| 36th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 59 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20080215424 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADVERTISEMENT AND EVENT PROMOTION - The present invention is directed to a system and methods for targeted advertisement and event promotion. The system comprises a web-based application which enables event promoters to create, execute and manage event promotional campaigns using advertisements, targeted promotional messages, target user search tools, session tracking tools, campaign analytical tools, event pricing tools, reporting tools, embedded calendar applications and other tools and services provided by the system. The system combines these tools to enable promoters to communicate with and market events to highly targeted audiences utilizing a wide array of communication tools. Furthermore, each promotional or advertisement campaign enriches and grows promoter's target user list thus continually enlarging the overall group of trusted and targeted system users. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215425 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ADVERTISEMENT AND EVENT PROMOTION - The present invention is directed to a system and methods for targeted advertisement and event promotion. The system comprises a web-based application which enables event promoters to create, execute and manage event promotional campaigns using advertisements, targeted promotional messages, target user search tools, session tracking tools, campaign analytical tools, event pricing tools, reporting tools, embedded calendar applications and other tools and services provided by the system. The system combines these tools to enable promoters to communicate with and market events to highly targeted audiences utilizing a wide array of communication tools. Furthermore, each promotional or advertisement campaign enriches and grows promoter's target user list thus continually enlarging the overall group of trusted and targeted system users. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215426 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ADVERTISEMENT AND EVENT PROMOTION - The present invention is directed to a system and methods for targeted advertisement and event promotion. The system comprises a web-based application which enables event promoters to create, execute and manage event promotional campaigns using advertisements, targeted promotional messages, target user search tools, session tracking tools, campaign analytical tools, event pricing tools, reporting tools, embedded calendar applications and other tools and services provided by the system. The system combines these tools to enable promoters to communicate with and market events to highly targeted audiences utilizing a wide array of communication tools. Furthermore, each promotional or advertisement campaign enriches and grows promoter's target user list thus continually enlarging the overall group of trusted and targeted system users. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215427 | PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDER SYSTEM AND METHOD - A shelf reader reads a product unique ID of an IC tag attached to a product on a shelf. In accordance with the reading result, a shelf terminal detects whether the product is taken out from the shelf or not, and forwards the detection result to a product information management server together with the product unique ID. In the product information management server, a related product information extraction section refers to a related product information database, and extracts any related product information including the type of the product taken out from the shelf. This related product information indicates a combination of a plurality of products that are considered preferable to purchase together. An advertisement information creation section creates advertisement information based on thus extracted related product information. The resulting advertisement information is forwarded to the shelf terminal, and then is displayed by an output section of the shelf terminal. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215428 | INTERACTIVE MOBILE ADVERTISEMENT BANNERS - In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for associating an interactive element with a sponsored content, presenting the sponsored content to a mobile communication facility based at least in part on a relevancy to a mobile subscriber characteristic associated with the mobile communication facility, and allowing a user of the mobile communication facility to engage the interactive element within the sponsored content. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215429 | USING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITY FOR OFFLINE AD SEARCHING - In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for receiving a search keyword from an offline advertisement, entering the search keyword in a mobile communication facility search facility, and presenting content relating to the offline advertisement to the mobile communication facility based at least in part on the search keyword and a relevancy to a criterion associated with the mobile communication facility. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215430 | CREDIT DERIVATIVE TRADING PLATFORM - A credit derivative trading platform comprises a credit derivative authority configured to create contracts and allow market participants to trade credit derivative contracts in real-time. One or more credit sponsors provide credit to the market participants on the platform. One or more liquidity sponsors may provide a predetermined level of price support on the platform. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215431 | CO-BRANDED INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER AND RETAILER INTERNET SERVICE SITE WITH RETAILER-OFFERED INCENTIVES FOR MEMBER USE - A system and method for a retailer to sell merchandise over the Internet in affiliation with an Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site is accessible through the Internet service site of the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site includes designations of both the retailer and the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site including one or more links to the Internet shopping site of the retailer. Client software for accessing the co-branded Internet site is distributed at retailer locations. Members of the co-branded Internet site are provided with incentives to access and shop on the Internet shopping site of the retailer through the co-branded Internet site. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215432 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SERVING A MESSAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR DISPLAY ON A WORLD WIDE WEB PAGE - A method and apparatus for serving at least one message in conjunction with an advertisement for display on a World Wide Web page. The advertisement and message may be thematically related and displayed close to each other on the Web page. The advertisement and message may form all or part of a rich media file that is called when the Web page is served to a user device for display on the user device. The message may be tailored to include information specific to a user viewing the Web page, message and advertisement to direct the user's attention to the advertisement or otherwise enhance the advertisement. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215433 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SERVING A MESSAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR DISPLAY ON A WORLD WIDE WEB PAGE - A method and apparatus for serving at least one message in conjunction with an advertisement for display on a World Wide Web page. The advertisement and message may be thematically related and displayed close to each other on the Web page. The advertisement and message may form all or part of a rich media file that is called when the Web page is served to a user device for display on the user device. The message may be tailored to include information specific to a user viewing the Web page, message and advertisement to direct the user's attention to the advertisement or otherwise enhance the advertisement. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215434 | Real world interaction with virtual world privileges - A method and system provides arrangements creating a relationship between a real-world entity and a virtual world environment. A participant or player can participate in various virtual world entertainment, educational, and transactional activities. Feedback may be provided and records kept regarding the virtual world activities and transactions. The participant or player may have an opportunity of engaging in real-world activities and transactions in order to obtain a promotional virtual world premium or privilege. In some implementations, multiple players at different locations can be involved in the virtual world and real-world activities and transactions that involve and may be affected by the virtual world premium or privilege. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215435 | Map-based guide system and method - Provided is a computer system and methods for a map-based guide. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map-based guide; determining a location associated with the request; preparing a route in accordance with the location associated with the request and in accordance with at least one of a profit-motive and/or a goodwill factor; and transmitting the map-based guide. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215436 | System for delivering advertisements to wireless communication devices - An advertising system and method for a communication system that delivers advertisements to subscribers based on the respective subscriber data. The advertisers, through the provider of the system, have advertisements selected and delivered to the subscriber based on the subscriber data. The advertiser pays for advertisement delivery such that the provider can offer reduced rates or free communication services to the subscribers. The provider is capable through the system to update the subscriber data in real time including personal profile, purchase history, financial condition, and location. The provider through the system is capable of establishing advertisement delivery priority by evaluating the subscriber data in real time just prior to triggering advertisement delivery. The advertisement can be delivered in place of ring tones, at the end of the conversation, and while waiting for the other party to answer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215437 | System, apparatus and method for advertising using a data storage device - A system, method, and apparatus for downloading advertisements, storing advertisements on a storage device, selecting advertisements for presentation, and presenting selected advertisements. In some embodiments of the invention, advertisements may be dynamically associated and presented in coordination with content according to predefined parameters, stored information, and other criteria. Advertisement credits may be allocated in exchange for advertisement consumption. Advertisements and other information may be exchanged with remote servers. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215438 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRONIC COUPONS - A system for displaying an advertisement from an advertisement database on a client computer on a network including a processing circuit configured to receive a display request for an advertisement, to determine an advertisement display limit and a number of times the advertisement has been displayed. The processing circuit is also configured to provide access to display the advertisement based on the advertisement display limit and the number of times the advertisement has been displayed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215439 | Systems and Methods for Advancing Collections on Unpaid Debts - Systems and methods for advancing collections on unpaid debts. Incentives that provide monetary and/or non-monetary rewards are utilized to encourage, promote, enable, and/or facilitate a collection of one or more unpaid accounts. A book of vouchers may be purchased for a letter-writing service, wherein the cost of the book is subtracted from monies collected. Rewards are allocated for providing unpaid accounts to a debt collection service. The eligibility for the receipt of rewards may require certification in accordance with the present invention. Collections are advanced in accordance with the present invention due to the incentives that encourage and promote collection efforts. Furthermore, improved relationships exist among entities involved in collecting the unpaid debts because of the increased incentives. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215440 | REFILLABLE PACKAGE FOR CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS - A refillable container is provided for dispensing a plurality of consumable products. The container may comprise a reclosable container and a refill package. The reclosable container may comprise a lid connected to a body defining a container interior. The refill package may comprise a tray and a removable closure. The tray may be configured to fit and lock inside the container interior. There may be at least one gripping portion defined along an interior of the tray. The gripping portion may be so constructed and arranged to enable a user to disengage the tray from the container body. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215441 | Interactive Hospitality System - A hospitality system has at least one database for storing guest preferences regarding environment variables, for storing a national and/or regional origin or personal attributes of the guest. According to embodiments, advanced evacuation systems and entertainment systems are provided which fit the guest's preferences and origin. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215442 | System and method for enhanced directory assistance including commercial features - A method for enhanced commercial activities to a mobile device user includes providing a user with an application for use on a mobile wireless device and receiving an incoming communication from the wireless device via the application at an enhanced services platform of a directory assistance center. Stored account information, associated with the user is retrieved and a coded information is received from the wireless device, where the coded information is generated by the application based on input uploaded onto the wireless device by the user obtained from any one of the group selected from a product advertisement, a product price tag and digital image of a product. The coded information is parsed at the enhanced services platform, options are retrieved related to a product corresponding to the coded information and the user is provided with options relating to the product. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215443 | Motion sensor arrangement for point-of-purchase device - A motion sensor arrangement is presented for dispenser capable point-of-purchase devices. The invention includes one or more motion sensors and a power management circuit facilitating activation of visual and motion display elements and/or a dispensing mechanism. Motion sensors are attached to a shelf-mountable display unit and capable of determining the presence of a person within the vicinity of the device. Power management circuit communicates with the motion sensors and display elements, examples including light emitting diodes and motorized drive devices. The power management circuit activates one or more display elements to communicate queues to a person within visual range of the point-of-purchase device. The dispensing mechanism ejects a coupon or product information sheet when a person is sensed within the vicinity of the point-of-purchase device. The power management circuit causes display elements and dispensing mechanism to operate in different power modes based at least in part on the determination of the presence of a person by one or more motion sensors. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215444 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMISSION ALLOCATION - The invention relates to systems and methods that allocate different types of commissions to participants based on at least one factor contributing to the liquidity to the market in which an item trades. The commission may accordingly depend on the order in which trading commands are received from different participants and/or the sides the participants are on. The systems and methods receive trade commands from different participants on the item, match these trade commands, determine a commission or reward based on the added liquidity and allocate the commission or reward to certain participants. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215445 | CUSTOMER SERVICE MARKETING - Customer service marketing is disclosed. After a customer communication is received and the customer is assigned to a service agent, service request information may be received from the service agent after the service request information is obtained by the service agent from the customer. A service response information may be provided to the service agent. A plurality of current offers may be obtained. A compendium score for each of the current offers may be prepared. At least one of the current offers may be selected to be provided to the customer based on the compendium scores. Cue information may be provided to a service agent based on the selected offer. The customer may be transferred to a specialist to facilitate the customer's purchase of a product or service described in the selected offer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215446 | SUBMITTING A REQUEST TO RESERVE A SERVICE - Methods and corresponding system are provided herewith that, in at least one embodiment, include the act or acts of: selecting a restaurant from a plurality of restaurants; and transmitting a request to reserve a service that is provided by the restaurant. The request to reserve is for a particular time and a particular date and the service comprises at least one of: (i) preparing a consumable good that is consumed at the restaurant's location; (ii) preparing a consumable good that is received at the restaurant's location; or (iii) preparing a consumable good that is delivered to a location external to the restaurant's location. The methods and system also include receiving an indicia that the request to reserve the service has been accepted or denied. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215447 | BIDDING FOR A REQUEST TO RESERVE A SERVICE - Methods and corresponding system are provided herewith that, in at least one embodiment, include the act or acts of: determining that a service provided by a restaurant is available for bidding. The service is provided for a particular time and a particular date. The methods and system also include receiving a bid for the service provided by the restaurant, in which the bid is associated with a first amount; storing the bid with a plurality of other bids in a storage device; and comparing the bid with at least one other bid that is submitted for reserving the service. The at least one other bid is associated with a second amount. The methods and system also include determining that the first amount is greater than the second amount; and outputting an indicia that grants the request to reserve the service provided by the restaurant to a highest bidder, in which the first amount submitted by the highest bidder is greater than the second amount. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215448 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR SELLING TRANSACTION INSTRUMENTS VIA WEB-BASED TOOL - The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215449 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR SELLING TRANSACTION INSTRUMENTS VIA WEB-BASED TOOL - The present invention generally relates to a system and method for distributing a transaction instrument. The system includes the steps of: offering for sale, in a retail environment, the transaction instrument; selling a selected transaction instrument; communicating with the issuer of the transaction instrument via an internet accessible web site, and enabling the use of the transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be, for example, an open pre-paid card. The distribution of the transaction instrument may also include the step of sending a message, through the web site, in substantially real time, causing the pre-paid transaction instrument to be funded but not activated until later through an interactive voice response system, for example. In another example, an associated transaction account may be funded and activated at the time of distribution. Furthermore, an issuer system may be suitably configured to leverage existing Travelers Cheque infrastructure for inventory and related processes. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215450 | REMOTE PROVISIONING OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Remote provisioning of an IT network and/or associated services is provided. Hardware, software, service and/or expertise can be moved from on-premise to a remote location (e.g., central, distributed . . . ). Accordingly, at least a large degree computation can be moved to the center to exploit economies of scale, among other things. In such an architecture, computational resources (e.g., data storage, computation power, cache . . . ) can be pooled, and entities can subscribe to a particular level of resources related to a private entity IT network. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215451 | StreamSale distribution model - As the Internet becomes more and more a part of our everyday lives, we see new Business Models evolve from existing Industry Business Practices. The StreamSale Distribution Model has the ability to generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars (US) with one 60-minute broadcast. By selling an experience via the Internet, with an added feature, a unique business model emerges. Once implemented and marketed, competition will ultimately copy and implement this model. This is the very need for Patent Protection. This creates a paradigm shift in the way an Industry sells their primary products. These products, rather than remaining only tangible, are given experiential value. In fact, the customer will receive the tangible products, but for free. People have always been willing to pay for live entertainment, and continually exhibit the enjoyment of and are drawn to the evolving Internet streaming experience. This is how this inventive business model was created. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215452 | Digital online exchange for sending prices to customers - A method of dynamically pricing a plurality of items comprises providing an identifier stored in memory accessible by a processor for each item of the plurality of items, pricing each item of the plurality of items utilizing a processor configured to dynamically price items based on sales criteria for the item, associating the dynamic price for each item with the identifier for each item, sending the dynamic price and the identifier to a customer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215453 | Server apparatus, information processing apparatus, and information processing method - A server apparatus includes: a trend leader detecting portion that acquires purchaser identifying information for identifying a purchaser who purchased the product at an early stage satisfying a predetermined time condition, from at least two pieces of purchase history information; a recommended product acquiring portion that acquires at least one piece of product identifying information for identifying a product purchased by at least one purchaser identified with at least one piece of purchaser identifying information that has been acquired by the trend leader detecting portion; and a recommended product transmitting portion that transmits the at least one piece of product identifying information that has been acquired by the recommended product acquiring portion, to an information output apparatus. With this server apparatus, recommendation of a product can be provided based on the behavior in which a trend leader purchases a product. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215454 | Imaging device configuration methods and imaging device management methods - A method includes determining, by a processor within a peripheral device, that an amount of a consumable associated with the peripheral device has decreased below a predetermined threshold and transmitting an email from the peripheral device to order additional supplies of the consumable. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215455 | Comparison Shopping Via Financial Management Software - The invention comprises a financial management program and one or more databases containing information on merchants and their products. The program interacts with the databases containing the product information to return the prices and availability of goods located in a designated area. The program compares prices from various merchants and displays the results to the consumer. The program also allows the consumer to compare the prices with a household budget an financial data, while keeping track of trends in the consumer's spending and buying habits. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215456 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EXCHANGES OF ITEMS - Enhanced methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating item exchange are provided. Example embodiments provide an Exchange Facilitator System (“EFS”), which facilitates listing and sale of items offered for sale by sellers via one or more third-party item exchange systems. In some embodiments, the EFS obtains information about an item offered for sale by a seller, and automatically generates a listing for the item, based on the information about the item and information about other items sold on one or more item exchange systems. The EFS may then electronically provide the generated item listing to an item exchange system, and further manage the progress and sale of the item via the item exchange system. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215457 | Method and system for reserving future purchases of goods and services - A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services using plural electronic options with associated option fees based on one or more different pre-determined priority system. The plural electronic options include electronic option terms established by one or more suppliers who can supply the goods or services. An option fee is associated with a reservation price to purchase desired goods or services at a desired future time using a priority system. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215458 | System And Method For Processing A Product Price Or Quotation Request And Placing A Product Order Via A Communications Network - A system and method for a manufacturer to attract a customer for a distributor, via a public access network, and perform product information and ordering transactions with the customer, where the order receives the financing approval of the distributor and an associated manufacturer's representative receives a commission. The system and method includes the customer submitting a price/quotation request or product order to a host system via the public access communications network. The host system interacts with the customer, the manufacturer and the distributor in order to fulfill the customer request. The host system retrieves a customer price for the product, where the customer price is based on a predetermined pricing function that varies depending on a customer or distributor identification. The host system may also generate an order for purchase, based on the customer's request, and transmit customer information associated with the order to the distributor for financial acceptance. Upon receiving a signal representing a financial acceptance, a commission is assigned to a manufacturer's representative associated with the order, where the commission is determined based on a predetermined commission function. The host system interacts with the customer, distributor and manufacturer to insure fulfillment of the order, including shipment of the order and settlement of payments. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215459 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR META-SHOPPING AND DYNAMIC SETUP OF B2B ECOMMERCE - A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a user through a process of “meta-shopping”. The selected items are placed in a set, also referred to as a “meta-shopping cart”, used to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web site. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215460 | Merchandise location system - The present invention is generally directed to providing an improved system for accessing merchandise location information in a sales environment. Specifically, the present invention implements a system to record, store, and make available for remote access by authorized users merchandise location information within a sales environment. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215461 | Inventory Controls With Radio Frequency Identification - Inventory control with inventory item attributes wherein the attributes describe an inventory item, the inventory item has an RFID identification tag having an RFID identification tag code, and the inventory item attributes include an RFID identification tag code field, a control value, an acceptable control value range, and an out of range action. Detecting changes in the inventory item attributes, including reading, through an RFID reader, the RFID identification code from the RFID tag associated with the inventory item, recording detected changes in inventory item attributes, comparing the control value and the acceptable control value range, and taking action in dependence upon the result of the comparing and the out of range action. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215462 | STILL IMAGE SHOPPING EVENT MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHOD - The still image shopping event analysis systems and methods provided herein may implement low frequency still image sampling and perform a computer analysis of the still images captured, including discriminating differences between frames of the still images based on changes of pixels between the frames and detecting and/or analyzing one or more shopping events based on the discriminated differences between frames of the still images. The systems and methods provided herein may further count and/or analyze the shopping events based on patterns of changes between frames, including for example, numbers of customers visiting and amounts of time customers spent visiting a shopping area, whether the visit was a transitory visit or involved more detailed shopping, whether a purchase occurred, and/or which and number of item(s) purchased. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215463 | Method of Selling and Activating Consumer Products and Services - A business method for products and services. The business model provides for retail purchase of a product or service. The product or service is then transported from the retail point of purchase to a professional. The professional then activates the product or service for the consumer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215464 | Self Service Meal Plans - A system and method for providing definition and management of meal plans and packages for colleges or universities is disclosed. Students may view and flexibly modify selected packages anytime as defined by rules established by the university or college. A student may view the various options for which they may be eligible online and dynamically alter selections as permitted by pre-established criteria. Account balances are automatically reconciled by receiving additional payment or crediting residual balances, if appropriate. In this way, the students can change what type of meal service packages or plans online throughout a school year or semester to suit their changing needs. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215465 | Sales Transaction Hub - In a computer-implemented method for processing a sales transaction, an un-audited sales transaction is received from a sale generator, and temporarily stored in a memory location and forwarded to a transaction auditor to audit the sales transaction and to a plurality of backend processors to begin processing the sales transaction. An audited sales transaction is received from the transaction auditor, where the audited sales transaction is an audited version of the un-audited sales transaction. The audited sales transaction is correlated with the un-audited sales transaction using the temporarily stored un-audited sales transaction, and a resultant sales transaction that includes information from the audited sales transaction is generated. The resultant sales transaction is transmitted to the plurality of backend processors to continue processing the sales transaction. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215466 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AND KEEPING RECORDS - A recordkeeping system according to various aspects of the present invention includes a recording system and an activation system. The recording system is configured to create a record of a deal session when activated. The activation system is connected to the recording system, and is configured to automatically activate the recording system upon initiation of the deal session and deactivate the recording system upon termination of the deal session. In one embodiment, the recording system includes one or more cameras and a network video recorder, and the activation system comprises a computer terminal. The computer terminal and one of the cameras are co-located. When the user initiates a deal on the computer system, the computer system may automatically activate the camera to record the deal session. When the deal is terminated, the computer may deactivate the camera, and the resulting video record may be stored. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215467 | DIGITAL CONTENT SUBSCRIPTION CONDITIONING SYSTEM - Allocating subscription revenue may involve receiving usage information relating to usage of digital content (e.g., music, movies, text, images, games) in a digital content aggregation, identifying a coefficient relating to a subset of digital works in the digital content aggregation (e.g., author-specific subjective or objective factors, popularity ranking, historical factors, performance factors, etc.), and generating a revenue allocation for the digital content based on the coefficient and the usage information. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215468 | Software Licensing Method And System - A software and/or content licensing method, which, in some embodiments, an intermediate entity brokers a plurality of software vendors to a single user, who can pay for only actual use of the software, through the single entity. In some embodiments, there is a cap. In some embodiments, offline use of the pay-per-use software is supported. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215469 | Consumer Finance Method and System - A consumer finance method and system financing a purchase including the steps of providing new goods or services to at least partially replace used goods or services which the customer is currently using to a customer at a purchase price; and collecting at least the amount of the purchase price from the customer in a plurality of installments, the amount of each installment calculated as the amount which the customer would have paid for the used goods or services based on historical information. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215470 | Methods and apparatus for use in association with payment card accounts - In one aspect, a method includes: receiving data indicative of one or more characteristics of a customer having an existing or prospective relationship with a retail business; providing data indicative of a plurality of possible payment card accounts that are available from a financial institution for customers of the retail business, each of the plurality of possible payment card accounts having at least one characteristic; determining a plurality of estimates, each of the plurality of estimates being associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible payment card accounts and indicative of a financial metric that would be realized by the retail business if the customer had a payment card account having the at least one characteristic of the associated one of the lo plurality of possible payment card accounts; and selecting one of the plurality of possible payment card accounts based at least in part on the estimate associated with the possible payment card account and on selection criteria that includes at least one criteria related to a financial metric of the retail business. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215471 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRIORITIZING RECONCILEMENT INFORMATION SEARCHES - Systems and methods are disclosed for assisting a check-cashing entity to efficiently and accurately locate relevant positive pay information or other reconcilement information regarding a check or other negotiable instrument that has been presented in association with a request to cash, deposit, use as payment or other otherwise accept the check or negotiable instrument. In various embodiments, when a plurality of potentially useful reconcilement information sources are selected for querying in association with a proposed check-cashing transaction from amongst a set of available reconcilement information sources, factors relating to the transaction, factors relating to characteristics of the information sources, and factors relating to preferences on the part of the check-cashing entity may be considered in order to select and prioritize the querying of information sources that are deemed likely to hold desired reconcilement information. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215472 | Variable use advanced messaging system and method - Using a single source money management system customers may automate their committed spending. A money management account and a discretionary fund account are established in response to a customer's request to participate in the system. A financial institution receives money on a periodic basis from a customer's predictable payment system. The money is then deposited/transferred to the money management account, retained in the money management account as required for bill payment, and/or deposited/transferred into the discretionary fund account if it is “excess.” Bills are paid on a customer determined schedule directly from the money management account using the money retained in the money management account. A loan account may also be established in response to a customer's application for a loan account. A financial institution grants a loan for a loan purchase in response to a customer's application for a loan purchase. The system and/or the financial institution handles payment for the loan purchase and repayment of the loan from the loan account from the money management account. The present invention may include a secure internet shopping system that includes a vendor web system and a financial institution web system. Each vendor offers goods and/or services. The financial institution web system permits customer authorization of payment to a selected vendor. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215473 | Method for Positively Identifying Livestock and Use Thereof In Legal Instruments Relating Thereto - The present invention comprises a method for identifying individual animals, and for using such identification in the creation of a secured interest therein. It relies on a unique and immutable characteristic of each animal, together with a system for representing such characteristic by a symbolic indicator. The symbolic indicator is used in instruments that create or relate to an interest in the animal, to facilitate subsequent identification of the animal, and execution of the secured interest by the secured creditor and search of recorded interests by third parties. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215474 | Systems and methods 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. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215475 | EXCLUSIVITY BIDDING FOR MOBILE SPONSORED CONTENT - In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for receiving a bid for an exclusive sponsored content item to be presented on a mobile communication facility, the bid including an amount and at least one exclusivity characteristic relating to a mobile subscriber characteristic and matching the at least one exclusivity characteristic with the exclusive sponsored content item based at least in part on a relevancy for presentation to a mobile communication facility. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215476 | ANONYMOUS BIDDING SYSTEM - An anonymous bidding system that allows bidders to participate in a live auction by placing bids for items, but that does not disclose the identify of the bidding parties. Bidding participants may utilize a bidding device, such as a handheld device, to receive information regarding the auction. This information can include a description of the item up for auction, the asking price, and the current high bidder. By actuating the bidding device, a signal is sent to the bidding system to indicate that a bid request is being submitted. The bid request includes a bidder identifier that is unique to the bidding party, but that does not disclose the identify of the bidding party to others in the audience. Thus, the parties can participate in the live auction without drawing attention to their participation. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215477 | System for trading commodities and the like - The present invention provides a system for trading commodities and the like. A computer, a communications link between the computer and the Internet, and a database, accessible by the computer are provided. The database includes a plurality of user files. Each of the user files corresponds to a specified user of the system. Each of the user files contains exchange permissions corresponding to exchanges to which the specified user may access. At least one computerized exchange transacts specified commodities executing on the computer accessible by selected users having proper exchange permissions for each exchange. A display is provided for pooling liquidity that permits users to post and view bids and offers and negotiate and consummate transactions on common commodities from one or more groups or exchanges. By such liquidity pooling, the liquidity of transactions of commodities between various exchanges and users is improved. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215478 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING CONTRARY POSITIONS - A market for trading hedged instruments is provided. The market includes at least one hedged instrument having a value based at least on a first position on at least a first tradable instrument and a second position on at least a second tradable instrument. The second position is contrary to the first position. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215479 | Method and Processing Arrangement for Providing Various Financing Options - A method is disclosed for determining a repayment amount on a loan that is dependent on an initial value of a property. The method uses input data comprising the initial value of the property, a term for repayment of the loan, a first time for which the repayment amount is to be determined and a current value of the property at the first time. The current value of the property is compared (step | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215480 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC PATH- AND STATE-DEPENDENT STOCHASTIC CONTROL ALLOCATION - The invention includes a system and process that employs contractual bargaining with agent-based computational methods for the dynamic allocation, optimization, and pricing of contingent rights and obligations between multiple counterparties with overlapping interests. The processes employ a dynamic and endogenous hierarchy or tiering of binding incentive compatible contingent strategies, which may include optimal liquidation policies for matched assets and liabilities based upon stochastic volume/price schedule related to statistically non-stationary supply/demand elasticities and order-flow, as well as variations in market microstructure. The invention includes a dynamic open system with distributed stochastic control of strategic interactions among dynamic optimizing agents across random states, wherein the actions of any one affects the joint costs and benefits for all the agents. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215481 | Method and apparatus for monitoring guaranteed loans and notifying guarantors - A method and apparatus are provided for notifying a guarantor associated with a guaranteed loan of events likely to affect their interest in the guaranteed loan. The disclosed method and apparatus provides loan data with information on at least one guaranteed loan wherein the loan data includes information on the terms of the loan. The method and apparatus then monitors changes in the loan data and determines when changes in the loan data corresponding to the at least one guaranteed loan indicates a likelihood that the terms of the loan may not be met. Based on the determination the method and apparatus provides a notification to the guarantor based on the determination that the loan terms may not be met. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215482 | Mortgage loan data processing system and method for a loan broker - The present invention includes a data processing system and method for managing the origination of a mortgage loan by a loan originator in coordination with a loan broker for a loan customer. The loan originator is not the loan broker. The loan originator provides services necessary for the origination of the mortgage loan and not duplicative of services provided by the loan broker. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215483 | System and method for the enablement of electronic commerce in a content network - An apparatus customizes electronic received information and facilitates electronic transactions with an individual consumer. The apparatus includes a consumer database for storing consumer profiles information corresponding to the individual consumer and a transaction database for storing transaction related information corresponding to individual commercial partners, including target content markers. A first computer program in communication with the databases modifies the electronic information received to include the consumer profile information stored in the consumer database which corresponds to the transaction-related target content markers in the electronic information. A second computer program in communication with the consumer database automatically monitors consumer interaction and automatically monitors consumer interaction and automatically updating the consumer profile data based on the interactions. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215484 | ENHANCED TRANSFER FRAMEWORK FOR SOURCE OR PROCESS VERIFIED PRODUCTS - An enhanced transfer framework for source or process verified products, in which, from disparate selling entities, event data is received certifying that animals separately processed by the disparate entities each satisfy requirements associated with source or process verified animal products, and the animals are aggregated for sale as a group of certified source or process verified animals. As the group, the sale of the certified source or process verified animals is effected to a purchasing entity, the event data that identifies the disparate selling entities is filtered out, and the filtered event data is transferred to the purchasing entity. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215485 | Automatic Reminder System for Check Ordering - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement an automatic ordering system so that a bank customer can either receive automatic reminders or automatic reorder notification when it is time for the customer to reorder checks. The system tracks check numbers that the customer has in his or her possession and also tracks the check numbers that the customer has written. When the system determines that the customer is running low on checks, the customer can be presented with an automatic reminder to reorder, and then can easily reorder replacement checks. Alternatively, the system can automatically place the checks reorder for the customer if the automatic reorder option is enabled. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215486 | Communication method and communication apparatus, information processing method and information processing apparatus, storage medium, and computer program - When an IC card is placed in the vicinity of one of a television receiver, a hard disk recorder, and a personal digital assistant (PDA), a card ID stored in the IC card and the profile of each of the television receiver, the hard disk recorder and the PDA are shared, thereby forming a VPN (Virtual Private Network). When the hard disk recorder requests a content delivery server to download a content, the content delivery server sends the content in response. The content is then stored in the hard disk recorder. When the replaying of the stored content on the television receiver is requested, authentication is performed between the hard disk recorder and the television receiver based on the card ID. If the authentication is successfully completed, the content is sent to the television receiver. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215487 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING MONEY TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS - A method of performing a send money transfer transaction through a financial services institution includes storing transaction details on a data base, wherein the transaction details include a desired amount of money to be sent; establishing a code that corresponds to the transaction details stored on the data base; entering the code into an electronic transaction fulfillment device in communication with the data base to retrieve the transaction details from the data base; and determining a collect amount based on the transaction details. A system for performing a send money transfer transaction is also disclosed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215488 | Payer-Based Account Porting To Portable Value Distribution Systems And Methods - A value distribution method includes enrolling a payee into a source program through which the payee receives funds from a payer. The source program includes a stored value account into which the payer deposits the payee's funds. The stored value account has account information associated therewith. The method also includes receiving a porting trigger, and, in response to the porting trigger, establishing a target program for the payee. The target program includes a target account into which entities in addition to the payer may deposit funds. The method also includes porting at least a portion of the account information from the source program to the target program. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215489 | Method And Apparatus For Authentication Of Invoices - The security of invoices as between purchaser and supplier may be improved by printing a data matrix symbol or other glyph on the invoice. The data matrix contains two layers or portions of data. The first layer or portion contains invoice data and the second layer or portion contains secure data relating to the purchaser and supplier. This may include a trusted supplier status, a trusted supplier code and a unique voice identifier, or a reference thereto. On receipt of the invoice by the purchaser the data matrix is scanned and the trusted supplier status and supplier codes retrieved. These may be compared against a store of codes and status to verify the invoice as authentic. The secure data or a reference to the secure data may be re-encoded into a data matrix which may be affixed to a remittance advice sent by the purchaser to the supplier. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215490 | INTELLIGENT ASSISTANT FOR CONTENT PURCHASING - A method, apparatus, and electronic device for optimizing content acquisition are disclosed. A memory may store usage of a previous set of media content by the mobile device. An input/output device may receive a request for a current set of media content. A processor may create a user profile based on the usage and provides a first recommendation of a first digital rights agreement based on the user profile. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215491 | Content Distribution on Storage Media For Sale, Rental and Resale - In one embodiment, content is delivered to a customer over a communication network and written to a storage medium. The customer may be authorized to make additional copies of the content. The delivered content and copies are tracked in support of rental, sale or resale applications. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215492 | AUTOMATED ENTITLEMENT MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING MAINTENANCE RENEWALS REVENUES - The presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus that enables software publishers and other sellers of subscription services. e.g. subscriptions, such as maintenance or license programs, to track when the subscription period for each customer expires, to inform interested contacts at the customer proactively that a renewal for their subscription is coming due, and to provide a way for those contacts at the customer to purchase a renewal of their subscription program. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215493 | Method and system for negotiation - A system and method for negotiating over a network, comprises a selector for selecting a random length of time for negotiation; a receiving component, operably connected to said selector, for receiving an offer to purchase over a network; and a purchase fulfillment component, operably connected to said receiving component, wherein said purchase fulfillment component completes a purchase if said offer to purchase over a network matches or exceeds a threshold criterion and/or the elapsed amount of time for negotiation does not exceed said random length of time. A maximum negotiation iteration approach may be used to allow up to a predetermined number of negotiation proposals. A maximum negotiation time frame approach may be used to allow up to a predetermined period of elapsed time for negotiation proposals. The maximum negotiation iteration approach and the maximum negotiation time frame approach may be used together or with a variety of negotiation approaches. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215494 | Online music and other copyrighted work search and licensing system - Search and licensing systems and method for copyrighted works, such as music tracks, images, and video. The system may comprise a database that stores data regarding copyrighted works. The system may also comprise a search engine for allowing a user to search the database for copyrighted works. The system also comprises a licensing module that implements licensing negotiations between the user and a copyright licensor for a selected copyrighted work selected by the user. The licensing module may send an electronic quote request via email to the licensor in response from a license request from the user. The email may contain an activation link to a web site at which the licensor can enter a quote for a license to use the copyrighted work in accordance with use details input by the user. Also disclosed are systems and methods for automating licensing negotiations for copyrighted works detected and recognized in uploaded files (such as video files) to be distributed via the Internet or other communication networks. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215495 | Method and system for reserving future purchases of goods and services - A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services using plural electronic options with associated option fees. The plural electronic options include a hierarchy of electronic options and plural different types electronic options terms. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215496 | Interactive user interface for displaying information related to publicly traded securities - An interactive user interface for displaying information about a plurality of publicly traded securities (e.g., stocks) at one time is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the interface may comprise (i) a two-dimensional chart comprising an x-axis and a y-axis, (ii) a first field for specifying a first metric related to the publicly traded securities for the x-axis, and (iii) a second field for specifying a second metric related to the publicly traded securities for the y-axis. An icon (e.g., a circle or a bubble) may be positioned on the chart at the x and y coordinates for each of the publicly traded companies based on the selected x-axis and y-axis metrics. In addition, the size of the icons may be representative of a third metric related to the publicly traded securities such as, for example, the market capitalization of the companies that issued the securities. Also, an interior feature of the icons (e.g., the color or hatching) may be representative of a fourth metric related to the publicly traded securities, such as the rating for the securities. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215497 | System and Method for Valuing Stocks - A method for valuing stocks includes determining ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215498 | Stock Method for Measuring and Assigning Precise Meaning to Market Sentiment - A stock method for objectively quantifying the feeling, or market sentiment, of a company's stock (or the market as a whole) in a data-driven and transparent manner that serves as a standardized tool useful to investors and stock market analysts in gauging such items as inflated or deflated price values resulting from varying levels of market sentiment. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215499 | BETA ADJUSTMENT FOR LEVERAGED INDEX PRODUCTS - A technique to provide a return from an aggregate of an investment in a cash equivalent account and a leveraged index product account over a time period that is substantially equivalent to a multiple of the return of a theoretical position in an underlying index for the period of time is provided by calculating in a computer system a benchmark exposure of the theoretical position in the underlying index corresponding to the index used in the leveraged index fund; and based on the benchmark exposure, determining whether to initiate a transaction to re-allocate funds from the leveraged index product to a cash equivalent account or from the cash equivalent account to the leveraged index product according to the determined daily benchmark exposure. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215500 | SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF PROFITING OR GENERATING INCOME FROM THE BUILT-IN EQUITY IN REAL ESTATE ASSETS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ILLIQUID ASSET - Briefly, embodiments of a system or a method of profiting or generating income from equity in real estate or any other form of illiquid asset is disclosed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215501 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A METRIC OF FINANCIAL STATUS RELATIVE TO A FINANCIAL GOAL - The present invention relates to, among other things, systems and methods for generating a metric of an entity's financial status relative to a financial goal. In generating the metric, the value of an entity's total assets is simulated over time based on data comprising historical rates of returns. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a computer system and method for generating a metric of an individual's probable present-day financial status relative to financial independence on a desired future date. In this embodiment, the metric is called a Financial Independence Score. The Financial Independence score is a single number that represents the individual's financial status relative to achieving financial independence by a desired date. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215502 | METHOD OF PROVIDING A LIFE, VACATION, AND INVESTMENT POLICY - A method of providing a life, vacation, and investment policy includes the steps of: creating a publicly traded securitized real estate corporation; providing a life, vacation, and investment policy through the corporation; securing the life, vacation, and investment policy through a bank note; and distributing the life, vacation, and investment policy to consumers through a third party. The life, vacation, and investment policy has benefits that include a vacation bonus. The vacation bonus is a contract for vacationing at the properties of the securitized real estate corporation. The life, vacation, and investment policy has investments that include: securitized real estates; and alternative investments. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215503 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STOCK AND INDEX OPTION PRICE IMPROVEMENT, PARTICIPATION, AND INTERNALIZATION - A method for stock option trading includes receiving an option order at a market, contemporaneously receiving a copy of the option order at an electronic drop (EDrop) system, which is separate and distinct from the market, obtaining a potential cross quantity and a potential cross price based on the option order at the EDrop system, and submitting, through the EDrop system, a contra-order, with respect to the option order, to the market for fulfillment, wherein the contra-order specifies at least one of an underlying security potential cross quantity, and the potential cross price. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215504 | Revenue Allocation in a Network Environment - The present invention relates to a search engine for providing a search result responsive to a search query received from a user and for allocating revenue generated from one or more advertisements included with the search result to the authors of the content that makes up the search result. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215505 | Car wash communication, fund transfer, control system and method - A method of controlling one or more self service vacuums, dispensers, fragrance machines, shampoo machines, cleaning systems or car wash systems comprising a radio frequency transceiver or module. This method incorporates an RF or radio frequency receiver, transmitter or transceiver. The system has the capability of configuring the various dispensing systems to change pricing and operation. Processing of the various payment methods include coin, currency, credit card, debit card gift, card, fleet card, token, flash memory, electronic payment, special keys, scan cards as well as numerous other payment means. One embodiment is performed over a secure RF system. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215506 | Systems and methods for a community-based e-consultant brokerage - The present invention relates to systems and methods for requesting, receiving, providing, and paying for services over the internet, through IM and VoIP applications, and other communication means. According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, systems are provided that allow a customer to purchase and receive the services of a consultant. More particularly, such systems generally comprise (i) an instant messaging (IM) application, which is capable of connecting a customer to a consultant; (ii) an IM plugin, wherein the IM plugin is capable of detecting a message from the customer to the consultant sent through the IM application; and (iii) a server, wherein the server is capable of communicating with and receiving input from the IM plugin, wherein such input is processed by the server to validate the customer and instruct the IM plugin to connect the customer with the consultant through the IM application. The systems and methods of the present invention allow consultants to provide “micro-consulting” type services through IM applications and VoIP connections, whereby the consultants may be compensated for such services based on the length of the consulting session. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215507 | Dynamic pricing of items based on category with which the item is associated - A method comprises grouping a plurality of items into a first group for purposes of aggregately pricing each of the plurality of items, sending a first price of a first and a second of the plurality of items in the first group for sale from a processor to one or more clients over a network, determining if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the first or second item at the first price from one or more of the clients, pricing the first and second of the plurality of items in the first group at a second price with the processor, the second price being lower than the first, and sending the second price over the network to one or more clients. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215508 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HUMAN BEHAVIOR MODELING IN ADAPTIVE TRAINING - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for simulating human behavior. Source code for predicting human behavior is located on a storage system in a network data processing system. An interpreter executing on hardware in the network data processing system includes a language interpreter and a communications module. The language interpreter executes a simulation with the source code using artificial intelligence to generate a new definition and interpreted source code. A graphical user interface processor receives the interpreted source code from the language interpreter and generates device dependent output. Devices display the device dependent output, receive user input, and send received user input to the graphical user interface processor. The communications module receives user input from the graphical user interface processor and the new definition from the language interpreter and modifies the source code to form modified source code, executed by the language interpreter. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215509 | Content Access Rights Management - An apparatus ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215510 | MULTI-SCALE SEGMENTATION AND PARTIAL MATCHING 3D MODELS - A scale-Space feature extraction technique is based on recursive decomposition of polyhedral surfaces into surface patches. The experimental results show that this technique can be used to perform matching based on local model structure. Scale-space techniques can be parameterized to generate decompositions that correspond to manufacturing, assembly or surface features relevant to mechanical design. One application of these techniques is to support matching and content-based retrieval of solid models. Scale-space technique can extract features that are invariant with respect to the global structure of the model as well as small perturbations that | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215511 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED PART-NUMBER MAPPING - Automated mapping of part numbers associated with parts in a bill of materials (BOM) submitted by a BOM originator to internal part numbers assigned to those parts by a BOM receiver is performed by one or more computers connected to one or more networks through one or more network interfaces. A first receive component receives one or more data sets containing historical data on bills of materials received in the past by the BOM receiver. A second receive component receives one or more data sets containing known mappings between internal part numbers used by the BOM receiver, and part numbers used by various BOM originators. A third receive component receives one or more data sets containing information of various parameters and their values describing the parts to which the BOM receiver has assigned internal part numbers. A fourth receive component receives one or more methods of automatically learning models for predicting internal part numbers from the above mentioned historical BOM data, mapping data and part parametric data. A learning component learns the models from the data. A fifth receive component receives a BOM from a requesting process. The BOM has one or more parts with a missing internal part number. A mapping component applies the learned models to the received BOM to automatically determine internal part numbers for all unmapped BOM originator part numbers. A release process assigns internal part numbers to all unmapped parts in the BOM and releases the BOM to the requesting process. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215512 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING A MULTI-OBJECTIVE EVOLUTIONARY OPTIMIZATION OF AGENT-BASED MODELS - Agent-based models (ABMs)/multi-agent systems (MASs) are one of the most widely used modeling-simulation-analysis approaches for understanding the dynamical behavior of complex systems. These models can be often characterized by several parameters with nonlinear interactions which together determine the global system dynamics, usually measured by different conflicting criteria. One problem that can emerge is that of tuning the controllable system parameters at the local level, in order to reach some desirable global behavior. According to one exemplary embodiment t of the present invention, the tuning of an ABM for emergency response planning can be cast as a multi-objective optimization problem (MOOP). Further, the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) and procedures for exploration and optimization of the resultant search space can be utilized. It is possible to employ conventional MOEAs, e.g., the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) and the Pareto Archived Evolution Strategy (PAES), and their performance can be tested for different pairs of objectives for plan evaluation. In the experimental results, the approximate Pareto front of the non-dominated solutions is effectively obtained. Further, a conflict between the proposed objectives can be seen. Additional robustness analysis may be performed to assist policy-makers in selecting a plan according to higher-level information or criteria which is likely not present in the original problem description. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215513 | METHODS FOR FEATURE SELECTION IN A LEARNING MACHINE - In a pre-processing step prior to training a learning machine, pre-processing includes reducing the quantity of features to be processed using feature selection methods selected from the group consisting of recursive feature elimination (RFE), minimizing the number of non-zero parameters of the system (l | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215514 | Portable device for classification of medical data - A portable device for classification of medical data, the portable device having an artificial neural network and a configuration store having configuration parameter information relating to the artificial neural network, the artificial neural network being configured in accordance with configuration parameter information, the portable device being operable to receive input data, pass the input data to the ANN, and receive an output from the ANN. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215515 | System, apparatus and method for using and managing digital information - A system, apparatus and method for using, identifying, interacting and managing digital information in a useful and convenient manner. When a digital representation of information is loaded, an index is constructed of unique terms in the information, which index includes the terms, a count of the occurrences of each term in the information and a reference to each location wherein the term occurs in the information. A user can select a term of interest from the index and a context box comprising a user-selected amount of information from before and/or after each occurrence of the selected term is displayed to the user to allow the user to more readily identify portions of the information which are of interest. The user can select one a context box of interest and the display of the information is repositioned to the location in the information which corresponds to the select box. A user can also create a knowledge base entry from each identified and/or selected portion of the information, which knowledge base can be searched in a variety of manners. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215516 | Systems and Methods for Predicting Consequences of Misinterpretation of User Commands in Automated Systems - Systems and methods are provided for processing and executing commands in automated systems. For example, command processing systems and methods are provided which can automatically determine, evaluate or otherwise predict consequences of execution of misrecognized or misinterpreted user commands in automated systems and thus prevent undesirable or dangerous consequences that can result from execution of misrecognized/misinterpreted commands. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215517 | Rule Based System and Method - A rule based computerised method is disclosed of developing and/or implementing and/or administering rule based systems such as legislation and/or policy and/or other rule sets, the method including:—developing a computerised database containing a set of rules in accordance with which the rule based system can be developed, written in and delivered; wherein the rules are:—written in natural spoken language to express the individual grammatical units constituting the rules, constrained in being written in accordance with defined constraints to limit the number of logical formats in which the rules can be expressed, and explicit in being written in a manner to avoid implicit meanings; whereby the rules are expressed in a logical format readily understandable to both humans and computers. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215518 | Filtering Rule Analysis Method and System - A filtering rule analysis system for analyzing the rules of a packet filtering process that is set in network devices includes: a rule storage for storing sets of rules for which an order of priority has been established; a matrix generator for generating matrix spatial data that contains information of the order of priority and that indicates the correspondence relation between a minimum region identified by starting points and end points of ranges of packet attributes described in each rule as the condition of application of that rule and those rules; and an overlap analyzer for referring to the matrix spatial data to analyze overlap between the rules. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215519 | METHOD AND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROLLED QUERY OF STRUCTURED SAVED INFORMATION - A method for the controlled querying of information stored in a structured format in a data processing system using a dialog system includes: providing at least one first ontology configured to store information in a structured format; and providing at least one input grammar in the dialog system configured to analyze user inputs as a function of the at least one first ontology. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215520 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INDEXING AND SERIALIZING DATA - The present invention provides a computer implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer usable program product for indexing data. A controller identifies a set of data to be indexed, wherein a set of data structure trees represents the set of data. The controller merges the set of data structure trees to form a unified tree, wherein the unified tree contains a node for each unit of data in the set of data. The controller assigns an identifier to the node for each unit of data in the set of data that describes the node within the unified tree. The controller then serializes the unified tree to form a set of sequential series that represents the set of data structure trees, wherein the set of sequential series forms an index for the set of data. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215521 | METHOD FOR MONITORING A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WHEN PURSUING AN OBJECTIVE IN ECONOMIC, TECHNICAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL FIELDS - A method for controlling a decisional process when pursuing an aim in a specific application domain, such as economic, technical, and organizational fields. In the process, a system of agents is created, including creator cognitive agents of portable knowledge objects and constructor agents of knowledge objects by adding supplementary knowledge elements to the knowledge objects created. The system launches the decisional process by tracking the observation of an abnormality in the actual data of the application domain by the creation of an initial knowledge object representative of an alarm index and causes several decisional paths to be established linked to this object, under different points of view of different agents, each in its domain, and the decision is made following merging of decisional paths. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215522 | Retrieval Method For Contents To Be Selection Candidates For User - Each of information on user characteristic and information on game content characteristic is arranged as position information using two or more parameters on the same coordinate system. The contents are divided into a plurality of content groups. Upon reception of an information search request from a user, a distance between the position corresponding to the user characteristic and the position of the center of gravity of each content group is obtained unless the target content condition is decided. When the target content condition is decided, a distance between the segment connecting the user position with the content position selected as the target and the position of center of gravity of each content group is obtained. Not only the content contained in the group approximating the user characteristic or the target content but also the content contained in a comparatively approximating group is presented to the user as a selection candidate according to the obtained distance. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215523 | METHOD FOR ASSOCIATION CHECKING OF STRUCTURED DATA SETS FROM WHICH PATIENT IDENTIFICATION DATA CAN BE DETERMINED IN A PATIENT ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC PATIENT RECORDS - In a method for association checking of structured data sets from which patient identification data can be determined in a patient administration system with electronic patient records that respectively include a structured base data set containing patient identification data upon an access to a patient record and/or at least one structured data set thereof, a comparison of patient identification data determined from at least the just-accessed structured data set and/or one structured data set already opened with the patient identification data of the base data set ensues. A warning is output to a user if correspondence does not exist. | 2008-09-04 |
