24th week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 66 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100153189 | Method and apparatus for processing responses from a remote, live audience - A system and method for audience participation with a broadcast, such as a radio or television program distributed via terrestrial or satellite broadcast and IPTV multicast, is described. The system provides a distributed application architecture that self-organizes the audience's computers, including PCs, mobile devices, and set-top boxes, so that they work together and distribute the audience-participation communications and processing load so as to not overburden any one machine or communication channel. This same technique ensures that no over reliance is placed on one machine or channel. The system is arbitrarily scalable, without requiring significant infrastructure enhancements, with o(log n) response times. This allows live, real-time audience interactions such as voting or participation as a contestant, with live, real-time feedback to the studio originating the broadcast. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153190 | VOTING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - An apparatus and system for casting votes electronically comprises both a host server and a plurality of voting machines at various remote locations. First “user identifying information” for a plurality of potential users who are registered to use the system is pre-stored in memory, either at the host server or at a voting machine, or both. Second “user identifying information” is entered by a user of the voting machine at the time the user wishes to vote. A display on the voting machine presents to the user voting information concerning at least one voting matter for which the user is to make a voting selection. A processor in either the host server or the voting machine, or both, compares the second user identifying information entered by the user of the voting machine with the first user identifying information, if any, previously stored in memory. The user of the voting machine is authorized to make a voting selection on the voting matter if the first and second user identifying information relating to this user are substantially similar. When a voting selection is made by an authorized user of the voting machine, the processor in the host server counts it as a vote. In this way, only users authorized to cast a vote are allowed to vote and the voting selections from all such authorized users who cast a vote are counted. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153191 | VARIABLE TOLL FEE SELECTION FROM GEOGRAPHIC INDICIA - Methods, including service methods, systems, articles, programmable devices and articles of manufacture are provided for selecting and applying variable thoroughfare travel fees. Each of a plurality of differentiated impacts associated with a toll thoroughfare are determined, each of the impacts different from another. Each of the impacts are correlated with geographic impact regions, each impact region is proximate to the toll thoroughfare and geographically distinct from another. Travel fees are assigned to each impact region, each assigned impact region travel fee different from another. Use of the toll thoroughfare by a traveler is determined, a relation of the traveler to one of the impact regions identified and a toll is charged as a function of the determined toll thoroughfare use and the travel fee of the associated impact region. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153192 | TRAVEL FEE RATE SETTING BASED UPON TRAVEL MODE AND CONVENIENCE - Methods, including service methods, articles of manufacture, systems, articles and programmable devices are provided for charging a travel fee as a function of an ease of access to a travel option. A plurality of travel options is provided and ranked as a function of different environmental-friendliness values. Each of a plurality of different rates are set for each of the travel options, the rates set progressively lower as a function of a ranking of the travel option environmental-friendliness values. In response to a traveler selecting and using one of the travel options, an ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option is determined and a travel fee charged as a function of the rate set for the selected travel option and the determined ease of access of the traveler to the selected travel option. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153193 | VARIABLE-RATE TRANSPORT FEES BASED ON HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS - A system and method are responsive to actual or anticipated weather changes that are likely to have an adverse effect on roadway driving conditions in a given vehicle use area. Based on the anticipated severity of the weather condition, transport-related road and/or parking tolls and fees are increased in order to discourage unnecessary vehicle travel. Using a communication system such as a transponder network, changes in the tolls and fees can be transmitted to toll collection agencies, public parking facilities and other governmental and private enterprises responsible for the collection of vehicle transport fees. Rate change information and details of weather changes can also be transmitted to vehicles likely to be affected by the adverse condition and the consequent change in these fees. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153194 | System, Device and Method for Incorporating Randomly Selected Prizes with Transactions - The present invention provides a system, method and device for issuing random benefits to users of transaction cards and other personally identifying transaction instruments. The present invention provides a network accessible by various input devices or terminals, wherein the devices can receive a personally identifying transaction instrument and determine a user account associated therewith. When the personally identifying transaction instrument is presented as part of a transaction, the system of the present invention determines whether the user is to receive a benefit. If so, the system of the present invention selects a benefit at random from a pool of benefits and presents it to the user. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153195 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOFTWARE PRODUCTS - A system and method for selling software products over a network. The system includes a server computer with access to software products. The system is configured to allow a user to purchase a subscription for the periodic acquisition of selected software products. In one embodiment, as part of the subscription, the user pays an amount during selected billing intervals. In return, the system issues to the user a number of credits for downloading at no additional charge at least one of the software products during a credit interval, which may be equal in length to the billing interval. In one embodiment, the system debits a number of credits in response to fulfilling a user's purchase request. The system may be also configured to deduct credits that are not used within selected credit intervals. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153196 | ENHANCED CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - One exemplary embodiment of the disclosure provides a method to publish campaign data in an electronic environment. The exemplary method includes querying a database to select campaign metadata ready to publish to a target channel system and determining a plurality of value users as a subset of all end users. The value users are determined so that one or more coupons are automatically generated and distributed to each of the value users. A value of the coupon is based on a set of pre-defined criteria including a volume of business generated by the value user or how negatively impacted the value user was based on a negative purchase experience (e.g., product not as described or never received). The target channel system is selected from a plurality of channel systems based on a target indicating attribute of the campaign metadata. The packaged campaign metadata is transferred to the target channel system. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153197 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING SERVICE - There is provided an advertising service providing method and apparatus capable of reducing a load of an advertising cost on an advertiser and increasing participation in an advertisement when providing advertising services via a wired or wireless communication network and a broadcasting network, the method including: collecting persons waiting for participating in an advertisement, determining a number of the persons, receiving a request of an advertiser for inserting an advertisement, determining a target number of advertisement participants and a target class with respect to the requested advertisement within a range of the persons, calculating an advertising cost and a total amount of winning/prize money in proportion to the determined target number of advertisement participants, providing the advertisement to the persons, the providing the advertisement is finished when a number of persons participating in the provided advertisement reaches the determined target number of advertisement participants, determining a prizewinner from the advertisement participants, and providing the determined total amount of winning/prize money to the prizewinner. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153198 | System and Method for Providing Incentives to Purchasers - An online system presents remote users with static incentives, dynamic incentives and the ability to create and submit customizable incentives related to goods or services of interest to the user. By using the incentive delivery system, the user can research goods or services of interest and in an interactive fashion create an incentive package most desirable to the user and submit same to a central location. The systems performs decisioning routines on submitted incentive requests and makes such requests available for review. Ultimately, the submitted requests may be accepted or rejected or a counter-incentive may be issued to the user for consideration. A manufacturer, such as an automobile manufacturer, can offer incentives direct to its consumers and enter into an electronic dialogue with its customers to help drive profits and sales in the most efficient manner. For instance, where certain models of vehicles are in over-supply in a certain geographic region a manufacturer may in real-time tailor its incentive offerings to help account for seasonal or other demand events. Further, the manufacturer can in real-time see the response to its incentives offerings and make appropriate changes to insure the desired result of its marketing efforts is obtained. A graphical user interface enables the remote user to search products or services of interest and to selectively build desired incentives and submit same for acceptance. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153199 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EMULATING A PRIVATE LABEL OVER AN OPEN NETWORK - According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for emulating a private label network over an open network where settlement occurs at varying discount rates with one or more merchants or providers. A computer implemented method and system for settling a transaction at a discount rate may include receiving an authorization record for the transaction initiated by a customer over an open payment network; identifying payment plan data associated with a transaction; creating a settlement record based at least in part on the authorization record and the payment plan data; determining a discount rate for the settlement record; and settling with a provider for the transaction at the discount rate. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153200 | PAY YOURSELF FIRST WITH AUTOMATED DATA INPUT - The system encourages users to not only pay themselves first, but to pay themselves first in the largest amounts possible, even if they are not able to fully pay outstanding debts. The system obtains information related to the user's income, income sources, user's debts (e.g., bills) and user's goals. The system provides recommendations related to the prioritization of paying certain bills and the amount to pay for each bill based upon, for example, savings goals, minimizing penalties/fees associated with user's debts, minimum amounts due, due dates and available income. The system and/or the user may then determine a payment hierarchy which includes transferring funds to the user's savings account prior to paying all or a portion of certain bills, wherein the transfer of funds may include different funds transfer systems and methods. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153201 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FOOD AND GROCERY MULTI-MEDIA CONTENT TO CONSUMERS USING WIDGETS - A system and method ( | 2010-06-17 |
20100153202 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE TO SELECT A DEPOSIT PRODUCT OFFERED BY A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION - A computer device is provided for implementing a system configured to encourage a customer to deposit monetary funds in a deposit product serviced by a financial institution, and encourage transactions between a customer and a business entity. The computer device detects a plurality of qualified transactions between the customer and at least one business entity associated with the financial institution. The computer device further notifies the financial institution of the detected transactions upon expiration of the transaction period, such that an increased interest rate can be applied to the deposit product during a reward period. In some instances, the computer device issues a reward credit to the customer in response to the detected at least one qualified transaction. The reward credit is redeemable in exchange for a reward corresponding to a redemption value of the reward credit. Associated systems and methods are also provided. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153203 | TECHNOLOGY MIGRATION PROGRAM - A program by which retailers offer customers an exchange of older technology for newer technology. The older technology and newer technology have a common characteristic that facilitates the retailer to give the customer the newer technology for a reduced cost. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153204 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING ITEM PRICE NOTIFICATION TO A MOBILE DEVICE - An exemplary system for delivering an item price notification to a mobile device can include a processor, an inventory database including a plurality of inventory items, and a memory that is in communication with the processor. The memory can be configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of an exemplary method. An exemplary method can include querying the inventory database to determine if an inventory item meets a price reduction threshold, generating the item price notification including a sale price for the inventory item, if the inventory item meets the price reduction threshold, and transmitting the item price notification to the mobile device. The query can be invoked by the mobile device being proximate the inventory item, such as the mobile device being located at a merchant premises. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153205 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC MESSAGE (COUPON) DISTRIBUTION - A system and method for creating and retrieving coupons using an electronic coupon database includes registering coupons with the database by a vendor, and then registering cell phones, also with the database; so that cell phones subsequently can request coupons from the database. The coupons are encrypted and sent to the requesting registered cell phone, which then decrypts the coupons for display and redemption at a point of sale. Provision is made to prevent the transfer of coupons from the requesting cell phone to some other cell phone in the system. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153206 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SAVINGS BASED UPON COMBINATION PURCHASES AT A RETAIL LEVEL - A method of providing rewards to a customer based upon purchasing multiple items. The method comprises offering a group of multiple products for sale, providing a reward to the customer for each product of the group that is purchased, and providing a bonus reward to the customer when each product of the group is purchased. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153207 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONSUMER SERVICES WITH A TELEMATICS SYSTEM - A telematics unit monitors location information and a vehicle information bus for diagnostic and other vehicle information and a request for services command initiated with hardware coupled to the telematics unit, remotely from another device, or automatically upon the occurrence of a vehicle trigger. The telematics unit composes a request message that includes vehicle location information and an indicator of a type of services requested, and transmits the message to a telematics server. The server performs a table lookup to find entries containing information of requested services available within a predetermined range of the vehicle. The server transmits a response message to the telematics unit, or other device, for presentation of the requested information. The response message may include a file containing promotional information relative to the service provider(s). The TCU may transmit a message that includes metrics relative to how a user played the promotional information file. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153208 | Managing Sponsored Content Based on Usage History - Improved search capabilities are disclosed for mobile communications devices such as cell phones, as well as improved techniques for delivering sponsored content in a mobile communication environment. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153209 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING CANDIDATE RECIPES FOR CONSUMERS USING WIDGETS BASED ON CONSUMER TARGET DATA - A system and method ( | 2010-06-17 |
20100153210 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SELECTING ONLINE ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON CONTENTS SENTIMENT AND INTENTION ANALYSIS - The invention provides an apparatus and method for selecting an online advertisement. An apparatus for selecting an online advertisement based on contents sentiment and intention analysis includes a context analysis unit for analyzing a context of contents, a context matching advertisement recommendation unit for selecting an advertisement matching with the context of the contents from an advertisement database (DB) based on the result of the analyzed context, an sentiment information analysis unit for analyzing an sentiment object and sentiment information variously described in the contents based on the result of the analyzed context, an intention recognition unit for recognizing a writing intention of the contents, and an advertisement selection unit for excluding the selected advertisement for the contents or selecting an alternative advertisement depending on the result of the analyzed context, the result of the analyzed sentiment object and sentiment information and the recognized writing intention. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153211 | Managing Sponsored Content Based on Transaction History - A method for targeted distribution of sponsored content to a plurality of mobile communication facilities includes establishing a competitive bid auction process relating to transaction history characteristics of users of the plurality of mobile communication facilities. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153212 | TRAVEL INDUSTRY MARKETING PLATFORM - Embodiments of the present invention provide travelers with the ability to get travel advice and travel related information from other users by using the collective intelligence of a web-based social network as well as using the social network for creating marketing and advertising opportunities for travel suppliers. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153213 | Systems and Methods for Dynamic Content Selection and Distribution - A method is provided for distributing online content to one or more delivery units. A change in content from one or more sources is detected and gathered in real time. The content is extracted from the one or more sources. The content is matched in real time to a user's interest. The delivery of the content is determined, and the content is transmitted to the one or more delivery units based on the delivery determination. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153214 | Accessing Needs of Customers Based on Dispatched Services - Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a dispatch management system and method. Customer information is received by a first company and forwarded with dispatch instructions to a second company, namely, a dispatch company which handles dispatching a service technician or other support representative to the customer. The dispatch company then sends to the first company customer information regarding products and/or service related to the customer. It is then determined which products and/or services are to be advertised to the customer based on the customer information and information received from the dispatch company. Advertisements are then sent to the customer based on this determination. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153215 | ENHANCED SEARCH RESULT RELEVANCE USING RELATIONSHIP INFORMATION - Systems and methods for utilizing information pertaining to one or more individuals or entities with whom a user has at least one pre-defined type of relationship (e.g., a social networking relationship) and information pertaining to the user's behavior with respect to the one or more individuals (e.g., manual designation, interaction with communications received from and/or sent to the user, and the like) to present relevant search results and/or advertisements to a user in response to receiving a search request are provided. Upon receiving a search request from a user, information about the user's relationships and behavior with respect to those relationships is utilized to determine user-relevant search results and/or advertisements. The search results and/or advertisements that are determined to be relevant to that particular user based upon the user's behavior and presented. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153216 | DETERMINING ADVERTISING CONVERSION - The present disclosure relates to a system and method for determining advertising conversion metrics. In some implementations, a method includes receiving spatial information associated with a user in connection with an advertisement presented through a wireless device | 2010-06-17 |
20100153217 | ONLINE AD DETECTION AND AD CAMPAIGN ANALYSIS - Metrics for online ads are captured by parsing web pages to identify ad beacons containing information identifying whether the online ads are for a particular client. These metrics are used to determine key performance indicators for auditing and competitor analysis for an online ad campaign. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153218 | System and method for scheduling and distributing advertising content to a network of digital displays - A method and system for scheduling and distributing advertisements and other content to a network of out-of-home digital displays via a network is disclosed. The system includes a server for partitioning inventory, creating bookings, assigning content, and generating scheduling data for the display of content on a network of displays. The server may include a review and modification module that permits users to review and change the scheduling data so that inventory is used to its maximum commercial advantage. The server may send content and scheduling data to the various displays in the network. The displays may display the content according to the rules or criteria set forth in the scheduling data. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153219 | IN-TEXT EMBEDDED ADVERTISING - Computer program products, devices, and methods for generating in-text embedded advertising are described. Embedded advertising is “hidden” or embedded into a message by matching an advertisement to the message and identifying a place in the message to insert the advertisement. For textual messages, statistical analysis of individual sentences is performed to determine where it would be most natural to insert an advertisement. Statistical rules of grammar derived from a language model may be used choose a natural and grammatical place in the sentence for inserting the advertisement. Insertion of the advertisement creates a modified sentence without degrading a meaning of the original sentence, yet also includes the advertisement as a part of a new sentence. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153220 | METHOD OF REUSING SHIPPING AND PACKING MATERIALS - A method of reusing a recyclable container comprises receiving information relating to a change in a location of a recyclable container based on a data device situated on the container and causing transfer of a deposit amount based on the change in location. A method of processing reusable materials comprises receiving a reusable packaging material with a data device associated with unique identifier data; associating a condition of the reusable packaging material with the unique identifier data; sorting reusable packaging material to send to manufacturers; and modifying the data associated with said unique identifier data to reflect the number of uses of the container and the destination of the container. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153221 | System and method for managing wireless point-of-sale transactions - A system that enables a wireless point-of-sale transaction. In one embodiment the system comprises an account module, an account selection module, a display, an input interface, and a wireless transmitter. The account module stores account information corresponding to a plurality of payment accounts. The account selection module selects a payment account from the plurality of payment accounts as a default payment account for a wireless point-of-sale transaction based on one or more predetermined criteria. The display displays the default payment account to a user. The input interface enables the user to accept the default payment account by the account selection module. The wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits payment information to a point-of-sale device, wherein the payment information comprises account information associated with the default account when the default payment account is accepted via the input interface. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153222 | PORTABLE DEVICE CONFIGURED TO RECEIVE PRODUCT INFORMATION - A portable device includes a data capture unit and a wireless communication circuit in communication with a control circuit. The data capture unit is configured to receive product information from a product identifier. The wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate with a vendor server storing an electronic catalog that includes a product associated with the product information. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153223 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTERING A CUSTOMER WITH AN ORGANIZATION - The present invention discloses a method, system and computer program product for registering a customer with an organization to enable the customer to use various services through one or more delivery channels. Customer Relationship Information (CRI) and contact information of the customer is captured by the system. A confirmation number is communicated to the customer based on the validity of the CRI. The customer then submits the confirmation number to the system to complete the registration process. The registration is then confirmed based on the validity of the submitted confirmation number. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153224 | Methods and Systems for Account Management of Group Accounts - Account management methods and systems are presented for managing and administering group accounts. A group may establish a financial group account using a novel group account management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The novel group account management system can provide financial transaction-related controls, privileges, tracking, and/or reporting for one or more users, members, and/or sub-group within the group account. A concept of user-specific, member-specific, and/or sub-group-specific privileges is integrated into the novel group account management system to assign a particular user, member, and/or sub-group to an account management level within the group account. Furthermore, a novel concept of user-managed group account-related rules is also integrated into the novel group account management system to empower, restrict, and/or control certain transaction-related actions for at least some users, members, and/or sub-groups. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153225 | Printing Dynamic Image Content on Receipts - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for printing a receipt. Receipt data may be generated at a point-of-sale terminal. At least one value adding message including a graphical image may be automatically selected and dynamic content for the value adding message may be automatically generated. A receipt may be printed by a point-of-sale printer, the receipt including the receipt data, the graphical image, and the dynamic content, wherein the dynamic content is printed in a window embedded within the graphic image. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153226 | PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION DURING MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS - A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153227 | MOBILE PHONE BILLING FOR CONTENT PAYMENT - Mobile phone billing for content payment is described. In embodiments, a media content provider receives a billing identifier that is associated with a mobile phone. The billing identifier is received from a communication service provider that authenticates the mobile phone for communications, and a network communication link is established between the mobile phone and the media content provider via the communication service provider. The media content provider receives a request from the mobile phone to purchase and download a media asset. The media content provider determines the billing identifier that is associated with the mobile phone for the purchase of the media asset, and communicates a charge for the media asset to the communication service provider that then bills a user associated with the mobile phone. The user that is associated with the mobile phone is billed for the media asset in a mobile phone service bill. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153228 | Apparatus and Method for Bundling Application Services With Inbuilt Connectivity Management - An apparatus and method for bundling application services with inbuilt connectivity management comprising launching a software application; detecting a need for connectivity to use the service associated with the software application; establishing connectivity; determining whether connectivity is established; and executing the service associated with the software application utilizing the established connectivity. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153229 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO SUPPLEMENT SEARCH RESULTS RETURNED TO A BUYER OF PARTS - Methods and systems to supplement search results returned to a buyer of parts are described. The system receives a first query from a buyer. The first query includes keywords. The system identifies at least one compatibility keyword included in the keywords. The system further infers that the other keywords in the query are item information that describes a part that is sought for on a network-based marketplace. The system further infers the part has a compatibility based on the compatibility keywords. Next, the system searches a data storage device based on the item information and the compatibility keywords to identify a first listing as matched. Finally, the system presents the first listing describing the matched part. The matched part is indicated as compatible by supplementing the presentation of the first listing with the compatibility keywords from the first query. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153230 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT ONLINE POSTAGE METERING - A system and method for instantly printing PC postage before establishing a postage meter account. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153231 | Process for implementing a method for the on-line sale of software product use licenses through a data network, and software component which allows carrying out said process - Online sale of software product use licenses through a data network by offering software products (SOFT) through vendor sites, purchasing a license on-line on one of said vendor sites, and activating said license on-line by a different licensing site. A specific component (COMP) is provided with the software product (SOFT) and identifying data (IDV) of the vendor site are transmitted during the download of the software product (SOFT). When the component (COMP) is executed in an equipment, the component (COMP) locally accesses said data (IDV) and identifying data (IDL) of the licensing site and activates the license by setting up an on-line communication with the licensing site. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153232 | Electronic Kiosks for Ordering Custom Photographic Frames - A method for selling a custom frame to a consumer via an electronic kiosk substantially dedicated to goods and services related to photographic images is disclosed. The method includes receiving a purchase order for a custom frame from the electronic kiosk and transferring the purchase order to a custom framing facility for producing the custom framing. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153233 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHOPPING - Provided are a system and method for shopping, and more particularly, a system and method for shopping, in which a display device transmits control authority to a content-providing device connected by a predetermined communication network, and the content-providing device receives the control authority, configures a screen, which includes at least a piece of content, according to the received control authority and the results of a service request, and provides the configured screen to the display device so that the configured screen can be displayed on the display device. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153234 | VIEWING AND ORDERING CUSTOMIZED RESIN PANELS THROUGH WEB-BASED INTERFACES - A web-enabled resin panel customization website, hosted through a web portal, provides, through a client computer system, one or more user interfaces configured to receive a plurality of user selections, and provide a realistic display of the resulting output. In one implementation, a processing module overlays transparent portions of images representing a translucent resin substrate with one or more images representing decorative objects, films, or the like. The processing module can also combine pixel information from each of the added/overlain layers. In either case, the processing module sends a combined pixel data stream that can be rendered by a client system, and thus provide a user with a realistic depiction of the user's resin panel selections. The customization website further includes one or more user interfaces that enable a user to store specific resin panel design profiles, and order resin panels corresponding to those specific design profiles. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153235 | ALTERNATIVE SELECTIONS FOR COMPOUND PRICE QUOTING - Methods and systems for automated alternative selection for compound price quotes are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. The search results are evaluated to determine whether they meet a predefined target. When the search results do not meet a predefined target, an alternative specification is identified. At least a second set of search results is retrieved from the database that may be used to meet the target. Vehicles are selected for inclusion in a compound price quote. A compound price quote including multiple price quotes for each selected vehicles is generated. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153236 | AUTOMATED PRICE QUOTE GENERATION - Methods and systems for automated price quote generation are provided. A requesting party submits a request that includes information regarding a geographic location and at least one specification. A database is searched based on the information provided by the request. A price quote is automatically generated based on at least the results of the search and provided to the requesting party. The requesting party may be a potential customer, a dealer, or a third party acting on behalf of the potential customer or dealer. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153237 | PERSONAL CONTENT SERVER APPARATUS AND METHODS - Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153238 | Suggesting a Transaction Between Parties Based on Inventory - A method for suggesting a transaction in the disclosed technology proceeds by comparing an inventory of a transactor with a desired inventory of a plurality of other transactors. A desired inventory of the transactor is also compared with an inventory of the plurality of other transactors. A distance between the at least one transactor and the plurality of other transactors is compared. The plurality of other transactors and the at least one transactor are ranked together based on the comparing and the determining. At least one transaction between the transactor and at least one of the plurality of other transactors is then suggested. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153239 | PROVIDING ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE APPLICATION AS ENTERPRISE SERVICES - Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a services architecture design that provides enterprise services having accounting functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153240 | Providing Payroll Software Application as Enterprise Services - Methods and apparatus, including systems and computer program products, for a service architecture design that provides enterprise services having payroll functionality at the level of an enterprise application. The design includes a set of service operations, process components, and optionally deployment units. Suitable business objects are also described. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153241 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED RECONCILIATION OF PURCHASE ORDERS - A system and method for reconciling transaction data, including identifying one or more transactions to be reconciled; aggregating one or more potential matching purchase orders; and creating a proposal that identifies one or more purchase orders that may correlate to the transaction to be reconciled, wherein creating a proposal comprises performing one or more search iterations to identify one or more purchase orders that fit within one or more parameters of the search iterations. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153242 | Interactive Online Spending Analysis Tool - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to interactively displaying account activity. An analysis of financial transactions associated with a financial unit can be performed by a spending analysis tool, which can display the analysis via a website. The analysis can include, for example, a spending analysis and a budget analysis. The financial transactions are associated with merchants. At least one of the financial transactions is associated with first merchant, a first merchant category, and a member of the financial unit. The spending analysis tool changes the merchant category associated with the at least one of the financial transactions to another merchant category based on a selection of a user. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153243 | Customized Sales Software and Implementation - Customized sales software for consolidating, organizing and integrating data and process flow in a manner especially suited for sales operations. The customized sales software is customized to represent the user company's business process and integrates the user company's applications and data but does not change the user company's existing applications or databases. The sales software is designed in layers to enable seamless integration of legacy systems and external data sources, without requiring change to them, while at the same time enabling the introduction of new interfaces, transactions and processes. Integration with legacy systems and external data sources is possible at different layers within the software and may or may not utilize existing legacy system applications and processes. Generally speaking, integration with legacy systems and data sources may be either one or two way or in real time, depending on the requirements of a particular business process. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153244 | Credit card, credit card systems and method - A credit card and credit card payment system includes a zero-LOC card account having an associated zero-LOC card with a unique identification number and a zero line of credit. The issuer of the zero-LOC card assumes no credit risk. This zero-LOC card account is independent of a funding card account, such that the zero-LOC card is funded, at some point before use, by at least one funds transfer from the funding card account to provide a positive credit balance in the zero-LOC card account. At the point of use, zero-LOC card functions just like a regular credit card except for the fact that a debit/payment transaction on the zero-LOC card is authorized using the available credit balance on the zero-LOC card account instead of the available line-of-credit as in the case of a regular credit card. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153245 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME ACTIVITY-BASED ACCOUNTING - An accounting method and system is disclosed that provides for real time financial accounting of plant performance at a sub-plant level. A multiplicity of process variable transmitters is utilized to sense, in real time, the current state of the processes and process equipment used in a manufacturing plant. Sub-plant accounting modules utilize the sensed process data to calculate a plurality of sub-plant accounting measures, which are stored in one or more real time plant historian. The accounting measures are typically converted to a suitable format and subsequently stored in a production model accounting database where they are accessible to an accounting module. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153246 | POINT CODE TO BILLING ID - A method includes maintaining a repository of location identifiers and billing identifiers, wherein each of a plurality of network devices is associated with a location identifier in the repository, and each location identifier is further associated with at least one billing identifier. The method further includes receiving a communications message; determining a location identifier associated with the communications message; selectively retrieving a billing identifier from the repository based at least in part on the location identifier; and determining a billing rate based at least in part on the billing identifier. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153247 | BALANCE EXCEPTION MANAGEMENT - Systems (and methodologies) that put consumers in control of NSF/OD (Not Sufficient Funds/Overdraft) fee management are provided. In accordance with the innovation, fees are solely dependent on time to cure a negative balance. In aspects, customers are charged a “per day” or “per diem” rate for NSF and/or OD conditions. By charging a per diem rate, customers are incentivized to cure a negative balance as the fee amount increases as time elapses throughout the balance exception cycle. Additionally, customers can be notified of balance exception situations. The notifications can sent based upon policies, preferences, rules or inferences. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153248 | Portable Service Agnostic Access - Methods are disclosed which relate to providing and billing for a service through a network regardless of the type of transport used to access the network. A customer who wishes to have a certain service first selects a transport. Transport options can be limited by the customer's location and bandwidth needs, but not by the service the customer desires. Once a transport option is selected it is installed and the customer receives the service through the transport by accessing a network. If a customer already has a transport and access to a network but desires another service, then the desired service can be simply added onto the existing access and billed accordingly. The transport type and service are calculated independently for billing purposes. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153249 | Making Payment Using Communication Client - Disclosed are a method and a system for making a payment to a third party using a communication client such as a mobile phone. The payment is made through an intermediary platform adapted for establishing communication between the communication client and the third-party subsystem. The intermediary platform receives a call-in request from the communication client, determines whether the communication client has a mobile telephone number, and further determines whether the mobile telephone number has a payment account bound therewith. If affirmative, the intermediary platform accepts a payment request from the communication client, and makes a deduction from the payment account in order to complete the payment. The intermediary platform may also be used to make a payment to the third-party through a network client such as a PC. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153250 | SERVICE UTILIZATION ID NUMBER SETTLEMENT SYSTEM - A settling system has a medium ( | 2010-06-17 |
20100153251 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OZONE GAS DISTRIBUTION - An apparatus and method to distribute ozone is described. In one embodiment, one or more ozone systems are in communication with a control center. The central control center receives ozone quality and delivery data from the ozone systems. The control center processes the ozone quality and delivery data to determine the amount and type of ozone dispensed. The ozone quality and delivery data is also used to generate ozone consumption data used to determine the cost of the ozone gas dispensed to the customer. In one embodiment, the control center generates an ozone usage bill based on the amount of ozone consumed. The control center also may remotely manage the one or more ozone systems such that if a customer exceeds a billing threshold, the control center may turn off the one or more systems. In another embodiment, the one or more ozone systems may be responsive to an allocation processing system that controls the amount of ozone dispensed via a key code. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153252 | PROOF OF MAILING - Methods and systems for providing a proof of mailing service include receiving from a user a designation of a recipient to receive an item to be mailed, and receiving a free-form description of the item. Postage indicia is printed bearing an amount of postage for a mail piece containing the item. In response to the mail piece being processes by a postal authority, a transmission from the postal authority containing a scanned image of the mail piece is received. The recipient is then sent a notification that the item has been mailed, and the notification includes the free-form description of the item and access to the scanned image. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153253 | METHOD OF OPERATING A VENTURE BUSINESS - A method of operating a venture capital investment business, comprising establishing a business entity; the business entity establishing an investment fund; establishing a fund managing entity of the investment fund, the fund managing entity attending to administrative matters relating to the investment fund and making investment decisions for the fund; the investment fund having investors that provide capital contributions to the fund, the fund managing entity also providing capital contributions to the fund, the fund utilizing the contributions to invest in portfolio entities; the investors receiving a general participation interest in the fund, and the fund managing entity receiving a carried interest in the fund; providing the investors that have provided at least a threshold capital contribution to the fund with stock rights in the business entity to enable such investors to become shareholders in the business entity; the business entity securing a portion of IPO shares that become available in the portfolio entities; and the business entity enabling shareholders thereof to purchase IPO shares that become available in the portfolio entities. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153254 | System and Method for Creating and Trading a Digital Derivative Investment Instrument - An investment instrument is disclosed that allows investors to take risk positions relative to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a contingent binary event. The contingent binary event will have one of two possible outcomes. In a digital derivatives contract, a long investor agrees to pay a short investor a contract amount in return for the short investor agreeing to pay the long investor one of two different settlement amounts depending on the outcome as the contingent binary event. Typically, one settlement amount will be zero and the other will be an amount greater than the derivatives contract price. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153255 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATING TO FUTURES TRADING - A method for converting a trading position is expressed in terms of futures contracts into a trading position expressed in terms of at least butterflies of futures contracts. The method comprises: providing a trading position; for the earliest maturity date t | 2010-06-17 |
20100153256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRADING A FUTURES CONTRACT BASED ON A FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT INDEXED TO ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE - A method for trading a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes identifying a securities bundle comprising a first and second security. The first security is associated with a first entertainment event and the second security is associated with a second entertainment event. The first security is offered in an after-market for a buying price and a market price is determined for the first security in the after-market. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153257 | System and Method for Changing the View of a Trading Screen - A trading screen displays market information, such as working orders, buy and sell orders, and other items of interest, in association with values on a value axis. Each item of interest is therefore displayed in relation to the value axis to provide a trader with an intuitive display of the market. In one embodiment, a user can select a location associated with a particular value on the trading screen and upon an selection, for example, by a click of the mouse button, the value axis is repositioned so that the selected value is moved to a predefined location. During which, market information is moved to new locations that are associated with their respective values on the value axis. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING A LETTER OF CREDIT THROUGH HEDGING OF DERIVATIVES - Transforming hedging information and Forced Sale Value (FSV) information to a special LC and to a reduction in an applicant's booked credit limit and a reduced risk weighted asset (RWA), along with eliminating or reducing price risk and enabling a financial institution to determine its potential loss upon default, is disclosed. The disclosed LC is obtained through application, in relation to shipment of a commodity and the commodity is hedged against price risk by the issuing financial institution. The issuing financial institution also determines a FSV for the commodity. Thus, the issuing financial institution determines what the commodity would sell for, regardless of price movements, should the buyer not follow through with payment and a forced sale becomes necessary. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153259 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - A computer-implemented method for aggregating real estate transaction data prior to initiation of an application for financing to calculate a true cost associated with a completed real estate transaction comprising the creating of an integrator portal for real estate transaction data from a plurality of private and proprietary real estate resources; accessing a plurality of private and proprietary real estate resources by a server hosting said integrator portal; linking the real estate transaction data to the integrated portal in real-time; aggregating real estate cost data based on a pre-determined property input and a consumer specific background input; and calculating a true cost associated with the real estate transaction from cost data, wherein the cost associated with said transaction is delivered to a user. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153260 | RISK IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - The present invention relates to a system and methods by which the risk associated with a new opportunity or new or ongoing relationship may be assessed. An example of such new opportunity or new relationship for which the present invention may be used to assess the risk is that concerning a potential new customer of a financial institution. The risk assessment of the present invention may be used to assess whether a new customer should be taken on as a customer and, if so, to what extent should the possible full range of account benefits be provided to the new customer. Other applications include assessing risk regarding a candidate for employment, assessing casualty loss and/or repayment risk in the insurance industry, and assessing risk in a landlord tenant relationship to determine whether or not to rent to the prospective tenant and if so, the amount of the security deposit. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153261 | System and method for providing transaction classification - A method and system provide transaction classification. The method and system provide an extensible markup language (XML) representation of real transaction instance data collected from a data collection agent, provide an XML based rule engine that enables a user to define a classification rule for classifying the real transaction instance data, and provide a user interface to enable the user to navigate among the real transaction instance data to define the classification rule. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153262 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING INSURANCE AND LOAN ACCOUNTS - A computer system for administering an insurance policy and a loan made to the insured, includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The processor is adapted to: access from the memory storage device data relating to the insurance policy and the loan; determine, based on the accessed data, an amount of a withdrawal from the insurance policy and an amount of a payment on the loan; determine, by deducting the amount of the payment on the loan from the amount of the withdrawal, an amount of a payment, if any, to the insured; and provide output signals to a payment system to implement the payment on the loan and the payment, if any, to the insured. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153263 | CONDITIONAL COMPENSATION SYSTEM - This invention relates generally to software, and more specifically, to a conditional compensation system. In one embodiment, the invention includes an application server, the application server including a conditional compensation system, the conditional compensation system facilitating performance based compensation. In a further embodiment, the conditional compensation system includes an instrument component, the instrument component configured to establishing at least one instrument; an event management component, the event management component configured to adjusting the at least one instrument; and a payment component, the payment component configured to issuing at least one payment in accordance with the at least one instrument. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153264 | ANNUITY INTERFACE AND SYSTEM IN AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DATABASE - A method and system for integrating management of intellectual property assets with management of annuity instructions for patent grants and pending patent applications. An intellectual property asset management application is integrated with an asset management application through a third application. Communication conduits are configured in communication with the applications in the form of queues and schedulers to facilitate communicating instructions among the applications. Web services are employed as a communication medium to send instructions among the applications. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153265 | SINGLE PAGE ON-LINE CHECK-OUT - A single page on-line checkout includes a dynamically changing visual receipt and options for both payment and shipping. In one embodiment, the visual receipt enables the user to select an item on the visual receipt for display as a visual representation on the visual receipt. The screen refreshes to show an updated visual receipt when a payment or shipping option is selected. Additional payment or shipping options can be easily added and shown on the checkout page or screen. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153266 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF COLLECTION OF GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PAYMENTS, INCLUDING A CONVENIENCE FEE, USING PAYMENT CARDS - A system includes an authorization device and one or more payment servers for entering payment and payment card information and determining any issuing fees and any convenience fee for transactions paid using the two or more types of payment cards. The one or more payment servers are in electronic communication with a payment card financial network for authorizing and settling transactions entered by two or more types of payment cards. Each transaction may comprise one or more government and/or educational payments. The payment servers automatically determine the one or more convenience fees for each transaction. The authorization device allows the user to authorize the payment of the government or educational fees, any secondary fees and any convenience fees simultaneously with a single swipe or key entry of the payment card information, thereby automatically complying with payment card convenience fee requirements. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153267 | OFF-LINE ACTIVATION/LOADING OF PRE-AUTHORIZED AND CLEARED PAYMENT CARDS - A method of loading pre-authorized funds into an integrated circuit (IC) payment card includes interfacing the IC payment card to a loading device. The method further includes receiving a cash payment to cover a proposed load transaction, and operating the loading device to load pre-authorized funds into the IC payment card on an off-line basis. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153268 | SPENDING VEHICLES FOR PAYMENTS - A system and method for associating payments with spending vehicles so that an individual who is entitled to receive periodic or special payments such as social security checks receives in place of the payment a spending vehicle such as a discount card, rebate, or coupon for use with purchases of the sponsor's products or services. Sponsors include companies and organizations interested in offering purchase incentives to their customers. An individual who wishes to receive a spending vehicle rather than the regular payment selects the spending vehicle he or she would like to receive. The individual then assigns his or her right to receive the payment to a third party. The third party then arranges to give a spending vehicle to the individual and to transfer the individual's payment to the sponsor of the spending vehicle. The third party may take a portion of the payment as compensation for the service. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153269 | SYSTEM, METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INTERFACING A MULTI-CARD RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) DEVICE WITH A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - An interface for a mobile communication device is provided, including at least one memory unit configured to store read/write data associated with transaction accounts, at least one user interface software application, and at least one contactless communication protocol application. A radio frequency identifier unit having an antenna communicates with a radio frequency identifier reader through a contactless transaction account communications channel distinct from a mobile communications channel of the mobile communication device. An input/output interface unit communicates with a corresponding input/output interface unit of the mobile communication device and provide access to and control of the at least one memory unit and the radio frequency identifier unit by a processor of the mobile communication device. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153270 | AUTHENTICATION OF MESSAGE RECIPIENTS - A user receives a message via a network service platform at their mobile handset. The user is required to input a PIN, password or other authentication data, before the received message is displayed. The service platform generates a partial encryption key and embeds this within a message which is subsequently encrypted and transmitted to the receiving device. The receiving device or handset receives the message and decrypts it using a previously stored pseudo-random seed, combined with a user entered PIN. The receiving device or handset extracts the partial key delivered with the message and uses this key data to generate a new pseudo-random seed which, in turn, is used to generate a sequence of characters in apparently random order. This sequence of characters or numbers is presented in a text-only form with a cursor or other highlighting method selecting the first character in the pseudo-random sequence. The user is then able enter their PIN by using cursor control keys, such as the right/left keys. The device or handset validates the data entry, assuming that the secure data is valid, displays the message content. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153271 | Method and System for Manual Authorization - Embodiments provide systems, apparatus, methods, computer program code, and means for performing manual authorizations. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153272 | MOBILE DEVICE INITIATED TRANSACTION - One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method including receiving an alias identifier associated with an account associated with a presenter, determining an associated trusted party using the alias identifier, sending a verification request message to the trusted party after determining the associated trusted party, and receiving a verification response message | 2010-06-17 |
20100153273 | SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING TRANSACTIONS AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL USING MUTATING IDENTIFIERS - A point-of-sale (POS) terminal for use in performing a transaction between a first entity and a second entity at a POS, the POS terminal associated with the second entity. The POS terminal stores a second mutating identified, receives encrypted transaction information from an account information carrier device over a communication link, sending the encrypted first and second transaction information to an authenticator, and receiving the second mutating identifier from the authenticator and a processor configured to encrypt transaction information with the second mutating identifier to create second encrypted transaction information. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153274 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MUTUAL AUTHENTICATION USING SMALL PAYMENTS - One embodiment provides a system for mutual authentication. During operation, a first entity receives an access request from a second entity. In response, the first entity requests information about the second entity's account with a financial service provider (FSP) and transfers a fund to the account. The first entity sends first and second messages through the FSP to the second entity with the fund. Subsequently, the first entity receives from the second entity a first input corresponding to the first message and determines that a first condition is met based on the received first input and the first message. The first entity sends a second input to the second entity based on the second message, thereby allowing the second entity to verify that a second condition is met based on the second input and the second message. The system then produces a result indicating that both the first and second entities are mutually authenticated. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153275 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THROTTLING ACCESS USING SMALL PAYMENTS - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for controlling access to resources using small payments. The system receives a request from an entity to access a resource. In response, the system requests the entity to submit information about the entity's account with a financial service provider (FSP). The system then transfers a fund to the entity's account and sends a message through the FSP to the entity with the fund transfer. The system receives from the entity an input corresponding to the message and determines that a first condition is met based on the received input and the message. As a result, the system grants the entity access to the resource. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153276 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE PAYMENT AND IDENTITY CONFIRMATION WITH SELF-SETTING AUTHENTICATION FOMULA - A system and a method are used for certification when paying online or confirming the user's identity using the communication network. The system mainly includes a certification system ( | 2010-06-17 |
20100153277 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK-BASED ELECTRONIC TRADING PLATFORM FOR GOODS - A method is provided for facilitating a seller to trade goods with a buyer via a network-based electronic trading platform. The method includes facilitating a platform operator and a seller customer to enter into a first agreement to enable the platform operator to purchase the goods via a first member; assigning the property ownership of the purchased goods to the platform operator and a right to trade the purchased goods to the first member; enabling a buyer customer to buy the certain quantity of the goods from the platform operator via a second member; and assigning a right to buy the certain quantity of the goods to the second member. The method also includes performing a third action facilitating the platform operator to sell the certain quantity of the goods to the buyer customer based on the second agreement. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153278 | WEB SITES THAT INTRODUCE A SELLER TO A UNIVERSE OF BUYERS, WEB SITES THAT RECEIVE A BUYER'S LISTING OF WHAT HE WANTS TO BUY, OTHER INTRODUCTION WEB SITES, SYSTEMS USING INTRODUCTION WEB SITES AND INTERNET-BASED INTRODUCTIONS - An inventive website is used by a seller to find a universe of buyers, and by a buyer to be introduced to a seller without investing much time. The website in-takes a user's description of his target item with agreeable price, which gets posted on the website. When a seller encounters a posting for which he wants to be introduced to the poster, he has the system report his interest to the poster and once the poster grants permission, the seller can be introduced to, and directly email, telephone, etc. the poster. The provision of the introduction can be conditioned upon payment by the seller or otherwise. An Identity Scoring system outputs a score indicating the likelihood that the opposite party actually is who claims to be. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153279 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION,VETTING, AND PAYMENT - Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for use and payment of global transportation and vetting systems and methods. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153280 | CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PREQUALIFICATION - A networked computer system for acquiring prequalification information and comparing that prequalification information to a set of minimum requirements for a plurality of reviewing organizations. In some embodiments, the networked computer system also facilitates the project bidding process between prequalified organizations. The networked computer system receives bids from a prequalified bidding organization and assigns a rank to the bidding organization relative to other prequalified bidding organizations. In some embodiments, the networked computer system assigns a rank to the bid proposal based, in part, on the bidding organization's prequalification information and the information from the bid proposal. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153281 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING WARRANTY COVERAGE AND PROVIDING WARRANTY STATUS FOR A MANUFACTURED ITEM - In a system and method for initiating warranty coverage and providing warranty status for a manufactured item, an electronic device with a destructible extrusion is associated and supplied with the manufactured item, where detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion is detected and initiates warranty coverage. The electronic device with the destructible extrusion is then attached in such a way as to require detachment, unplugging, cutting, or tearing of the destructible extrusion during an event that is appropriate to initiate warranty coverage. This may be the opening of the manufactured item's package, or it may be required before the manufactured item can be put to use. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153282 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Systems and methods for management of intangible assets are provided that allow effective management of intangible assets. The intangible asset management system and method include a computer based intangible asset management system for storing, managing, disseminating and sharing intangible asset information of an entity among users, the system comprising: a user interface that displays options for a user to enter, view, and edit some or all of the intangible asset information from one or more modules; a database coupled to the user interface for storing the intangible asset information and a processor coupled to the user interface and the database, the processor to: receive intangible asset information from the user; process and organize the intangible asset information into at least one module; store the intangible asset information in the database by module; update the database with any new intangible asset information received from the user; and provide the updated intangible asset information in response to an inquiry from a second user. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153283 | ELECTRONIC PROFESSIONAL MENTORING FRAMEWORK - Mentoring relationships between mentors and protégés can be established within mentoring data that conforms to standards of a mentoring framework. For each mentoring relationship, a mentoring path can be established. Each mentoring path can include a set of defined phases, each phase having a bounded beginning and ending, each phase further including at least one goal, at least one activity completion of which marks a progression towards achieving an associated goal, and timelines associated with at least one of the activities. Interactive user interfaces can be presented upon network attached client devices to users assigned a mentoring role who participate in at least one mentoring relationship for which the mentoring data is maintained. Performance input can be received via the interactive user interfaces, which results in the mentoring data being updated. “Web 2.0-style” techniques can be leveraged to gather rating and access information associated with content or electronic assets, thereby augmenting “conventional” approaches that rate only the delivery of the mentorship relationship itself A progression along the mentoring path can be changed based upon the updated mentoring data. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153284 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO USE AN AGGREGATED CONTACT LIST FOR SHARING ONLINE INFORMATION - The present invention provides methods and systems for using an aggregated contact list for sharing online information. In one embodiment, an event forum is provided with a connection link to enable a user to retrieve contacts from one or more online social or messaging networks. Upon the user providing authentication credentials to login to the one or more online social or messaging networks, an aggregating service retrieves the user's contacts from each of the networks. In one embodiment, the contacts from all the networks are presented as an aggregated list, allowing the user to select one or more contacts to send a message related to the event forum. In one embodiment, the aggregating service creates a landing web page specific to the message transmitted by the user. In some instances, the landing web page enables the user and the contacts to exchange messages. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153285 | INTEGRATION OF NEWS INTO DIRECT SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTIONS - The integration of news about members of a group into symmetrical group communications is described. Group members are delivered news items and information regarding members of the group, and are able to communicate with other members of the group in response to the news items. One embodiment dynamically generates aggregated RSS news feeds for a group of people or entities and correlates that aggregated data with biographical information, audio, and video media to provide rich information about the relevant parties to the news story. The embodiment also provides the capability of transmitting email or other electronic messages to the parties in the news story to facilitate two-way communication while maintaining the group members' privacy and anonymity. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153286 | Electronic Contact and Media Distribution System - An electronic information distribution system, and methods of use are disclosed. The system includes an attendee handheld computing device and an exhibitor data exchange system including an exhibitor computing device and a wireless communication unit. The system also includes a database configured to contain database records, the database records including database records related to an owner of the attendee handheld computing device and database records related to a registered user of the exhibitor data exchange system. The attendee handheld computing device is configured to exchange information with the wireless communication unit via a wireless communications link, thereby forming a link in the database between at least one record related to the owner of the attendee handheld computing device and at least one record related to the registered user of the exhibitor data exchange system. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153287 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO TRANSITION A PERSON FROM DIAGNOSIS TO WELLNESS - A system and method that guides patients, caregivers and supporters or individuals as they confront, and endeavor to overcome, a serious health crisis or major life transition. The system facilitates the reduction of the overwhelming psychological nature of the diagnosis event by compartmentalizing it into manageable phases, based on distance from diagnosis, enabling a patient to overcome and quickly envision their first step toward wellbeing. The system then facilitates the building of an online community and social media network, using templates to help patients, caregivers, or supporters and individuals set goals and acquire community wisdom, that leverages the unique nature of the phases, from diagnosis to treatment to recovery to wellness. The system automatically transforms the templates into a printed chronological journal that serves as an organizer, note and record keeper, medical communication tool, and a progressive documentation of the patient, caregiver, supporter or individual's story. | 2010-06-17 |
20100153288 | COLLABORATIVE CAREER DEVELOPMENT - A method and computer program product for candidate-position matching may comprise defining for a candidate, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, a candidate skill level for a predefined skill A skill match metric for the candidate may be determined, based upon, at least in part, the candidate skill level and a desired candidate skill level. The skill match metric for the candidate may be outputted. | 2010-06-17 |