor. The method may further include receiving from the computer system data representing a number of the unit of measurement. Additionally, the method may include receiving from the computer system data representing a first one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors. The method may further include calculating, using a processor of a computer unit, a carbon emission value based at least in part by multiplying the number of the unit of measurement by the respective multiplier of the first one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors. The method may further include storing in the computer system the carbon emission value and receiving from the computer system data representing a second one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors. The method may further include, in response to the received data representing the second one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors, automatically updating the stored carbon emission value with a recalculated carbon emission value at least in part by the processor of the computer unit multiplying the number of the unit of measurement by the respective multiplier of the second one of the plurality of hierarchical descriptors. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060615 | System and Method for Managing Assessments for an Organization - According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for managing assessments for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing in a computer system a plurality of instances of an assessment object. Each of the plurality of instances of an assessment object may be configured to track progress of a plurality of assessment attributes. The method may further include receiving an input associated with a plurality of at least a subset of the assessment attributes. Additionally, the method may include generating an assessment plan based at least in part on the received data. In certain embodiments, the method may include establishing a computer-based logical link between the assessment plan and least one sustainability project of the organization, the at least one sustainability project of the organization stored in the computer system. The method may further include receiving from the computer system data for each of the plurality of at least the subset of the assessment attributes. In various embodiments, the method may include generating using a computer unit an assessment report based at least in part on the received data for each of the plurality of at least the subset of the assessment attributes, the assessment report indicating progress of each of the plurality of at least the subset of the assessment attributes. The method may further include transferring the assessment report from the computer unit in a desired format. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060616 | System and Method for Managing Stakeholder Impact on Sustainability for an Organization - A computer-implemented method for managing stakeholder impact on sustainability for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing a plurality of instances of a stakeholder object. Each instance may define a plurality of characteristics of a stakeholder of the organization. In certain embodiments, the characteristics may be selected from the group consisting of: a description of the stakeholder, a category of the stakeholder, a description of a relationship with the stakeholder, an owner of the relationship with the stakeholder, a description of a stakeholder investment in the organization, a first indication of an extent to which a stakeholder interest actually aligns with an organizational interest, a second indication of an extent to which the stakeholder interest is optimally aligned with the organizational interest, a description of an approval power granted to the stakeholder, an importance rating of the stakeholder relationship from a perspective of the organization; and an anticipated effect of a sustainability project of the organization on the stakeholder relationship. The method may further include establishing a computer-based logical link between at least one instance of the stakeholder object to at least one sustainability project of the organization. The method may also include generating a progress report of the sustainability project and determining that a particular stakeholder of the organization is logically linked to the sustainability project. In certain embodiments, the method may include, automatically transferring the progress report to the stakeholder of the organization, wherein the progress report is transferred in a desired format. | 03-10-2011 |
20110060617 | System and Method for Managing Sustainability for an Organization - A computer-implemented method for managing sustainability for an organization is disclosed. The method may include storing on one or more memory modules of a computer system a plurality of instances of an ecoActivity object. Each instance of the ecoActivity object may represent an activity of the organization affecting environmental sustainability. The method may further include storing a plurality of instances of an emission factor object. Each instance of the emission factor object may at least partially quantify one or more green house gas emissions as a function of one or more respective metrics. The method may include establishing a computer-based logical link between each one of the plurality of instances of the ecoActivity object and at least one of the instances of the emission factor object. In certain embodiments, the method may include receiving data representing the metric(s) for the logically linked instance(s) of the emission factor object. For each one of the plurality of instances of the ecoActivity object, the method may include calculating one or more green house gas emission quantities based at least in part by applying, for the logically linked at least one of the plurality of instances of the emission factor object, the function of the metric(s) to the received metric(s). Additionally, the method may include aggregating together at least some of the green house gas emission quantities. In various embodiments, the method may include transferring data representing the aggregation of the calculated green house gas emission quantities. | 03-10-2011 |
20110295609 | ITEMIZING POLLUTANTS OF ACTIVITIES - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for itemizing pollutants of activities may be provided. The method may include receiving a first quantity of an activity that indicates an amount of the activity that is performed. The method may further include accessing a list of one or more pollutants that are released when the activity is performed. One or more pollutant factors may be selected. Each pollutant factor may be associated with a pollutant of the one or more pollutants and may indicate an amount of the associated pollutant released when the activity is performed. One or more pollutant quantities of the one or more pollutants may be calculated according to the first quantity of the performed activity and the pollutant factor associated with the pollutant. The method may also include facilitating display of the one or more pollutant quantities. | 12-01-2011 |