20th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 56 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090125341 | Coordinating and managing the rental of parking spaces - An internet-based parking space reservation and transaction method is provided that includes an internet platform having a server to provide a computer program to operate a virtual marketplace for parking transactions. At least one parking space lessor contacts the virtual marketplace to place a parking space in an available state and information including a money account, a space location, available time, and cost. At least one parking space lessee contacts the virtual marketplace to reserve the parking space and information including a money account, desired location, and beginning and ending lease time. A parking space availability list is provided to the lessee, having location and pricing. A lease agreement and fee exchange occurs when the lessee selects a desired the space. A fee to a money account of the marketplace is provided, where the lessor apportions a predetermined amount of the associated fee to the virtual marketplace money account. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125342 | DISPOSITION METHOD AND DISPOSITION MODULE - A method for the disposition of process steps in the context of jobs is disclosed, which are issued by a management information system, and executed on at least one execution system, wherein the jobs are defined by a calculation module in the context of the management information system, allocated to volume- and time resources of the execution systems through a disposition module, and transmitted to the execution systems in Job Definition Format. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125343 | Advertising via Mobile Devices - A method, article and apparatus for advertising via a mobile device. A communication request is received from the mobile device that includes a screen for displaying an ad. One more ad selection criteria are then determined. Such criteria may include a visibility of the ad on the screen; a target audience determined on the basis of information provided from the mobile device; and attributes of the determined target audience. The ad selection is ad based on the visibility of the ad and the attributes of the target audience. Commands may then be initiated to cause the selected ad to be displayed on the screen of the mobile device. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125344 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUSION BETWEEN INCOMPATIBLE DATA MODELS - Disclosed is a system and a method for fusion between incompatible data models. The system generates a product data structure of a first data model and a product data structure of a second data model. Using a business Add-in method, this product data structure of the first data model is fused to the second data model to generate a fused product data structure of the second data model. An output controller is provided to output this fused product data structure of the second data model, thus making functions of first data model available in the second data model. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125345 | METHOD OF DERIVING A BUSINESS PROCESS FROM A SET OF PATHS - A method of deriving a business process from a set of paths including modeling a set of discrete paths within a set of activities, building a matrix including first through i columns, i being equal to a number of discrete paths within the set of identified discrete paths, and first through j rows, j being equal to or greater than a number of activities in the discrete path having the largest number of activities therein, each element of each row being either empty or representative of a common activity, searching for at least one discrete path within the matrix, and generating an implementation of the business process according to the presence of the at least one discrete path. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125346 | PERFORMANCE RECONCILIATION TOOLS - Apparatus, a method, or one or more subparts thereof may be provided. A reconciliation process invoker may be provided which is configured to cause a given state change intended to invoke a given reconciliation process. Media-stored reconciliation processes may be provided, including the given reconciliation process, executable by a reconciliation process execution mechanism. The media-stored given reconciliation process may include instructions configured to instruct a change, upon execution of the given reconciliation process by the reconciliation process execution mechanism, of one or more configuration parameters of at least one performance factor system. A set of reconciliation process fields may be provided, which may be provided as part of a computer screen display user interface. The reconciliation process fields may include, in part, state identifier fields configured to hold reconciliation process state identifiers, sub-process fields, associated with respective states identified by ones of the process state identifiers, configured to hold sub-process identifiers identifying sub-processes to be executed during execution of the reconciliation process, and corresponding sub-process parameters for the identified sub-processors. Business process definition fields may be provided, which may be presented as part of a computer screen displayed user interface. The business process definition fields may include at least one identifier field configured to hold an identifier parameter to identify the business process being defined, a vertical segment field to hold a vertical segment identifier field, a function field to hold a function identifier, and a version field to hold version data. A reconciliation process status interface may be provided which includes reconciliation process status information interface tools. A reconciliation process invocation control interface may be provided, which includes reconciliation invocation control tools. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125347 | Determining Lease Quality - Leases and other types of agreements may be evaluated based on factors including time to delivery, cost of the agreement and/or quality of agreement. According to one or more aspects, the quality of an agreement may be judged based on the rights and/or provisions obtained in the lease. In one example, points may be awarded for each category (e.g., time, cost and/or quality) based on goals that are met. The points may be totaled and combined to form a composite lease quality score or index. A commission for a partner entity procuring the lease may be determined based on the composite lease quality score or index. For example, if the lease quality index is in a median range, the standard or average commission may be awarded. However, if the lease quality index is at least one standard deviation greater than the median, a higher commission may be awarded. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125348 | METHODS FOR GENERATING HEALTHCARE PROVIDER QUALITY AND COST RATING DATA - A computer-implemented method for generating healthcare provider quality rating data from healthcare claim records representing services provided by a plurality of healthcare providers (such as physicians or hospitals) to one or more patients includes grouping the claim records into one or more claim groups, each representing services provided to a patient by one or more providers; assigning each claim group to a responsible provider; assessing the claim records in each claim group using guidelines for the particular disease or condition and generating a compliance score for the claim group, wherein the compliance score indicates the extent to which the claim records in the claim group match the guidelines; and generating provider quality rating data for each provider using the normalized aggregate compliance score. The provider quality rating data may include one or more performance categories or graphic symbols that indicate the provider's quality of treatment in comparison to an average value. Provider volume data may also be generated. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125349 | GLOBAL CONDUCT SCORE AND ATTRIBUTE DATA UTILIZATION - In one embodiment, a system and method is illustrated as including generating a model using at least one of a global conduct score and attribute data. A range of numeric values may be retrieved, based upon which, a better term is granted in a transaction than would otherwise be granted in the transaction. A comparison may be made between the model and the range of numeric values. Further, a better term may be granted in the transaction where the model falls within the range of numeric values. The global conduct score is computed using an approach including at least one of a feed score approach, and a composite score approach. The attribute data includes page view data, click through data, account usage data, and good purchased data. The model includes a global conduct score model, a weighting model, an AI based model, and an associated network based model. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125350 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING AND STORING SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT INFORMATION IN A RELATIONAL DATABASE SYSTEM - A computer implemented method of and system for capturing, storing and organizing supply chain and logistics support information for a retail enterprise. Supply chain and logistics support information is stored and organized within a relational database in accordance with a logical data model comprising a plurality subject areas, and entities and relationships within the subject areas, defining the manner in which supply chain and logistics support information is stored and organized within the relational database. The relational database, populated with this information, provides a retail enterprise with detailed tracking and analysis support for shipping orders, freight bills, shipping order claims, and invoices; and detailed support for fleet tracking of shipments in the areas of legs, lanes and associated routes traveled, mode of transport, and specific equipment utilized in handling of shipments; allowing for improved supply chain efficiency through better informed decision making. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125351 | System and Method for Establishing Communications with an Electronic Meter - A system, device, and method of using a power line communication device that is communicatively connected to a low voltage power line to establish communications with one or more electronic utility meters is provided. In one embodiment the method includes setting an encryption key parameter to a first encryption key used by the one or more electronic utility meters, establishing communications via one or more low voltage power lines with at least some of the utility meters using the first encryption key, assessing the quality of communications with at least some of the utility meters, transmitting communications quality data to a remote computer system; receiving information of one or more assigned meters from the remote computer system; and storing information of the assigned meters in memory. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125352 | PROGRESS STATUS MANAGEMENT METHOD, PROGRAM, AND PROGRESS STATUS MANAGEMENT DEVICE - A progress status management device and a method for managing a progress status are provided so that a progress status of respective processes in a project is visually and swiftly confirmed. By using the device and method, it is possible to prevent a delay of the project progress because the processing states of processes at an optional stage of the project are shared and easily grasped by managers and workers among departments and outside business partners in charge of the project. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125353 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATCHING HUMAN RESOURCES TO HUMAN RESOURCE NEEDS - A system for matching entities having needs to entities having capability to meet the needs. A plurality of needs profiles are created, where each need profile comprises a data record specifying attributes about a need. A plurality of capability profiles are also created, where each capability profile comprises a data record specifying set of attributes of an entity having a capability of meeting a need. A matching engine is coupled to repetitively and automatically examine the needs profiles and capability profiles to identify matched profiles, wherein a match comprises a set of profiles judged to be substantially compatible based upon correspondence of the attributes specified therein. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125354 | FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method of performing financial management tracking comprising entering, on a mobile control device, data associated with a financial transaction; storing said entered financial transaction data in a database within said mobile control device; periodically synchronizing said mobile control device database with a base station database via a communications link such that budgetary and financial transaction data is update. In one embodiment of the invention, each member of a household utilizes a separate mobile control device, each of the mobile control devices is synchronized with the base device such that all mobile control devices are synchronized with each other. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125355 | System and Method for Optimization of Group Shipments to Reduce Shipping Costs - Described herein is a method and system to provide optimizing shipping costs that can help arbitrate between a precise solution at an unreasonable cost and a reasonable solution at a very reasonable cost. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125356 | Cellsite BudgetMaster - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for cell site planning and for vendor selection. According to embodiments of this invention, a cell site planning information system receives initial cell site information, accesses historical cell site information and/or vendor information, and integrates the information to provide a proposed cell site design plan, to recommended vendors, to determine benchmark costs, and/or to provide billing records of the recommended vendors. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125357 | Scheduling Procedure To Smooth The Flow of Air Traffic and Extend The Minimum Connect Time To a Greater Number of Passengers - A method for scheduling airplanes. Eastbound and westbound flights are scheduled to arrive to and depart from an airport within a small period of time (e.g., 5 minutes). By now scheduling both eastbound and westbound flights to arrive to and depart from an airport within a small block of time, the flow of air traffic is smoothed. Further, the scheduling structure of the present invention allows the passenger's connect time profile to be the same for all the passengers thereby extending the minimum connect time to a greater number of passengers. Further, the scheduling structure of the present invention allows staggered gating (gates are paired in such as a manner as to function as a single gate) thereby expanding gate separation as well as allowing a reduction or an elimination of the gap in times in the services being performed above and below the wings of an aircraft. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125358 | Integrated Appointment Scheduling And Targeted Advertising - Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for integrated appointment scheduling and targeted advertising. A host website provides an appointment scheduling application for scheduling an appointment. A user searches for a service provider on the host website to make an appointment. The user makes the appointment with the selected service provider on the host website or through multiple communication devices. The appointment scheduling application translates the appointment from the communication devices by integrating the appointment made on the host website and the appointment made through the communication devices in an appointment calendar on the host website. The appointment scheduling application schedules the appointment of the user with the selected service provider. The user is notified with a confirmation message and appointment reminder messages upon scheduling of the appointment. The method and system disclosed herein further inserts targeted advertisements with the confirmation messages, appointment reminder messages, and electronic newsletters. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125359 | INTEGRATING A METHODOLOGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH PROJECT TASKS IN A PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Systems and methods are described for integrating a methodology management system with a project management system (“the system”). In some embodiments, the system can generate a project plan based on a project template. A project template can include a project task, an education component corresponding to the project task, a compliance factor, and a document creation rule. In various embodiments, the system includes a project management template for use with a project management tool; a synchronization engine that synchronizes data of the project management tool with an external data source; and a workflow engine that causes a workflow step to be performed based on a state of the project task. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125360 | WORKFLOW SUPPORT APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, WORKFLOW SUPPORT SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - A user who instructs execution of reading of a paper document in which workflow information is embedded is authenticated. The workflow information contains responsible person information and the process order of the steps of a workflow. The workflow information is extracted from the obtained read image. Based on the responsible person information and the process order in the extracted workflow information and authentication information used to authenticate the user, the current step of the workflow of the read paper document is determined. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125361 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PROTECTIVE SERVICES - The present invention relates to a method and system for providing assistance to protective teams in planning, detailing, and organizing protective services. The method and system guides users through the process of capturing relative data and providing a comprehensive set of guidelines to assist protective teams in their duties for protecting people. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125362 | Systems and Methods For Workflow Automation, Adaptation and Integration - Systems and methods for implementing complex and disparate workflows, wherein a flexible framework (system architecture) is used for workflow automation, adaptation and integration. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125363 | Method, apparatus and computer program for employing a frame structure in wireless communication - A frame structure for scheduling radio resources includes a first time slot, followed by a plurality of other time slots each having either a second length, or a first length that is approximately double the second length. Transmissions are sent in downlink ones of the other time slots and received in uplink ones of the other timeslots. In various embodiments, the first length is 1.35 ms/19 symbols and the second length is 0.675 ms/9 symbols; the first timeslot is downlink and has length 0.852 ms/12 symbols; there is an additional guard period of 26 microseconds between the first timeslot and the other timeslot that follows the first timeslot which is uplink and has the first length; there may also be a single symbol between the guard period and that uplink timeslot for uplink signaling; and all other timeslots that are downlink are of the second length. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125364 | FRAMEWORK FOR ACHIEVING A REWARDING RELATIONSHIP - A framework for achieving a rewarding relationship is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a customer service hierarchy including customer service levels, each customer service level having associated demands, determining if the demands of an initial customer service level in the customer service hierarchy are met, upon a determination that the demands of the initial customer service level are met, determining if the demands of the initial customer service level are exceeded, and for each successor customer service level in the customer service hierarchy, determining if the demands of a predecessor customer service level in the customer service hierarchy continue to be exceeded, upon a determination that the demands of the predecessor customer service level continue to be exceeded, determining if the demands of a successor customer service level in the customer service hierarchy are met. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125365 | AUTONOMIC TIME MANAGEMENT CALENDAR SYSTEM - A method, system, and computer program product for autonomically managing a meeting calendar. An Autonomic Meeting Scheduling (AMS) utility detects a set of pre-scheduling data. The AMS utility generates an optimal meeting schedule based upon the set of pre-scheduling data. A meeting invitation is communicated to at least one meeting invitee. The AMS utility detects an invitation reply data from a meeting invitee. Based upon the pre-scheduling data and the invitation reply data, the AMS utility generates and outputs one of at least a meeting probability value (MPV) and a MPV curve. The MPV is a measure of how probable a scheduled meeting will occur. Moreover, a meeting owner may enable the AMS utility to determine whether the MPV has reached a threshold to execute a scheduling decision (i.e., retain a scheduled meeting, reschedule a meeting, or cancel/extinguish a scheduled meeting). | 2009-05-14 |
20090125366 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC ADAPTATION OF WORKFLOWS - A workflow management method for a workflow system comprises registering events recognized by one or more workflows in a workflow event registry, registering new dependency information in an event dependency registry, and registering corrective actions in an event handling directives module. Further, upon receipt of an event, the method comprises identifying workflows that have a dependency associated with the received event, forwarding the event to dependent workflows which recognize the event, determining, with reference to the event handling directives module, corrective actions for dependent workflows which do not recognize the event, and instructing, by way of recognized events, the dependent workflows which do not recognize the event to perform the corrective actions. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125367 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING PRODUCTION PROBLEMS IN OIL FIELD OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for diagnosing production problems in oil field operations are provided. A first video monitor displays an oil field diagnosis process flow chart that includes selectable objects such as Review Well Test Differences, Review Sliders, Review Bad Actors, and Perform Steam Flood Performance Check. Each selectable object is associated with one or more incompatible domain-specific software applications. One or more of the selectable objects are selected and one or more additional video monitors display reports extracted by a middle-ware software code segment layer from the associated domain-specific software applications. Oil wells having production problems are listed and problem oil wells are displayed on an oil field map. Any commonalities among the displayed problem oil wells indicative of a common cause of the production problems are visually identified. Work is scheduled in the associated domain-specific software applications sufficient to remedy the common cause. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125368 | System and Method for Scheduling Work Orders - A method of scheduling work orders maintained within an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system comprises maintains key performance indicator (KPI) information associated in real-time with the work orders. The KPI information is present to facilitate decisions related to the scheduling. In response to user input scheduling selected work orders, changes to selected work orders may be committed in the ERP system Orders may be tentatively scheduled and tentative changes maintained without committing to the ERP system. KPI information may be updated for the tentative changes and presented. Further the method may comprise receiving user input specifying a particular date to schedule to; receiving user input to specify particular work orders to schedule; receiving user input to schedule the particular work orders to the particular date; and tentatively scheduling in accordance with said user input to schedule. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125369 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND DISPOSITIONING MONEY LAUNDERING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ALERTS - A system and method for analyzing, dispositioning, recording, reviewing, and managing potentially suspicious financial transactions. In some cases, the system models the steps taken by a subject matter expert to reach a conclusion so that a novice can follow similar steps and have the system generate a narrative of the steps taken and the conclusion that was reached. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125370 | DISTRIBUTED NETWORK FOR PERFORMING COMPLEX ALGORITHMS - The cost of performing sophisticated software-based financial trend and pattern analysis is significantly reduced by distributing the processing power required to carry out the analysis and computational task across a large number of networked individual or cluster of computing nodes. To achieve this, the computational task is divided into a number of sub tasks. Each sub task is then executed on one of a number of processing devices to generate a multitude of solutions. The solutions are subsequently combined to generate a result for the computational task. The individuals controlling the processing devices are compensated for use of their associated processing devices. The algorithms are optionally enabled to evolve over time. Thereafter, one or more of the evolved algorithms is selected in accordance with a predefined condition. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125371 | Domain-Specific Sentiment Classification - A domain-specific sentiment classifier that can be used to score the polarity and magnitude of sentiment expressed by domain-specific documents is created. A domain-independent sentiment lexicon is established and a classifier uses the lexicon to score sentiment of domain-specific documents. Sets of high-sentiment documents having positive and negative polarities are identified. The n-grams within the high-sentiment documents are filtered to remove extremely common n-grams. The filtered n-grams are saved as a domain-specific sentiment lexicon and are used as features in a model. The model is trained using a set of training documents which may be manually or automatically labeled as to their overall sentiment to produce sentiment scores for the n-grams in the domain-specific sentiment lexicon. This lexicon is used by the domain-specific sentiment classifier. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125372 | Contextual Ad Matching Strategies that Incorporate Author Feedback - An ad matching system that includes an interactive client permits a triggering Web page author to provide feedback on a candidate advertisement for the page. Author feedback is used to rank ads for display on the triggering page. Preferably author feedback is also incorporated into ad clustering and/or ad ranking formulae within the system. Also, author credibility is judged based on author feedback and on click through rates of placed ads. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125373 | DATA VALIDATION WITHIN MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS PLANNING - A method and system for validating data and providing on-time updates within a multi-enterprise material requirements planning environment. A method of validating materials requirements planning (MRP) results includes determining when a current aggregate demand of a part number is greater than or less than a previous aggregate demand of the part number by a first predetermined tolerance. The method also includes identifying at least one driver of the part number in which a current demand is greater than or less than a previous demand by a second predetermined tolerance. Additionally, the method includes generating a report comprising the at least one driver, the current demand, and the previous demand. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125374 | INTELLIGENT ADVERTISING BASED ON MOBILE CONTENT | 2009-05-14 |
20090125375 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FORECASTING PRODUCT DEMAND DURING PROMOTIONAL EVENTS USING A CAUSAL METHODOLOGY - An improved method for forecasting and modeling product demand for a product during promotional periods. The forecasting methodology employs a multivariable regression model to model the causal relationship between product demand and the attributes of past promotional activities. The model is utilized to calculate the promotional uplift from the coefficients of the regression equation. The methodology utilizes a mathematical formulation that transforms regression coefficients, a combination of additive and multiplicative coefficients, into a single promotional uplift coefficient that can be used directly in promotional demand forecasting calculations. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125376 | ADVERTISEMENTS ON MOBILE DEVICES USING INTEGRATIONS WITH MOBILE APPLICATIONS - A method for delivering advertisements to mobile devices includes integrating an ad position within an application executable from a mobile device, wherein the ad position remains substantially constant in a location on a screen of the mobile device as viewed by a user throughout use of the application; including an ad call associated with the ad position; in response to executing the application, causing the ad call to retrieve an advertisement from an ad server; and receiving the advertisement into the ad position by the mobile device for display to the user. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125377 | PROFILING SYSTEM FOR ONLINE MARKETPLACE - A profiling system provides customized, relevant, and targeted experience to customers of its clients throughout various touch points in an online marketplace. The profiling system utilizes gathered data on customers such as online marketplace behavior, subscriber information, usage, and the like to determine relevant segments for the customers. The segments are created and modified based on default and/or client defined rules. Intersections of these elements are used to classify subscribers of the marketplace into the segments on a periodic basis. Customized content such as tailored advertisements, engagement messages, customer relations communication, etc., are then provided to the subscribers based on the segments. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125378 | System and Method For Eliciting Subjective Probabilities - A system and method for dynamically interacting with a human expert by means of a graphical user interface to elicit subjective probabilities that can subsequently be utilized in a probabilistic network. After the qualifications of an expert are obtained, the graphical user interface presents the expert with a series of questions. To assure that relatively accurate and consistent probabilities are subsequently provided by the expert, the graphical user interface incorporates numerous novel features that are designed to mitigate the effects of various biases that otherwise tend to skew the results acquired in traditional probability elicitation processes. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125379 | METHOD TO FACILITATE ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A COMPANY AND A RECRUITER INCLUDING A BOUNTY - The present invention includes a method to facilitate engagement and communication between a company with an available position and a recruiter. The method includes the steps of posting information about the available position for the company, and receiving information about a candidate for the available position of the company from the recruiter, and submitting the information about the candidate for the available position of the company to the company. The method further includes the step of receiving payment from the company and transmitting a portion of the payment to the recruiter upon the selection by the company of a candidate for the available position. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125380 | System and method for location based suggestive selling - A system for providing a location based offer, including: an offer element, in a processor for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; and a memory unit for the computer. The offer element: generates, using the processor and a first set of rules or a first artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit, at least one respective offer for an item or service from at least one business entity, the offer for display on a map showing respective locations for the at least one business entity; transmits, according a second set of rules or a second artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit, the at least one respective offer to a wireless communications device (WCD) for display on a map by the WCD, the map including the respective locations; and receives, from the WCD a selection of an offer from among the at least one respective offer. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125381 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING DOCUMENTS RELATING TO A MARKET - Methods of identifying web documents as relating to a market domain that would ordinarily be considered unrelated are presented. Market domain criteria can be defined that provide for classifying web documents as being related to the domain. The documents classified as related to the market domain form a training sample of documents used to establish correlations among brand term combinations found within the documents. If correlations are established among the terms in a combination, the term combinations can be assigned a similarity score indicating how similar the terms are considered to be. The term combinations can be used to search for additional web documents that could pertain to the market domain but would otherwise fail to satisfy the market domain criteria. The search results can be presented via a computer interface according to similarity scores. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125382 | Quantifying a Data Source's Reputation - Methods of quantifying a reputation for a data source are presented. Historical documents having opinions and that are attributed to a data source are identified. The opinions preferably are quantifiable and can be converted into a predication. As the predications are verified, the data source is assigned one or more predication scores indicating the accuracy of the predications. A reputation score for a new document having a new predication can be assigned to the data source as a function of the predictions scores from the historical documents, data source affiliations, document topics, or other parameters. The reputation score relating to the new document can be presented to a user via a computer interface as a single-value, or multiple values corresponding to different topics. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125383 | Participation profiles of virtual world players - A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A participant or player can participate in various virtual world activities including transactions to acquire virtual products, virtual services, and/or virtual items of value. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The participant or player may also have an opportunity of engaging in related real-world activities and transactions. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can be involved in the virtual world and real-world activities and transactions. Some embodiments include arrangements for real-world informational data to be made available in the virtual world environment to a participant or player, based on virtual world activities related to a topic of interest to a real-world entity. Other embodiments provide for making a profile record for use by a real-world entity, wherein the profile record may include particular types of participation activity by a participant or player in the virtual world environment. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125384 | System for leveraging social networks to market products - A method for marketing financial instruments, goods or services is provided which comprises (a) providing a financial instrument; (b) providing a network which includes sets of network members M | 2009-05-14 |
20090125385 | Method and System For Determining Time-Phased Product Sales Forecasts and Projected Replenishment Shipments For A Retail Store Supply Chain - A time phased forecasting and replenishment system ( | 2009-05-14 |
20090125386 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM - A system and method for operating a customer loyalty program including a computer system accessible on-line by various institutions participating in the customer loyalty program. The computer system includes a data-processing facility for processing inter alia, information relating to participating customers and their loyalty accounts, and information relating to participating institutions. The computer system further includes a storage facility for storing a database of participating customers' information, as well as other relevant information. The system also includes a facility for managing the transfer of relevant information from participating customers and institutions, and for managing the maintenance of the database information stored in the storage facility, including the application of discounted rates of interest to selected financial instruments. The system and method of the invention typically envisages two types of participating institutions, a financial institution shown as lender and a retail institution shown as merchant. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125387 | Electronic Commerce System, Method and Apparatus - An electronic commerce method that includes publishing an offer for a product or service, receiving the published offer and conditionally accepting the offer, and forwarding the conditional acceptance to a matching processor to request the product or service. The matching processor receives the conditional acceptance by the matching processor, determines whether conditions present in the conditional acceptance can be fulfilled, and forwards at least one option for acceptance. The at least one option for selection is displayed and the user, selects any one of the at least one options. Upon selection, a token is provided to the user. The token is configured to be used to redeem the service or product, be transferable to another user device, or to be stored for future redemption of the product or service. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125388 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM OF PERFORMING A SALES AND PROCESS AND SYSTEM OF IMPLEMENTING A SOFTWARE - The present invention refers to methods and systems to carry out a cycle of sales and the implementation of a software. According to a first aspect of the invention, the sales process comprises the steps of disclosing a product or service; carrying out a demonstration of said product or service; implementing or delivering said product or service to client; training client to use said product or service; and providing technical support to client in relation to said product or service; the disclosure step being carried out by electronic means, and the demonstration step is carried out remotely and in real time by a person having a participatory presence, allowing interaction between offerer and at least some of the prospects or clients, and in which the training, implementation and technical support steps are carried out by remote means. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125389 | System and Method for Opportunistically Distributing Promotional Objects - User devices are used to opportunistically distribute promotional objects for advertisers and producers. A promotional object is received by a user device from a source device, which may comprise a distribution system or another user device. The user device adds address information to the promotional object and stores the promotional object in memory. The user device may subsequently transfer the promotional object along with the address information to a target device, which may comprise another user device or a data collection system. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125390 | Establishment of Payment Accounts Prior to Installation or Activation of An Institutional Phone System - A method of establishing inmate telephone system payment accounts generally includes: identifying an institution in which a new inmate telephone system will be activated; notifying potential customers regarding the activation of the new inmate telephone system prior to installation and/or activation of the new inmate telephone system; and establishing a payment account for at least one customer prior to activation and/or installation of the new inmate telephone system. Notification may be through mail, signage, business cards, flyers, pre-recorded messages, and the like, and preferably occurs sufficiently in advance of installation and/or activation of the new inmate telephone system to permit customers to establish payment accounts such that calls may be placed to the customers almost immediately after activation of the new inmate telephone system. Accounts may be created and funds may be deposited over the Internet or over the phone (either through IVR or live CSRs). | 2009-05-14 |
20090125391 | SHARING AND MONETIZATION OF CONTENT - Embodiments of the invention provide a method, comprising hosting content on behalf of content owners who own the content; enabling content sharers to share the content through the creation of links to the content; generating revenue through the use of the content; and sharing said revenue with the content owners and the content sharers. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125392 | Method of displaying auction listing information on auction calendar using asynchronous Web service - A method was designed to facilitate the advertisement of land auction listings for an online audience. The method includes displaying auction listing information on the Auction Calendar using Asynchronous Web Service. Wherein the advertised auction events are displayed according to the advertisement period on the graphically presented calendar. An Asynchronous Web Service is implemented to organize a user-orientated interface to automatically provide a list of auction events from the server without interrupting the user's actions. The listing is displayed as the user places the cursor over the dates in the calendar. The method allows the user to update the date and view the auction listings for a chosen date in real-time, to filter and manipulate the auction event data without refreshing the page. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125393 | System and method for utilizing account tiers in an electronic network - A system and method for utilizing account tiers in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are configured to perform content transfers for obtaining desired content items directly over the peer-to-peer network, or from a CDN server device. The client devices generate account-tier selections to choose from among the supported account tiers. A tier manager monitors, updates, and stores the tier selections from the client devices. The tier manager also calculates content prices that vary depending upon the particular selected account tier. The client devices then pay the appropriate designated content prices for accessing and utilizing desired content items. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125394 | Wireless communications device as in-store assistant - A method for using a wireless communications device, including the steps of: determining, using an interface element and a processor in at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, that at least one wireless communications device (WCD) is located in a retail location; generating, using the processor, a query; outputting, using the processor and the interface element, the query for transmission to the at least one WCD; receiving, using the interface element, a reply to the query transmitted from the at least one WCD; generating, using the processor, a message responsive to the reply; and outputting, using the processor and the interface element, the message for transmission to the at least one WCD. In one embodiment, the reply is regarding locating an item and the message includes a location for the item. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125395 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY OF TARGETED COMMERCIAL MESSAGES - A method for delivery of targeted commercial messages. The method comprises assembling a plurality of potential purchaser profiles in an electronic file for presentation to at least one potential advertiser of goods or services applicable to a substantial portion of the plurality of potential purchasers, developing commercial message selection criteria for selecting from the potential purchasers those suited to receive a specified commercial message contained in a set of commercial messages, applying the commercial message selection criteria to the purchaser profiles to identify the potential purchasers suited to receive specified commercial messages, and presenting over a data network to a potential purchaser identified as suited, the specified commercial messages. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125396 | System and method for generating and transmitting location based promotional offer reminders - A computer-based system for generating and transmitting a location based offer reminder, including: an interface element for at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer; a memory element for the computer, the memory element storing a record of at least one communication sent to at least one wireless communications device (WCD); and a reminder element, in a processor for the computer. The reminder element is for: identifying, using the interface element, the at least one WCD as being within a prescribed geographical area; determining that a response to the communication has not been received; generating at least one reminder regarding the communication; and transmitting, using the interface element, the reminder to a wireless communications network for transmission to WCD. In one embodiment, the reminder element generates the at least one reminder using at least one of a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program stored in the memory unit. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125397 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATING RANKINGS OF JOURNALED INTERNET CONTENT AND CONSUMER MEDIA PREFERENCES FOR USE IN MARKETING PROFILES - A method and system for integrating data-source consumer-preference data and internet-medium consumer-preference data for use in targeted advertising and ranking content. Consumer-preference data is determined based on user-interactions with a data source, such as a set-top-box. The data source is classified based on a monitoring taxonomy that specifies content categories and relationships between the categories. The consumer-preference data and the data source classification are aggregated with other preference and classification data, which is used to rank the data source classification data. Journaled internet data sources are analyzed using the monitoring taxonomy to determine internet-medium consumer-preference data. The journaled internet data sources are ranked based interest level, direction level, or authority level. A content category ranking is computed using the ranking of data source classifications and the ranking of the journaled internet data sources, which can be provided as an advertising data input or a standalone content ranking reporting tool. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125398 | METHODS OF COMPUTING ADVERTISING VALUE THROUGH REAL-TIME AUCTION - A method of soliciting and receiving a bid for placement of an ad on a web browser. The method includes receiving a request from the browser to serve an ad, the request from the browser including information describing browsing activity of the browser. The method also includes soliciting a bid from the at least one advertiser for placement of an ad on the browser; receiving at least one bid from the at least one advertiser for placement of an ad on the browser; evaluating the at least one bid; and placing an ad from at least one advertiser on the browser based on the evaluation of the at least one bid. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125399 | System for targeting advertising to users of a network - A system for targeting advertisements to users of a network is provided. The system comprises (a) a first database having a plurality of advertisements associated therewith, wherein the plurality of advertisements includes a first advertisement which is targeted to a first demographic group; (b) a second database having a plurality of fingerprints associated therewith, wherein each fingerprint comprises demographic information, relating to a user of the network, which has been verified through a subscription to a product; and (c) an advertisement rendering system adapted to render the first advertisement to users who are members of the first demographic group. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125400 | Post-session internet advertising system - The present invention is directed to a post-session advertising system that may be used in media such as computers, personal digital assistants, telephones, televisions, radios, and similar devices. In one preferred embodiment, a first display is viewed in a first platform in the foreground of a media by a viewer. A viewer initiates a load triggering event and in response, a post-session platform is opened to display a post-session display in the background of the media. Significantly, in the preferred embodiment, the post-session platform stays in said background until a view triggering event occurs. The type of platform and display used will depend significantly on the media. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention an optional focus timer is activated by the view triggering event to allow an accurate assessment of the actual time a viewer focuses on the display in the post-session platform. In another alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of post-session platforms is limited to, for example, one platform. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125401 | BIOMETRIC AUTHORIZATION OF AN RF TRANSACTION - A method and system for biometric authorization to facilitate a radio frequency transaction is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system and method is provided for using biometric sample and biometric sample data to authorize completion of an RF transaction. Authorization of biometric sample data may authorize increasing a preloaded value, or using an additional value to supplement the preloaded value, in order to facilitate completion of an RF transaction. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125402 | System and Method for Networked Loyalty Program - The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates implementation of an incentive or loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal rewards currency may be “spent” by participants who have earned rewards and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network created by the system. The network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis on a network level based upon several factors, including a consumer ID, consumer profile, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and/or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in strategic planning and marketing for example. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125403 | REWARDING CONTRIBUTORS TO AN OPEN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM - A method for an open knowledge system accessible via the Internet includes: managing, by a server, access to informational content of the open knowledge system; communicating, from the server to user devices, computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a user device, generate an interface enabling users to contribute to the informational content; and (c) communicating, from the server to user devices, computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a user device, display informational content for a particular topic, and in conjunction therewith, an advertisement of a contributing user who has contributed to the informational content for the particular topic. The displayed advertisement preferably is not displayed in correlation to the contribution of the contributing user to the informational content for the particular topic. As a result of the method, contributors receive the benefit of advertising for them being displayed in conjunction with informational content pertaining to the particular topic. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125404 | Interactive electronic menu system supported by dynamic software package - A software supported dynamic interactive electronic menu system for restaurant/bar and coffee shop related businesses which is intended to replace traditional paper menus is hereby invented. This programmable lightweight menu provides customers with graphic view of menu items on the available screen to simplify the process of placing their orders. Complete information about restaurant food items can save time and avoid possible misunderstanding between waiters/waitresses and customers. It can also assist customers with information about other products within and/or out of the business in question depending on the circumstances. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125405 | POINT OF SALE (POS) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A point of sale (POS) system and a control method thereof are provided. The POS system comprises a bar code scanner scanning a bar code attached to the goods, a key input unit for selectively cancelling or shelving the scanned goods, a POS terminal receiving goods information from the bar code scanner or the key input unit, and a scan/key input indication unit having one or more indication lamps turned on in certain color through receiving a specified data signal from the POS terminal when the bar code scanner scans the bar code of goods, or the key input unit cancels or shelves the scanned goods whereby when a salesperson manipulates the key input unit so as to cancel or shelve the scanned goods by intention or by mistake after the bar code of goods is scanned, the corresponding indication lamp is turned on so that a manager or others as well as the salesperson recognizes the situation. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125406 | Method and Apparatus for Automated Shopper Checkout Using Radio Frequency Identification Technology - A method and apparatus involve: providing a plurality of products that are each associated with a respective radio frequency identification tag; using radio frequency identification technology to automatically identify specific products in a group of products collected by a shopper; and evaluating whether or not to obtain payment from the shopper based on the radio frequency identification of products in the group. Based on the result of the evaluation, either payment is obtained from the shopper on the basis of the radio frequency identification of products in the group, or else the products in the group are audited, and then payment is obtained on the basis of the products identified by the audit. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125407 | METHOD OF PUBLISHING A TICKET ON DEMAND AND APPARATUS THEREOF - The present invention relates to ticket-on-demand issuing method and apparatus capable of purchasing a predetermined performance ticket in advance over a communication network, such as the Internet, and of allowing a user to edit and manufacture the ticket. In the invention, the user purchases the performance ticket in advance, edits the design of the advance ticket in person, and stores the edited ticket. Then, the user is issued the edited ticket through a ticket issuing machine. According to the invention, it is possible for users who purchase, for example, movie, theater, and concert tickets in advance over a communication network, such as the Internet, to edit their own tickets in person and to be issued the edited tickets. Further, ticket purchasers can easily add their avatar images to their own tickets. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125408 | Method of Buying and Selling Goods and/or Services - A method of buying and selling goods. A system administrator maintains an inventory of goods offered by participating merchants. A purchaser selects an item from the inventory and places an order for the selected item with an agent. The agent reports the order to the administrator and a unique transaction number is allocated to the order. The purchaser makes a payment for the item to the agent and the administrator debits a sum for the item from the agent. The administrator passes the order and transaction number to a merchant who makes the item available to a recipient, against the transaction number. The administrator credits the merchant with a sum for the item when it has been acquired by the recipient. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125409 | END-TO-END MANAGEMENT OF CARRIER SERVICES FOR ENTERPRISES AND RESELLERS - The present invention provides a software based system for end-to-end handling of communication services that includes a set of Web based interfaces. The set of Web interfaces can permit a user to view, search and select a set of communication services of different providers, each service being presented with a real-time price for the service. Contracts can be automatically generated for selected ones of the communication services. The contracts can specify the real-time price for each service. An order status of the communication services can be monitored using the set of Web based interfaces. Invoices can be generated for the communication services. When different providers provide the communication services, a single integrated bill can be provided for services of the different providers. Usages of the communication services can be viewed online by selectable user categories, which decompose into per-user usage entries. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125410 | Shared calendar system with automated gift giving - An electronic calendaring system which allows for one universal calendar to be shared over a wide area network—such as the Internet—between multiple users wherein events are placed on the calendar by individual users and are assigned privacy settings which control whom may view the event. Events placed on the shared calendar can be designated as an “action event” and tied to a scheduled action which is automatically executed. More specifically, when the action date arrives, the system of the present invention will run a set of actions/instructions which have been specifically selected and defined by the user—such as automatically sending an e-mail reminder or text message to another user, e-mailing an on-line greeting card, ordering and shipping a paper card, gift card, flowers or any other goods/services to a designated recipient. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a “Gift Wizard” feature which gathers, processes and uses important information from each user to compile an accurate and unique profile for each user in order to help users select gifts for other users. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125411 | Wireless communications device configured to order out of stock items - A method for querying an end user, including the steps of generating, in a processor of a specially programmed general-purpose computer, a query as to whether an item is out of stock at a retail location or missing at the retail location and transmitting the query from an interface element in the general-purpose computer to a communication network for transmission to a wireless communications device located in the retail location. In some aspects, the query includes an option for payment of the order; the method generates an offer regarding an option for gaining possession of the order and transmits the offer to the communication network; or the method determines that the order is available at another retail location, different that the first retail location, generates a notification regarding the availability at the other retail location, and transmitting the notification to the network for transmission to the wireless communications device. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125412 | TOKEN TRADING - The invention concerns trading tokens, such as but not limited to, the trading of virtual trading cards. The invention also concerns a computer system ( | 2009-05-14 |
20090125413 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - A system for and method of electronic content distribution is disclosed. Such content may be electronic book content, newspaper content, magazine content, and other types of content. The system includes: a processor having logic configured for filtering electronic content to remove incorrect information. The electronic content is automatically gathered from one or more content sources external to the system. The system also includes logic for assembling electronic content in a manner indicative of a predetermined template, and distributing the assembled electronic content for transmission at a scheduled time. The system also includes a communication network having an active channel configured to transmit the assembled electronic content. The system also includes a media device configured to receive and display the assembled electronic content when the media device is communicatively coupled to the active channel. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125414 | PRICING AND AUCTIONING OF BUNDLED ITEMS AMONG MULTIPLE SELLERS AND BUYERS - A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPETITIVE PRICING AND PROCUREMENT OF CUSTOMIZED GOODS AND SERVICES - An apparatus and method for selecting a lowest bidding vendor from a plurality of vendors of a customized good or service, including receiving a set of vendor's attributes from each of the plurality of vendors representing their respective capabilities, and receiving an invitation-for-bid data from the buyer defining a custom job for which the buyer desires price quotes or bids. The vendor attributes or the invitation-for-bid, or both, are received through a web browser. The invitation-for-bid is compared to each of the vendor's attributes according to certain standard or optional selection criteria to generate a vendor selection pool of vendors qualified to bid on the job. Each vendor in the vendor selection pool receives a vendor's invitation-for-bid. A bid is received from at least one vendor in the vendor selection pool, the lowest price bid is identified, the buyer is informed of the identity of the selected vendor, and solicited for approval of the selected vendor. Upon receipt of approval from the buyer, an order is issued to the selected vendor. The non-selected vendors in the selection pool are informed of the bid prices and of the selection results. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125416 | System and method of managing a ticket order - A system for managing the production of retail tickets in accordance with a ticket order includes a ticketing services bureau adapted to receive the ticket order and a print center to print tickets in accordance with the ticket order. The system additionally includes a client connected to the ticketing services bureau via an electronic network. As part of an interactive ticket proofing process, the client is capable of electronically retrieving an on-screen ticket proof from the ticketing services bureau and, if necessary, dynamically modifying the on-screen ticket proof in real time. The ticketing services bureau then generates an output data file based on the original ticket order, the edited on-screen ticket proof and print characteristics of the printer that will execute the ticket order. In this manner, the print center uses the output data file to generate tickets that closely resemble the on-screen ticket proof approved by the client. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125417 | METHOD FOR CONDUCTING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION - A method for conducting an e-commerce transaction between a user and a merchant is disclosed. The user has a customer account with a communication provider operating a first communication network. The customer account includes personal information about the user. The method includes the steps of: a) establishing communication between the user and the communication provider over the first communication network; b) authenticating the user to the communication provider; c) selecting a product from the merchant for the e-commerce transaction; d) retrieving the personal information about the user from the customer account; and e) completing the e-commerce transaction. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125418 | Automated Quoting Of Molds And Molded Parts - A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be molded to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of mold manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be manufactured in a two-piece, straight-pull mold, and whether the mold can by CNC machined out of aluminum. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125419 | Method and System for Selling Complex Products on a Distributed Network Using Syndicated Services - A software object representing a product to be sold on an Internet-based web site is automatically transmitted from a central computer system to a requesting browser at the direction of a remote user. Upon receipt, the browser executes the object, rendering sufficient structure, style and descriptive attributes such that the remote user is able to configure and prepare for purchase, within a single page-view, a complex product with multiple interdependent variations against a complex pricing model with no further interaction with the central computer system. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125420 | WEB-BASED INFORMATION DELIVERY METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS - A method and system based on an enhanced publish-subscribe information delivery model for delivering information from information publishers to information subscribers on an Intranet or the Internet is disclosed. The invented system includes a centralized subject catalog that contains a hierarchy of categories with built-in functionality of browsing, searching, and navigation. Information publishers list information subjects in the appropriate categories in the subject catalog and publish information subsequently in terms of issues for the subject listings. Information subscribers find and make subscriptions to desired subject listings in the catalog. Then, the issues published by the publishers for the subject listings are delivered to and only to the corresponding subscribers in a timely manner. While emphasizing timeliness, the invented method and system permits great flexibility in information publication, subscription, and delivery. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125421 | Methods and Systems for Selling Picture Frame Products Through Retailers - A method of increasing sales for a retailer of framing products is disclosed. The method includes providing a software application to the retailer of framing products. The retailer has a line of framing products including retail framing products for offering to consumers. The software application includes a database of wholesale framing products not included in said retail framing products to thereby expand the line of framing products offered to consumers by the retailer. The method also includes receiving from the retailer a purchase order for at least one of the wholesale framing products, and fulfilling the purchase order received from the retailer. The purchase order is taken by the retailer from a consumer using the software application | 2009-05-14 |
20090125422 | Methods and Systems for Selling Picture Frame Products Through Retailers - A method of increasing sales for a retailer of framing products through a retail website is disclosed. The retailer has a line of framing products including retailer framing products. The method includes providing a back-end database including wholesale framing products not included in said retail framing products. The database is hosted by at least one computer in communication with a computer network. The method includes generating a retail website to provide the line of framing products including at least a portion of said wholesale framing products to a consumer via the computer network and receiving from the retailer a purchase order for at least one of the wholesale framing products. The purchase is order taken by the retailer from the consumer via the retail website. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125423 | SYSTEM FOR SELLING, BUYING, LENDING, AND RENTING VIRTUAL REGION AND METHOD THEREOF - The right for correlating a region or an existence with a virtual region in a virtual world structured in for example the Internet is sold, bought, lent, or rented. For example, when a buyer bought a virtual region from a seller, the virtual region of the seller is correlated with a virtual region of the buyer in a link method, a paste method, or a projection method. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125424 | Method and device for indicating future need for product replacement of random use dispensing - A method is presented for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval. The inventive method includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval; comparing the quantity remaining with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Based on the usage, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval. A dispenser incorporating such method is also described. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125425 | AUDITABLE MERCHANDISE DELIVERY USING AN ELECTRONIC BILL OF LADING - A method for auditable tracking of a shipment is described. The method includes providing instructions for execution on a server and for execution on a mobile device. The instructions for execution on the server include at least one code segment configured to: receive a request from a shipper to ship a plurality of goods, receive logistics information from a logistics company in response to the request form the shipper, receive from the shipper a bill of lading (BOL), and receive from the logistics company data identifying a quantity of the plurality of goods that was delivered. The instructions for execution on the mobile device include at least one code segment configured to: enable a user to edit the BOL responsive to an inspection by the user of the delivered plurality of goods, and provide the edited BOL to the server, the shipper, and the logistics company. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125426 | Systems and Methods for Settling an Allocation of an Amount Between Transaction Accounts - A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125427 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING RISK RATINGS FOR USE IN PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSACTIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for determining a risk rating associated with a subject to support a person-to-person transaction. The system includes a profile device in communication with a database that includes personal information and history information associated with the subject. The profile device includes a profile engine stored on a computer-readable medium. The profile engine can access the personal information to authenticate the subject and access the history information to generate a risk rating for the subject. The risk rating is generated by scoring the history information using pre-set criteria. The profile engine can output the risk rating to a reviewer identified by the subject. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125428 | Method and system for enhanced distribution of financial instruments - An issuer models financial instruments (e.g., proposed securities) with initial financial parameters to facilitate defining a financial instrument with final financial parameters for actual issuance in the primary offering. The issuer models the initial financial parameter data associated with a corresponding proposed financial instrument based on at least market data relevant to the issuance of the proposed financial instrument. The initial financial parameter data is communicated between an issuer and an underwriter in a posting document via a communications network. The issuer and the underwriter collaborate via electronic communications to determine the final financial parameters of a financial instrument to be issued in the primary offering based on the initial parameter data and an agreement between the issuer and the underwriter. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125429 | Mobile electronic commerce system - The objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile electronic commerce system that is superior in safety and usability. The mobile electronic commerce system comprises an electronic wallet | 2009-05-14 |
20090125430 | SECURE NETWORKED TRANSACTION SYSTEM - A method and system for approving a transaction between a customer and a merchant including the steps of transmitting a transaction request from a customer to a merchant; transmitting a verification request from the merchant to a verification entity, the verification request comprising first data; the customer device transmitting second data to the verification entity; and the verification entity performing a verification step by using the first data and the second data to verify if the transaction should be approved. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125431 | Displayed and dark equity options electronic order book with market maker participation - An enhanced system and method for executing options trades are disclosed. The lead market maker entitlements are integrated with sophisticated order types, including dark order types, so that the lead marker maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the lead market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The lead market maker is not provided an opportunity to price improve to execute with a specific incoming order. Additionally, market makers who are not the lead market maker in an option series may be granted the privileges of a lead market maker for the purpose of executing with a specific incoming directed order if the designated market maker is at the NBBO when a directed order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The system and method disclosed encourages market makers to quote the best price possible, which in turn has the effect of narrowing spreads. Furthermore, as only displayed orders at the NBBO are eligible to execute ahead of market makers quoting at the NBBO, the system and method encourages users to display their best prices and sizes to the marketplace. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125432 | Reverse Auction Based Pull Model Framework for Workload Allocation Problems in IT Service Delivery Industry - A call center system for allocating problem tickets for technical services by using a pull model auction to select an agent to work on the problem ticket. When the call center receives an order for a technical service, it develops a complexity estimate for the tasks specified in the problem ticket, and calculates deadlines for completing the problem ticket and for conducting the auction. Invitations to bid on the problem ticket are sent to potential agents on a bidder's list. The winning bid is selected from among the bids received back from the potential agents, and, after evaluating the bids, the problem ticket is transferred to the winning agent. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125433 | Best pre-match routing (of foreign exchange orders) - This invention relates to a method of matching Foreign Exchange orders in a system comprising a market taker, a third party system and a matching host system. The method comprises the steps of the market taker sending an order to the matching host system and the matching host determining whether the order can be filled. If the order cannot be filled immediately, the matching host duplicates the order and sends a copy of the order to the third party system. Once one of the third party and the matching host become able to fill the order, the matching host cancels the order from the other of the third party and the matching host. It is possible to commit to orders in the matching host and roll back those orders if they have been fully or partially filled in the third party system so that orders are not filled twice. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125434 | Method of handling EFP transactions - This invention relates to a method of handling exchange for physical (EFP) transactions in a system comprising a matching host, at least one customer and at least one market maker. The method comprises the steps of the customer sending an order to the matching host, the matching host normalising the order and on finding a match to the normalised order offered by a market maker, simultaneously generating a spot transaction and a swap transaction before reporting details of the simultaneously generated spot and swap transactions. By normalising the order, the EFP transaction is handled in a very simple and efficient manner, whilst complying with all necessary and relevant regulatory requirements. Furthermore, by simultaneously generating both the spot transaction and a swap transaction to fulfill the order, the matching host fulfills the relevant regulatory requirements to carry out the EFP transaction in a manner that will stand up to subsequent scrutiny. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125435 | Trading Plaftorm System and Method for Diamond and Precious Stone Transactions - The transaction method and system facilitates sales of diamonds or stones. A searchable database of stones includes, for each stone, an offer to sell, a weight-carat, other stone characteristics and an electronic copy of a grading lab certificate which uniquely identifies each stone from all other stones in the database. A search displays, for each stone, the offer and stone weight, stone characteristics and electronic access to the stone's certificate. The system permits a prospective buyer to “buy now,” which closes the transaction at the posted offer, or “bid now” wherein the system logs a bid value and an expiry time. Other bids are posted and displayed, in a primacy order until (a) the seller “buy now at the bid” or (b) withdraws the offer or (c) replaces the offer with a subsequent offer. Preferably, offers: displayed in time sequence and bids: displayed by primacy of price and expiry. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125436 | RENEWABLE ENERGY TRUST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A renewable energy trust system and methods of using same are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a renewable energy trust is funded and the trust funds or a portion thereof are used to develop renewable energy. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125437 | Direct on-line mortgage auction network - The present invention provides a computerized (Internet, online) network for home mortgage borrowers to compete against each other and other mortgage companies (brokers) in an auction format for certain pools of funds. These funds are provided to the auction from the secondary mortgage market in pools on a daily (hourly) basis. The present invention provides qualified participants with a direct link to the secondary mortgage market, hence bypassing some middlemen (wholesalers and retailers) in the process. Participants go to a common Web site and complete a loan application. The participants then electronically submit the loan application to the common Web site. The loan application is then underwritten, and if approved, the participant is issued an approval code. With the approval code, the participant can then submit a bid at the auction. Subsequent to the approval of the bid, the borrower can close escrow at the interest rate and the bid price. The auction can change on a daily (hourly) basis, as pricing of the loan products is in real time figures. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125438 | TRADING TOOL TO ENHANCE STOCK AND COMMODITY INDEX EXECUTION - The invention provides systems and methods for providing replicable financial instrument orders, and establishing a fill price that is better than the theoretical upper limit of the industries' best order execution. The system has the capability of transforming a client's index order into a replicable product, such as index futures and/or baskets of the underlying stocks. The system selects whichever method and combination of securities that will achieve the best expected execution for the particular market. The system achieves the best price and execution efficiency by utilizing dynamic market information across all possible liquidity formats, liquidity pools, and high performance trading systems, delivering a product that has multiple forms at the best possible price. The result is a better final execution price that outperforms current industry practices for best order execution. The system delivers the fill order in the original liquidity format at the price, or equivalent price, of the replicable product. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125439 | MACROECONOMIC-ADJUSTED CREDIT RISK SCORE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatically compensating an individual's credit risk score for macroeconomic data. In particular, various embodiments provide systems and methods to determine a macroeconomic risk score. In addition, various embodiments provide systems and methods to determine an adjusted credit risk score for an individual based on the individual's credit risk score and a macroeconomic risk score that serves as a scale adjuster to keep overall delinquency and/or loss rates in line as economic factors change. | 2009-05-14 |
20090125440 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPROVING CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS - This invention relates generally to software, and more specifically, to methods and systems for approving credit card transactions when the purchaser is different from the credit card owner. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method having the steps of receiving an identification of a ware for purchase from a purchaser; receiving contact information for an approver, the approver being different from the purchaser; preparing a purchase order having a payment amount for the ware identified by the purchaser; electronically notifying the approver of the purchase order using the contact information; electronically receiving an approval of the purchase order from the approver, the approval including authorization to charge a credit card of the approver for the payment amount; and processing the credit card for the payment amount. | 2009-05-14 |