| 05th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 58 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110029320 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE SITE WITH A TRACKING DEVICE - A system for ensuring the correct location/side of a medical procedure is described. The system includes a pointing device, a receiver, and a validater. The pointing device transmits location data to a receiver from several reference points and a planned medical procedure site on the body of the patient. The validater receives medical procedure plan data associated with the patient and compares the medical procedure plan data with the location data to verify the validity of the planned medical procedure site. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029321 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEB-BASED CLAIM MANAGEMENT - The system includes a variety of aspects which allow the user to efficiently receive reimbursement for claims. Claims which are accepted by CMS result in reimbursement for the claimant. Claims which are rejected by CMS represent lost revenue for claimant. In order to maximize the number of accepted claims and minimize the number of rejected claims, the system provides at least two aspects. The front-end aspect is the generation of more accurate PDE files for submission. The back-end aspect is the accumulation and formatting of information received from CMS to facilitate the correction of PDE errors. Both of these aspects work in tandem to minimize the lost revenue of the claimant. Further, the aspects described herein help minimize PDE error rates. Such minimization of errors can affect the reputation, business model, credibility, and competitive posture of Part D plan sponsors. Accordingly, minimization of PDE error rate is an important factor in the overall design, function, and profitability of any Part D plan sponsor. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029322 | HEALTH CARE SYSTEM - An automated system for determining authorization or denial of payment for a medical technique or process includes a user interface configured to receive data related to patient symptoms and diagnosis information, a database configured to store data related to patient symptoms and diagnosis information, and a processor configured to automatically determine authorization or denial of the medical technique or process based on data related to patient symptoms and diagnosis information. The data related to patient symptoms and diagnosis information is received from at least one of the user interface and the database. The processor is configured to provide an indication of authorization or denial to the user interface. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029323 | One-Stop Shopping System and Method - A system and method are disclosed for one-stop shopping for health-care services and related needs. The one-stop shopping system and method provide objective information for the system enrollee to assess and decide on health-care insurance and services. The system and method provide this objective information in a way that is easily accessible by system enrollees in an economical and rapid manner. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029324 | Project management system, project management center device used for the same, terminal device, project management center device program, terminal device program, and electronic medical record management system - It is possible to provide a project management system and a project management system program for supporting effective building and management of a project by considering relationship among actions executed in a project management. For example, an electronic medical report system ( | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029325 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION ANALYSES - Methods and apparatus to enhance healthcare information analyses are disclosed herein. An example method for use with a healthcare information system includes automatically detecting a scheduled analysis of healthcare information associated with a patient based on a detection of the patient; retrieving textual data corresponding to a medical history of the patient from an information source according to a first configuration setting, wherein the first configuration setting controls which of a plurality of aspects of the medical history is to be retrieved; generating a report using the textual data according to a second configuration setting, wherein the second configuration setting controls an organization of the generated report; converting the report to an audio file and storing the audio file in memory; and in response to detecting an initiation of the scheduled analysis, outputting at least a first segment of the audio file on a presentation device associated with the scheduled analysis in conjunction with a presentation of one or more images associated with the scheduled analysis. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029326 | INTERACTIVE HEALTHCARE MEDIA DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Interactive healthcare media devices and systems are disclosed herein. An example method for use with a healthcare information system includes synchronizing a physician record library with a repository to include findings of an analysis performed by a reviewing practitioner, wherein the physician has access to the record library via a first portable device capable of outputting a multimedia presentation of the findings, wherein the first portable device is to enable the physician to modify the findings to generate a report; in response to receiving the report, synchronizing a patient record library with the repository to include the report, wherein the patient has access to the patient record library via a second portable device capable of outputting a multimedia presentation of the report, wherein the second portable device is to enable the patient to generate a response regarding the report; and in response to receiving the response from the second portable device, conveying the response to the physician record library | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029327 | Medication Reconciliation System and Methods of Use - Computer-based systems and methods are disclosed for reconciling medications at long-term care facilities. An integrated system comprises a patient care management system and a communications network for accessing third-party computer systems. The patient care management system comprises an EMR system, a medication reconciliation system, a data entry device, and one or more databases adapted to receive and store multiple patient and medical data. A computer-enabled method comprises first providing a system adapted to reconcile medications. The medication reconciliation system typically includes a server, a computer database, a data entry device, and a display. Then, the computer-enabled method comprises collecting data for a medication from the data entry device into a new medication panel repository and creating a medication line item from the information in the new medication panel repository. The medication line item can then be adjudicated by selecting one of approving, modifying, and discontinuing the medication line item. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029328 | SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION OF HEALTH CARE DATA - An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029329 | DOSE-VOLUME KERNEL GENERATION - A radiation planning system includes a dose volume kernel determiner ( | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029330 | AUTOMATED INSURANCE APPOINTMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - According to some embodiments, a plurality of new work notifications are received, each associated with a producer identifier. A set of non-appointed new work notifications may be determined, including a first non-appointed new work notification and a second non-appointed new work notification, the second non-appointed new work notification being received after the first non-appointed new work notification, and at least some of the non-appointed new work notifications may be automatically prioritized such that the second new work notification is assigned a higher priority as compared to the first new work notification. It may then be arranged for a manual appointment processing procedure to be performed for at least some of the non-appointed new work notifications in accordance with the prioritizing. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029331 | METHOD OF PROCESSING STRUCTURE DAMAGE INSURANCE CLAIMS - A method of processing insurance claims with respect to a damaged structure, not requiring the removal of protective covering to view and inspect the damaged structure, and in particular an area of damage on the damaged structure, is disclosed. The method is facilitated by the use of a tarp having at least a transparent portion characterized by high durability and clarity provided in a size appropriate to enclose the area of damage, the tarp covering the area of damage on the damaged structure. Due to the tarp's transparency, an insurance provider assessor may view the damaged structure and inspect the structure and area of damage through the tarp without removal of the tarp. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029332 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GUARANTEEING REPAIR OF A DAMAGED WINDSHIELD - A method and system for guaranteeing a plurality of windshields against damages that can be repaired through a windshield guarantee program is provided, wherein the guarantee program is managed by an administrator. Through a windshield identification code and a vehicle dealer identification code, each guaranteed windshield is associated to a vehicle dealer. In counterpart of a premium paid by the owner of the vehicle, the windshield is fully guaranteed against damages that can be repaired. Upon the occurrence of a damage to a guaranteed windshield, the damaged windshield can be repaired at the related vehicle dealer. The premium can be calculated according to windshield casualty data such as rate of damages, nature of damages, and costs for repairing stored in a database. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029333 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND CALCULATING TIME OF SERVICE - A system and method for organizing, controlling and managing a queue at a service center are disclosed. The system according to one embodiment comprises a main processing unit to calculate parameters regarding time of service, at least one peripheral processing unit, a customer queue number feed device to provide customers in a service center with an indication of their position in line for a certain service, a service number display means, a line progress display means, and at least one service point, provided with a service point terminal to provide to the peripheral processing unit information regarding the progress of service. The peripheral processing unit may be in active communication with the main processing unit, with at least one service point terminal at each service point, and with the customer queue number feed device, to collect information regarding time of service. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029334 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING PERSONALIZED OR CUSTOMIZED TASKS BASED ON IMAGES CAPTURED VIA A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Methods are presented for use with a wireless communication device. A digital image of an event venue is captured via a wireless communication device. The digital image of the event venue is displayed to the user. The wireless communication device interacts with the user to select the digital image. At least one task option corresponding to a customized or personalized event task is displayed. The wireless communication device interacts with the user to select the customized event task. The digital image is transmitted to a server system along with data indicating the customized or personalized event task to identify the event venue via the server system, based on the recognition of the event venue in the digital image, and not based on the recognition of an optical code. Event information is received and displayed, based on the recognition of the event venue to facilitate the customized event task. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029335 | RECEIVING A REQUEST TO RESERVE A SERVICE - Methods and corresponding system are provided herewith that, in at least one embodiment, include the act or acts of: receiving a request to reserve a service that is provided by a restaurant. The request to reserve is for a particular time and a particular date and the service comprises at least one of: (i) preparing a consumable good that is consumed at the restaurant's location; (ii) preparing a consumable good that is received at the restaurant's location; or (iii) preparing a consumable good that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant's location. The methods and system also include comparing the particular time requested with a schedule associated with the restaurant. The schedule comprises a list of times that are available for reservation. The methods and system also include determining an availability of the request to reserve; and outputting an indicia that the request to reserve the service has been accepted or denied. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029336 | METHOD TO KEEP COHERENT A TRAVEL SHOPPING BASKET - A method of keeping coherent contents of a travel shopping basket gathering travel products from independent travel service providers is described. The method is characterized in that it includes a first step to synchronize the travel shopping basket upon reception of notifications of changes received from the independent travel service providers, and to further determine what changes have been brought to the gathered travel products by the independent travel service providers. It includes a second step to aggregate the changes into the travel shopping basket so that to transform characteristics of the gathered travel products into specific attributes of the travel shopping basket; and to integrate local attributes into the travel shopping basket. Finally, a third step is aimed at correlating all attributes of the travel shopping basket against each other, matching all attributes functionally equivalent and removing duplicated attributes from the travel shopping basket. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029337 | PROVIDING A POLICY TOPOLOGY MODEL THAT INTERCONNECTS POLICIES AT DIFFERENT LAYERS - A policy topology model that relates policies at different layers associated with an enterprise is provided, where the layers include a higher-level business layer and at least a lower-level layer. The policy topology model includes a policy topology map of the policies and corresponding policy engines to implement the respective policies. A connection module of the policy topology model is used to interconnect the policies at the different layers and to associate multiple domains. The connection module under a particular condition also transforms at least one of the policies. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029338 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A VALUATION OF ONLINE USERS AND WEBSITES FROM USER ACTIVITIES - An improved system and method for generating a valuation of online users and websites is provided. The revenue and cost for a user's activities on a website may be calculated for a time period. To calculate the revenue and cost for activities of a user on a website, values for each type of activities of a user on website may be accumulated and input into a function with the value of a revenue type or cost type associated with activities of users on the website. The monetary value of an online user for a website may be calculated as the difference of the revenue for a user and the cost for a user on the website. And the monetary value of a user for a website may be used to generate a valuation of the online user and a valuation of the website. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029339 | Enterprise and Sales Management Platform - Systems and methods that perform one or more enterprise management and/or sales operations according to a selected player chain strength paradigm are provided. In an illustrative implementation, an enterprise management and sales environment comprises a computer implemented enterprise management and sales engine having a processor executing one or more instructions, and an instruction set comprising at least one instruction to process data representative of a sales/project opportunity according to a selected player chain strength paradigm. Illustratively, the enterprise management and sales engine can cooperate with an advertising engine to identify one or more advertisements for electronic communication to one or more users and a sales assistant engine to generate one or more sales/project opportunities action item lists using one or more generated sales/project management processed data sets and data about a user of the enterprise management and sales environment. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PRINTING METHODOLOGIES - The present invention relates to a system and method for calculating environmental savings achievable as a result of using environmentally friendly paper and environmental printing methodologies when completing a printing job. The system and method receives information describing the characteristics of a given printing job. This information, is used as the basis to calculate one or more environmental savings. The environmental savings could include, but are not limited to, number of trees saved, amount of water saved, amount of energy saved, number of household equivalent power saved, amount of carbon emissions saved, number of automobile equivalent carbon emissions saved, and number of acres saved. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GATHERING AND UTILIZING BUILDING ENERGY INFORMATION - A system and method for gathering and utilizing building energy information. A central management server communicates through a wide area network to one or more client devices. The central management server maintains a set of measured or calculated audit data for a plurality of buildings and facilities, with icons and text representing auditing and analysis tasks that may be performed in the process of auditing the structures and related energy-consuming equipment and shell characteristics. The client device communicates with the central management server through the wide area network and is operative to receive user input and display user data. The client device is operative to receive a login request from a user and in response thereto, transmit a message containing the user specified and calculated information, including any related images. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029342 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING RETAIL AUDIENCE TRAFFIC FLOW AND DETERMINING PLACEMENT OF ELECTRONIC DISPLAYS TO ESTABLISH RETAIL AUDIENCE METRICS - A system and method for determining audience viewership of airtime segments substantially synchronously displayed on displays of an electronic display network in a retail environment may include determining zones through which a shopping cart being pushed by a customer traveled during a shopping trip. Times that the shopping carts spent in respective zones may be computed. A number of airtime segments that the customers had the opportunity to view while passing through the zones based on the times spent in the respective zones may also be computed. A report may be generated that includes the computed number of airtime segments that the customers had the opportunity to view while passing through the respective zones. Also, locations for the electronic displays to be positioned to enable the electronic display network to be viewed by at least a predetermined amount of customers that visit the retail environment may be determined and reported. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029343 | APPOINTMENT ALERT SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a system and method of alerting clients of the status of a scheduled appointment comprising the steps of: accepting an appointment from a client; logging the appointment time into an electronic calendar; transmitting an appointment reminder to the client; transmitting an appointment status alert to the client on the day of the scheduled appointment; and providing the client with the option to reschedule the scheduled appointment. If the client should elect to reschedule after receiving the appointment status alert, the client's new appointment time is logged into the electronic calendar. The appointment reminder and appointment status alert according to the present invention is transmitted over a communications network, where the communications network may be either the Internet and/or a wireless communications network. The client may receive the appointment reminder and appointment status alert on a cell phone, a smart phone or a telephone. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029344 | Creating Purchase Orders with Mobile Devices - Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method of remotely generating a purchase order is to be initiated. The method includes receiving a communication in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The ERP system has a purchasing transaction configured for communicating with each of multiple vendor systems for performing the acquisitions. The received communication is sent wirelessly from a mobile device operated by a user. The mobile device is configured for obtaining information from the user in a process compatible with the purchasing transaction for generating a purchase order in the ERP system. The method includes generating the purchase order in the ERP system. The purchase order includes an instruction to a vendor operating a first vendor system to deliver a quantity of a product type. The method includes forwarding the purchase order from the ERP system to the first vendor system. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029345 | Managing Planning of Component Requirements - Component planning for a product manufacturing enterprise having a central computer device and respective local manufacturing computer devices. A BOM for product types manufactured at the multiple manufacturing plants is maintained in the central computer device, defining that each of the product types belongs to a platform design and includes at least (i) a first component common to all of the products types and (ii) a second component not common to all of the product types. First-component data and second-component data from the BOM are forwarded to a central planning unit in the central computer device for generating a central plan for the first component, and to local planning units in the manufacturing computer devices configured to generate a local plan for the second component used by the corresponding manufacturing plant, respectively. The components are purchased according to the central plan and the local plan. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029346 | Host apparatus connected to image forming apparatuses and rearrangement setting method thereof - Disclosed are a host apparatus which is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a rearrangement setting method thereof. The rearrangement setting method includes displaying on a host apparatus a current arrangement drawing of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and an arrangement management window of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; inputting a rearrangement attribute value at the arrangement management window to rearrange at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses; performing a simulation according to the input rearrangement attribute value to rearrange the image forming apparatus; and rearranging the image forming apparatus according to a result of the simulation. With this, a host apparatus and a rearrangement setting method may efficiently rearrange at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in a proper location based on usage amount information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029347 | METHOD FOR WIRELESS NETWORK VIRTUALIZATION THROUGH SEQUENTIAL AUCTIONS AND CONJECTURAL PRICING - A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for wireless network virtualization through sequential auctions and conjectural pricing. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of service providers operable to bid on network resources on behalf of a plurality of individual receivers and a wireless network operator, communicably coupled to the plurality of service providers, to perform resource allocation using an auction to allocate network resources to the plurality of service providers based on instantaneous channel conditions and traffic information of each of the individual receivers and to schedule transmissions in time and space to the individual receivers. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029348 | SCHEDULING USAGE OR PROVISION OF RESOURCES - Methods and systems for obtaining a value indicative of resource-related activity in respect of a plurality of devices using a network of metering means arranged to be in communication with one another, the metering means being associated with resource-consuming or resource-providing devices and being arranged to obtain local resource-related activity data therefrom, the method comprising: a first metering means initiating a circulation procedure by sending a token to a downstream metering means, the token comprising an activity field for carrying a value indicative of resource-related activity data; the circulation procedure continuing, until the token has returned to the first metering means, by each downstream metering means in turn receiving the token, updating the activity field in dependence on its own locally-obtained resource-related activity data, and forwarding the token to a further downstream metering means; and once the token has returned to the first metering means, obtaining a value indicative of the combined level of resource-related activity in respect of devices associated with the metering means in said network in dependence on the value carried by the activity field. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029349 | SYSTEM, COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING WORKER DISTRIBUTION PLAN ON BASIS OF PRIORITY - A method for making a worker distribution plan on the basis of the priority, a computer, and a program are provided. A computer ( | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029350 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALENDARING EVENTS - A method of calendaring events including determining aggregated information of a plurality of events over a time period and correlative with individual event information stored in a calendar. The method may also include generating a calendar view of the calendar comprising the aggregated information. Further, the method may include determining statistical information of the plurality of events correlative to the individual event information comprising a parameter associated with individual events in the plurality of events, and generating a statistical view of the calendar comprising the statistical information. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029351 | Systems and Methods for Providing Compliance Functions in a Business Entity - In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for providing compliance functions in a business entity is provided. The system includes a computer-implemented compliance question-answer tool configured to receive compliance related questions from a plurality of users and, in response, provide compliance related advice to the users; a computer-implemented compliance knowledge database tool including a database of compliance related data and a user interface allowing the users to search the database of compliance related data; and a computer-implemented user feedback tool including a user interface allowing the users to provide compliance related feedback to the business entity. In some embodiments, the system may also include a whistleblower tool including a user interface allowing the users to report potential compliance violations and/or a compliance activity approval tool configured to document and track activities that require an approval by a compliance entity. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029352 | BROKERING SYSTEM FOR LOCATION-BASED TASKS - Brokering locations for the completion of tasks. Location information for a plurality of sellers is maintained. Buyers define tasks to be performed at particular task locations at particular times. A brokering system notifies the sellers of the defined tasks, and selects sellers near the task locations to complete the tasks. The sellers complete the tasks to produce output such as a physical or digital deliverable. Upon verifying completion of the task, the brokering system arranges the transfer of compensation between the buyers and the sellers. In some embodiments, the brokering system selects the sellers via an auction to enable the performance of various buyer-defined tasks that are location-specific. Further, location-based applications may be built on top of the brokering system. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029353 | Managing Professional Development - Systems and methods for managing professional development are provided. A client provides information indicating a current status, which may concern a professional task performed by the client and a portion of income associated with the task. The progress of the client toward a professional goal is calculated, and a recommendation concerning an appropriate next step is communicated to the client. Professional goals may include a level of income, efficiency, type of tasks performed, etc. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029354 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT BRAND PROFILING OF CELEBRITIES BY USING ONLINE PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method of online providing brand profiling information of a celebrity, the method including the operations of having a brand selected for each product category by a plurality of connectors who connect to a website, and having a person selected, wherein the person is approved to match well with the brand; increasing a number indicating how many times the person is selected whenever the person is selected by the plurality of connectors, and when the number exceeds a predetermined reference, changing data indicating whether the person needs to be requested to open his/her brand profiling into an open status, and extracting the person the data of whom is changed to the open status; requesting the person for performing brand profiling; having the person select a brand for the each product category; and opening the brand selected by the person. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS AND INFORMATION OVER A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK BASED ON CURRENT GPS LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE POSITIONS - A method and system for providing targeted advertisement and informational announcements with selected ringtones to consumers over a wireless communications network. In one embodiment, local advertisers register to iphoneappdata.com, when communication devices are in close proximity, as a consumer enters a predetermined GPS longitude and latitude coordinate that is near the location of the advertiser, the wireless network delivers a message and corresponding ringtone to the wireless device which is specified by the local advertiser. In a further embodiment, each of the messages stored in the database is also associated with one or more sub advertiser codes so unique advertisements can be sent from multiple chain advertisers. A follow-up advertisement can be sent after a pre-established waiting period and database checks are performed to determine if the same advertisement was sent out previously or within a specified period. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029356 | Selective control of an optional vehicle mode - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029357 | Promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029358 | Promotional incentives based on hybrid vehicle qualification - Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029359 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PRESENCE USING A WIFI NETWORK PROBE DETECTOR - The detection system monitors WiFi wireless communications at a wireless device and detects a probe request associated with a location. The WiFi device may be a dedicated presence detection device or may offer access to internet and other services as a WiFi access point. A device identifier associated with the originating device may be a component of the probe request. Using the device identifier, the system can detect the presence of a consumer at the location associated with the wireless communications device and transmit information to the consumer based upon the device identifier. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029360 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SMART PHONE FUNCTIONALITY FOR RETAILERS TO DISTRIBUTE SALE AND DISCOUNT COUPONS - A system and method for providing sale information including electronic coupons to a mobile wireless electronic device based on current location of the mobile wireless electronic device in relation to retail locations is described. The selection and communication of the sales information including electronic coupons to the mobile wireless electronic devices may also be made at least in part based on pre-defined preferences associated with a consumer associated with the mobile wireless electronic device. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029361 | LINEAR AUDIO ADVERTISING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to an audio advertising system for a bus or train stop installation comprising: a digital audio player, where the audio player stores and plays audio files; at least one audio speaker, where said at least audio speaker broadcasts the desired audio files stored on the digital audio player; at least one advertising panel; and a solar power source, where said solar power source supplies power to the advertising system. The audio files may include messages, jingles or music. The audio files may be directed toward advertising. In one particular embodiment, the audio files promote and coincide with the advertising posted on the at least one advertising panel. The audio advertising system of the current invention enables the combination of visual advertising and audio advertising that may coincide with the advertisement of the advertising panels. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029362 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTIVE OFFER DETERMINATION - The optimization system monitors a mobile phone user's behavior in response to an offer for a reward and determines a good level for a product promotion. The determination may be made based upon the user's current response, past response patterns to various reward levels or a correlation between a user's behavior and the behavior corresponding to a class of users. The system can determine an offer level that maximizes the return on the profit or revenue from a potential purchase for which the offer applies. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029363 | Electronic coupon creation deployment, transference, validation management, clearance, redemption and reporting system and interactive participation of individuals and groups within the system - This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for creating, deploying, transferring, clearing, managing, redeeming and reporting on the use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029364 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTMENT AND REDEMPTION OF PERSONALIZED DISCOUNTS - The presentment and redemption system offers discounts directly to consumers through their mobile phones. The discounts are based upon the user of the mobile phone meeting a targeting criterion and the discounts are determined using the targeting criterion. Mobile phone users that do not meet the targeting criterion are not eligible for the discount. Because the discounts can be targeted to each individual consumer, there can be a better correlation between consumers' interests and the transmitted discounts. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029365 | Targeting Multimedia Content Based On Authenticity Of Marketing Data - A computer implemented method and system for targeting multimedia content based on authenticity of a user's marketing data, are provided. A multimedia distribution platform acquires marketing data from the user via an interactive interface. The multimedia distribution platform determines authenticity of the user's acquired marketing data by presenting multiple marketing specific challenges to the user based on the user's acquired marketing data, obtaining responses to the marketing specific challenges from the user, and analyzing the obtained responses using one or more marketing databases. The multimedia distribution platform rates the user's acquired marketing data based on the determined authenticity. The multimedia distribution platform targets the multimedia content to the user based on the determined authenticity and/or the rating of the user's acquired marketing data. The multimedia distribution platform confirms viewing of the targeted multimedia content and compensates the user based on the view confirmation and/or rating of the acquired marketing data. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029366 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING CUSTOMERS FOR DELIVERY OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS - A method and apparatus are provided for identifying potential customers for delivery of promotional messages or materials. The method includes the steps of a programmed transaction processor tracking purchases of consumers based upon summaries of purchases from consumers and vendors, a third-party tax record database that receives summaries of purchases from the transaction processor, the received summaries forming data files about customers where the third-party database is separate from any vendor and where the third-party database also determines a tax due on previous purchases made by customers, a programmed central processing unit of a vendor forming a customer profile for targeting delivery of the promotional materials to potential customers, a programmed comparator of the database of the third party searching the formed files within the database and identifying customers which match the customer profile within the database of the third party and a programmed processor forwarding promotional materials to the identified customers, the programmed processor detecting a purchase by a customer of the identified customers and printing out the promotional materials at a point of sale of the purchase. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029367 | Systems and Methods to Generate Transactions According to Account Features - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate the generation and notification of transactions associated with account features. In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions and a data warehouse to store transaction data recording the transactions, account data identifying at least one account feature of an account, and rules data identifying at least one qualification requirement. The system further includes a feature offer engine to use the rules data to monitor the transactions in the account to identify a first transaction, a notification engine to provide the account holder with an offer associated with a first account feature in real time with processing of the first transaction, and a portal to receive an approval of a second transaction in accordance with the offer. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029368 | E-COUPONING - Handling electronic coupons includes accessing information indicating association of an electronic coupon with an account of a user that identifies multiple retail entities associated with the user. Information indicating association of electronic coupons with the user's account may be transmitted to respective computer systems associated with the multiple retail entities. The computer systems may associate electronic coupons with the user such that the user may redeem the electronic coupons at a retail store upon presentation of a user identifier. When the user redeems an electronic coupon, cancellation information for the electronic coupon may be transmitted to the computer systems of other retail entities associated with the user. Receipt of the cancellation information may cause the respective computer systems to cancel the redeemability of the electronic coupon such that the user is prevented from redeeming the electronic coupon at a retail store associated with the corresponding retail entity. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029369 | INTERACTIVE DISPLAY - An interactive display for presenting an optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher is described. The interactive display comprises: a display arranged to present an optical pattern; and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is arranged to (i) generate a unique code; (ii) combine the generated unique code with an electronic offer to create a new optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher; and (iii) present the new optical pattern on the display in response to a renewal criterion being satisfied. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029370 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENCE DETECTION - The transmission system transmits an encrypted identifier ultrasonically in an open-air environment using an ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic identifier is associated with a location, which may be a store or a department within a store, and may be received by a microphone on a mobile phone. The identifier may be used to infer presence of the mobile phone user at the location associated with the identifier. The transmitter may include an ultrasonic transducer. The system may further provide a reward, responsive to inferring presence at the location. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029371 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION OF POPULARITY CREDIT IN A PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - Disclosed are a system, method, and article of manufacture for allocation of popularity credit in a private communications network. An entity member of the private communications network provides a media content to a website member of the private communications network. Another entity member of the private communications network provides an advertisement content. A server hosts the website. The website includes the advertisement content, the media content and a hyperlink to a vendor website outside the private communications network. An administration server includes a verification module that determines whether a user purchased a good or a service from the vendor website. The administration server includes a popularity credit manager that generates a list of entities that provided the media content or hosted the media content. The popularity credit manager allocates a popularity credit to the each listed entity member if the user purchased the good or the service from the vendor website. The popularity credit manager tracks the allocation and redemption of popularity credits within the private communication network. The popularity credit manager provides a popularity credit database that is available to a member of the private communication network. The popularity credit database comprises popularity-credit allocation data and popularity-credit redemption data. A user access manager controls user access to the private communications network. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029372 | ADVERTISING AND FULFILLMENT SYSTEM - A method is provided for a method of purchasing goods online, which allows end users to receive money in return for browsing the internet and making purchases. According to the features of the invention, the end user enters a profile into YOUniverse, which is uploaded to the database. The user then logs in to search for items and the advertisement search results are specific to the end user's profile. The user controls the amount of information in their profile; however, more information yields better advertisement results and more money. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029373 | MEDIA PLAY OPTIMIZATION USING MAKE GOOD STRATEGIES - Systems, methods, and a user interface for automatically scheduling a media play are disclosed. The user can specify, via the user interface, a strategy for how missed plays are made good. A play verifier reports which scheduled advertisements failed to play on a periodic basis or real time basis. Advertising campaign managers receive notification of play failures and determine the remedial action to take according to the criteria selected by the user for how to compensate for missed plays. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029374 | DYNAMIC AD SCHEDULING METHOD FOR IMPROVING UTILITY IN INTERACTIVE TV ENVIRONMENT - Example embodiments provide scheduling a plurality of ads to be shown to a plurality of viewers of a multimedia network. One example embodiment includes determining target view rates for each of the plurality of ads based on expected revenue associated with each of the plurality of ads, determining, for each of the plurality of ads, a queue value based on a target view rate and an actual view rate associated with the ad, the actual view rate being a number of views of the ad in a previous time slot, and selectively showing ads, from among the plurality of ads, to the plurality of viewers based on the queue values. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029375 | ADVERTISEMENT GENERATION AND OPTIMIZATION - Methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for generating advertisements using an algorithmic system, such as a combinatoric system, and determining effectiveness metrics or predictions for the advertisements are described herein. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029376 | IMPRESSION FORECASTING AND RESERVATION ANALYSIS - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting forecasted impressions randomly with respect to their impression times. For each randomly selected forecasted impression, a set of matching reservations are determined. The impression is assigned to one of the reservations based on satisfaction values associated with the reservations. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029377 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORECASTING AN INVENTORY OF ONLINE ADVERTISEMENT IMPRESSIONS BY SAMPLING IN A MAP-REDUCE FRAMEWORK - An improved system and method for forecasting an inventory of online advertisement impressions by sampling in a map-reduce framework is provided. In a map-reduce framework, samples of visitor profiles may be collected and matched to targeting profiles for displaying advertisements by distributed sample mappers. Sets of samples of visitor profiles matched to the targeting profiles may be mapped and distributed to reducer servers for integrating the samples collected by sample mappers into a reduction sample set for each targeting profile. Each reducer server may aggregate a count of samples of visitor profiles matched to a targeting profile, and the sets of samples of visitor profiles matched to a targeting profile may be integrated into a reduction sample set for each targeting profile. The sample reducers may forecast a targeting profile inventory for each targeting profile and output the targeting profile inventory with a reduction sample set of visitor profiles. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029378 | User Profile-Based Presentation of Sponsored Mobile Content - A computer-implemented method for positioning targeted sponsored content on a cellular phone includes the steps of (a) assessing a likelihood of an interaction by a user of the cellular phone with a sponsored content, wherein the assessment is based on a plurality of user characteristics associated with the cellular phone, such as a user profile and a predefined hardware/software characteristic; (b) prioritizing the placement of the sponsored content within one of a plurality of predefined areas of a graphical user interface of the cellular phone over the placement of other sponsored content within the same area, wherein the prioritization is based on the assessment of the likelihood of the interaction of the user of the cellular phone with the sponsored content; and (c) presenting the sponsored content within the one of a plurality of predefined areas of the graphical user interface of the cellular phone. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029379 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO COLLECT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE METADATA TO DETERMINE MEDIA CREATION PRODUCT USAGE - Methods and apparatus to collect publicly available metadata to determine media creation product usage are disclosed. Some example methods include collecting metadata from a plurality of digital media files, identifying product types used to generate the digital media files based on the metadata, determining which of the identified product types is used to generate a largest number of the digital media files, and generating a report identifying the product types used to generate the largest number of the digital media files. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029380 | MOBILE DEVICE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PLATFORMS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - A mobile marketing campaign platform and method including: a planning module including: a definition module for setting budget and objectives; and a design module for designing the campaign utilizing a plurality of templates; an execution module including: design tools for designing an executable campaign from the campaign design made from the templates; and operating tools for causing the executable campaign to execute over multiple mobile services; and a reporting module including: tracking means for tracking at least one of a campaign activity, the campaign performance objectives; and the brand performance objectives. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029381 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND SOFTWARE FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSED NETWORK ADVERTISING - A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029382 | Automated Targeting of Information to a Website Visitor - Embodiments for targeting information to a website visitor are disclosed. One method includes collecting behavioral data of a plurality of users from a plurality of websites. The collected behavioral data is analyzed. For this embodiment, analyzing the collected behavior data includes clustering the collected behavioral data according to behavioral factors wherein collected behavioral data within each cluster include at least one common statistic, and collected behavioral data of different clusters have at least one differentiating statistic. Further, a server collects present user data while a present user is visiting a target website. The present user data is matched with at least one of the clusters of behavior factors based on a comparative analysis of the present user data with the clustered behavior factors. While the present user is still visiting the present website, targeted information is generated and displayed to the present user based on the at least one clustered behavior factor matched to the present user data. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029383 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING CONTENT VIA AN INTEGRATED HOME BASED DEVICE - Certain of the disclosed embodiments present a system and method for providing in-home targeted advertisements to individual consumers. For instance, the disclosed embodiments include an in-home advertising device that enables a user to interact with the in-home advertising device and purchase items with the push of a button. Additionally, in some embodiments, the in-home advertising device may include a built in printer for enabling a user to print an advertised and/or coupon. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029384 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC TARGETING ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON CONTENT-IN-VIEW - A system and method for dynamically targeting advertisements based on content-in-view of a web page. The system includes an extraction module for extracting a plurality of keywords from at least one content area associated with a web page. The web page is presented to a user in response to a search request. An approximation module generates an approximated view of the portion of the web page currently being viewed by the user. In turn, one or more advertisements are selected to be displayed to the user based on content associated with the approximated view. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029385 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING CONTENT VIA MOBILE DEVICE DOCKING STATION - Certain of the disclosed embodiments present a system and method for providing in-home targeted advertisements to individual consumers. For instance, the disclosed embodiments include an in-home advertising device that enables a user to interact with the in-home advertising device and purchase items with the push of a button. Additionally, in some embodiments, the in-home advertising device may include a built in printer for enabling a user to print an advertised and/or coupon. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029386 | ALLOCATION OF DIGITAL MEDIA STORE CREDIT FOR PRESENTATION OF AN ADVERTISEMENT WITH A MEDIA PLAYER - Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus of an allocation of digital media store credit for presentation of an advertisement with a media player. In one aspect, an advertisement is provided to a media player. A media player is instructed to present the advertisement. A credit to an account associated with the media player is allocated if the media player presented the advertisement to a human user. The media player may present the advertisement according to a verification protocol. The verification protocol may be provided by the media server. The verification protocol may include a challenge-response test that ensures a response to the challenge-response test is generated by a human. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029387 | Carrier-Based Mobile Advertisement Syndication - Improved mobile advertisement syndication capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications facilities, such as cell phones. These and other capabilities are employed to improve delivery of mobile advertisements and their syndication to appropriate or desirable mobile communication facilities. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029388 | Social Advertisements and Other Informational Messages on a Social Networking Website, and Advertising Model for Same - A social networking website logs information about actions taken by members of the website. For a particular member of the website, the website generates socially relevant ads for the member based on the actions logged for other members on the website to whom the member is connected (i.e., the member's online friends). The advertiser associated with the social ad may compensate the social networking website for publishing the ad on the website. When presenting a member with a social ad, the website may optimize advertising revenue by selecting an ad from the received ads that will maximize the expected value of the social ad. The expected value may be computed according to a function that includes the member's affinity for the ad content and the bid amount. The technique is also applied for providing socially relevant information off the social networking website. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029389 | METHOD FOR CLICK-STREAM ANALYSIS USING WEB DIRECTORY REVERSE CATEGORIZATION - In embodiments disclosed, information on a click stream associated with a user and meta tags commonly used by search engines can be used to profile a user. The click stream may comprise network addresses and timestamps and may be the only source of user information used for the profile. The meta tags may contain metadata that correspond to the network addresses in the click stream, including network address categorization for these network addresses. The profile obtained for the user may be an existing profile that represents a person or a theoretical individual having attributes similar to or most closely match the user. Based at least in part on the profile, information regarding an item may be provided to the user or the item may be offered to the user. In some embodiments, the information may be filtered before being displayed to the user. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029390 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SELECTING AND PRESENTING FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - An apparatus and method are provided that receive client data for a plurality of clients and financial product data at a processor. The processor prepares a client communication for some of the clients. The client communication incorporates a portion of the client data and a portion of the financial product data. The financial product data for each client is based on the client data. Moreover, the financial product data constitutes the financial product offered in the client communication. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029391 | System And Method For Metricizing Assets In A Brand Affinity Content Distribution - An engine, system and method for a delivery tracking software engine for tracking metrics associated with delivery of at least one endorsed advertisement to at least one consumer over at least one computing network. The engine, system and method may include a plurality of inputs parallel to at least one output of the at least one endorsed advertisement, wherein the plurality of inputs receives at least a number of impressions and click throughs by ones of the consumer responsive to the at least one endorsed advertisement upon the delivery, and at least compliance rules for the delivery of the at least one endorsed advertisement, and at least one feedback loop that associates the plurality of inputs with at least one recommendation engine, wherein the recommendation engine recommends ones of the at least one endorsed advertisement for the delivery to the consumer, and wherein the recommendation by the recommendation engine is modified responsive to the plurality of inputs, and wherein said at least one feedback loop includes a monitor of compliance of the delivery with the compliance rules. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029392 | Search Result Content Sequencing - Systems and methods for generating and receiving a sequenced listing of pieces of content are described. A request to search for assets may be received. A first listing of assets associated with the request may be received. Data representative of assets stored within an edge server associated with the user may be received. A first group of assets of the first listing of assets that are stored within the edge server based upon the received data representative of assets stored within the edge server and a second group of assets of the first listing of assets that are not stored within the edge server based upon the received data representative of assets stored within the edge server may be determined. A second listing of assets may be generated where at least one asset of the first group is sequenced separate from at least one asset of the second group. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029393 | Method and System for Tracking Interaction and View Information for Online Advertising - An advertising unit is intended for display on a web page. The advertising unit has a size and a position relative to other objects within the web page. An identifier associated with an instance of the advertising unit displayed on the web page is generated. Upon receiving an indication that the web page has been loaded in the browser, engagement tracking module identifies the advertising unit within the page based on the size of the advertising unit, the position relative to other objects within the web page, and the identifier and tracks data regarding engagement with the advertising unit by a user of the browser. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029394 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR MANAGING ADVERTISEMENTS ON WEB OR SAP PAGES - System, method and computer program for delivering data to a terminal using a communications network. Displayable data having a content part and a first advertisement part is provided to the terminal and the terminal is monitored to detect a request for a second, alternate advertisement part. When this occurs, the requested second advertisement part is delivered to the terminal via the communications network. The second advertisement part is displayed on the terminal instead of the first advertisement part and together with the same content part. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029395 | STORED VALUE TRANSACTION SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING AN INTEGRATED DATABASE SERVER - An integrated database and information server are provided that efficiently share information and tasks between various stored value programs. A server is configured to provide reusable objects and data structures that are suitably shared between various stored value products. A database at the server allows data to be shared between various programs so that each consumer associates with only one database record even though that consumer may use multiple shared value products. By integrating modules and avoiding duplicate records, the record communicates with all stored value programs, so the information does not need to be repeatedly entered into the database. Moreover, new stored value products are quickly and easily created through selection and arrangement of various shared objects preferably maintained within the database. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029396 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING, ACCOUNTING, AND ADMINISTRATION OF STORED VALUE CARDS - Methods are described for accounting, administration and processing of transactions utilizing a stored value card utilizing an EFT service gateway and providing balances for the cards across a plurality of point of sale devices. One method includes receiving a message generated by the point of sale system of a merchant and parsing the message into data elements. The method also includes routing the message through a switch controller to an account holder database based on an institution ID and a branch ID, accessing an account within the database utilizing the account key, and determining if an account holder's monetary balance in the account is greater than or equal to the transaction amount. A message is formatted and one of an authorization approval or a denial based upon the determination is transmitted within the message. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029397 | RF-ID PRODUCT TRACKING SYSTEM WITH PRIVACY ENHANCEMENT - A method for using electronic product identification devices to track product sales and enable sales transactions to be registered in an electronic registration (ER) system without causing privacy or security concerns for the purchasers. RF-ID devices are placed on products being sold and include detailed information about the products. When the products are purchased, the detailed information is loaded into an ER database and all but a limited amount of information is removed from the RF-ID device. The limited information is sufficient to enable the detailed information to be located in the ER database by authorized individuals in connection with a return transaction or the like. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029398 | Geo name service for validated locations and occupants and URLs - We define a Geo Name Service (GNS) that maps from a location query to a geographic region that contains the location and, in turn, to verified owners and occupants of that region, where these entities could be persons or organisations. The GNS then returns URLs of websites or data feeds (Web Services), email addresses, Instant Messaging addresses, phone numbers and other data associated with the entities. The GNS can associate locations with the Internet and Web in a reliable manner, and it enables value added computing and electronic commerce. The GNS can disambiguate references to individuals in web pages, using “person URLs” and “person files”. A person URL is a URL at the GNS that represents a given location and a person living or working at that location. A person file has one or more maps from a text string that represents a person's name in a page at some URL to a person URL that refers to a specific person at a specific location. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029399 | CREDIT ALLOCATION SYSTEM - A system and method for determining credit for a sale is provided. The system determines a location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale. The system determines, for each of a plurality of retailers, a distance between (a) the location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale and (b) a location of the respective retailer. The system determines the credit based at least partially on the determined distance between the location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale and the location of each respective retailer. The system provides the credit to the one or more retailers. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029400 | NO AUTHENTICATION PAYMENT AND SEAMLESS AUTHENTICATION - A easy authentication or payment is made by creating an account associated with a particular web browser or device that accesses an on-line page. Payments are made, such as for full-access viewing of an article or viewing content without visible ads, by selecting a payment button on the on-line page. Selection can be with a specific swiping motion or device motion previously defined for the user. Once selected, the payment is made without the user having to authorize or authenticate. The motion can be used independently to authorize or authenticate the user through the device. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029401 | Method Of Providing Online House Or Office Decor Related Service - A method for an on-line home decor service community includes: providing a database; entering pictures or data into the database that provides a definition for one or more interior or exterior spaces, and décor-related items; indicating one or more of the items to renew or replace or change; offering a selection of pre-packaged or pre-rendered designs and a price for the indicated item; offering, contests, discounts, advise, and product information as a part of the community and offering access to the database from a browser-based device. The décor-related items include custom room or space designs, furniture arrangement, flooring selection, lighting, art and accessories plans, draperies selection, paint color selection, fixtures, plantings, architectural embellishments, landscaping and finishes item in a residence or office space. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029402 | Method and System for Determining an Alternative Configuration of a Molding Machine Component and Presenting Such Alternative Configuration to a Customer - Embodiments of the present invention teach a method and system for determining an alternative configuration of a molding machine component and presenting such alternative configuration to a customer. For example, a method ( | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029403 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETED MERCHANDISING TO RETURNING USERS - In various exemplary embodiments, a system and associated method to provide targeted merchandising is disclosed. Initially, an identity of a user (e.g., a returning buyer) is determined. A transaction history associated with the identity is then accessed. The transaction history is used to determine one or more related items from at least one familiar merchant. The at least one familiar merchant is a merchant having a previous relationship with the user. Representations of the one or more related items are then displayed to the user in a prominent manner. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029404 | TRANSACTION PAYABLES PROCESSING SYSTEM AND APPROACH - Transaction management for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management approach involves the processing of financial aspects of transactions for a plurality of buyers using transaction rules associated with each buyer for automatically auditing each transaction (for each buyer) and any associated invoices. When a transaction or series of transactions are approved for payment for a particular buyer, the payment is automatically facilitated on behalf of the particular buyer. A fee is then assessed for each transaction or series of transactions, to one or more of the particular buyer, involved seller (or sellers), and a sponsor of the buyer that sponsors the buyer's participation. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029405 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINKING TO A VENDOR - A method includes receiving from a client terminal an indication of a selection of an item, selecting a vendor from a plurality of vendors, and sending a redirect message to the client terminal. The selection of the item is in response to the receipt of the indication of selection. Each of the vendors is offering the item for sale. The redirect message includes a reference to a webpage associated with the vendor and the item. In some embodiments, the method includes ranking the plurality of vendors based on at least two factors associated with each vendor and then selecting the vendor based on the ranking. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029406 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLACING A PRODUCT ORDER VIA A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A system and method for a manufacturer to attract a customer for a distributor, via a public access network, and perform product information and ordering transactions with the customer, where payment is made to the manufacturer by credit card or from another financial account maintained by or on behalf of the customer and where the manufacturer subsequently pays the distributor and an associated manufacturer's representative. The system and method includes the customer submitting a price/quotation request or product order to a host system via the public access communications network. The host system interacts with the customer, the manufacturer, the distributor (who provides purchase order information) and a third party who provides financial approval in order to fulfill the customer request. The host system also interacts with the manufacturer, customer, distributor, manufacturer's representative and third party who provided financial approval to fulfill the order. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029407 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A COMMISSION-BASED NETWORK (COBANET) - The present description proposes a system and method for a commission-based network. More particularly, in a server allowing electronic communications thereto and therefrom, there is provided a method for implementing a commission-based network (COBANET) over the data communication network. The method comprises: storing ( | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029408 | SYSTEM AND METHOD ENABLING SEARCHING FOR ITEMS, LISTINGS, OR PRODUCTS BASED ON LISTING ACTIVITY - A system and method for providing a listing activity engine for online computer users is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: accessing a plurality of listings corresponding to items offered on a host site; accessing listing activity level information related to the plurality of listings, the listing activity level information including information indicative of a number of times particular listings of the plurality of listings were viewed or activated; producing search results that include only matched listings of the plurality of listings that were viewed or activated a number of times less than a pre-determined listing activity threshold; and displaying the search results to a user. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029409 | PURCHASES USING UNIQUE CODES - An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the web site without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029410 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR END-TO-END CONTROL OF WATER QUALITY - A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029411 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ROUNDING WITH AVAILABILITY CHECK - Systems and methods are provide for optimizing the result of an availability check of a required quantity of products, wherein a plurality of rounding algorithms are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that comprises a first step of rounding, according to at least one predetermined rounding algorithm, the required quantity of products. The method may also comprise a second step of checking availability of the rounded quantity of products and a third step of rounding down, according to the at least one predetermined rounding algorithm, the available quantity of products if the available quantity of products is lower than the rounded required quantity of products. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029412 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING INVENTORY - A system for providing products to a customer operates with an open purchase order having an acceptable inventory range bounded by a lower and an upper limit for each product supplied to the customer. The system includes a storage unit, a first processing unit that maintains a product inventory count, and a second processing unit that monitors the product inventory count. A system for transferring electronic files includes a first processing unit that stores and transfers the electronic file, generates a pointer associated with the transferred electronic file, generates a reference electronic file and thereafter includes the pointer in the reference electronic file. A second processing unit then displays the reference electronic file. A system for generating composite electronic files includes a first processing unit having composite locations including component electronic files, and generating the composite electronic files when the respective composite location is accessed from a second processing unit. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029413 | PERISHABLE LIFETIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for managing perishables in a supply chain, including at least one sensor module adapted to sense at least one parameter of at least one monitorable shipping unit of perishables through multiple stages in a supply chain, a plurality of sensed inputs integrator and communicators (SIICs), each communicating with the least one sensor module at least one different one of the multiple stages in the supply chain, for receiving information relating to the at least one parameter, a perishable lifecycle manager (PLM) communicating with at least some of the plurality of SIICs and a user interface providing to a user an indication of at least one of remaining lifetime prediction, supply chain link accountability and first expired, first out logistics outputs relating to the at least one monitorable shipping unit of perishables whose at least one parameter is sensed by the at least one sensor module. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029414 | Transport Vehicle Capacity Maximization Logistics System and Method of Same - Disclosed is a system for substantially optimizing logistics for loading vehicles and transporting goods and a method of accomplishing the same. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029415 | System and method for business or personal transactions - A computer system and method for recoding and controlling a business transaction involving a referral to the business made by a first party to a second party. Information about the first party and a referral incentive are recorded on the computer and then encoded on a two part card. The computer recording is retrievable by a unique identifier also encoded on the two part card. Certain auxiliary information related to the transaction are encoded on the business card. The first party gives the first card part to a second party. The second entity may, later, present the first card part to the business. Using the unique identifier the computer recording is retrieved. Using the two card parts and the retrieved computer information, the first party is identified, the incentive is conformed and the first party receives the incentive. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029416 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING AN ELECTRONIC PAYMENT - A method and system for transferring an electronic payment between a purchaser and a merchant that includes assigning a role of a merchant account to a first account and a role of a purchaser account to a second account within a payment system, adding an item from a product catalog stored in the payment system to a purchase list, obtaining a user ID token of a purchaser from a merchant terminal, communicating identity confirmation information associated with the user ID token to the merchant terminal, and transferring funds for the purchase price total from the purchaser account to the merchant account. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029417 | User defined internet jukebox kiosks set top box - A computer readable storage method and system allowing any artist to upload media, including images, video and music, to a server, have that media uploaded in a system of internet jukeboxes placed in establishments for instant playback of media by paying customers. The system of internet jukeboxes programmed to maintain an account for the artist allowing the artist to earn fees and royalties from playback of the media and to provide for automated payment of rent, and other fees due the establishment and the service provider. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029418 | Systems and Methods for Managing Tips and Gratuities - Disclosed are systems and methods for recording, maintaining, and reporting tips and gratuities, optionally including details such as employee, task performed, and shift. In one aspect, inter-employee tip and gratuity transactions are tracked and verified. In another aspect, taxing authority forms and/or returns are automatically generated with substantially decreased administration time and cost, thereby facilitating a user's participation in voluntary taxing authority programs. Additionally, the training required by such programs is automatically monitored. In yet another aspect, tips and/or gratuities may be paid as wages. In another aspect of the present invention, employees are provided an opportunity to increase declared tips if the originally declared tips place employee in jeopardy of an audit. In another aspect, interfaces to third-party systems such as POS systems, payroll systems, and the like are provided to further minimize system administration time and data accuracy. In another aspect, Web-based systems are provided. | 2011-02-03 |
| 20110029419 | Method, Apparatus and Program Storage Device for Providing Real-Time File System Charge-Back Accounting Per Management Object During A Report Cycle - A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing real-time file system charge-back accounting with real time historical minimum and maximum usage per user or group during a report cycle. In a first storage area of file system memory, space allocation data for a current accounting period is monitored and persistently maintained. A minimum, maximum and average space allocation is calculated for the management object during the current accounting period. The calculated minimum, maximum and average space allocation for the management object may be moved to a second storage area of the file system memory while beginning to monitor and persistently maintain space allocation data of the management object in the first storage area of the file system memory during a subsequent accounting period. | 2011-02-03 |
