35th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 71 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130226594 | AUDIO ENCODER, AUDIO DECODER, METHOD FOR ENCODING AND AUDIO INFORMATION, METHOD FOR DECODING AN AUDIO INFORMATION AND COMPUTER PROGRAM USING AN OPTIMIZED HASH TABLE - An audio decoder includes an arithmetic decoder for providing decoded spectral values on the basis of an arithmetically encoded representation thereof, and a frequency-domain-to-time-domain converter for providing a time-domain audio representation. The arithmetic decoder selects a mapping rule describing a mapping of a code value onto a symbol code representing a spectral value, or a most significant bit-plane thereof, in a decoded form, in dependence on a context state described by a numeric current context value. The arithmetic decoder determines the numeric current context value in dependence on a plurality of previously decoded spectral values. It evaluates a hash table, entries of which define both significant state values amongst the numeric context values and boundaries of intervals of numeric context values, in order to select the mapping rule, wherein the hash table ari_hash_m is defined as given in FIGS. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226595 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ENCODING A HIGH FREQUENCY SIGNAL, AND METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DECODING A HIGH FREQUENCY SIGNAL - A method and a device for encoding a high frequency signal, and a method and a device for decoding a high frequency signal are provided, which relate to encoding and decoding technology. The method for encoding a high frequency signal includes: determining a signal type of a high frequency signal of a current frame; smoothing and scaling time envelopes of the high frequency signal of the current frame and obtaining time envelopes of the high frequency signal of the current frame that require to be encoded, if the high frequency signal of the current frame is a non-transient signal and a high frequency signal of the previous frame is a transient signal; and quantizing and encoding the time envelopes of the high frequency signal of the current frame that require to be encoded, and frequency information and signal type information of the high frequency signal of the current frame. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226596 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LEVEL ESTIMATION OF CODED AUDIO FRAMES IN A BIT STREAM DOMAIN - An apparatus for level estimation of an encoded audio signal is provided. The apparatus has a codebook determinator for determining a codebook from a plurality of codebooks as an identified codebook. The audio signal has been encoded by employing the identified codebook. Moreover, the apparatus has an estimation unit configured for deriving a level value associated with the identified codebook as a derived level value and for estimating a level estimate of the audio signal using the derived level value. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226597 | Methods for Improving High Frequency Reconstruction - The present invention proposes a new method and a new apparatus for enhancement of audio source coding systems utilising high frequency reconstruction (HFR). It utilises a detection mechanism on the encoder side to assess what parts of the spectrum will not be correctly reproduced by the HFR method in the decoder. Information on this is efficiently coded and sent to the decoder, where it is combined with the output of the HFR unit. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226598 | AUDIO ENCODER OR DECODER APPARATUS - An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining from an audio signal at least a first part and a second part; encoding the first part of the audio signal with a first encoder for generating a first encoded audio signal; encoding the second part of the audio signal with a second encoder configured to generate a second encoded audio signal comprising for a first section of the second part an indicator to at least part of the first part of the audio signal; and determining the first section of the second part of the audio signal such that the first encoded audio signal and second encoded audio signal is within a defined encoding efficiency parameter. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226599 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a signal processing apparatus including a first periodicity detecting section detecting periodicity information of an acoustic signal included in a first content, as first periodicity information, a second periodicity detecting section detecting the periodicity information of an acoustic signal included in a second content, as second periodicity information, a similarity calculating section calculating a similarity between the first periodicity information detected by the first periodicity detecting section and the second periodicity information detected by the second periodicity detecting section, and a synchronization information generating section generating synchronization information used at a time of synchronizing the first content and the second content, based on the similarity calculated by the similarity calculating section. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226600 | Method and Apparatus for the Return of Prescription Drugs - An apparatus for the return of prescription drugs may include a user communication device to input prescription drug data to be returned, a host communication device to receive the prescription drug data and a server to transmit the drug data to the host communication device. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226601 | REMOTE CLINICAL CARE SYSTEM - An automated system and method provides real time disease-specific guidance to both providers and patients to enable accurate diagnosis and treatment. Content based on knowledge of specific diseases and patient history is used to determine most likely diagnoses remotely. This system uses information provided by a patient's medical records (EHR/EMR), remote monitoring devices, results of laboratory tests, diagnostic tests, and other available information. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226602 | ELECTRONIC PHYSICIAN ORDER SHEET - An electronic physician's order sheet (EPOS) provides means for a physician to select or enter diagnoses and to automatically receive suggestions for medications and treatments. The physician can select from amongst the suggestions, select alternate medications and treatments, or input and select different medications or treatments. The EPOS can alert the physician to possible drug interactions, allergic reactions, or other alarming situations. The physician can then sign the EPOS to formally issue orders for treatment and medications. The EPOS can be integrated with billing systems, pharmacy systems, and other systems to help automate the processes of drug delivery, invoicing, and patient care. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226603 | Delivery of Medical Services Based on Observed Parametric Variation in Analyte Values - Laboratory testing plays a significant and growing role in the delivery of medical services. Fresh analysis of past test results has led to discovery of previously unknown correlations between statistical properties of analyte values and parameters such as age, sex, and region. Observed values in patient populations have also newly been discovered to show both secular and regular periodic variations over time. Embodiments of the invention may use information about these correlations to improve delivery of medical care. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226604 | HEALTH ASSESSMENT BY REMOTE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - A health assessment server allows people to conduct their own physical examinations using one or more medical measurement devices that are bound to one or more user devices. The user uses the medical measurement devices herself and submits the results to the health assessment server through a computer network such as the Internet, either directly from the medical measurement devices or through the user devices. The health assessment server determines an improved health state of the user at which benefits accrue to the user and periodically requests updated health attributes to measure progress toward the improved health state and projecting time until the improved health state is achieved. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226605 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELTA CHECKING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - Methods of the invention automatically determine analytes and delta thresholds to use in delta checking patient data. The analytes and thresholds are determine from a populating specific set of patient data. Variance in analytes for multiple patient samples is determined. In additional, variance in intentionally mismatched patient samples is determined. The best analytes to differentiate between patients are determined along with delta thresholds. Preferred embodiments conduct evaluation with a multivariate delta threshold determination for ongoing testing of results from the patient. Preferred software provides an interactive interface that allows a user to set a number of flags that can be handled per a predetermined time period, and automatically adjusts the delta threshold to that number of flags. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226606 | Method, Computer Program and Computer System for Determining a Switch-on Time of a Medical-Technical System Following Failure and Repair - A computer-implemented method and a computer system for determining a switch-on time of a medical-technical system following failure and repair of a part of the medical-technical system are provided. The computer system determines a supply time of a replacement part and determines a transportation period for the replacement part from a supply point of the replacement part through to the medical-technical system, taking into consideration a chosen transportation device and a traffic situation relevant to the transportation device. The computer system determines a repair duration for replacement and commissioning of the replacement part and calculates the switch-on time as a total of the supply time, the transportation period, and the repair duration. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226607 | AUTOMATED HEALTH CARE DELIVERY VERIFICATION - A health service system is described herein that uses commonly available modern mobile computing devices to enhance the delivery and verification of health care services. Information automatically collected from mobile devices can corroborate a timesheet, mileage log, or other information submitted by caregivers. The system provides a comprehensive suite of verification technologies. For example, the system may capture photographic evidence of the visit (e.g., a picture of the patient, caregiver, or both together), GPS location and time information, biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint, retina scan, or other biometric signature from the patient and/or caregiver), and so forth. Thus, the health service system improves the delivery of and payment for health care services by helping each party to collect and provide the information associated with verification in a less obtrusive and more automated manner. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226608 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING, MONITORING, INFLUENCING AND REWARDING HEALTHCARE BEHAVIOR - Systems and methods for identifying, monitoring, influencing and rewarding positive healthcare behavior are provided. The method and system includes a device receiving patient specific data which include patient care indicators associated with the patient. The device compares the patient specific data against a database that relates each patient care indicator with at least one patient care module. The device generates customized patient care plan that includes patient care modules. The patient specific data also includes one or more compliance indicators, indicating the patient's interactions with the patient care modules. The device assesses patient behavior based on the compliance indicator. A reward is issued to a patient on a condition that the patient adheres to the customized patient care plan | 2013-08-29 |
20130226609 | PORTABLE PRESCRIPTION PAYMENT DEVICE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The PORTABLE PRESCRIPTION PAYMENT DEVICE MANAGEMENT PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“PPD”) provides a portable coupon payment device includes a substrate having surface with an image rendering thereon that corresponds to a free sample. The portable coupon payment device also has memory, in contact with the substrate, having data encoded therein including (i) an identifier for the free sample, (ii) a quantity for the free sample; (iii) a sponsor company account for a selling merchant to charge the cost of the free sample for payment to a selling merchant account to reimburse the selling merchant for the free sample; (iv) an image corresponding to the free sample; and (v) an identifier for a coupon provider donating the free sample to a consumer. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226610 | DESIGN ASISTANCE FOR CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOLS - Roughly described, a user instantiates protocol elements in a structured clinical trial protocol database and then draws from them in the development of one or more protocol related documents. The system helps the user select tasks to be performed during the study by reference to a historical database of tasks previously associated with similar protocols. The system automatically generates complex content from protocol elements in the database, and can render overlapping sets of protocol elements differently at different locations in the document. The system can automatically provide advisories indicating aspects of the document that still require completion or highlighting other issues that a sponsoring authority deems important for the document type. After all protocol elements are instantiated in the protocol database, it can then be used to drive the operation of most downstream aspects of the study. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226611 | SIGNIFICANCE PARAMETER EXTRACTION METHOD AND ITS CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF ABDOMINAL DISEASES BASED ON ENTROPY ROUGH APPROXIMATION TECHNOLOGY - A significance parameter extraction method for differential diagnosis of abnormal diseases based on entropy rough approximation technology, including the steps of: (a) calculating clinical reference values from two different groups of clinical data extracted from a database storing a plurality of clinical data for each check item using an entropy maximization measure; (b) evaluating a clinical difference between the two different groups of clinical data and extracting candidate check items; (c) based on a reference value of a check item calculated from one of the groups of clinical data, converting attribute values of the check item into nominal attribute values; and (d) extracting significance parameters for differential diagnosis from the candidate check items extracted in the step (b). | 2013-08-29 |
20130226612 | FRAMEWORK FOR EVIDENCE BASED CASE STRUCTURING - A computerized method of generating evidence based case object for a decision support application. The method comprises providing a medical decision point, generating a decision point model mapping between a plurality of patient dependent clinical characteristics and a plurality of treatment options for the medical decision point according to a plurality of guidelines, estimating, using a processor, a plurality of treatment outcomes for each the treatment option, each the treatment outcome being estimated according to an analysis of medical records of a group of patients been at the medical decision point and having a subset of the plurality of patient dependent clinical characteristics selected from a plurality of subsets, and generating evidence based case object which receive patient data having patient dependent clinical characteristics matching one of the plurality of subsets and outputs an estimated prognosis based on a respective treatment outcome from the plurality of treatment outcomes. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226613 | System and Method for Estimation of Missing Data in a Multivariate Longitudinal Setup - A method for estimating values of missing data in partial sets of medical data includes generating a Gaussian mixture with a time-varying mean and time and lag varying covariances. The method generates the estimate for a missing datum with the Gaussian distribution having a selected mean and covariance corresponding to the time of the missing datum. An estimate of the missing datum is generated with reference to the mean of the Gaussian distribution conditioned on other medical data that are observed at the time of the missing datum. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226614 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES - A system for measuring health care outcomes is provided. The system includes a health care interaction database, electronically accessible over at least one network system. A health care outcome assessment tool is hosted at least partially on the health care interaction database. The health care outcome assessment tool is configured to assess a change in a patient's health based on coded information relating to a health care interaction accessed from the health care interaction database. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226615 | MEDICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND MEDICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A medical information processing system including an input part, a sound analyzer, a state detector, determination information storage, and an association processor. Upon receiving plural types of medical information via sound input respectively, the medical information processing system can distinguish the plural types of medical information by a simple operation. The input part receives the medical information via sound input. The sound analyzer analyzes the received sound and converts it into character strings. The state detector detects plural states of the input part, respectively. The determination information storage stores in advance determination information in which each of plural states is related to types of information making up a medical record. The association processor identifies the type corresponding to the detected state based on the determination information, and relates the information indicating the identified type with the character strings converted from the sound input. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226616 | Method and System for Examining Practice-based Evidence - An embodiment of the present invention provides methods for examining practice-based evidence for clinical risk. An embodiment can take a retrospective view of medical information collected in electronic health records to discern practice-based evidence. For example, a method takes pre-existing electronic health records, identifies similar patients with differences of interest (e.g., treatment) and analyzes the effects of such differences. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226617 | SCORING SYSTEM FOR RATING A LEVEL OF ADHERENCE TO STEPS IN A TREATMENT PLAN - Particular embodiments generate a guideline for a patient using a selected treatment plan related to a medical condition. A method automatically populates a first portion of a set of treatment steps with information from a set of medical records and also receives input from users regarding a second portion of the set of treatment steps. The second portion is populated with information based on the received input. The method then determines a plurality of treatment steps for the treatment plan that include information based on the automatically populated medical information or the received input and calculates a rating score that quantifies a level of adherence to the treatment plan. The rating score combines individual rating scores for the plurality of treatment steps of treatment plan into a single score based on information for the plurality of treatment steps. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226618 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS DERIVED FROM PATIENT DRUG HISTORY DATA - In general the invention is directed to systems, methods, and/or software modules which may analyze a patient's drug history, and optionally other data, and derive a probable diagnosis for the patient based on rules. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226619 | INPUT SUPPORT DEVICE AND INPUT SUPPORT METHOD - An input support device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an attribute of a first document that is an input target of a user, and acquire a second document corresponding to the acquired attribute from a storage unit storing the attribute and the second document relevant to the attribute; a first determination unit configured to determine whether a sentence example, which is stored beforehand in association with reading information, is included in the second document; and a second determination unit configured to determine a display format of the sentence example to be displayed together with the first document when a character string included in the reading information is input to the first document by the user, based on a determination result of the first determination unit. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226620 | IDENTIFYING A PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD USING A PHONE NUMBER - A method for providing a user with the ability to access and collect records associated with the user in a secure and private manner includes associating access information with the user for the user to use to access a server storing files comprising records associated with the user in a computer readable storage medium, providing the user with a user interface on a computing device to remotely access the records stored on the server, receiving at the server the files comprising records associated with the user from a service provider associated with the user, receiving at the server a request from the user made through the user interface of the computing device for access to the files, wherein the access information is associated with the request, and sending the user a file containing the records associated with user from the server to the computing device in response to the request. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226621 | IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING INCLUDING AUTOMATED BROKERING OF ROYALTY PAYMENTS FOR PROPRIETARY TESTS - A method comprises: recording an electronic record of diagnostic events including the performing of in-vitro diagnostic tests; during the recording, identifying the performing of a licensed in-vitro diagnostic test for which license information is stored in a licenses database; and computing license compensation due to a licensor for the performing of the licensed in-vitro diagnostic test based on royalty calculation information stored in the licenses database. The recording, identifying, and computing operations are performed by one or more computers. The method may further include remitting the computed license compensation to the licensor, the remitting also being performed by one or more computers. The licensed in-vitro diagnostic test may comprise a licensed biomarker test, for example one obtained by DNA or RNA sequencing, and the method may further comprise: performing the licensed biomarker test using a genome sequencer, wherein the performing of the licensed biomarker test and the computing of license compensation are both performed at a single medical facility. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226622 | Methods Using Speed Distribution Profiles - A method is disclosed of providing driver behaviour based insurance comprising accessing a digital map having data indicative of a plurality of navigable segments, wherein the digital map further comprises data representative of a speed distribution profile for one or more positions along at least one of the navigable segments, the speed distribution profile for a position being indicative of the speed of multiple drivers at the position. The data representative of a speed distribution profile is used to set a recommended speed for vehicles travelling along the at least one navigable segment. The speed of a subscriber driver is monitored when travelling along the at least one navigable segment to obtain data regarding the speed of the driver relative to the recommended speed for at least one of the one or more positions, and the relative speed data is used as an input to a model of a user based insurance system. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226623 | INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESSING - Systems and methods for insurance claims processing in an insurance industry are described. The method comprises combining extracted claims data from one or more data sources to obtain a consolidated claims record and removing noise from text data of the consolidated claims record to obtain a claim dataset. The claims data comprises a plurality of claims. Further, ascertaining one or more suspicion indicators in the plurality of claims based on an analytical technique. Further, assigning a score to each of the plurality of claims based on at least one scoring rule. The score is an indicative of a level of suspicion of a claim. Furthermore, detecting at least one of insurance claims fraud and subrogation potential claims based on the score assigned to each of the plurality of claims. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226624 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE LOSS MANAGEMENT AND LOSS MINIMIZATION - Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a system and method for comprehensive management and minimization of insurance loss. In particular, insurance perils and insured assets are monitored, potential perils to insured assets are assessed, possible actions are determined, and selected actions are executed involving actors such as the policyholder, insurance agent, mitigation responder, and insurance appraiser. Particular embodiments address damage mitigation during peril and incident management after peril, to the policyholder and/or insured assets. Particular embodiments address the interaction between re-insurance companies and the aforementioned actors and/or insurance companies or cedants to integrate the information and resources of each respective party to provide more comprehensive and economically efficient loss mitigation. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226625 | Methods for Grid-Based Rating Insurance Products Using a Programmed Computer System - A method for rating insurance products using a programmed computer system comprising: receiving a coordinate pair comprising a longitude and a latitude of a location; determining a target coordinate grid block bounded by latitude and longitude lines, which grid block is associated with the coordinate pair; querying a database for a first set of existing data associated with the target coordinate grid block, wherein the existing data was associated with the target coordinate grid block prior to receiving the coordinate pair; querying a database for a second set of existing data associated with a regulator, which regulates insurance policies in a geographic area comprising the location; and calculating a pure premium based on constant values and an analysis of the data in the first set and the second set. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226626 | Insurance for a Safe Deposit Box - A system and method for insuring a safe deposit box is disclosed as is a technique for processing claims made against such safe deposit box insurance. According to a disclosed embodiment, a safe deposit box insurance policy insures content within a safe deposit box against an insurable event for a monetary amount and entitles the policyholder to receive the monetary amount in response to a proven claim that the insurable event has occurred without requiring an appraisal of any content stored in the safe deposit box, and wherein the safe deposit box insurance policy was obtained by the policyholder without the policyholder disclosing specific content for storage in the safe deposit box. Payments for claims against the safe deposit box insurance policy can also be made without requiring an appraisal of any content that may have been stored in the safe deposit box. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226627 | MOBILE RESERVATION APPLICATION - A method may include receiving, from a user device, a first communication requesting information identifying a site that includes a shower facility and accessing a database storing information associated with a number of sites. The method may also include identifying a site, located within a predetermined distance of the user device, that includes a shower facility, and forwarding, to the user device, a second communication including information identifying the site that includes a shower facility. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226628 | EVENT-CENTRIC MATCHING AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SERVICES - Methods for matching a first user of an online service site to a second user for jointly attending an event of mutual interest are disclosed. A first event query is received from the first user. In response, a first event listing including the event of mutual interest is transmitted to the first computer system. A selection of this event is received, together with an admission matching proposal therefor. A corresponding admission availability entry is added to an event announcement page, which is subsequently transmitted to a second user. If the second user so desires and so selects, then an admission matching offer is received by the online service site. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226629 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AN ASSET - A system for managing an asset is having a plurality of defined parties authorized to use the asset is disclosed. The system comprises a communications interface arranged to facilitate network communications with the system from a remote location, and a data storage device arranged to store information indicative of bookings to use the asset by an authorized party to the asset. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF EVENT ATTENDANCE PACKAGES AND EVENT ATTENDANCE INVENTORY - Provided herein are systems and methods for management of event attendance packages and event attendance inventory. The systems and methods include instantiation of a plurality of inventory items relating to attendance of an event. One or more event attendance packages may then be built using the instantiated inventory items. Once an event package is approved, actual inventory items may be secured, and the inventory items may be allocated to a given package so that they are not available for use by other packages. The systems and methods herein may utilize various graphical user interfaces that enable building of virtual inventory, event package construction, actual inventory acquisition, and inventory/package allocation. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226631 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A reservation, where the number of days from a date of reservation to a date of use exceeds the number of days that correspond to a credit period, is accepted as a reservation where settlement by a credit card is designated while maintaining the safety of settlement of usage fee. When a reservation where the number of days from today to a date of use exceeds the number of days of a credit period is requested, an information processing apparatus checks validity of the designated credit card. At this time, if the designated credit card can be confirmed to be valid, the information processing apparatus accepts the reservation and stores information of the designated credit card in a storage means. The information processing apparatus checks the validity of the designated credit card on or after a date on which the number of days from the date to a date of use of a service whose reservation is accepted is the number of the credit days on the basis of the information stored in the storage means. At this time, if the credit card cannot be confirmed to be valid, the information processing apparatus outputs information indicating that a settlement method is changed to a method different from a settlement method performed by using the designated credit card. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226632 | KIOSK FOR ENERGY SECTOR LOGISTICS - An automated kiosk and related apparatus provide check-in and boarding services to energy sector passengers, such as helicopter passengers. Preferably, the kiosk and related apparatus can take and store a picture of the passenger, calculate and/or measure the weight of the passenger and the passenger's luggage, print luggage tags and boarding printouts, check third parties' databases (such as a no-fly list (NFL)) for approval for the passenger's flight and can transmit data to another location (server, third party employer, pilot). | 2013-08-29 |
20130226633 | Flexible Booking Of A Shared Vehicle - A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing flexible booking of a shared vehicle is presented. An application for a mobile device is provided having an interface to allow a user of the mobile device to make a reservation of a shared vehicle by selecting a date the user desires to reserve the shared vehicle. The user is further able to select a location to locate at least one shared vehicle on the date. The user receives a list of vehicles proximate the location selected by the user, and an indication of available times for each of the vehicles. The user can then make a reservation of a particular shared vehicle for a particular time period on the date. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226634 | RESERVATION SYSTEM - A computerized system for registering participants for a service provided in a plurality of events for which a variable number of participants may be registered and where at least a part of the costs of the event are fixed. The system receives registration data providing a first and a second number of participants to be registered for the event. The system registers the participants for the event and conducts at least two transactions. The first debiting a first account for, at least, the fixed costs; the second crediting the first account by a further amount in dependence on the registration of said second number of participants for the event. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226635 | PURCHASING TICKETS USING AN NFC ENABLED MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A method for using a mobile communication device to purchase a ticket for an event. The method comprises locating an event of interest to a user through the mobile communication device, displaying a seating map of a venue in which the event of interest is being held, the seating map being displayed on the mobile communication device, receiving user input selecting an available seat on the seating map, issuing an electronic ticket to the user for the seat, and storing the electronic ticket on the mobile communication device. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226636 | AUTOMATED MAPPING OF PRODUCT ADJACENCY GROUPS WITH TRANSITION SUMMARY REPORTING - A system for generating a product subgroup map for a product adjacency group with transition summary reporting is disclosed. In one example, a user interface is configured for presenting data on product subgroups and receiving user inputs for user-editable mapping criteria for mapping the product subgroups. The user interface has user-selectable options for editing and assigning priority values to the mapping criteria of the product subgroups. The system generates a combined set of mapping criteria for the user-selected product subgroups based on the user-edited mapping criteria and non-user-editable mapping criteria. The system generates a product subgroup map based on the combined set of mapping criteria and a set of physical store layout data for at least one store, and provides a graphical output of the product subgroup map. The system generates a report for the product subgroup map for the product adjacency group. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226637 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STOCHASTICALLY USING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS MOBILE ENERGY STORAGE - Systems and methods for energy management includes receiving parameters from commercial building management system components; generating a stochastic programming model of electric vehicles (EVs) as mobile energy storage (MES) for optimal planning, operation, and control purposes; and controlling operation of EVs according to the stochastic programming model to lower operating cost and carbon emission. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226638 | SHORTLISTS FOR RESOURCE REQUESTS - Various arrangements for maintaining a listing of candidate resources for a resource request are presented. A resource request may be received. A plurality of resource records may be searched using a first set of search criteria to identify a subset of resource records from the plurality of resource records. Each record of the plurality of resource records may indicate qualifications of a corresponding resource. Each record of the plurality of resource records may also correspond to a person. A selection of candidate resource records may be received from the subset of resource records. A listing of candidate resources that indicates each candidate resource selected by the user may be presented to the user. The listing of candidate resources that indicate each candidate resource selected by the user may be linked to the resource request, such that the listing of candidate resources is presented when the resource request is accessed. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226639 | TASK MANAGEMENT METHOD AND TASK MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - A task management apparatus configured to assign tasks to a plurality of operators is constructed. The task management apparatus stores task information including, for each generated task, operation target information for which a value is determined according to a state at the time of task occurrence and which is related to a task target. The task management apparatus calculates, based on the task information, the task similarity between a newly generated first task and a second task that is already assigned to an operator, for each of the operators, and determines an operator to whom the first task is assigned according to assignment priority based on the task similarity calculated for each of the operators. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226640 | ELECTRONIC SELECT PROVIDER NETWORK - A method of delegating a service order may include periodically establishing a plurality of tiers of service providers. The service order may be routed to one or more service providers from at least a first one of the plurality of tiers, based on acceptance of the service order by one or more service providers from at least a second one of the plurality of tiers. The service providers may be registered on a service provider network. The periodic establishing of the plurality of tiers may be based on at least one cost function associated with the service providers. The service order may be routed to the one or more service providers from at least the second one of the plurality of tiers. The first one of the plurality of tiers of service providers may be mutually exclusive from the second one of the plurality of tiers of service providers. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226641 | MONITORING PROJECT PLANS INTEGRATED WITH USER DATA STORES AND PROVIDING REWARDS - Embodiments enable the monitoring of project plans and the selection and application of rewards to motivate users. Project plans having one or more project content items are created according to a pre-defined schema. The project plans are integrated with user data stores, such as calendar appointments, tasks, and shopping lists. Progress indicators reflecting a completion status of the project plans are calculated for the project plans. Rewards are selected based on the progress indicators and on user preferences (e.g., collected user activity data). The rewards correspond to milestones associated with the project plans, and are integrated into the user data stores when the user reaches the corresponding milestones. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226642 | FIELD COLLECTION DEVICE TRACKING - System(s) and method(s) for field collections and tracking of field collection devices are described herein. In an implementation, a field collection device tracking system ( | 2013-08-29 |
20130226643 | OPERATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND SORTING SYSTEM WITH OPERATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS - An operation management apparatus is configured for managing a monotonous task requiring a worker to perform a prescribed action. The operation management apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an action of the worker in an area where the monotonous task is performed, a first storage unit configured to pre-register a correct action of the monotonous task to be performed by the worker, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the pre-registered correct action of the monotonous task matches an action by the worker detected by the detector; and an output unit configured to generate an output when the first determination unit determines that the pre-registered correct action of the monotonous task does not match the detected action. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226644 | METHOD FOR SCHEDULING SECURITY OF REAL PROPERTY - A method for scheduling security of real property via an interactive system for reporting, tracking, and rectifying security items and incidences in a real property site. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226645 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPOINTMENT MATCHING AND SCHEDULING IN EVENT MANAGEMENT - An appointment matching apparatus facilitates event management by performing a method for scheduling appointments among attendees of an event. An event organizer configures the apparatus with event-specific information. The apparatus generates registration and appointment preference user interface forms that attendees use to register for the event and to request appointments with other attendees. The appointment preference form may receive from an attendee criteria for identifying other attendees with whom there is a desire to meet. An appointment matching process automatically schedules a set of appointments between/among matched attendees to optimize fairness or effectiveness over the entire set of scheduled appointments. The appointment matching process uses configuration data for the event, registration information, appointment preference criteria, and meeting location information. Once all of the appointments have been scheduled, a unified calendar is provided to each attendee with the event schedule including all the automatically scheduled personal appointments. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226646 | Apparatus, Article of Manufacture, and Methods for In-Store Preview of an Online Jewelry Item - Apparatus, article of manufacture and method for the in-store preview of an on-line jewelry item that comprises receiving, from a user on a remote device, a request for an in-store preview of at least one jewelry item. The at least one jewelry item is available for purchase on-line. A recommendation of at least one location that is available for the in-store preview is transmitted. A selection of a location and an appointment time for the in-store preview is received. A monetary payment to hold the requested jewelry item is requested. The monetary payment is a percentage of a price of the jewelry item. A request to ship the at least one jewelry item to the location of the in-store preview is transmitted. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226647 | INTEGRATING PROJECT PLANS INTO USER DATA STORES - Embodiments enable the selection and application of project plans to user data stores. A project plan having one or more project content items is created according to a pre-defined schema. The project plan is analyzed to identify the project content items that correspond to user data stores available on a computing device. The user data stores include, for example, calendar appointments, tasks, and shopping lists. The project content items are integrated with the user data stores, such as by creating calendar entries, adding tasks, and adding items to the shopping lists. A manifest is defined to describe and record the integrated project content items and the corresponding user data stores. The manifest may also be used to remove or suspend the project plan. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226648 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPTIMISING A PRODUCTION PROCESS - A method and an apparatus are disclosed for operating a production plant in a production process in the manufacturing industry or the process industry by optimizing the operation of the production process, in which the efficient use of the available energy is taken into account as a further optimization variable. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226649 | Methods for Assigning Items to Slots for Efficient Access of the Items for Storage and Delivery - Techniques are described for assigning an item to a slot in an item storage facility. A first sorting technique is applied according to a specified item ordering criteria to arrange a plurality of items in a prioritized list of items. A second sorting technique is applied according to a specified slot ordering criteria to arrange a plurality of slots in a prioritized list of slots. A value c | 2013-08-29 |
20130226650 | APPARATUS FOR VALIDATING PROCESSES FOR INFORMATION COMPLETENESS - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for modeling and validating a user process. In an embodiment of the invention, a model validation method can include linking in memory of a computer a task of an activity modeled within a business process model to a defined role specifying information accessible to end users associated with the defined role and additionally linking in the memory of the computer the task of the activity to an object model specifying information required by an end user to complete a corresponding task. The method also can include generating a mapping from the linkings. Finally, the method an include validating the business process by determining from the mapping whether or not an end user associated with the role can access information necessary to perform the task. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226651 | Order Processing for Remotely Ordered Goods - A method for fulfilling a plurality of orders for goods at a provider location comprises obtaining an arrival sequence estimate for each of a plurality of users indicating the sequence in which the users are expected to arrive, and organizing completed orders according to the arrival sequence estimate. The arrival sequence estimate may be obtained by ordering users according to their respective radial distances from a target, and may also be used to schedule processing of the orders. Alternatively, arrival estimates for when each of the users is expected to arrive may be used to schedule processing of the orders. A dynamic arrival estimate may be obtained based on an expected travel path toward the destination during a first trip portion comprising travel within a constrained travel path network, and based on radial distance from the destination during a second trip portion subsequent to the first trip portion. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226652 | RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT - Embodiments of the invention relate to identification of risks in a brand commodity supply chain. Risks are centrally assessed and a single holistic image of the risk assessment is provided. Specifically, risks are assessed vertically and horizontally across the supply chain, brand, and commodity. Risk identification techniques may be applied to the identified risks to reduce supply chain disruption and to enable continued manufacturing. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226653 | Systems And Methods For Determining Concentrations Of Exposure - A system and method are provided for identifying exposure concentrations. The process of determining exposure concentrations may include organizing exposure data, defining parameters, determining elevated exposure concentrations, and providing output results. The exposure data may relate to at least geographical locations, policies, accounts, portfolios, treaties, and other exposure data. The parameters may be defined to include at least an area of analysis, a region of interest, a threshold amount, results parameters, and other parameters. The exposure concentration may include at least defining and locating exposure locations using various techniques. The results may be presented using textual, graphical, or other display schemes. The output may be configured to convey information such as positional accuracy of an identified area, exposure accumulation in a defined area, and other information. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226654 | PLANT-CULTIVATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTOL METHOD - A plant-cultivation control method includes: receiving a number of types of agricultural products and quantities of each type inputted by a first user, and storing the information in a memory. Receive a desired type and desired quantity of the desired type inputted by a second user. Querying available quantity of the desired type, and determine if the available quantity is at least equal to the desired quantity. Indicate to the second user to adjust plan when the available quantity is less than the desired quantity. Indicate to the second user to select updating or not updating the quantity remaining when the available quantity is more than or equal to the desired quantity. Subtracting the desired quantity from the available quantity when the second user selects updating and storing the updated available quantity in the memory. A plant-cultivation control system is also provided. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226655 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF CUSTOMER MOVEMENT AND INTEGRATION WITH OTHER DATA - Movement patterns for customers in a retail environment are quantified using a set of movement traces. The quantifications are correlated with other retail metrics to determine which patterns are conducive to positive results for the retailer. In an implementation, first and second distributions are generated using the movement traces. One of the first or second distributions is compared to another of the first or second distributions. A value is calculated indicating a degree of difference between the distributions. In another implementation, a set of node sequences representing paths of customers in the retail environment are obtained. The node sequences are associated with consumer behavior patterns. A target customer is tracked and a target node sequence representing a current path of the target customer is generated. The target node sequence is compared with the set of node sequences to make a prediction about the target customer. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226656 | DETERMINING INFLUENCE OF A PERSON BASED ON USER GENERATED CONTENT - Techniques are disclosed relating to determining an influence rating for an author of user-generated content (UGC) items. In one embodiment, a computer system analyses consumer behavior of individuals viewing UGC items authored by a particular person about one or more goods or services. Based on the analyzing, the computer system determines an influence rating for the particular person predictive of the particular person's ability to affect the consumer behavior of subsequent viewers of UGC items authored by the particular person. In some embodiments, the analyzing includes determining navigation actions performed by individuals within websites that display UGC items of the particular person. In some embodiments, the computer system also determines an expertise metric for the person indicative of the person's expertise relative to a good or service, and determines the influence rating based on the expertise metric. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226657 | Digital Consumer Data Model And Customer Analytic Record - As a company expands its businesses to include digital products and services in addition to more traditional telecommunications and media offerings, digital consumption data may be used along with telecommunications consumption data and other customer-centric information in order to create a more comprehensive data model and make better predictions. A customer-centric data model identifies entities with data from diverse locations and product sectors associated with a single customer. Customer analytic records aggregate existing data into base variables and store it for each customer along with additional variables generated by performing calculations on exiting data. Both the data model and the customer analytic records can be used by the company to make more accurate business and marketing decisions. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226658 | CONTENT ANALYZING SYSTEM, CONTENT ANALYZING APPARATUS, CONTENT ANALYZING METHOD, AND CONTENT ANALYZING PROGRAM - A contents analysis system comprises a user terminal, and a contents analysis device which receives a predetermined request from the user terminal and returns a result, wherein the contents analysis device comprises a propagation pattern extraction unit which extracts a pattern of propagation indicating, with respect to each of contents included in history data formed of histories of use of a plurality of contents, how the content propagated to a user, and a correlation calculation unit which obtains a correlation between the patterns of propagation of the contents. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226659 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Fashion and Apparel Color Forecasting - This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for forecasting color preferences in clothing via electronic surveys transmitted to survey participants over the Internet. The electronic surveys present survey participants with families of colors and ask the survey participants whether they would wear clothing in any of the colors of a given family of colors. The surveys also ask which colors from each family survey participants would wear. The surveys also present survey participants with color choices in the context of specific types of clothing and seasons. The electronic surveys can also be used to predict preferred colors for use on products and services. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226660 | Cyclicality-Based Rules for Data Anomaly Detection - In one example, we describe a method that generates cyclicality rules for anomaly detection for a hierarchical/tree based data structure. A new algorithm for processing nodes in hierarchy, as well as business rules for nodes, is described. Variations and examples are given to describe different scopes and embodiments of the invention. Exclusion criteria and children nodes are used as some examples for the implementations, with flow charts to describe the methods of application, as examples. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226661 | Methods and Electronic Commerce Systems for Updating and Displaying the Price of Goods - Methods and electronic commerce systems for updating and displaying the price of goods are disclosed. A method for displaying an updated price of a good includes determining, automatically by a computing device, a current sales velocity. The current sales velocity is a sold quantity of the good during a current period. The current period spans a previous time and a current time. The method further includes determining a previous sales velocity. The previous sales velocity is a sold quantity of the good during a previous period. The previous period spans a preceding previous time and the previous time. The method further includes updating the price of the good based on the current sales velocity and the previous sales velocity, and providing for display the updated price of the good on a display device. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226662 | SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING SECURITY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS - A system for analyzing security compliance requirements analyzes a linked database that includes data from the Unified Compliance Framework™. The system generates a tiered question structure to obtain information about a particular business offering, wherein questions of a particular tier are based on answers to questions of a preceding tier. Based on the information, the system generates a query and submits the query to the linked database. The query results provide a list of security compliance requirements, leading practices, and/or regulations applicable to the business offering. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226663 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INTER-MARKET COLLABORATIVE SERVICES USING SOCIAL NETWORKS - Methods and systems for propagating requests for proposal via a collaborative services framework are provided. The methods include receiving a request for proposal from a first user in a first market that implements at least one peer node in the collaborative services framework and maintains lists of market neighbors and potential neighbors. The methods further include propagating the request for proposal to potential neighboring markets that are selected from a list of potential neighbors of the first market. The methods also include receiving a notification that the first user has accepted a bid from a second user responsive to the request for proposal, the second user being in a second market different from the first market, and then updating the lists of market neighbors and potential neighbors of the first market based on the accepted bid. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226664 | Dynamic Market Polling and Research System - The invention may be embodied in a compensation driven permission marketing and polling system referred to as an instant response system. The instant response system directly targets market polling communications to precise demographic, geographic, psychographic and/or keyword-associated audiences to empower businesses with sophisticated, immediate and effective targeted marketing and research at a fraction of the traditional expense. Dynamic polling techniques are used to automatically adjust polling demographics to match polling results to demographic objectives with minimum number of polling responses and reduce the cost of market surveys. Social media links to member profiles encourage self-generating membership growth and direct, interactive links to member profile data, such as member location tracking and survey compensation posting on the member's social media. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226665 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONDUCTING SURVEYS AND PROCESSING SURVEY DATA TO GENERATE A COLLECTIVE OUTCOME - Machine-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed for determining a collective outcome for a survey from a plurality of potential outcomes. Each outcome is a particular combination of options. Each survey participant ranks the options to develop an influent function. For each participant, the influent function is applied to each potential outcome to determine a satisfaction score for the outcome. A collective dissonance score is calculated based on the participants' satisfaction scores for the potential outcome. The potential outcomes are ordered based on a weighted combination of the satisfaction scores and the collective dissonance score for each of the potential outcomes. In particular embodiments, the methods and systems aim to determine a collective outcome that achieves greatest satisfaction and minimizes dissonance among the participants. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226666 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SAMPLE MARKETS BASED ON AERIAL IMAGES - Methods and apparatus to sample markets based on aerial images are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a first geographic area to be sampled for a first product, the identifying being based on an aerial image, estimating a density of the first product in the first geographic area, and calculating a sampling rule to be used in sampling the first geographic area for the first product. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226667 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO ANALYZE MARKETS BASED ON AERIAL IMAGES - Methods and apparatus to analyze market channels based on aerial images are disclosed. An example method includes determining, using a processor, whether a first element in an aerial image of a geographic area represents a man-made object; determining, using the processor, whether a second element in the aerial image represents a natural object; and estimating a market channel for the geographic area based on a second market channel for a second geographic area when the first element represents a man-made object and the second element represents a natural object | 2013-08-29 |
20130226668 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC PRICING ALGORITHM WITH EMBEDDED CONTROLLER FOR HIGH OCCUPANCY TOLL LANES - A method and system for providing a feedback based dynamic pricing algorithm with an embedded controller for a HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lane. An input-output transfer function of a vehicle flow with respect to a HOT lane can be obtained utilizing a simulation module. A feedback controller combined with, for example, a Smith predictor can be designed to avoid an unstable behavior due to a time delay in the HOT lane, a price regulation, and a large transient caused by an integral part of the controller due to traffic jams. A driver behavior preference model can be derived based on a relationship between a toll rate and several characteristics of the HOT lane and a general purpose lane. The feedback controller and the behavior preference model can then be implemented to set the toll rate in real-time in order to satisfy a desired performance metric. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226669 | System and Methods for Time Dependent Internet Pricing - Apparatuses, systems and methods for implementing time-dependent pricing for Internet data traffic in wireless/broadband access networks are disclosed. Such systems may include: (i) A price-optimization computational module that takes in historical and current network congestion and historical and predicted user reactions to compute the best time-dependent prices to minimize the total cost incurred to the wireless network operator; (ii) A user profiling module that takes in user reaction data to characterize a model of how much traffic that may be defer to a later point in time under a given pricing incentive; (iii) A user interface module that displays the computed prices that vary over time, so that a user (or their agent) can choose which time it should use a certain amount of mobile data; and (iv) A network measurement module that collects the actual traffic coming from each application over each period of time. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226670 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY PARTITIONING AND PROCESSING A BUSINESS PROCESS - A method of implementing a business process may include receiving business process information associated with a business process. The business process information may include a graph representing one or more activities to be performed to complete the business process. The method may include identifying, by a computing device, a number of groups associated with the business process information. Each group may be capable of performing at least a portion of the activities. The method may include partitioning, by the computing device, the graph into a number of fragments that is greater than or equal to the number of identified groups. Each fragment may include one or more activities from the graph. The method may include, for each fragment, transmitting the fragment to an identified group that is capable of performing each activity associated with the fragment, and orchestrating the performance of the activities associated with each fragment by each group. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226671 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DEPENDENCY INJECTION IN A BUSINESS PROCESS MODEL SYSTEM - A mechanism for providing dependency injection in a business process model (BPM) system is disclosed. A method includes receiving, by a computing device hosting the BPM system, a process and a plurality of parameters of the process. The method also includes retrieving, by the computing device, sub-processes associated with the process from a content repository of the computing device. The method further includes generating, by the computing device, metadata for one or more of the retrieved sub-processes based on the plurality of parameters. The generated metadata is used to select, based on a variable of the process, a sub-process of the processes for injection into the process when the process is executed. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226672 | PRODUCTION BY ACTUAL LOSS ALLOCATION - A method for allocating actual production loss of a wellsite. The method includes defining a data collection procedure and capturing production data according to the data collection procedure, the production data including actual production data and a maximum production potential of the wellsite. The method further includes selectively allocating a portion of the actual production data to the wellsite based on allocation rules to obtain derived production data, comparing the derived production data to the maximum production potential to determine the actual production loss for the wellsite, allocating the actual production loss to at least one of the production events, and determining a cause of the actual production loss based on an engineering analysis of the production events. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226673 | System and Method for Analyzing Strategic Network Investments in Wireless Networks - A method and a system to assist wireless telecom service providers to make strategic investment decisions in their wireless networks is provided. Geographical profitability information in a wireless network is determined to decide where to invest capital funds in order to increase the revenue and profit for wireless service providers. The profitability of a geographical area or a sector is calculated based on network Operation Measurements and subscriber CDR (Call Detail Record) data. The system prioritizes the geographical areas and sectors for capital investments based on the profitability of the areas and sites. Similar information may be determined to assist wireless service providers in developing a decommissioning strategy. Embodiments of the present invention may also be used to reduce network churn by understanding where dissatisfied subscribers experience poor service and where network investments need to be made to improve the services and reduce churn. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226674 | Integrated Educational Stakeholder Evaluation and Educational Research System - The present invention is a method, process, and system to (1) collect data, (2) compile the data, create new data, and analyze the data, and (3) provide an output based upon the data. The process is novel in the manner in which each of the aforementioned steps are performed as well as in its entirety due to the overall process/manner of operation. The invention uses engines with differing functions that fully integrate performance and behavioral/effort data pertaining to educational stakeholders, whereby data, statistics, and educationally related behaviors are used to capture and derive more accurate measures and/or measures of impacts influenced by and between any educational stakeholder. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226675 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ADVERTISEMENTS AND USER POPULARITY WITHIN AN ONLINE COMPUTER SYSTEM SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORK - System and methods for controlling advertisements and user popularity within an online social media network includes providing celebrity created content to non-celebrity members and embedding celebrity approved advertisements into the content. Upon determining that a member has voted to subscribe to the celebrity for a predetermined period of time, the celebrity popularity rating is increased, and upon determining that a user has clicked on an approved advertisement, the celebrity is compensated by the sponsor. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226676 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARITABLE DONATION, INVESTMENT AND CONTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT - A method for generating and allocating a charitable donation or investment through a membership-based service, which method comprises: searching for an affiliate which is participating or willing to participate in the membership-based service; making a purchase from the affiliate by a member of the membership-based service for a purchase price; determining a charitable amount of the purchase price to be remitted by the affiliate to the member's charitable account; the member selecting which charitable organization or investment will receive at least an allocated portion of the charitable amount; and distributing the allocated portion of the charitable amount to the selected charitable organization or investment. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226677 | Managing interactive communications campaigns - A campaign strategy manager (CSM) component for a hosted communications campaign system allows users to define more granular and specific campaign strategies, including pass escalation for alternative channels (e.g., text and email) and/or based upon attempt results, contact attributes and response group data. The campaign strategy manager allows users to define pass strategies statically and dynamically, to manage lists across multiple campaigns, and to view results in real-time. A defined strategy is a static strategy created by a user for a particular campaign that, once created, typically is not modified. A dynamic strategy is one where, during the course of a day (e.g., as a sub-campaign is running), a user may alter the defined strategy, preferably just for that day (or portion thereof). In particular, the campaign strategy manager enables the user to make changes to the current strategy as a sub-campaign is running through a particular list. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226678 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MESSAGING SYSTEM - In various embodiments described herein a messaging system is described. The messaging system may be useful in a correctional facility or other environments such as college campus, hospitals or other institutions. In addition to providing messaging service from a source to a destination, the system can perform additional functions for example, validating destination numbers, maintaining user records and storing message details. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226679 | Secondary Market And Vending System For Devices - A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with at least one camera and a plurality of electrical connectors in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226680 | COMMERCE PLATFORM - A commerce platform has user, referral tree, purchasing, reward and invitation modules, and allows users to purchase items and allows for a user referral system which incentivises the viral referral of new users. When a user purchases an item the purchasing module automatically transfers a fraction of the purchase value to a reward account. This fraction contributes to an award value. The referral tree module is operable to create and store a plurality of referral trees having one or more user accounts. The reward module is operable to determine a main award account from one of the user accounts of the referral tree and to distribute at least part of the award value between the main award account and one or more additional user accounts. Each additional user account belongs to a reward tree in which the main award account is a secondary user account. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226681 | COLLECTING MEDIA DATA DESCRIPTIVE OF A PRODUCT - A crowd-sourcing system performs a method that includes generating a request that a user provide candidate media data to the crowd-sourcing system. The candidate media is descriptive of a product, and the request includes information about the product. The crowd-sourcing system transmits the request to a user system and receives the candidate media data from the user system. The crowd-sourcing system selects the candidate media data as stock media data for the product. The selection of the candidate media data may be based on a selection criterion, such as a grade of the candidate media data determined by the crowd-sourcing system. The crowd-sourcing system provides a reward to the user based on the selecting of the candidate media data as the stock media data for the product. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226682 | PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSACTION IDENTIFICATION OF COUPONS AND LOYALTY CARDS - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for loyalty identification matching during a person-to-person transaction. Embodiments of the invention reduce the friction of enrolling in and providing loyalty accounts and coupons during a person-to-person transaction with a person, merchant, and/or other entity. Once the user enrolls in the program, all loyalty accounts the user may have are determined. Furthermore, coupons that are available to the user are determined and stored in association with the user's loyalty accounts. In this way, the user may provide his/her person-to-person alias ID to initiate a person-to-person transaction. This same alias ID may also allow the user to utilize his/her loyalty accounts and/or coupons for the transaction. The system, after receiving the alias ID may provide the other party of the person-to-person transaction with all loyalty accounts and coupons associated with the transaction. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226683 | ONLINE VEHICLE BUYING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method for online vehicle buying includes: transmitting vehicle inventory data for displaying an inventory of vehicles that are available for purchase from a dealership; in response to input indicating a desire to purchase one of the vehicles from the dealership, transmitting reward redemption data for displaying a first webpage for inputting information regarding an accrued monetary reward; determining an available award amount based on the information input to the first webpage; transmitting affiliation data for displaying a second webpage for inputting information regarding an affiliation with at least one of a manufacturer of the vehicles and a business affiliate of the manufacturer; determining an available discount based on the information input to the second webpage; determining a price for the one of the vehicles based on the available award amount and the available discount; and transmitting sale summary data for displaying the price of the one of the vehicles. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226684 | MERCHANT CONFIGURATION THROUGH PAYMENT NETWORK - Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for applying a discount to an electronic transaction based on control data stored in a portable merchant device. An access device interacts with a portable merchant device associated with a merchant, the portable merchant device storing control data. A processor in the access device generates a message including the control data, and electronically transmits the message to a server computer. The control data causes the server computer to reconfigure for a transaction conducted by the merchant. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226685 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMERS WITH MATCHING REWARDS - A computer-implemented method for providing account holders with a reward based on similar rewards previously obtained through other accounts. The method includes identifying, using one or more computer processors configured to access an account database, an eligible account based on eligibility criteria, wherein the eligible account is associated with an account of an account holder stored in the account database; receiving identifying data that identifies the eligible account; associating a customer identifier with the identifying data from the eligible account; for each customer identifier, receiving confirmation data associated with a separate account of the account holder, wherein the confirmation data comprises a reward variable; validating, using one or more computer processors, the confirmation data; and rewarding the eligible account with a matching variable, wherein the matching variable is approximately equal to the reward variable. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226686 | CUSTOMER LOYALTY IDENTIFICATION MATCHING - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for loyalty identification matching. Embodiments of the invention reduce the friction of enrolling in and providing loyalty accounts and coupons at a point-of-transaction for a transaction with a merchant. Once the user enrolls in the program, all loyalty accounts the user may have are determined. Furthermore, coupons that are available to the user are determined and stored in association with the user's loyalty accounts. In this way, the user may provide a user identifier to the merchant at a point-of-transaction to utilize the user's loyalty accounts and/or coupons for the transaction. The system, after receiving the user identifier from the merchant may provide the merchant with all loyalty accounts and coupons associated with the transaction the user is entering into with the merchant and apply them to the transaction. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226687 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERMEDIARY PRICING AND RETAIL SALES OF COMMODITIES - The present disclosure describes systems and methods for improved commodity pricing and sales. An intermediary system may contract with a plurality of providers to provide a fungible commodity to consumers at a first predetermined price. The intermediary system may also contract with a plurality of consumers to provide the fungible commodity at a second predetermined price. The intermediary system may determine the second predetermined price responsive to a customer point balance, points earned by the consumer performing one or more actions, including social networking functions, grassroots advertising, or purchasing predetermined amounts with third-party affiliated retailers. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226688 | CROWD FUNDING SYSTEM - A method and system to help fund projects, such as business ventures, charitable causes, and those generally in financial need, by providing a website where viewers can browse projects, select projects to fund, and donate money, or goods and services to fund the project. In the spirit of giving, the creator of a new project may also be required to make a donation or pledge to an existing project in order to have the new project published. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226689 | DATA CAPTURE FOR USER INTERACTION WITH PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS - An application on a user device sends a request for promotional material to a server while the application is active on a user device. The application receives the promotional material from the server and stores the promotional material in a data store on the user device. A management client on the user device receives a user interaction with the promotional material and sends data representing the user interaction to the server independent of web-browser technology. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226690 | System & Method of Presenting Content Based Advertising - A system and method searches, identifies, tests and/or evaluates websites and content related ads for suitability. The results can be used to target ads more effectively to users and identify and promote services to prospective advertising affiliates as part of an advertising campaign. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226691 | MULTI-CHANNEL CAMPAIGN PLANNING - A computer system for multi-channel campaign planning includes a digital processor, and computer readable instructions to plan and manage a multi-channel campaign. The instructions are embedded on a non-transitory, tangible memory device and executable by the processor. The instructions include a scenario outcome predicting module to predict an outcome for a scenario having a set of parameters defined for each channel of a phase of a plurality of iterative phases of the multi-channel campaign. The instructions include an adaptive learning module to generate an optimized learning component of the multi-channel campaign. The instructions include a decision optimization module to optimize the multi-channel campaign over the plurality of iterative phases. The instructions include a campaign execution module to execute the multi-channel campaign and collect outcome data. An initial phase of the plurality of phases is executed without prior outcome data for the scenario of the initial phase. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226692 | CLICK FRAUD MONITORING BASED ON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC - Various techniques of monitoring for click fraud in an online advertising system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a web server includes a traffic module configured to detect a request from a client device, an analysis module configured to perform a determination if the detected request includes a client ID. The web server also includes a calculation module configured to determine a count of requests with client ID and a count of requests without client ID based on the determination by the analysis module. The web server further includes a fraud module configured to monitor for click fraud based at least in part on the determined count of requests with client ID and/or count of requests without client ID from the calculation module and the determination by the analysis module. | 2013-08-29 |
20130226693 | Allocating Deals to Visitors in a Group-Buying Service - Functionality is described herein for allocating group-buying deals in a group-buying service. In certain implementations, the functionality operates by receiving deal information from deal-providing entities (such as merchants). The deal information describes plural deals. The functionality then assigns a number of impressions to each deal so as to maximize revenue provided to an entity which administers the group-buying service. This yields allocation information. The functionality then presents deals to users in accordance with the allocation information. For example, if the allocated number of impressions for a certain deal is x, then the functionality will provide x opportunities for users to select this deal. | 2013-08-29 |