16th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 52 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130096948 | METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS, PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT - An embodiment of the present invention is a method of generating a report based on an association metric. The method involves identifying node state data associated with a sample, and generating an association metric based on the node state data. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096949 | TREATMENT REGIMEN COMPLIANCE AND EFFICACY WITH FEEDBACK - A method and system for interaction with a community of individuals, relating to compliance with and effectiveness of treatment regimens, including supply and use of pharmaceuticals, using a protocol or other intelligent message which acts in place of a service provider and which is capable of collecting or imparting information to patients in place thereof. Individuals interact with the protocol or intelligent message to provide assistance in all aspects of treatment regimen compliance, data collection, supply or delivery, review and modification. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096950 | ELECTRONIC MEDICAL INFORMATION CARD AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - An electronic medical information card ( | 2013-04-18 |
20130096951 | BUSINESS TRANSACTION CAPTURE AND REPLAY WITH LONG TERM REQUEST PERSISTENCE - Business transaction capture and replay with long term request persistence, including: creating, in response to a request for execution of a business transaction, an original business object representing the request for execution of the business transaction, the original business object comprising a data structure supported by the business transaction; executing the business transaction including: executing, in dependence upon the original business object, one or more business processes of the business transaction, including, for each business process, storing results of the business process as an interim business object; maintaining, in a failed request business object, the original business object and each interim business object; identifying a failure of a business process; and including, in the failed request business object, error information describing the failed business process; and re-executing the business transaction using the failed request business object. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096952 | LOSSLESS ACCOUNT COMPRESSION FOR HEALTH CARE PATIENT BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY RESEARCH SYSTEM AND METHODS - A system and method for determining eligibility for reimbursement for medical claims for patients may be implemented with computer software which compares a service provider's patient information against a benefit provider's database of covered persons to determine if the patient is eligible for benefits. The service provider records may be compressed by grouping all of the medical claims relating to a particular patient into one cluster represented by a composite medical claim, which may be used to query the benefit provider databases to determine if the patient is recognized. If the patient is recognized, every record within the cluster may be checked against the benefit provider's database to determine whether one or more patient medical claims are eligible for reimbursement. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096953 | MEDICATION COMPLIANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system which implements a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a means for monitoring a patient's medication compliance. In one embodiment, the system will send a message to a patient's wireless device with a notification when it is time for the patient to administer a prescribed treatment. The system may also request that the patient or a caregiver reply with a confirmation that the treatment was completed. In one embodiment, the system may include sensors that detect whether a prescribed treatment was completed. The system may also record information such as the time, date, and substance of the transmissions of the reminder messages and/or the receipts of the confirmation messages or sensor readings. In one embodiment, the system may also send alert messages if the system is unable to verify whether a patient has completed her prescribed treatment at a designated time. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096954 | System and Method for Automated Detection of Coverage Exceptions Based on Utility Usage Data - An advanced underwriting and risk evaluation system leverages data from utility based metering devices and other IP addressable devices, and machines to provide real time operational and usage data. The data is used by an insurance entity to modify and adjust insurance coverages and premiums in the case of certain usage exceptions and conditions in view of an underlying policy coverage. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096955 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPLIANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT - A system and method for identifying at least one legal authority related to the insurance industry and tracking responsive procedures. The system and method include a processor configured to identify and evaluate at least one insurance related legal authority, a memory device configured to store information in a central record that includes entries indicating information about the at least one insurance related legal authority and the evaluated impact on the at least one insurance business area and modified procedures of at least one insurance business area that comply with the at least one insurance related legal authority based on the evaluated impact, a display device configured to display communications regarding the modifications to the at least one insurance business area, and a communications interface to record and communicate the modifications to the at least one insurance business area. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096956 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING THE REDEMPTION OF HEALTH CARE CREDITS - Systems and methods to manage health insurance are described. A subscriber of a health insurance plan with an insurance provider can receive health treatment from a health care provider. The subscriber can further have an account established with an account servicer, wherein the account comprises an amount of health care credits acquired or earned by the subscriber. The health care credits can be accepted as payment and can be applied to a balance due for the health treatment. When the health care credits are redeemed by the subscriber, the account servicer can deduct an appropriate amount of health care credits from the account of the subscriber. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD USING INSURANCE FOR RISK TRANSFERENCE - Disclosed herein is a system and method for eliminating or transferring the non-economic risk of financial securities. The system and method serves to avoid non-economic losses in the first instance, and to counter the adverse capital impact of prior non-economic gap losses by providing capital relief consistent with a determined protected amount. A second party provides to a first party a policy covering potential losses in value for a fixed income securities (FIS) Portfolio, particularly losses between an upper attachment value and a lower exit value. The second party provides capital to the first party as a policy security in the event that the aggregate principle payments (APP) of the FIS Portfolio are less than the attachment value and the first party makes a claim under the policy. The first party pledges policyholder security for its future obligation to return all or a portion of the policy security should no claims arise under the policy or if the policy security exceeds the amount sought by any claims. The policyholder security may be the FIS Portfolio or other agreed upon assets, or some combination thereof. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096958 | METHODS OF SELLING ENDOWMENT POLICIES - Methods of selling endowment policies and funding an education are provided. In a general embodiment, the method includes selling a first endowment policy to an individual, allowing the individual to purchase additional endowment policies at the same price as the first endowment policy, and reminding the individual using an automatic computer generated reminder of the right to purchase additional endowment policies. The endowment policies can be used to fund an education. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096959 | Automatic Income Adjustment - A method includes receiving market data associated with an investment product that specifies a first guaranteed annual withdrawal amount and a second guaranteed annual withdrawal amount, where the first guaranteed annual withdrawal amount is greater than the second guaranteed annual withdrawal amount. The method also includes automatically selecting a guaranteed annual withdrawal amount from the first guaranteed annual withdrawal amount and the second guaranteed annual withdrawal amount based on at least an evaluation of the market data. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096960 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING USING REGISTRATION DATA OF IP-ADDRESSABLE DEVICES - A system and method are disclosed herein for maintaining an inventory of assets located at an insured property covered under an insurance policy based on data received from IP-addressable devices located at the property. The system includes an inventory database for storing inventory information about assets located at an insured property, a communication interface for receiving registration and operational data associated with an IP-addressable device, and a business logic computer. The business logic computer creates a data structure for storing inventory information about assets located at the insured property in the inventory database for each insured property. The business logic computer determines, for the insured property, the inventory information about the insured property's assets based on registration and operational data received from its IP-addressable devices located at the property. The business logic computer stores the insured property's inventory information in its associated data structure in the inventory database. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096961 | System and Method for Electronic Ticket Exchange and Delivery - A system and method are described to electronically exchange seat tickets before or during an event in a way that eliminates the need to print or possess a paper ticket for a new seat while ensuring authenticity of the new electronic seat ticket. The system and method overcome current logistical constraints of upgrading a ticket during an event, and offers event attendees an option for exchanging their previously purchased ticket before or during an event. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096962 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANAGING PROMOTIONS OF DIFFERENT GOODS OR SERVICES AT LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS - A system and method of managing promotions of different goods or services at lodging establishments which is directed to reducing distressed inventories of a variety of different goods or services offered at the lodging establishments. An example method includes connecting to different property systems which manage sales of goods or services, obtaining reservation data and guest data from the different property systems, comparing the reservation data to predetermined thresholds to determine distressed inventories of the goods or services of the property systems, obtaining promotions directed to the distressed inventories, determining customers to receive the promotions of the distressed inventories, and sending the promotions to the customers. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096963 | CHECK-IN SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS - A check-in system and method for lodging establishments which facilitates faster check-in. An example method includes creating a record of a reservation for a prospective guest including contact information associated with a mobile communication device of the prospective guest, determining from the record that the first night of the reservation is within a predetermined number of days, sending a message to the mobile communication device of the prospective guest using the contact information, the message including a check-in reminder and a hyperlink to a check-in web page, providing the check-in web page to the mobile communication device in response to selection of the hyperlink by the prospective guest, receiving check-in information entered into the check-in web page by the guest from the mobile communication device, and providing a confirmation web page including confirmation details of the reservation and a confirmation code containing reservation information. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096964 | SEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a seat management system and method designed to use a wireless communication means for managing seats in a public space, which can perform operations including: a personnel management operation using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system or a barcode system; a seat reservation operation using a multimedia kiosk with internet connection; and an operation of user login and management using at least one control unit. With the aforesaid system, the use rate of devices available for public usage in the public space can be increased while allowing any user to easily reserve a device or acknowledge the device is under usage, so that not only the service quality of the public space can be improved and the work load of the same is relieved and shared by the seat management system, but also the utilization efficiency of the public resource is enhanced. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096965 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESERVING FUTURE PURCHASES OF GOODS OR SERVICES - A method and system for reserving future purchases of airline services using electronic options. The electronic options are used to reserve plural different types of airline services including selection of: a desired seat row location, a desired seat location in a desired row location, a plural adjacent seats in a desired row, a plural adjacent seats in a plural desired rows, a desired location in an overhead bin to store carry-on luggage, a priority boarding sequence, a priority exiting sequence, priority pre-flight baggage handling, priority post-flight baggage handling, cancellation and change privileges for a purchased airline ticket, a priority list position in a stand-by list and/or a priority list position for an automatic upgrade to a first class seat, business class seat or other non-economy seat and/or other airline services. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096966 | PRESENTING POINT OF INTEREST INFORMATION USING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Systems and methods of using a mobile communication device to present information related to a point of interest. A method comprises receiving, at a mobile device, an input relating to a point of interest; receiving, at the mobile device, transmission of data regarding volume of business at the point of interest; and causing the mobile device to present information based on the volume of business at the point of interest. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096967 | OPTIMIZER - A method and apparatus: (1) select and apply a transition from a set of first objective enhancing transitions to an initial information integration flow graph based upon how application of each transition impacts a length of a chain of nodes to produce a first set of modified information integration flow graphs that satisfy a first objective; (2) select and apply a second transition from the set of first objective transitions and a set of second objective enhancing transitions to the first set of modified information integration flow graphs to produce a second set of modified information integration flow graphs that satisfy the first objective and the second objective; and (3) identify an information integration flow graph from the first set and the second set having a lowest cost. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096968 | PERFORMANCE DATA IN A WORKER PROFILE AGGREGATED BY A JOB DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM FOR WORKERS THAT PERFORM CROWD SOURCED TASKS - Systems and methods of a job distribution platform for aggregating performance data in a worker profile for workers in performing crowd sourced tasks are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of generating and storing performance data when a worker performs one or more tasks distributed online to their respective computing devices by a job distribution platform which crowd sources tasks over a network to remote workers. The tasks can span current jobs and a history of previous jobs distributed to the worker and the job performance data for the worker is collected for current and previous jobs. New jobs can be assigned to a worker selected based on performance data of the worker. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096969 | METHOD FOR ENHANCING TRANSIT SCHEDULE - A method and apparatus are provided for generating an enhanced transit schedule. Schedule deviations are calculated using an existing transit schedule. The schedule deviations are grouped in accordance with a plurality of schedule parameters. A group average deviation is computed for each group of schedule deviations. Each group average deviation is applied to a corresponding set of passing times of the existing transit schedule having corresponding schedule parameters to generate the enhanced transit schedule. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096970 | TOOL FOR DYNAMIC TEAM SELECTION FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE - A team selection tool intelligently selects prospective team members in an objective manner to form a team. The team selection tool receives goal information including a goal for the team to achieve. The team selection tool may also receive historical performance information relating to tasks to be performed by the team to achieve the team goal. The team selection tool selects a subset of the prospective team members as selected team members in response to the historical performance information and the goal information to provide an objective selection of team members. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096971 | Facilitation of Multi-Project Management Using Critical Chain Methodology - A method on a computer for providing critical chain-based project management across a plurality of projects is disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of plans, each of the plurality of plans corresponding to one of the plurality of projects, wherein a project comprises at least one task. The method further includes generating buffers for each of the plurality of projects and reconciling project resources among the plurality of projects. The method further includes executing the plurality of project plans, including allowing a user to manage the buffers across the plurality of projects. The user is further provided with information associated with buffers for the plurality of projects, so as to evaluate the status of the plurality of projects. Additionally, the user is provided with task prioritization for any task of the plurality of projects, wherein task prioritization is calculated across the plurality of projects. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096972 | USER INTERFACE FOR PROVIDING A USER WITH THE ABILITY TO VIEW JOB ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION - A graphical user interface (GUI) implemented on a computer for displaying job assignment information associated with a given user. The GUI comprises an information display area for displaying a plurality of entries, each entry of the plurality of entries being associated with a respective job assignment for the given user, each entry further displaying a data element identifying the respective job assignment, wherein at least one entry of the plurality of entries is indicative of a past job assignment. The GUI further comprises a control component operable by the user at the computer to cause the graphical user interface to display additional information regarding a selected job assignment. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096973 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOGISTICS OPTIMIZATION USING LANE ORDER PATTERN FLEXING - A system and method is provided which determines optimal logistics solutions by allowing a purchaser of goods to vary order frequency and amount of goods ordered so as to lower logistics costs while still meeting inventory constraints. The logistics solution uses several models to search for the most optimal solution in any of a variety of metrics, including total cost, percentage trailer utilization, number of truck used, and miles driven. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096974 | Methods, Systems, And Computer-Readable Media For Determining A Plurality Of Turfs From Where To Reallocate A Workforce To A Given Turf - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for determining a plurality of turfs from where to reallocate a workforce to a given turf. According to embodiments, a method for determining a plurality of turfs from where to reallocate a workforce to a given turf is provided. According to the method, an indication of the given turf is received. Optimal turfs from where to reallocate technicians to the given turf are determined from a plurality of turfs. Visual cues for identifying at least a portion of the optimal turfs are generated. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096975 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING A PRODUCTION FLOW SCHEDULE FOR A PRODUCTION PROCESS - A method and system are disclosed for adapting a production flow schedule for one or more production processes, each having one or more process steps that use power for the execution thereof. An exemplary method includes identifying at least one availability time window in which there is a predetermined minimum power availability within a predetermined optimization time period based on a piece of availability information which indicates a forecast power availability during the optimization time period; providing an indication of one or more flexible process steps, which can be executed in a plurality of alternative time windows within the optimization time period; and for each of the flexible process steps, temporally rearranging the corresponding flexible process step into one of the corresponding alternative time windows if the rescheduling is within the availability time window in order to obtain an adapted production flow schedule. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096976 | COST-EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE UTILITIES DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - A method, system, and computer program product for designing a cost-effective and reliable distribution network for a utility are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A graph connecting a set of consumers of the utility with a set of suppliers of the utility is reduced to form a plurality of clusters. A first network between a supplier and a subset of consumers in a first cluster in the plurality of clusters is improved, the improving adding a first connection in the first network to provide continuity of supply of the utility to the subset of consumers after a predetermined number of failures in the first network. A design is generated for a second network connecting the set of suppliers to the set of consumers, the second network including the first network after the improving, wherein the second network has a cost that is within a lower threshold and an upper threshold. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096977 | CALL FORWARD SYSTEM - An automated checkout call-forward (ECF) system comprises a queuing area for channelling customers, which leads to one or more checkouts. Each checkout comprises a service area and each checkout can be in either an available condition to accept a new customer, or in an unavailable condition. An indicator is capable of directing a customer to an available checkout. A sensor system is capable of detecting and providing output parameters indicative of the presence of one or more customers in the queuing area and the presence of one or more customers in the service area of each checkout. The automated ECF system is configured to identify any available checkouts based on interpreting the sensor output parameters and to instruct the indicator based on the identified available checkouts. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096978 | DETERMINING COSTS FOR WORKFLOWS - Techniques are disclosed for modeling costs when editing a workflow process model. A request may be received to assign a cost factor to a workflow process step of the workflow process model. Responsive to the request, the cost factor may be assigned to the workflow process step, such that a traversal of the workflow process step by a transaction invoking the workflow process model results in the cost factor being included in a total cost to be charged for executing the transaction. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096979 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING SAFETY PROTOCOLS - Systems and methods for monitoring safety procedures for an industrial facility. A user interface for a safety operator interfaces with a database containing safety documents for components installed and in use in the industrial facility. The user interface also interfaces with a safety calculation module that calculates the risk level for specific potential consequences if specific safety procedures are not implemented. Whenever a potentially unsafe situation occurs, the risk levels associated with the potential consequences of the unsafe situation are presented to the safety operator along with contingencies which may be implemented to alleviate the risks. Past potentially unsafe situations are also presented to the safety operator by way of a time line such that a historical record of the safety of the facility can be taken in at a glance. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096980 | USER-DEFINED COUNTERMEASURES - A particular set of computing assets is identified on a particular computing system including a plurality of computing assets. A user definition is received of a particular countermeasure applied to the particular set of assets, the user definition of the countermeasure including identification of each asset in the particular set of assets and identification of at least one vulnerability or threat addressed by the particular countermeasure in a plurality of known vulnerabilities or threats. Based on the user definition, actual deployment of the particular countermeasure on the particular computing system is assumed in a risk assessment of at least a portion of the particular computing system. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096981 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING COMMUNICATION ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT - A method for optimizing communication about entertainment events, including live music events. The method can include acquiring entertainment event data from a plurality of data sources, acquiring artist data, acquiring social media data, providing an application that allows a user of the application to access information associated with the entertainment event, wherein the user can save their favorite venues or artists, flag upcoming events, access special promotions, or share their plans and interests via social media, and creating a database, wherein the database includes information related to users, events, artists, venues, advertisers, and publications. The method may also include features for gamification of activity within the application and tracking of a “buzz” score to identify artists gaining in popularity. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096982 | INTEREST LEVEL ESTIMATION APPARATUS, INTEREST LEVEL ESTIMATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An interest level estimation apparatus | 2013-04-18 |
20130096983 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF DAY-AHEAD LOAD FORECASTS ON AN ELECTRIC UTILITY GRID - Systems and methods improve the forecast of electricity consumption, and/or refining such predictions. Predictions may be refined by accounting for factors such as preliminary predictions, pricing and cost information associated with future supply of energy, the extent of anticipated changes in the predictions, the time of day and/or anticipated daylight for the period of time. Coefficient values are calculated for a forecast error model that takes into account factors related to electricity consumption using existing historical electrical grid data. Using the calculated values, the forecast error model may be applied to current electricity demand forecasts. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096984 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING RESIDUAL LIFETIME VALUE OF A CUSTOMER BASE UTILIZING SURVIVAL ANALYSIS - The present disclosure describes novel systems and methods that can be utilized to evaluate and/or direct an interaction with a consumer database and/or evaluate a consumer database, where the consumer database contains information about consumers and particular products and/or services held or used by the consumers. The interactions may be, for example, determining a strategy for sales, marketing, cross-selling, and/or retaining one or more of the consumers. The evaluations may include, for example, hierarchically ranking the consumers and/or determining a clustering of the consumers. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096985 | SURVEY SYSTEMS AND METHODS USEABLE WITH MOBILE DEVICES AND MEDIA PRESENTATION ENVIRONMENTS - Exemplary survey systems and methods include a survey server and a survey application. The survey application may be installed, or otherwise executable, on remote computing devices. The survey server may deliver surveys to the remote computing devices through the survey application. An exemplary survey includes at least one quantitative query coupled with at least one qualitative query. The quantitative query may be associated with two or more predetermined answer options. The qualitative query may provide an option to include a user-provided entry. For example, the user-provided entry may be a video or audio recording captured by the remote computing device running the mobile survey application. The mobile survey application may transmit the survey response, including with the user-provided entry, and the user location back to the survey server for analysis or display. Other embodiments of the survey systems and methods are also disclosed herein. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096986 | System and Method for Selective Redaction with Real Time Feedback - A computer system for obtaining feedback at a location of service includes data regarding each of a set of clients and software that presents survey questions to the clients and receives answers to the survey questions. If an answer to any survey question indicates a situation in which an employee needs to be notified, a notification message is created including a subset of the data regarding the client based upon a classification of the employee who is to be notified and the message is sent to the employee based upon a transmission method preferred by the employee. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096987 | CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT COMMUNITIES - An analytic system includes a communication interface that connects to a client device. A front-end cluster acquires user billing and consumption data from one or more utility database machines and acquires geographic information system data. A geocoding server converts selected data rendered by the front-end cluster into geographic coordinates. The front-end cluster is configured to render comparisons of a user's utility usage to peer group usages. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096988 | NOMINATION ENGINE - A system and method for nominating candidate enterprises for inclusion in a competitive set assembled for the purpose of competitively analyzing a subject enterprise. Characteristics of the subject enterprise in which the subject enterprise is comparable to a plurality of candidate enterprises are identified. The characteristics may include location, size of the physical presence, a dollar volume of revenue, classification of the business engaged, market share, average purchase size; of the subject purchase frequency of customers; size of customer base; demographic characteristics of the customer base, location of customers, degree of customer loyalty, and share of the customer's wallet. A list candidate enterprises is compiled based upon a predetermined degree of similarity between the subject enterprise and/or an identified competitor enterprise on the one hand, and the candidate enterprise on the other. A plurality of nominee enterprises are selected from the list of candidates to populate the competitive set. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096989 | Method and System for Determining Freight Shipping Pricing Based on Equipment Type, Market Geographies, Temporal Currency, and Trip Type Characteristics - A system and method of determining the shipping price rates of goods being shipped using a unique integration of geographic areas, rate data and shipping trip types. The geographic areas are defined in terms of similar market characteristics, the rate data is defined in terms of age and shipping trip types are defined in terms of distance as well as in terms of distance involving overlaps for adjacent shipping trip types. Expansion rules are provided for each of these categories that permit these categories to be expanded or contracted to achieve minimum data requirements when calculating the shipping price rates. Pertinent data is collected from a variety of source systems using FTP, email and other web services which is then passed to a data acquisition/integration system for data extraction and reconfiguration. A rate engine then uses that data and implements the method to calculate the shipping price rates by using the respective expansion rates of the different categories based on a user's particular shipping price request. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096990 | Purchasing Trading Partners Feedback Process for Purchase Practice Refinement - Systems and methods for refining repetitive purchases using historical feedback and contractual data are disclosed. For example, parties to a pharmaceutical purchase transaction typically include one or more of a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), vendor or manufacturing drug company, wholesaler, and a purchaser, such as a hospital or hospital group. In a typical pharmaceutical purchase transaction, several (possibly inconsistent) agreements can be in place between the parties to the transaction. Disclosed are methods and systems to collect, from a plurality of data sources, information pertaining to negotiated contract prices of pharmaceutical and surgical supplies. Also disclosed is a periodic process to provide purchasing suggestions and receive further feedback from purchasers and suppliers to refine the activities of the purchaser and/or supplier. For example, a purchaser could be informed of a different order placement option which could result in a cost savings based on currently available pricing/purchase agreements. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096991 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROFILING PROFESSIONALS - A method for profiling entities or individuals includes automatically generating, by a profile generator executing on a first computing device, a profile of at least one of a professional and an entity. The method includes automatically analyzing, by an analysis engine executing on the first computing device, the generated profile. The method includes determining, by the analysis engine, responsive to the analysis, at least one of a level of expertise and a level of influence in an industry of the at least one of the professional and the entity. The method includes transmitting, by the analysis engine, to a second computing device, an identification of the determined level of expertise. In one embodiment, the method includes generating, by a prediction engine executing on the first computing device a prediction of a future modification to the profile. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096992 | SHAREHOLDER MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, SHAREHOLDER MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND PROGRAM - To promote computerization of exchange of various data, etc., between a listed corporation and its individual shareholders. An individual shareholder management apparatus includes an individual shareholder client terminal, an individual shareholder management server connected to the individual shareholder client terminal through a network, and a database group including an individual shareholder database connected to the individual shareholder management server. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096993 | METHOD OF TOLLING VEHICLES IN AN OPEN-ROAD TOLL SYSTEM - A method of tolling vehicles in an open-road toll system with vehicle-based on-board units and roadside radio beacons. The method includes transmitting transaction information and a factor from the on-board unit; updating the factor as a function of the transmitted transaction information and calculating a debit amount as a function of the updated factor; transmitting a debit request with the calculated debit amount and the updated factor to the on-board unit; and debiting the received debit amount to a toll credit account in the on-board unit and writing a new transaction information concerning this new debit transaction and the received updated factor into the on-board unit. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096994 | DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PARKING MOTOR VEHICLES - The invention relates to a device for automatically parking motor vehicles, comprising a conveyor device, which acts between at least one station for rendering and/or removing a motor vehicle and a plurality of parking spaces, the parking spaces being arranged in a matrix-like manner, being occupied by conveyor pallets that can be moved in the transverse and longitudinal direction and that are used for parking, and having at least one free space without a conveyor pallet for moving the conveyor pallets, and the conveyor device being constructed of conveyor modules that can be lined up in a modular manner in the longitudinal and transverse direction and that comprise a longitudinal conveyor unit, a transverse conveyor unit, and optionally a lifting drive. Said device is characterized in that at least one conveyor pallet has an energy supply device, in particular an electrical power supply device, and in that an energy store, in particular a battery, of a motor vehicle that can be driven by an electric motor can be charged by the energy supply device. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096995 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SERVICES - Electric vehicle charging services include receiving data relating to a vehicle charge operation of a vehicle and a user identification of the user initiating the vehicle charge operation. Upon determining the user has registered for the electric vehicle charging services, the electric vehicle charging services include identifying a location of the vehicle, determining a utility service provider that services the location, the utility service provider offering discounted electricity rates to operators of electric vehicles, and transmitting charge data and the user identification received from the vehicle to the utility service provider. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096996 | Mobile Game Promotion Distribution - Systems and methods for providing games, challenges, and/or promotions to mobile devices are usable to provide incentives to customers. According to one embodiment, a system can be provided. The system can be operable to receive location information associated with a mobile device and additional information, such as but not limited demographic and/or purchase history information, associated with the mobile device. Additionally, the system can be operable to select content based on the received information, transmit the content to the mobile device, receive an event outcome indicator associated with the content, and provide a promotional offer to the mobile device. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096997 | System and Method for Enhanced Shopping - The present invention comprises a system and method for remote shopping. A user connects to a networked system by means of a cellphone, PDA, personal computer, telephone, or the like. The networked system comprises a database of merchants, merchant locations, stocked items, available items, item prices, customers, customer locations, customer histories, delivery options, timing options, stored orders, executed orders, and associated data. By means of the networked system, a customer can browse items by availability, price, merchant, and the like, and carry out orders including payment and delivery terms. Order aggregation is implemented, whereby multiple users can aggregate items over time into a shared stored order, which is fmalized, paid for, and sent. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096998 | AUTOMATED DEVICE PROVISIONING AND ACTIVATION - A method comprising providing a plurality of links to a plurality of end-user devices communicatively coupled to a network system, a particular link of the plurality of links supporting control-plane communications between the network system and a particular end-user device of the plurality of end-user devices over one or more wireless access networks; receiving a message from a server communicatively coupled to the network system, the message comprising payload for delivery to the particular end-user device; generating an encrypted message comprising the payload and an identifier identifying a particular device agent of a plurality of device agents on the particular end-user device, the identifier configured to assist in delivering at least a portion of the payload to the particular device agent on the particular end-user device; and sending the encrypted message to the particular end-user device over the particular link. | 2013-04-18 |
20130096999 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING A PRODUCT ONLINE - A method of selling a product online over the Internet is to be performed by a server device, and includes the steps of: a) configuring the server device to receive customer-identification information from at least one customer who has decided to purchase the product; b) configuring the server device to associate at least one of a plurality of identifiers with the customer-identification information; c) configuring the server device to select at least one of the identifiers according to a predetermined scheme when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied; and d) configuring the server device to conduct, with the at least one customer, transaction for the product. Whether or not a benefit associated with purchase of the product is provided to the at least one customer is based on the selected identifiers. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097000 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING A PRODUCT ONLINE - A method of selling a product online over the Internet includes the steps of: providing a maze screen image having a plurality of user-configurable routes connecting first end points to second end points; receiving customer-identification information and route-configuration information, a portion of the user-configurable routes being configured according to the route-configuration information; associating one of a plurality of indicators with the customer-identification information, each of the indicators corresponding to one of the second end points; selecting one of the first end points when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied, and plotting on the maze screen image the user-configurable route from the selected one of the first end points to the corresponding one of the second end points; and conducting a transaction for the product with the customer having the customer-identification information that is associated with the indicator to which the user-configurable route plotted on the maze screen image corresponds. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097001 | DYNAMIC LOYALTY SERVICE - A dynamic loyalty service system allows a product provider to create a demand plan that identifies anticipated demand for a service over a number of time segments. The dynamic loyalty service system generates the demand plan using information about historic commercial data about the service and historic patterns of usage of the product by the provider's loyalty program participants. The dynamic loyalty service system allows a user to identify targets for the various time segments, wherein the targets specify desired adjustments to the demand during the respective time segment. The dynamic loyalty service system uses the demand plan and the adjustment targets to generate a communication plan that specifies the messages to be sent to the provider's loyalty program participants and the communication modality for delivering the messages. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097002 | PREDICTIVE SHOPPING NOTIFICATIONS - This document describes techniques and apparatuses that enable predictive shopping notifications. In some embodiments, the techniques determine a purchase pattern for a product based on a user's purchase history, provide this purchase pattern to potential sellers, receive discount offers for the product from those sellers, and notify the user of these offers through his or her mobile device. By so doing, the techniques enables users to pay less for a product that the techniques predict that the user will want to purchase. Also, in some embodiments, the techniques remind a user to purchase a product based on this purchase pattern, such as through a notification indicating that the user is likely running out of that product. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097003 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING MEDIA CONTENT OF A KNOWN PERSON - An access system and method which provides a user the ability to purchase virtual stock in known persons in exchange for access to media content associated with the known person. The purchase of virtual stock by the user can be compared to virtual stock purchased by other users to determine each user's respective level of access granted them. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097004 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR UNIVERSAL TRACKING SYSTEM - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a universal tracking system. A token module is configured to create a universal tracking token without requiring a user to provide any prerequisites. The universal tracking token is associated with a user by a unique identifier. A user account module is configured to store data associated with a user. The user data includes data associated with one or more universal tracking tokens. The user account is defined as either a merchant or key holder account. Further, a relationship module is configured to maintain a one-to-many relationship between the user account and a plurality of either merchant or key holder accounts. Relationship data is also collected and stored in a database. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097005 | ONLINE TECHNIQUES FOR SELLING GROUP COMBO COUPONS - Techniques for providing group discounts are described. A group discount package is configured by associating a plurality of different items with the package, associating a discount price with each item, and associating a threshold value with at least one item. One or more actions that have corresponding threshold values may also be associated with the package. The group discount package may be offered by enabling users to request to purchase items associated with the package. Each user may request to purchase one or more of the items associated with the package at the associated discount price. Furthermore, the users may be enabled to perform any actions associated with the package. A deal with the package is confirmed when each associated threshold value is met. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097006 | ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION SYSTEM WITH ENTITLEMENT AND PROMOTION ENGINES - A system for selling and administering the redemption of travel site access and other privileges to consumers has a computer connected to the Internet that pushes and pulls data to and from a database including site and privilege data, such as, description, cost, purchases, access code, privilege redemption and promotion data. The consumer may purchase access to sites and goods over the Internet and are provided with an access code which can be presented to the consumer in a variety of forms in accordance with the consumer's preference. In one embodiment, the code is sent to a mobile phone or computer. Optionally, the mobile device can communicate with a point of sale device to allow access to a given site. The mobile device may also be used to send promotions, such as discounts, to the consumer, which may be programmatically selected and sent based upon logistical, empirical, timing and marketing criteria. Point of sale devices and human representatives may facilitate non-technical consumer use by conducting selected functions, such as the sale and redemption of privileges and the communication of promotions. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097007 | MEDIA POSTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A media posting system and method for managing a media advertising order with respect to a media outlet are disclosed. The media advertising order can be ordered via a media ordering application. Exact time data with respect to the media outlet can be extracted from a traffic sub-system. Exact time data can be stored in a database and linked with the ordered spot. Audience delivery data obtained from a rating unit can be merged into the database and linked with the ordered spot and the exact time data. A report with respect to the ordered spot can be generated and displayed on a user interface by comparing the estimated audience delivery data associated with the media advertising order to an actual audience delivery data. At least one of the reports may be based on at least one of: a market criterion; a media station criterion; and a national buy criterion. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097008 | Events Tracking Technology - The presently disclosed subject matter includes, inter alia, a system and method of associating between a media source advertizing a given app and a respective app event of the given app. information indicative of an app event of the given app executed by a given device is received and data elements characterizing the given device and generating a fingerprint identifying the given device are obtained. The generated fingerprint is compared with at least one other previously generated fingerprint and based on the result of this comparison it is determined whether both fingerprints identify the same device. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097009 | CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide an electronic marketplace that matches units of content from secondary content providers with suitable vacancies from primary content providers. Vacancies may constitute, or be included in, any digital transmission containers, such as a television or radio programming, web pages, and the like. Specifically, the electronic marketplace automatically matches content offered by secondary content providers with vacancies offered by primary content providers thus filling the vacancies in these containers through a real-time content trading, placement, and distribution system. To do so, attributes associated with the vacancies and with units of secondary content are used to trade and match suitable vacancies with suitable content. This invention enables both secondary content owners and vacancy owners (primary content providers) to obtain the full commercial benefit of their secondary content and containers. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097010 | AD PLACEMENT - This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097011 | Online Advertisement Perception Prediction - An advertisement perception predictor may forecast the effectiveness of an online advertisement in a web page by predicting whether the online advertisement may be perceived by a consumer. The advertisement perception predictor may use a perception model that is trained for determining perception probability values of online advertisements. The perception model may be applied to an online advertisement to determine a perception probability value for the online advertisement. The perception probability value may indicate the likelihood that a consumer is likely to view the online advertisement. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097012 | AD PLACEMENT - This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097013 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING DELIVERY OF LEADS AND BIDDING - A system and method that enables a business owner to receive leads such as phone calls or emails to their business at a prescribed cost-per-lead and a volume determined by the budget the owner is willing to allocate to the purchase. The method manages an internet based advertisement campaign, which includes performing the step of creating an internet based advertisement campaign that includes a budget parameter, a campaign duration parameter, advertisement content with a lead reference, and an ad listing with a URL that links to said advertisement content. Another embodiment of the method can include managing the bidding process for a multi-item keyword auction. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097014 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY COMBINING DIGITAL MEDIA INCLUDING ADVERTISING AND MUSIC CONTENT - Two digital files are combined through an automatic process to create a third digital combination file. A media file is uploaded to a media file database and an advertising file is uploaded to an advertising database. A first advertising file is selected to be combined with a second media file using smart logic and analysis. The selected first advertising file and second media file are automatically combined to create a third, new, unitary combination file. The third new combination file is then made available to consumers/end users through download or streaming without charge. The artists who provide the media files may be compensated according to the number of times each of their songs/media are downloaded or streamed by a consumer/end user. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097015 | System for Targeting Advertising Content to a Plurality of Mobile Communication Facilities - A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097016 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TARGETING USER INITIATED SOCIAL EVENTS - Techniques are provided which allow targeting social events. Methods and systems allow a user to register a social event which involves a group of users watching a program on a television on a social networking platform. Information related to the event may be obtained and the group of users may be classified as belonging to one or more targeting segments based at least in part on the information related to the event. One or more advertisements may be selected based at least in part on the one or more targeting segments. The one or more advertisements may be transmitted such that the one or more advertisements are displayed on the television. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097017 | Methods and systems for creating an intelligent online lead generation system connecting retail vendors with home buyers, sellers and renters in real estate transaction and move cycle - The invention relates to online social commerce system targeting products and services towards active home buyers and sellers. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097018 | METHODS FOR AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO A PURCHASER - The present invention provides methods and apparatus for assisting a Purchaser in making a decision related to a Purchase. The decision may include which Product or Service will most satisfy a Purchaser in the event that the Purchaser acquires the Product or Service. The assistance is based upon emotional motivators associated with the Purchaser. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097019 | FILTERING PLACEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS - This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097020 | 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. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097021 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING AN ADVERTISING DATABASE - Systems and methods for applications of orthogonal corpus indexing (OCI), such as selecting ad words for purchase and improving visibility of web pages in search engines, are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods described herein employ OCI for creating an advertising database. The described systems and methods process an information database using orthogonal corpus indexing and a seed topic to derive keywords. The described systems and methods query a search engine with a first keyword of the keywords, and process the provided results page to determine content relating to a classification such as an advertiser, an advertisement, an ad word, and an advertising link page. The described systems and methods insert the determined content with respective classification in the advertising database. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097022 | COMMERCIALLY SUBSIDIZED MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES AND SERVICES - Mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, may be capable of recommending to a user various providers of one or more solicited services, e.g., by identifying a user location and identifying providers near the user location that provide the services, and by initiating a call between the user and a selected provider. However, the equipment and service costs of such devices may be prohibitive, particularly for mid-range mobile communication devices that may appeal to cost-conscious users. The prohibitive costs may be diminished by redirecting part or all of the cost of providing the recommendation service from the providers, e.g., by charging the provider a service cost upon initiating a call from the user to the provider, or upon representing the provider in a provider database. In one such embodiment, all service costs may be borne by providers, providing to the user a free recommendation service via the mobile communication device. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097023 | COMPUTING SYSTEM METHOD FOR ADVERTISING A FUTURE AD - A computer-implemented method of advertising an ad including data content or metadata associated with a time in the future to a plurality of users connected via computer network to a server includes the steps of: (a) receiving data including the ad content at a user interface of at least one of the plurality of users from the server via the network; (b) placing the ad content on a timeline of the user interface; and (c) displaying the ad content on the timeline in relation to its associated time and the current time. Moreover, disclosed herein is a computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform such a method. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097024 | Caddie Apparatus with Display Capabilities - One embodiment comprises a method for conveying information to patrons in an establishment. The method comprises deploying a plurality of caddies at the establishment, wherein each of the plurality of caddies includes an electronic display and at least one compartment for storing items for use by patrons. The method further comprises obtaining, by a content server located remotely from the establishment, content from at least one third party, wherein the content comprises advertisements corresponding to at least one item sold by the establishment. The method further comprises transmitting, by the content server, the content to the plurality of caddies via a network according to at least one predetermined time interval allocated by the content server to the at least one third party. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097025 | PASSENGER GUIDANCE DISPLAY SYSTEM, PASSENGER GUIDANCE DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND PASSENGER GUIDANCE DISPLAY METHOD - The present invention provides a passenger guidance display system comprising a service managing apparatus configured to manage on-rail information and a service schedule of a train and a passenger guidance display apparatus provided in a station premise and configured to perform display of passenger guidance using service information of a train scheduled to arrive next transmitted from the service managing apparatus. The passenger guidance display apparatus includes an advertisement database including advertisement data associated with service information of trains, a display control unit configured to select, from the advertisement database, advertisement data associated with the service information of the train scheduled to arrive transmitted from the service managing apparatus and combine the selected advertisement data and the service information to create, as one screen, a guidance video including advertisement guidance, and a display device configured to display the guidance video according to control by the display control unit. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097026 | AD PLACEMENT - This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097027 | Task-Based Advertisement Delivery - A task guidance tool that displays instructional steps and associated advertisements may facilitate the accomplishment of a task by users who are otherwise unfamiliar with the task. The task guidance tool may be developed from input data mined from various sources. The task guidance tool may display a series of step pages in which each step page include instructions for accomplishing a corresponding step of the task. Further, one or more step pages of the task guidance tool may be provided with selected advertisements that are displayed with the step instructions. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097028 | Dynamic Floor Pricing for Managing Exchange Monetization - Systems and method are provided for conducting an auction to match an advertising payload to an available advertising impression. In the auction, a dynamic floor price is provided. The dynamic floor price provides a way for a publisher to incorporate the internal value of the available impression into the auction process, while still allowing the publisher to maximize the value of the available impression by exposing the impression to bids from outside parties. The dynamic floor price can be calculated based on both internal valuations of an available impression as well as external valuations derived from feedback from prior auctions. To facilitate determination of a dynamic floor prices, advertisers and available impressions can be categorized into various segments. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097029 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ADVERTISEMENT UNIT - A method for supporting multiple advertisement sizes in a single advertisement unit includes receiving a format preference for an advertisement unit and a selected advertisement and size for the selected advertisement. The method further includes applying editing properties to determine additional visual content for the selected advertisement. The additional visual content is determined based on the format preference of the advertisement unit and the size of the selected advertisement. The method further includes rendering the selected advertisement and the additional visual content in the advertisement unit based on the editing properties. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097030 | AD PLACEMENT - This invention concerns optimal ad selection for Web pages by selecting and updating an attribute set, obtaining and updating an ad-attribute profile, and optimally choosing the next ad. The present invention associates a set of attributes with each customer. The attributes reflect the customers' interests and they incorporate the characteristics that impact ad selection. Similarly, the present invention associates with each ad an ad-attribute profile in order to calculate a customer's estimated ad selection probability and measure the uncertainty in that estimate. An ad selection algorithm optimally selects which ad to show based on the click probability estimates and the uncertainties regarding these estimates. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097031 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating Point of Sale Transactions - Systems and methods for facilitating point of sale transactions. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method can be provided. The method can include collecting, by a mobile device at a merchant point of sale, merchant contextual information associated with a merchant station at a merchant location. The method can also include identifying payment information stored on the mobile device. Further, the method can also include providing the merchant contextual information and the payment information to a merchant device in order to complete a point of sale transaction. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097032 | UTILIZING SHOPPING LISTS FOR NFC TRANSACTIONS - A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097033 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING USE OF REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS - A computer-based method for receiving purchase transaction data generated by a retailer system triggered by an identification device that is part of one or more reusable bags used by a user to carry goods purchased during the purchase transaction. The user is a student or student family member affiliated with a school or other community-based group. A reuse program server receives identification information provided by the identification device that signals the purchase transaction, updates reuse indicator information for the school; calculates a current savings to the school associated with the use of the reusable carrier; and transmits information indicating the current savings to a display device accessible to the user or to representatives of the school. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097034 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating Point of Sale Transactions - In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method can be provided. The method can include storing, in at least one memory associated with a mobile device, payment information. The method can further include generating, utilizing the payment information, a displayable image. Furthermore, the method can include directing output of the image by a display associated with the mobile device, wherein the image is scanned by a reader device at a point of sale in order to complete a point of sale transaction. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097035 | TRANSACTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to alternative kinds of transactions, which do not involve payment using only cash or a token device such as a smart card or chip and PIN card. In some embodiments, transactions involve a customer providing token-less transaction authentication information using customer interface means ( | 2013-04-18 |
20130097036 | USING A MOBILE DEVICE AS A POINT OF SALE TERMINAL - A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097037 | BATTERY SELECTION AND FEEDBACK SYSTEM AND METHOD - A technique is provided for selection of a component for a vehicle, such as in a retail establishment. The technique is particularly suited for selection situations where a range of products may be available depending upon the particular vehicle, such as batteries, tires, and so forth. A series of displays are provided to users that may be accompanied by audio and/or video prompts and information. An image of the vehicle is displayed, as well as an image of recommended products, to enhance the confidence of the consumer in making the selection. Data related to use of the system interface may be collected to provide feedback to retail establishments, manufacturers, and others as to stock, order, manufacturing and other needs based upon customer information detected through use of the system. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097038 | RESTAURANT SERVICE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The field of the invention relates to management systems including a hub, a set of clients, and a point of sale system, the management system operable to be controlled by management tool software. There is provided a management system, comprising a hub, a set of clients, and a point of sale system, the management system operable to be controlled by management tool software wherein the management tool software provides a user interface. The management system may be used as a table management system in restaurants. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097039 | Circulation Control Strategies For Tangible Media - Circulation control of tangible media materials may include transmitting an authorization request from a self-checkout station for a checkout transaction. A signal may be received at the self-checkout station indicative of a fault generated in response to the authorization request, and a handheld control device may be used to command assignment of a pseudo-identifier to the checkout transaction such that the article of tangible media can be released to circulation via the self-checkout station. Related hardware and control logic is also disclosed. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097040 | ONLINE PURCHASE FROM A MOBILE DEVICE USING A DEFAULT PAYMENT METHOD - A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097041 | ONLINE SHOPPING USING A CLOUD-BASED MOBILE WALLET - A method and system for conducting an online payment transaction through a point of sale device. The method includes receiving input from a user selecting an item for purchase through the point of sale device; calculating a total purchase amount for the item in response to a request from the user to purchase the item; and sending payment authorization for the total purchase amount from the point of sale device to a payment entity, in which the payment authorization is sent to the payment entity via a mobile communication device of the user. The method further includes receiving a result of the payment authorization from the payment entity through the mobile communication device; and completing the payment transaction based on the result of the payment authorization. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097042 | COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION SYSTEM USING ONLINE INFORMATION MATCHING AND SERVICE PROVIDING METHOD THEREOF - The invention is about an electronic commerce system using on-line information matching and its services meant to offer real-time matching service between buyers and sellers, upon request from the buyer, User's Server, by granting the seller, Merchandiser's Server a signal code to respond to buyer's queries by selectively providing the queried information to the said User's Server by way of a bi-directional communication means to conclude the commercial relationship therebetween. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097043 | Image Capture and Identification System and Process - A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097044 | System, Method, and Device for scheduling, Selecting, and Delivering Gifts, Greeting Cards, and Postcards - A method selects, customizes, and sends gifts automatically to recipients based on sender preferences, gift data, and recipient data that are pre-entered. Examples of gifts that can be sent include greeting cards, postcards, floral arrangements, and candy. The method allows for a user/sender to enter preferences. Matching gifts are selected, customized, and then are sent. Senders no longer have to travel to gift-card stores to buy gift-cards. In addition, senders do not need to remember dates and send gifts with sufficient lead time. The system sends the gift on time and chooses gifts that match the sender's/user's tastes and preferences. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097045 | Consumer-to-Business Exchange Auction - Systems and methods for implementing an item exchange service are usable to aid users in exchanging old items for newer items. According to one embodiment, a system can be operable to receive a request to offer a vehicle in an auction, calculate a base exchange value for the vehicle and provide, to one or more vehicle resellers, auction information associated with the vehicle. Additionally, the system may be configured to receive an exchange bid for the vehicle, determine a final exchange value of the vehicle, and provide the final exchange value of the vehicle to a seller of the vehicle. Further, the system may be configured to allow the seller to determine a course of action regarding disposing of the vehicle after conclusion of the exchange auction. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097046 | System and Method of Providing Transactional Privacy - A user is prevented from being identified at each of a plurality of sites. An indication to sell access to the user at one of the plurality of sites is received. A personal information marketplace is provided to run an auction to sell the access to the user at the one of the plurality of sites. In response to a sale of the access to the user at the one of the plurality of sites to an aggregator, access to track the user at the one of the plurality of sites while maintaining anonymity of the user is provided to the aggregator. | 2013-04-18 |
20130097047 | AUTHENTICATION SERVER - An apparatus for use as an authentication server can include a first interface configured to communicate with a first user. The apparatus can also include a second interface configured to communicate with a second user. The apparatus can further includes an authentication controller configured to authenticate the first user based on a first deposit of a first item, authenticate the second user based on a second deposit of a second item, transfer the first deposit to a first pool, wherein the first pool contains a plurality of the first item, transfer the second deposit to a second pool wherein the second pool contains a plurality of the second item, authenticate an exchange transaction between the first user and the second user, transfer a third item from the first pool to the second user, and transfer a fourth item from the second pool to the first user. | 2013-04-18 |