01st week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100004913 | WINDS ALOFT PROFILER - A platform for a handheld wind profiler includes a housing containing a three-axis magnetic compass module generating a compass signal, including the orientation of the housing relative to magnetic north at a time. A two-axis inclinometer module generates a inclinometer signal including the orientation of the housing relative to a horizontal plane at the time. A GPS module generating a GPS signal indicating a time and position solution including a terrain position of the housing based upon the time. A processor receives a first velocimeter signal at the time from at least one laser Doppler velocimeter. The velocimeter signal includes a first radial velocity of a first wind-borne aerosol and a first orientation of the at least one laser Doppler velocimeter relative to the housing. The processor resolves the first velocimeter signal to determine an orientation of the at least one laser Doppler velocimeter relative to the terrain position. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004914 | MODELING THE NONLINEAR HYSTERESIS RESPONSE OF RESERVOIR MEDIA - A method of modeling a nonlinear hysteresis response of reservoir media involves obtaining measurements of core samples from the reservoir to generate a multitude of bounding curves representing primary drainage and primary imbibition characteristics of a reservoir, generating, using a processor, a plurality of constitutive equations based on the multitude of bounding curves and a multitude of material functions, the multitude of material functions determined based on material properties associated with the reservoir, generating, using the processor, an output in a form of capillary-pressure scanning curves based on the multitude of constitutive equations, the capillary-pressure scanning curves representing drainage and imbibition behaviors of the reservoir during an oilfield operation, and storing the output. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004915 | Epithelial Layer Detector and Related Methods - An epithelial detector and method for automatically identifying epithelial portions of a tissue sample, includes: staining the tissue sample with at least two dyes; applying a color transformation to a color image of the tissue sample to obtain one or more color channels; and applying a trained convolutional neural network to the color channels to obtain a decision for position in the tissue as to whether it is inside or outside an epithelial layer. Also, a method for training the convolutional neural network. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004916 | Process Analyzer - Techniques for performing discrete event process simulations are described. A first software module receives production process data and configures the data into a precedence format. The precedence data is then provided to a second software module which modifies the precedence data by introducing variability into the data. A third software module is then selected based on whether processing speed or graphics capability is desired. The selected third software module then performs a discrete event process simulation using the modified data. The results of the discrete event simulation are then provided to the second software module which presents results of the simulation to the user. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004917 | USE OF DEFINING IGNORABLE RECTANGLES TO ASSIST WITH ITERATIVE TRANSLATION TESTING - The example embodiments relate to a method for assisting in the translational testing of computer software. A translated panel, which may include a translatable portion and a continuously dynamic portion, may be provided. An overlay that includes only the continuously dynamic portions of the panel may be produced. The overlay may be applied to first and second versions of the panel to produce first and second iterations of the panel, respectively, wherein each iteration does not include the continuously dynamic portion of the panel. The translatable portions of the first and second iterations may be compared to determine whether the translatable portions are different. If the translatable portions are different, then the panel may be retested for translational accuracy; if the translatable portions are not different, then the program may indicate that the second iteration is not different from the first iteration. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004918 | LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR HAVING AN AUTOMATIC INPUT/OUTPUT INTERFACE AND METHOD OF USING SAME - The present disclosure provides a language translator having an automatic input/output interface and a method of interfacing the same. In certain embodiments, the language translator comprises a text input unit, a translation engine, a working environment determining unit and an output unit. The text input unit is configured to receive a first text in a first language. The translation engine is configured to translate the first text into a second text in a second language. The working environment determining unit is configured to determine a current working environment. The output unit is configured to output the second text in the current working environment. The user does not need to type or copy-and-paste the translation result in the working environment, thereby improving the convenience of using the language translator. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004919 | OPTIMIZING PARAMETERS FOR MACHINE TRANSLATION - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for language translation are disclosed. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes determining, for a plurality of feature functions in a translation lattice, a corresponding plurality of error surfaces for each of one or more candidate translations represented in the translation lattice; adjusting weights for the feature functions by traversing a combination of the plurality of error surfaces for phrases in a training set; selecting weighting values that minimize error counts for the traversed combination; and applying the selected weighting values to convert a sample of text from a first language to a second language. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004920 | OPTIMIZING PARAMETERS FOR MACHINE TRANSLATION - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for language translation are disclosed. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes accessing a hypothesis space, where the hypothesis space represents a plurality of candidate translations; performing decoding on the hypothesis space to obtain a translation hypothesis that minimizes an expected error in classification calculated relative to an evidence space; and providing the obtained translation hypothesis for use by a user as a suggested translation in a target translation. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004921 | AUTO-GENERATED TO-DO LIST - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing an auto-generated to-do list are described. Text is received in an instant messenger conversation, wherein the text comprises a task sender, a task body, and a task date, and an input is received selecting a selection of the text, wherein the selection comprises the task body. The text is analyzed to identify the task sender, the task body, and the task date. The task is then entered into the to-do list, wherein the task comprises the task sender, the task body, and the task date, thereby providing an auto-generated to-do list. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004922 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING REMINDERS IN RESPONSE TO DETECTING KEY TERMS WITHIN A COMMUNICATION - A computer-implemented method of automatically generating an electronic reminder is provided. The method includes identifying, using term-recognition circuitry, at least one key term within an electronic message received with an electronic communications device. The method further includes generating at least one reminder based upon the at least one key term. One or more reminders are, according to the method, electronically conveyed to a user at a time later than when the message was received. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004923 | Method and an apparatus for clustering process models - The invention relates to an apparatus for clustering process models each consisting of model elements comprising a text phrase which describes in a natural language a process activity according to a process modeling language grammar and a natural language grammar, wherein said apparatus comprises a process object ontology memory for storing a process object ontology, a distance calculation unit for calculating a distance matrix employing said processing modeling language grammar and said natural language grammar, wherein said distance matrix consists of distances each indicating a dissimilarity of a pair of said process models, and a clustering unit which partitions said process models into a set of clusters based on said calculated distance matrix. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004924 | Method and system context-aware for identifying, activating and executing software that best respond to user requests generated in natural language - A computer-implemented method capable of identifying, activating, and executing commands, methods, functions, interfaces, and software-based applications that can satisfy a specific natural language user request represented by a text stream and generated from any means such as typing, voice, gestures, signs or by human thoughts. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004925 | Clique based clustering for named entity recognition system - A soft clustering method comprises (i) grouping items into non-exclusive cliques based on features associated with the items, and (ii) clustering the non-exclusive cliques using a hard clustering algorithm to generate item groups on the basis of mutual similarity of the features of the items constituting the cliques. In some named entity recognition embodiments illustrated herein as examples, named entities together with contexts are grouped into cliques based on mutual context similarity. Each clique includes a plurality of different named entities having mutual context similarity. The cliques are clustered to generate named entity groups on the basis of mutual similarity of the contexts of the named entities constituting the cliques. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004926 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLASSIFICATION AND SEGMENTATION OF AUDIO CONTENT, BASED ON THE AUDIO SIGNAL - An apparatus for classifying an input audio signal into audio contents of a first and second class, comprising an audio segmentation module adapted to segment said input audio signal into segments of a predetermined length; a feature computation module adapted to calculate for the segments features characterizing said audio input signal; a threshold comparison module adapted to generate a feature vector for each of said one or more segments based on a plurality of predetermined thresholds, the thresholds including for each of the audio contents of the first class and of the second class a substantially near certainty threshold, a substantially high certainty threshold, and a substantially low certainty threshold; and a classification module adapted to analyze the feature vector and classify each one of said one or more segments as audio contents of the first class, of the second class, or as non-decisive audio contents. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004927 | Speech sound enhancement device - A disclosed speech sound enhancement device includes an SNR calculation unit for calculating an SNR which is a ratio of received speech sound to ambient noise; a first-frequency-range enhancement magnitude calculation unit for calculating, based on the SNR and frequency-range division information indicating a first and a second frequency range, enhancement magnitude of the first frequency range, the first frequency range contributing to an improvement of subjective intelligibility of the received speech sound, the second frequency range contributing to an improvement of subjective articulation of the received speech sound; a second-frequency-range enhancement magnitude calculation unit for calculating enhancement magnitude of the second frequency range based on the enhancement magnitude of the first frequency range; and a spectrum processing unit for processing spectra of the received speech sound using the enhancement magnitude of the first frequency range, the enhancement magnitude of the second frequency range and the frequency-range division information. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004928 | VOICE/MUSIC DETERMINING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A voice/music determining apparatus is configured to calculate first feature parameters for discriminating between a voice signal and a musical signal; and calculate second feature parameters for discriminating between a musical signal and a background-sound-superimposed voice signal. A first score is calculated to indicate likelihood that the input audio signal is a voice signal or a musical signal as a sum of weight-multiplied first feature parameters. A second score is calculated to indicate likelihood that the input audio signal is a musical signal or a background-sound-superimposed voice signal as a sum of weight-multiplied second feature parameters. It is determined whether the input audio signal is a voice signal or a musical signal on the basis of the first score. Further, it is determined whether the musical signal is the input audio signal is a background-sound-superimposed voice signal on the basis of the second score. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004929 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CANCELING NOISE OF VOICE SIGNAL IN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An apparatus and a method for canceling noise in a voice signal in an electronic apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a Generalized Sidelobe Canceller (GSC) and a decision unit. The GSC cancels noise components from signals with different phases input via a plurality of microphones. The decision unit estimates a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of an input signal to determine a step-size of a filter included in the GSC. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004930 | Speech Recognition with Parallel Recognition Tasks - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an audio signal and initiating speech recognition tasks by a plurality of speech recognition systems (SRS's). Each SRS is configured to generate a recognition result specifying possible speech included in the audio signal and a confidence value indicating a confidence in a correctness of the speech result. The method also includes completing a portion of the speech recognition tasks including generating one or more recognition results and one or more confidence values for the one or more recognition results, determining whether the one or more confidence values meets a confidence threshold, aborting a remaining portion of the speech recognition tasks for SRS's that have not completed generating a recognition result, and outputting a final recognition result based on at least one of the generated one or more speech results. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004931 | Apparatus and method for speech utterance verification - An apparatus is provided for speech utterance verification. The apparatus is configured to compare a first prosody component from a recorded speech with a second prosody component for a reference speech. The apparatus determines a prosodic verification evaluation for the recorded speech utterance in dependence of the comparison. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004932 | SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM, SPEECH RECOGNITION PROGRAM, AND SPEECH RECOGNITION METHOD - A speech recognition system includes the following: a feature calculating unit; a sound level calculating unit that calculates an input sound level in each frame; a decoding unit that matches the feature of each frame with an acoustic model and a linguistic model, and outputs a recognized word sequence; a start-point detector that determines a start frame of a speech section based on a reference value; an end-point detector that determines an end frame of the speech section based on a reference value; and a reference value updating unit that updates the reference value in accordance with variations in the input sound level. The start-point detector updates the start frame every time the reference value is updated. The decoding unit starts matching before being notified of the end frame and corrects the matching results every time it is notified of the start frame. The speech recognition system can suppress a delay in response time while performing speech recognition based on a proper speech section. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004933 | VOICE DIRECTED SYSTEM AND METHOD CONFIGURED FOR ASSURED MESSAGING TO MULTIPLE RECIPIENTS - A communications system transmits messages via a wireless network to multiple users nearly simultaneously in real-time. Each user has a terminal that receives a message and plays the message for the user. The terminal may also wait for the user to verbally acknowledge the arrival of the message before continuing with its normally executing application. The sender of the message may track, for each intended recipient, the delivery of the message, the accessing of the message by the user, and the acknowledgement by the user that the message was understood. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004934 | SPEECH SEPARATING APPARATUS, SPEECH SYNTHESIZING APPARATUS, AND VOICE QUALITY CONVERSION APPARATUS - A speech separating apparatus includes: a PARCOR calculating unit ( | 2010-01-07 |
20100004935 | Method for issuing a gift card or other prepaid card providing a personalized message created by the provider for the recipient - The present invention is a method for issuing a gift card or other prepaid card whether it be an open or closed card type. Upon activation, the personalized service provides a voice or AV message that was created on behalf of or by the provider for the receiver. The personalized message is not imprinted on the card, but is delivered by voice mail, website, download to phone, or visiting a website. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004936 | AUDIO OUTPUT APPARATUS CAPABLE OF SUPPRESSING POP NOISE - An audio output apparatus includes an audio codec receiving a digital audio signal from a system controller and outputting an analog audio signal corresponding to the digital audio signal to an amplifier through a capacitor, and a switch controller triggered by a trigger signal to output a control signal to the amplifier. The amplifier is disabled to cease outputting the analog audio signal in response to the control signal. The trigger signal is generated by one of the system controller, the audio codec, and a power circuit supplying electric power to the system controller, the audio codec, the switch controller and the amplifier upon occurrence of a condition associated with pop noise, and is outputted to the switch controller before the pop noise is generated, such that the amplifier is disabled in response to the control signal from the switch controller and is unable to output the pop noise. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004937 | Method for time scaling of a sequence of input signal values - The invention relates to a digital signal processing technique that changes the length of an audio signal and, thus, effectively its play-out speed. This is used for frame rate conversion or sound effects in music production. Time scaling may further be used for fast forward or slow-motion audio play-out. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004938 | SOFTWARE LICENSING SYSTEM - A software management method, including storing customer identifying information in a customer register, storing a subscription agreement of a customer in a subscription agreement register, creating at least one license corresponding to the subscription agreement, storing the license in a license register, generating at least one key corresponding to a scope of the license, and providing the key to the customer. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004939 | POSTAL INDICIA GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for generating a postal indicia associated with a mailpiece is disclosed. The method includes generating an indicia data stream including a postal information segment and a security segment that is based upon the postal information segment and modifying a portion of the security segment to include additional information, thereby defining a modified indicia data stream. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004940 | Social Profile Assessment - An embodiment provides a computer implemented method for social profile assessment. The computer implemented method receives a request from a first user for an assessment, and sends questionnaires to a set of assessors for the first user. Upon receiving questionnaires from the set of assessors to form completed questionnaires, the computer implemented method generates an unadjusted social style assessment for the first user. Upon receiving a request from a second user for the social style assessment of the first user, the computer implemented method determines whether there are common assessors between the first user and the second user, and responsive to a determination that there are common assessors between the first user and the second user, generates an adjusted social style assessment for the first user, and returns the adjusted social style assessment for the first user to the second user. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004941 | Method and Apparatus for Generating Customized Provisioning Workflows from One Flow Models - A method and apparatus for provisioning customized information technology (IT) service workflows based on selection and concatenation. The method and apparatus matches tasks required to fulfill service requests to existing models and creates alternative service models to perform similar requests. The method and apparatus enables the development of customized run-time workflow and service task artifacts in response to information technology (IT) service requests based on selection and concatenation such that known and alternative workflows are quickly and reliably provisioned. The customized workflows are also compliant with process optimization methods such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen and others. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004942 | FRAUD DETECTION - A fraud detection methodology is disclosed wherein a map is divided into population mapping areas, and a level of normal legitimate activity for each area is calculated and stored. When activity levels indicate a possible fraud, visual indicators are displayed. The system may use a set of population mapping areas that are hierarchically arranged. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004943 | Newspaper on a container - A method of enhancing sales of a product sold in a bottle comprises placing a newspaper containing an issue date on a label and placing the label on a bottle. Subsequent issues of the newspaper are placed on subsequent series of copies of the label and bottle. The news summaries or newspaper is associated with a news cycle having a time period and the subsequent issues follow immediately after the earlier news cycles, just like an ordinary newspaper. Each issue of the newspaper is published by sending the bottle into the stream of commerce at or near the beginning of the news cycle to which the bottle/label pertains. The news summaries are readable by a consumer of the product even as the bottle is on the shelf or may be detachable from the label. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004944 | Book Creation In An Online Collaborative Environment - A computer implemented method and system is provided for compiling and publishing an online book in an online collaborative environment. Requirements are collected from one or more users in the online collaborative environment. The collected requirements comprise, for example, educational subjects, topical subjects, information on syllabus, an outline, etc. One or more content structures are created based on the collected requirements using, for example, one or more of search criteria, applicable context, curriculum guidelines, curriculum standards, degrees of difficulty, etc. The educational content is retrieved from multiple online sources, created through authoring, or a combination thereof. The retrieved educational content is compiled into the content structures for creation of the online book. The compilation is performed by automatic compilation or user declared specification. The online book is then published in the online collaborative environment. The published online book may be printed to obtain a printed physical book. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004945 | COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND UTILIZING HEALTH OUTCOMES INDICES AND FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS BASED ON THE INDICES - A computer-implemented method, a computer program product, and a computer system are provided for generating and utilizing a health outcome index for a given research interest area and a given population. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of: (a) receiving data relating to one or more given criteria pertinent to the research interest area; (b) calculating a health outcomes index using one or more computer processes applying a given formula to the data relating to the one or more given criteria, said given formula including assignment of relative weights to said one or more criteria; (c) outputting the health outcome index; and (d) periodically repeating steps (a) through (c). | 2010-01-07 |
20100004946 | SHARED PROTOCOL STATEMENTS - Computerized methods and systems for creating and documenting protocol orders in a molecular diagnostic laboratory environment are provided. Utilizing the methods and systems described herein, protocol statements may require values to be entered in association therewith prior to permitting access to subsequent protocol orders. Accordingly, more accurate test runs and, consequently, more accurate test results, may be achieved. Additionally, as values associated with protocol statements are electronically captured, in accordance with embodiments hereof, such values may be searched to evaluate trends or identify protocol orders and/or results that may be affected by a later discovered error or the like. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004947 | System and Method for Providing Health Management Services to a Population of Members - A preferred embodiment comprises providing heath management services by collecting member assessment data, collecting member biometric data, and generating risk factors for one or more members based upon the member assessment data and the member biometric data. The risk factors are analyzed using a set of rules to stratify the member population based upon risk and wellness coaching and outreach services are provided the population based upon risk levels. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004948 | APPARATUS, METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CREATING, INDIVIDUALIZING AND INTEGRATING CARE PLANS - An advanced care planning system, apparatus, method and program product are provided that enable a user to create and individualize an overall care plan for a patient, and then incorporate the tasks or actions associated with that care plan into a work list for the caregivers responsible for treatment of the patient. As caregivers perform and document tasks or actions associated with the care plan as part of their normal workflow, the patient's care plan may be automatically updated, eliminating the need for duplicate documentation. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004949 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR RECEIVING, EXTRACTING, AND TRANSLATING INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROPHYSIOLOGIC MONITORING (IONM) DATA FROM MULTIPLE DEVICE TYPES - A computer-implemented system, method, and/or computer program product for translating intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) data obtained from multiple commercially available but incompatible IONM device types. The module includes the functions of receiving the IONM data (including IONM event data) from at least one IONM device during a surgery being monitored and interacting with an individual to obtain additional information (e.g., patient, insurance, billing, accounting, research data, etc.). The module can also extract pertinent information from the IONM data and the additional information and translate the pertinent information into a translated pertinent information in a platform independent format. The module can also report the translated pertinent information (including business and clinical reports). | 2010-01-07 |
20100004950 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USAGE OF PERSONAL MEDICAL RECORDS IN MOBILE DEVICES - A document containing medical-related information is created and stored on, e.g., a mobile device. The document can then be transmitted from the mobile device to an appropriate servicing entity, such as a public safety answering point (PSAP) when an emergency call is made, allowing the PSAP to receive pertinent information about an emergency caller. Additionally, the document can be transmitted to, e.g., an appropriate near field communication (NFC) reader/receiver so that, e.g., a patient may automatically transfer information that is conventionally gathered by the patient completing a plurality of complex forms. Further still, various embodiments can enable the querying/transmitting of medical-related information over hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) so that online questionnaires may be completed and responses received directly for users wishing to purchase medication online. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004951 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCOUNTING AND CONTRACTING FOR CLINICAL TRIAL STUDIES - A clinical trial study is modeled for automatically generating business intelligence information regarding the clinical trial study. The clinical trial study has a total budget amount and a total amount of deliverables. A software application program is provided that has equations and business rules that together define a process, a timeline, and deliverables associated with the clinical trial study. The program is populated with items including entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables to the clinical trial study, budget items and amounts related to the deliverables for the respective entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables, and for at least some of the budget items, a time frame in which the budget item is expected to be incurred or paid. Business intelligence information is then automatically generated using the equations and business rules in the program, and the items entered into the program. The business intelligence information includes appropriate invoice payments for the deliverables for the respective entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables at a specific time frame, an accounting for the clinical trial study, and cash flow needs for the clinical trial study. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004952 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING, MONITORING AND REPORTING EXTINGUISHMENT OF A TITLE INSURANCE POLICY - A system for monitoring a title insurance policy is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, and a database in communication with the processor and the memory, the database configured to store a plurality of property records. The system further includes computer readable logic stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the computer readable logic configured to receive a title record associated with the title insurance property, compare the received title record with each of the plurality of property records stored by the database, match a property record of interest from each of the plurality of property records, and report a status indicator for the title insurance policy. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004953 | METHODS FOR DIGITAL MANAGEMENT OF UNDERWRITING INSURANCE CONTRACTS - Disclosed are methods of underwriting insurance contracts. In one embodiment a method comprises receiving from a registered user a request for approval of the insurance contract, the request for approval of the insurance contract including underwriting parameters of the insurance contract; reading, from a user database underwriting criteria corresponding to the user; determining whether the underwriting parameters of the insurance contract satisfy the underwriting criteria of the user; and providing an interface including a status message indicating that at least one underwriting criterion is not satisfied, if at least one underwriting criterion is not satisfied. The interface can include a graphical element linking a part of the status message with a displayed parameter of the contract. In another embodiment the method further comprises determining whether the underwriting parameters of the insurance contract satisfy underwriting criteria corresponding to a managing user with a greater scope of authority than the registered user. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004954 | SYSTEMS FOR DIGITAL MANAGEMENT OF UNDERWRITING INSURANCE CONTRACTS - Disclosed are systems for underwriting insurance contracts. In one embodiment a system comprises a rules database of business rules specifying one or more conditions based upon one or more underwriting parameters; a user database comprising entries corresponding to registered users; and a processor configured to: provide to the user a form having a plurality of data fields generated based upon the underwriting parameters specified in the business rules; receive a plurality of inputted underwriting parameters corresponding to the data fields; determine whether the inputted underwriting parameters satisfy the business rules; and if at least one of the inputted underwriting parameters does not satisfy the business rules, provide a status message indicating that at least one business rule is not satisfied. The status message can be provided in an interface that includes a graphical element linking a part of the status message with a portion of the displayed form. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004955 | BUSINESS HSA PLATFORM - A business HSA platform is provided. The system may include an eligibility detector, an HSA setup module, an HSA expenditures manager, and an employer contributions manager. The eligibility detector may be configured to determine health savings account (HSA) eligibility of an employee. The HSA setup module may be configured to establish an HSA account for the employee. The HSA expenditures manager may be configured to facilitate on-line management of the HSA account. The employer contributions manager may be configured to facilitate automatic contributions by an employer of the employee into the HSA account. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004956 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED PATIENT CARE - The present invention relates generally to healthcare, and more specifically to a process for more completely and more accurately diagnosing the health condition of health insurance plan members through a comprehensive health assessment. In doing so, the method of the present invention reflects the guidelines established by various insurance payors such as the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”). The present invention further provides a method for monitoring follow-up member care to increase the likelihood that the quality of medical care given to plan members is increased. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004957 | Interactive system and methods for insurance-related activities - Systems and methods for performing insurance related activities are provided. Software can be implemented to provide a (optionally networked) application that includes an interactive interface for use by insurance professionals in managing clients. Personal data can be received for computing a client's financial condition. Business data of the client can be received for computing a business financial condition of the business at the death of the client. An assumption of the business financial condition, including levels of business owned life insurance can be modified. A selection mechanism can also be provided, which when selected displays a representation of a death benefits to the client and to the business, based on the modified assumption. The personal financial and business financial condition can change in relation to a change in the personal death and business death benefit as the assumptions are interactively modified, thereby showing the benefit of business owned life insurance. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004958 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTELLIGENTLY REROUTING STRANDED TRAVELERS - A method is disclosed to intelligently reroute stranded travelers. The method includes receiving in a computer, a message from a customer containing preferences for travel services, including willingness to accept alternative travel services, and storing the preferences in a customer database. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the customer containing a trip plan that includes at least one segment with a desired mode of transportation, a desired departure location, a desired time, and a desired destination, and storing the trip plan in the customer database. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from at least one travel service, including available scheduling for the at least one segment, and data for alternative times and modes of transportation, and storing the available scheduling and the data. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the customer agreeing to the available scheduling for the at least one segment. The method then includes receiving in the computer, a message from the at least one travel service, that the agreed to scheduling for the at least one segment has become unavailable. The method then includes accessing the preferences and the data. The method then includes determining acceptable alternative times and modes of transportation from the data and the preferences for the at least one segment. The method then includes automatically scheduling one of the acceptable alternative times and modes of transportation for the at least one segment. And finally, the method includes sending a notification to the customer of the automatically scheduled alternative time and mode of transportation for the at least one segment. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004959 | Methods and system for reserving services from service providers - A method of connecting at least one first user with at least one second user is provided. The method includes connecting at least one consumer and at least one service provider to a web portal, wherein the at least one consumer is seeking a service and the at least one service provider provides the service; establishing a direct communication connection between the at least one consumer and the at least one service provider using the web portal to facilitate providing a platform to conduct business transactions such that the direct communication connection is substantially private, wherein the direct communication connection is relayed through the web portal; and transacting business between the at least one consumer and the at least one service provider using the web portal such that the at least one service provider sells the service to the at least one consumer directly. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004960 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT OF DEVICES FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRONIC PARCEL POSTBOX - There is provided a system and method for operating at least one electronic parcel compartment facility. The parcel compartment facility comprises several compartments in a number amounting to F, with which mailpieces of at least two user groups A and B having different access rights can be deposited into the compartments of the parcel compartment facility, whereby the parcel compartment facility is in communication with a central data processing unit. The occupation status of the compartments of the parcel compartment facility is transmitted to the data processing unit so that the number Y of different sizes of free compartments of the parcel compartment facility is stored in a memory of the data processing unit. The central data processing unit is also in communication with at least one mail distribution center where destination information about the mailpieces is acquired, whereby the destination information is associated with the parcel compartment facility. An exemplary method comprises specifying a period of time Z between a starting point in time and an ending point in time and storing the period of time Z in a data processing unit of the mail distribution center. The exemplary method also comprises acquiring destination information and sizes of the mailpieces in the mail distribution center using a data acquisition device. The exemplary method additionally comprises determining the X number of mailpieces whose destination information acquired during the period of time Z matches the destination information of the parcel compartment facility by the data processing unit of the mail distribution center and transmitting the number X by the data processing unit of the mail distribution center to the central data processing unit. The exemplary method further comprises comparing the number X to the number Y of free compartments and assigning X free compartments of the parcel compartment facility to a first user group A by the central data processing unit if Y≧X. The exemplary method also comprises transmitting a control command for the reservation of the X free compartments of the parcel compartment facility assigned to the first user group A by the data processing unit to a control unit of the parcel compartment facility, and subtracting the number X of reserved compartments from the number Y of free compartments for purposes of determining the number V of available compartments remaining in the parcel compartment facility. The exemplary method additionally comprises assigning at least some of the remaining available compartments V to a second user group B, if V>1 and transmitting a control command for a reservation of the compartments assigned to the second user group B from the data processing unit to the control unit of the parcel compartment facility. The exemplary method further comprises acquiring user identifications and/or mailing information through a user interface at the parcel compartment facility and associating a user and/or a mailpiece with the user groups A or B on the basis of the acquired user information and/or mailing information. The exemplary method also comprises controlling access to free compartments of the parcel compartment facility on the basis of the reservations made for the two user groups A and B and determining a point in time P by the control unit of the parcel compartment facility. The exemplary method additionally comprises canceling the reservations of compartments for the user groups A and B after the point in time P and releasing access to free compartments of the parcel compartment facility to all user groups. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004961 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCOUNTING AND CONTRACTING FOR CLINICAL TRIAL STUDIES - A clinical trial study is modeled for automatically generating business intelligence information regarding the clinical trial study. The clinical trial study has a total budget amount and a total amount of deliverables. A software application program is provided that has equations and business rules that together define a process, a timeline, and deliverables associated with the clinical trial study. The program is populated with items including entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables to the clinical trial study, budget items and amounts related to the deliverables for the respective entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables, and for at least some of the budget items, a time frame in which the budget item is expected to be incurred or paid. Business intelligence information is then automatically generated using the equations and business rules in the program, and the items entered into the program. The business intelligence information includes appropriate invoice payments for the deliverables for the respective entities that have been contracted to provide the deliverables at a specific time frame, an accounting for the clinical trial study, and cash flow needs for the clinical trial study. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004962 | PROVIDING REAL-TIME TEST AHEAD WORK DIRECTION FOR MANUFACTURING OPTIMIZATION - A system for generating a work unit test ahead candidate list. A list is generated of all potential candidate systems for test ahead operations. A system in the potential candidate list is selected. It is determined whether any work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts. Determining that no work unit in the selected system is waiting for short parts, a complexity score is calculated for each work unit in the selected system. The calculated complexity scores are added to a total system complexity score. It is then determined whether an override exists for a work unit in the selected system. Determining that an override does exist, the selected system is removed from the potential candidate list. A candidate list is generated from remaining systems in the potential candidate list. Then, the candidate list is outputted to provide recommendations for optimizing work unit test ahead operations. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004963 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION THAT NEEDS TRANSFORMATION - A method and system for identifying a business organization that needs transformation is provided. In one implementation the method and system may include providing information, such as financial, marketing, and internal information, related to a business organization; determining from the information whether the business organization has had a performance trigger; adding the business organization to a list of transformation candidates if the determination identifies the business organization as having had a performance trigger; and displaying on a display device whether the business organization is a candidate for transformation. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004964 | Intention Driven Business Process Modeling - An intention-driven business process modeling system and method are presented. User input is received defining one or more actions related to a real business process. The one or more actions are combined in a logical group to create an intention model, the intention model including business-specific actions to be performed according to the logical group. An application programming interface is defined for each business-specific action. An event model is then defined to generate an event handler to interface with the application programming interface of each business-specific action to execute each action of the intention model. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004965 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SHARING INFORMATION THROUGH A TAGLESS DEVICE CONSORTIUM - The invention provides one or more consortia of networks that identify and share information about users and/or user devices interacting with the consortia. User devices may be identified, at least in part, by a delta of time parameter between a user device used and a reference time. Other parameters may be analyzed to identify a computer user and/or device and noteworthy transactions. The invention may be used for identity-based applications such as network security, the detection of fraudulent transactions, identity theft, ratings-based communities and law enforcement. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004966 | SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS - A method for implementing a project for a customer. Business requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with Business Requirements Review (BRR) exit criteria. System requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with system requirements review (SRR) exit criteria. Component requirements are developed for the project and are reviewed for acceptability in accordance with Preliminary Design Review (PDR) exit criteria. The business requirements are decomposed into the system requirements. The system requirements are decomposed into the component requirements. A Requirements Traceability and Verification Matrix (RTVM) is generated when the business requirements are established. The RTVM is updated throughout the life of the project. The RTVM includes verification information relating to the business requirements, the system requirements, and the component requirements. The RTVM depicts hierarchical relationships between the business requirements, the system requirements, and the component requirements. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004967 | Method and System for Generating One Flow Models from Runtime Service Delivery Process - A method and system for generating new abstractions for existing process models and modifying existing process models in order to generate new process models by mining run-time service delivery processes. The method and system also “learns” new abstractions for business process models by modifying existing models. The method and system generates new business process models utilizing an online learning mechanism that mines run-time service delivery processes. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004968 | PATTERN-BASED POLICY APPLICATION MECHANISM FOR SCA - A pattern-based policy method for service component architecture (SCA) defines a policy pattern for SCA. The policy pattern includes a plurality of roles and one or more constraints between said plurality of roles. Each of said plurality of roles defines a plurality of intents or policy sets or combination thereof. One or more roles assigned to said one or more SCA components are identified and one or more intents or policy sets or combination thereof associated with said one or more roles are automatically applied to said one or more SCA components. Said one or more intents or policy sets or combination thereof applied to said one or more SCA components are validated based on said one or more constraints. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004969 | System and Method for Providing Online Education - A system and method for creating and offering online courses and classes provides a computer program accessible over a computer network. The program includes a template for creating a course by assigning predefined attributes and/or parameters, and by adding lessons, activities, and/or material in conformance with predetermined rules. A selected course is converted into a class for offering over the system which may be archived or deleted after the term. New classes may subsequently be made from the original course. Included are translation and/or conversion functions, wherein inputs and outputs may be translated between human languages and/or converted between different analog and digital forms, and a payment system wherein fees may be charged for access to the system, a course, and/or a class. Courses and course content may be saved and shared with other users having valid access parameters. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004970 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR IMPLEMENTING B2B TRADING PARTNER BOARDING - A computerized method (and structure) of implementing a business-to-business (B2B) boarding process includes providing a set of questions related to the B2B boarding process to a new business to be boarded into an existing B2B system. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004971 | COORDINATING SHEDULES BASED ON CONTACT PRIORITY - Methods of the present invention provide for coordinating schedules by assigning a priority level to a user and scheduling an event using an electronic calendar. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of a profile manager matching a recommended time slot common to a range of time slots provided by a first user and second user, and a client side application used with an electronic calendar downloading the recommended time slot. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004972 | Resource Management - The invention provides a computer-implemented warehouse order processing method, whereby a warehouse order specifies work which is to be executed by a resource at a warehouse, a resource representing a physical entity which is able to execute work; during creation of a warehouse order, performing a step of determining a number of parameters relevant for execution of the respective warehouse order, and storing the determined parameters in a data base; during selection of a warehouse order for execution by a resource, performing a step of analyzing relevant population of warehouse orders for execution by the requesting resource, on the basis of the determined parameters, whether the selected resource is able to execute the warehouse order, and upon execution of a warehouse order by a resource, updating the data base comprising, the parameters for the warehouse orders. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004973 | Human resource networking system and method thereof - A Human Resource Networking System, which is a novel Method establishing a business system for locating, identifying, promoting and assisting in the employing of career project workers in the non-career workforce, includes a Relational Database comprising an Industry Credit Inductive Lineage Construct Matrix containing People Elements, Places Elements, Projects Elements, and Things Elements derived from People Information, Places Information, Project Elements, and Things Elements; a plurality of Credit Constructs each of which is formed by associating two or more of the People Elements, the Places Elements, the Projects Elements, and the Things Elements and stored in the Industry Credit Inductive Lineage Construct Matrix of the Relational Database; and a Display Device for outputting Credit Bytes generated by combining the Credit Constructs upon query. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004974 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE SUCCESS PROBABILITIES OF INTERNET ADVERTISEMENTS - A method and related system for determining the weighted average conversion (or click-through) probability (WACP) associated with an activity, such as an internet advertising bid activity. The method involves gathering information associated with prior actions relevant to future actions, such as bidding on internet advertisement placement, for example. The gathered information, such as clicks, impressions and conversions resulting from an advertisement placement, is used in an algorithm to calculate the WACP. The method may be carried out as part of a system including one or more computing devices and the execution of instructions embodied in computer-readable media. The algorithm may include the option of weighting the data used, such as by valuing recent data more than older data. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004975 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEVERAGING PROXIMITY DATA IN A WEB-BASED SOCIALLY-ENABLED KNOWLEDGE NETWORKING ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for leveraging proximity data in a web-based socially-enabled information networking environment are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of semantic advertising via semantic profiles. One embodiment can include, receiving a model profile from an advertiser, enforcing a set of rules that govern accessibility of the web content, parsing the model profile to obtain a first set of model user metadata associated with the ideal set of user characteristics, comparing model user metadata of the first set of model user metadata with user metadata of a set of user metadata of a semantic user profile of a user, and generating a correlation index to indicate a degree of correlation between the model profile and the semantic user profile. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004976 | DEMAND CURVE ANALYSIS METHOD FOR ANALYZING DEMAND PATTERNS - The present disclosure describes novel methods that can be utilized to analyze demand patterns for one or more products based on time series data for the product(s) such as order history, shipment history, and point of sale history. The data may be organized into one or more hierarchies and may contain one or more attributes. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004977 | Method and System For Measuring User Experience For Interactive Activities - The present invention is directed to a method and system for measuring the biometric (physically, behaviorally, biologically and self-report based) responses of an audience to a presentation or interactive experience that provides a sensory stimulating experience and determining a measure of the level and pattern of engagement of that audience and impact of the presentation or interactive experience. In particular, the invention is directed to a method and system for measuring one or more biometrically based responses of one or more persons being exposed to the presentation in order to determine the moment-to-moment pattern or event based pattern and overall level of engagement. The method and system can include eye tracking to determine areas of the presentation that correspond to high and low levels of biometric responses suggesting high and low levels of visual impact. Further, the invention can be used to determine whether the presentation or the content in the presentation is more effective in a population relative to other presentations (or content) and other populations and to help identify elements of the presentation that contribute to the high level of engagement or impact and the effectiveness and success (or failure) of the presentation for that population. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004978 | Pooled Transaction System - A method of transacting sales over a computerized network correlates in a first database record the first product and the first purchaser to form a pool; further correlates a plurality of second purchasers; issues an offer to a vendor to purchase the first product at a first offer price; and consummates a transaction between the vendor and the first and second purchasers. A first commitment price is calculated in response to a time rate of the filling of the pool. The first commitment price may be responsive to historical sales performance of the first product; a price trend of an article similar to the first article; or a price trend of the first article itself over time. A second product desired to be purchased by a first purchaser is defined. An offer is made to a vendor to purchase the second product. A consolidated report is presented to the purchaser. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004979 | Promotional Micro-Endorsement matching, distribution and conversion system and method - A method and system to provide Broadcasting networks revenue by Monetizing “shout outs and holler outs”. Consumer Participants Register with Internet domain network and then issue shout outs on participating broadcasting (radio, TV . . . etc) networks. The consumers are then paid a fee for mentioning an advertiser during the shout out, if conducted in correct format. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004980 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PRODUCT AND CONSUMER INFORMATION - Systems and methods for processing, sharing, and tracking information related to products. The systems and methods allow consumers, by way of a centralized information hub, to search for information about products and share that information with other consumers across multiple communication channels by utilizing one or more of multiple technology platforms. The systems and methods also allow consumers to share information about themselves with retailers and vendors across multiple communication channels by utilizing one or more of multiple technology platforms. The systems and methods enable retailers and vendors to share product information, such as promotional information and discount information, to consumers across multiple communication channels by utilizing one or more of multiple technology platforms. Embodiments of the present invention allow users to search, access, view and share product-related information via standard text/SMS messaging in a device-agnostic manner. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004981 | Dynamic anti-money laundering system and methodology for providing situational-specific risk assessment determinations - A dynamic anti-money laundering system and methodology for providing situational-specific risk assessment determinations. Risk dimensions for a financial institution or branch of a financial institution are identified and assigned numerical designations. The type of financial transaction to be conducted at the branch of a financial institution is then identified and it is further determined whether the financial transaction has a risk-related dimension and, if so, whether the numerical designation of at least a selected one of the identified risk dimensions exceeds a predetermined level. If the numerical designations of at least a selected one of the identified risk dimensions exceeds a predetermined level, a special risk assessment procedure is performed and recommended guidelines for handling the financial transaction based on the special risk assessment procedure ate provided to an authorized user. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004982 | QUANTIFYING TRUST IN COMPUTING NETWORKS - Method for calculating a trust value of an agent in a computing network. In one implementation, the method may include receiving information pertaining to a first agent's previous actions, quantifying a discrepancy between an expected behavior and an actual behavior of the first agent during the first agent's previous actions, and determining the trust value of the first agent based on the quantified discrepancy. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004983 | Performance Management System and Method - A performance management system is disclosed. The performance manage system includes a host system in communication with a client system. The host system includes a database server and an application server. The database server is configured to receive workplace performance information from one or more sources. The application server is configured to receive a query from the client system to provide workplace performance information, transmit a request to the database server to provide workplace performance information, receive workplace performance information transmitted from the database server, generate an HTML document that includes workplace performance information, and transmit the HTML document to the client system. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004984 | TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCT/SERVICE COUPON CODES - A device receives an advertisement, a code, an encryption key, and information associated with a product and/or service, and provides the advertisement to a set-top box (STB) for display on a television. The device receives, from the STB, a request for a promotion associated with the advertisement and an identification associated with the STB, and provides the code associated with the product and/or service to the STB for display on the television. The device receives, from a user device, a claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB, and validates the claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB based on an identification associated with the user device. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004985 | Incentive structure for centralized trading market - An automated marketplace is separated into tiers, with behavioral requirements for each tier. Tier eligibility is a “structural incentive” for market participants to exhibit desirable behavior and eschew undesirable behavior. Tiered eligibility also reflects the natural imbalance of liquidity in the market and the need to preserve the identity of a class of liquidity providers, which further leads to a structure that can preserve the integrity of person-to-person trading relationships even in an automated environment. Within each tier, participant behavior leads to a ranking for that participant. When specific events occur, these events are allocated based on participant ranking. Participant ranking is an “activity incentive” that influences the behavior of market participants. Certain events are defined as desirable or undesirable, and when performed by a market participant, lead to positive incentives or negative incentives, of structural and/or monetary type. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004986 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHEREIN A SECURITY DEPOSIT FACILITATES A TRANSACTION IN WHICH A BENEFIT IS APPLIED IN EXCHANGE FOR PERFORMANCE OF A TASK - Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. The task is associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant. The method also includes providing the offer to the customer, receiving the security deposit, applying the benefit to the transaction before performance of the task, and returning at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to a transaction involving the purchase of a lawn mower in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer such as test driving a new car. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. When the customer performs the task by test driving the car, arrangements are then made to return at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004987 | Information-Processing System for the Purpose of Market Research - An information-processing system for market research includes a number of stations connected to the computer, each desirably having a touch screen. The program available in the computer is adapted to output a series of questions to a respondent, optionally after providing beforehand information necessary to answer a question. Once the respondent has answered the group of questions, the respondent receives a free reward, such as a gift voucher or product, for example. By presenting product information about which questions are asked, the invention ensures that each respondent has viewed the provided information before the respondent can receive their reward. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004988 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An information processing apparatus is provided and operates as a managing server that distributes incentive using transfer device information with respect to content. A communication unit receives inter-device transfer information with respect to output content from an information providing device, the information being in the form of device identifiers for at least the information providing device and one or more user devices that executed content transfers. A controller then executes processing to designate the incentive recipients as being the device managers associated with the acquired device identifiers. In so doing, incentive can be distributed to the managers or users of user devices that relay content between an information providing device and a product purchaser. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004989 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR INTERFACING PAYMENT SYSTEMS TO A NETWORK ASSOCIATED WITH A REFERRAL - A network interface, including a referral receiver, a payment processor and a referral matching module. The referral receiver receives a referral presented to a user and the payment processor performs a transaction. In turn, the referral matching module matches the referral with the transaction and communicates the match to a network associated with the referral. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004990 | Host Exchange in Bill Paying Services - An account exchange system is provided by a data aggregation service enabled for gathering data for a subscriber from a data repository of a first financial institution, using account exchange software operating on a server coupled to the data aggregation service. Initiated by a subscriber the account exchange software causes an account to be terminated at the first financial institution and a new account to be opened at a second financial institution, using data from the first financial institution, and processing the data to be compatible with data requirements at the second financial institution. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004991 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME PRICING WITH VOLUME DISCOUNTING - A system and method are provided for facilitating real-time pricing with volume discounting. The method includes receiving a request for a real-time price quote for a transaction from a first account. The request is received at a first instance in time during a billing cycle. The method also includes determining a first production service, where the first production service is a component of the transaction, and determining a count of first production service instances representing the first production service in the received transaction. The method further includes determining a billable entity for the transaction, where the billable entity includes one or more related accounts, and the related accounts includes the first account. The method additionally includes determining a total of the first production service instances purchased by the related accounts during the billing cycle up to the first instance in time, where the total includes the count of the first production service instances in the received transaction. The method also includes determining a price applicable to the total of the first production service instances based on a pricing method, and apportioning the price to the received transaction based on the count of the first production service instance in the received transaction. The system includes a computer-readable storage medium that has stored thereon computer instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to receive a request for a real-time price quote for a transaction. The request is received at a first instance in time during a billing cycle, and the transaction includes a number of first production service instances, where each instance represents a first production service. The computer instructions also cause the computer to determine a total count of production service instances consumed during the billing cycle up to the first instance in time based on a pricing relationship, and determine a billing service appropriate for the first production service. The computer instructions further cause the computer to calculate a price for the first production service from a price table based on a first attribute for the billing service and the total count of production service instances consumed, and apportion the price to the received transaction based on the number of first production service instances in the transaction. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004992 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING A LOYALTY ENGINE FOR AUTOMATED CAUSE MARKETING - A method, system and computer program for providing a loyalty engine for automated cause marketing. The method includes a loyalty program system administrator linking merchants and charities to the loyalty system. Members register with the loyalty engine through loyalty system which is accessible via the Internet. Once the merchants and the charities are linked and the members are registered, by operation of the loyalty engine, the merchants can create a customized loyalty program defined by a plurality of merchant defined rules for administering their loyalty program. The merchant defined rules instruct the loyalty engine as to which charities should receive in-kind donations in connection with one or more transactions by a member that is associated to the loyalty program. Once a loyalty system defined time period or donation threshold has been achieved, the loyalty system releases the donation in-kind to the specific charity. A system is also provided that consists of a server computer including the loyalty engine and the charity utility. The charity utility provides the functions of the method and is linked to a server computer that is connected to the Internet. The computer program of the invention is a web application that enables the members, charities, and merchants to access the functions of the invention via a web browser. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004993 | INTELLIGENT MULTI-MEDIA PLAYER - Systems and methods for operating an intelligent multi media player are described. The media player can be serialized and registered and connected to a channel that provides content to users of the media player according to affinities and preferences of the user and characteristic of the channel. Content and providing targeted advertisement may be assembled. Advertisements and appearance of the media player typically change for each action associated with the media player, including play, replay and selection of content or advertising material. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004994 | METHODS FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS - Methods for facilitating effective and efficient communication between businesses and customers. A business purchases a “widget package” from a widget service provider that includes a business widget for installation on the business's computer network and a customer widget for installation on a customer's electronic communication device. Once installed, the business widget and the customer widget communicate with one another directly over a network, such as the Internet, in real time and allow the business to compose and send targeted communications to the customer in accordance with a set of preferences specified by the customer in the customer widget. The customer thereby receives only those types of communications which he or she desires. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004995 | Claiming Real Estate in Panoramic or 3D Mapping Environments for Advertising - Techniques for identifying groups of features in an online geographic view of a real property and replacing and/or augmenting the groups of features with advertisement information are described. The techniques include providing a geographic view of a property within an online property management system, identifying a region of interest in the geographic view, analyzing the geographic view to locate one or more promotional features within the geographic view positioned upon a real property region, providing a user-selectable link associated with the region of interest in the geographic view, receiving a request for the region of interest in the geographic view via the user-selectable link, receiving data to alter at least one of the behavior or the appearance of the region of interest, storing the data in association with the geographic view, and updating the region of interest within the geographic view based upon the received data. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004996 | Information Processing Server, and Information Processing Method - It is an object to increase advertising effectiveness by a synergetic effect between communication using a mobile phone or the like, and an electronic money system. The present embodiment is configured such that an advertisement is transmitted to a user's mobile phone via e-mail, and if the user purchases an article in values based on the advertisement, cashback is performed through the user's mobile phone in values. Thus, giving a feeling of value to the user makes it possible not only to increase advertising effectiveness but also to confirm the advertising effectiveness. If purchasing an article in values according to an advertising mail sent to a mobile phone | 2010-01-07 |
20100004997 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING USER PROFILE BASED ON PERIODIC LOCATION FIXES - Implementations relate to systems and methods for generating a user profile based on periodic location fixes. A cellular telephone or other mobile device captures location information via GPS or other capability. A location history can be generated from accumulated location fixes. The location history is then analyzed to detect the user's travel and dwell patterns. That information can be combined with business classification (e.g., SIC, etc.) or Point of Interest (POI) databases to identify a user's likely home, work, or other locations based on dwell-times, time of day, and other parameters. The user's age and gender can potentially be inferred based on types of locations visited, such as school locations. The user profile can be correlated with market segmentation databases to generate a marketing rating, such as a Nielsen or Claritas rating. Advertising, media, or other content can then be tailored to the user's individual location and demographic profiles. | 2010-01-07 |
20100004998 | Apparatus Pertaining to Identifying Information, Corresponding Characterizing Information, and Corresponding Modification of a Presentation that is Commonly Shared by a Plurality of End Users, and a Corresponding Method - A control circuit serves to receive data messages in conjunction with a corresponding source identifier from each of a plurality of sources (wherein the plurality of sources each have, at the time of sourcing their respective data message, a corresponding end user who is presently sharing a common presentation with others of the end users). The control circuit uses the source identifier to determine additional identifying information for at least a substantial number of these end users and then uses that additional identifying information to determine characterizing information for at least a substantial number of the end users. This characterizing information can then be used to modify the common presentation (for example, by controlling particular items of promotional content that comprise a part of the presentation). | 2010-01-07 |
20100004999 | Infrastructure for anonymous securities lending transactions - A stock loan contract is anonymously formed through a software program and sent to a central clearing party that performs a novation in which first and second contracts are substituted for the stock loan contract, the first contract being between the borrower and the central clearing party, the second contract being between the lender and the central clearing party. The central clearing party guarantees the delivery of the stock and the cash for the stock loan contract, so the parties for the contract can be anonymous to each other. The software program may provide price discovery via a batch auction, in which the software program determines an equilibrium price for the batch auction, the equilibrium price being selected to maximize the number of shares loaned in the auction. A list of orders available for loan formation is available to a user of the software program prior to the occurrence of the batch auction, and one of these orders can be selected by the user for formation of a stock loan prior to the batch auction. Alternatively, the price discovery can occur in negotiated trading occurring entirely by structured messages having values for predefined fields and associated terms selected from a predefined set of terms. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005000 | Advertising sales tool - Online and paper-based telephone directory advertisement effectiveness may be determined and presented. A user interface may receive input, such as an advertisement characteristic. The advertisement characteristic may be part of an advertising mix including paper-based telephone directory advertisements and/or an online telephone directory advertisements. A processor may determine one or more effectiveness metrics, such as monthly call counts. The effectiveness metrics may be based on metered telephone directory listing information, generated by placing a number of unique metered telephone numbers in advertisements, recording data associated with calls made to these unique metered telephone numbers, and statistically processing the recorded data to generate models of how various advertisement types and characteristics have performed. The user interface may interactively present the metric and a sample advertisement that is in accordance with the inputted characteristic. The metric may include a return on investment calculation, providing an evidence-based, value proposition. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005001 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADVERTISING - A system for generating an advertisement to be displayed to a website visitor of a webpage, the system including: (a) product selection processing module, configured to select a product to be advertised; (b) an input interface for receiving real time information pertaining to the product; and (c) an advertisement generator, configured to generate the advertisement in response to the real time information and to provide the advertisement for displaying on the webpage. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005002 | Bookmark Beacon System And Method - A bookmark beacon system comprises a computer network, a wireless network configured to enable a wireless device to access the computer network, and a bookmark beacon that transmits a bookmark data packet to the wireless device. The bookmark data packet includes a resource address that enables the wireless device to retrieve information stored on the computer network. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005003 | Automated dry cleaning assembly system - An automated assembly conveyor method and apparatus for dry-cleaners, wherein the system is disposed to recognize, associate, and consolidate garments in customer transactions by reading garment identification tags located within each item. The system further includes an optional point-of-sale system and mark-in station to facilitate the intake of items from a customer to ensure each item is input into a database. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005004 | System and method to guarantee a selling price of a product - A preferred method for providing a guarantee for a value of product includes the steps of receiving product information, generating a product value based on the received product information, and providing a guarantee that a user will receive a payment for a product, the payment having a value at least equal to the generated product value. A preferred system for generating a product value includes a user interface adapted and configured to receive product information; a processor coupled to the user interface, wherein the processor is adapted and configured to generate a product value based on the product information received by the user interface; and a payment having a value at least equal to the product value. The system and method are preferably designed for the ecommerce field and, more specifically, for guaranteeing a selling price of a product in the ecommerce field. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005005 | CONTROL SYSTEM INTERFACE FOR FLEXIBLE ORDER TRANSACTION SYSTEM - The present invention provides a control system interface for accessing a plurality of functions relating to a flexible order transaction system. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005006 | METHOD OF SHARING AN ITEM RENTAL ACCOUNT - An account in an item rental service is shared with others using computer-implemented profiles, subject to computer-enforced constraints. In one embodiment, a method provides for establishing a user account, wherein the user account is associated with an account owner, wherein the user account comprises a first ordered queue indicating two or more items that the account owner desires to rent; receiving a request to add a second ordered queue to the user account, profile member identifying information, and a constraint value; creating and storing a profile record based on the profile member identifying information and the constraint value, wherein the profile record is further associated with a second queue; receiving a request to add a specified rental item to the second queue, wherein the specified rental item does not conform to the constraint value; and adding the specified rental item to the second queue only in response to receiving confirmation by the account owner. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005007 | METHODS OF ASSOCIATING REAL WORLD ITEMS WITH VIRTUAL WORLD REPRESENTATIONS - A method according to one embodiment includes providing access to a representation of a real world item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user associated with the avatar. A method according to another embodiment includes receiving notice that a user has purchased a real world item; providing access to a representation of the real world item to an avatar in a virtual world; and allowing the avatar to interact with the representation of the real world item in the virtual world; outputting. A method according to yet another embodiment includes providing an item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user associated with the avatar. A method in a further embodiment includes providing a representation of a real world item to an avatar in a virtual world based on a real world transaction involving a user, wherein the user is not associated with the avatar. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005008 | CREATION, SHARING AND EMBEDDING OF INTERACTIVE CHARTS - Systems and methods for generating and sharing interactive charts are described. The interactive charts are generated in an online portal that allows users to customize the interactive features of the chart. An exemplary interactive feature includes an interactive audio feature. The interactive chart can be shared by, for example, embedding the interactive chart in an external electronic document, such as a .ppt or PDF document, that can be shared with other users. The interactive chart and/or the data associated with the interactive chart may also be purchased through an online store environment or otherwise shared with other users. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005009 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AND DISPLAYING ACTIVE VIRTUAL REALITY CYBER MALLS, SHOW ROOMS, GALLERIES, STORES, MUSEUMS, AND OBJECTS WITHIN - A system and method for virtually displaying on-line a gallery, a showroom, a store, a mall or any other room or space and the objects contained in said room or space, wherein the data displayed is comprised of a virtual reality data packet. The system displays still photographs of virtual reality shots and textual materials, and plays virtual reality video clips and audio stories about the room and/or the objects contained therein. Links are associated with each object so that detailed information in graphical, video, audio and/or textual forms that are related to the object and are stored external to the virtual reality data packet can be retrieved on demand from an external database for presentation to the viewer. The system also provides on-line controls that enable the viewer to move around the space, and a feature that enables a viewer to view an object from 360° around the object. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005010 | Method of Providing Diagnostic Information in Connection with the Sale of Pre-Owned Vehicles - A method of assisting sellers and buyers in the sale and purchase of a vehicle is provided. The method may comprise the steps of communicating a vehicle's diagnostic data (e.g., OBD codes, etc.) with a provider. The method may further comprise the step of analyzing the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of preparing a vehicle diagnostic report based on the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of uploading the prepared report to a report database retrievable by a buyer. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005011 | AUTOMATED RECEIVING SYSTEM - A package processing system is disclosed for a distribution facility. The package processing system includes a reader and a controller. The reader is configured to automatically identify vendor labels on each package of a shipment of packages, each such vendor label being one of a plurality of label types and including a package identifier code representative of the corresponding package. The reader is configured to select a vendor label for each package from identified vendor labels based on label type. The controller is configured to receive distribution instructions based on electronic shipment data representative of the shipment and each package of the shipment and on inventory and to assign a routing code for each package based on a comparison of the package identifier code of the corresponding selected label with electronic shipment data and distribution instructions. Each package is distributed within the distribution facility based on the corresponding routing code. | 2010-01-07 |
20100005012 | SYNCHRONIZING REAL-TIME AND OFF-LINE ACCOUNTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS - Synchronization is provided between a real-time charging system ( | 2010-01-07 |