50th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 63 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090307027 | Repair order management - Systems and methods used by automobile service centers to manage repair orders are disclosed. The repair order management system retrieves information pertaining to the processing of the repair orders from one or more service center databases. The retrieved information is processed by the system to generate one-line summaries for each repair order. The one-line repair order summaries are displayed on one or more screens of a secure web-based user interface. The displayed one-line repair order summaries are automatically updated to reflect updates to the repair orders. The one-line repair order summaries allow service personnel at the automobile service center to quickly obtain concise information on each repair order and thereby, expedite processing of repair orders. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307028 | A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING POTENTIALLY FRAUDULENT CUSTOMERS IN RELATION TO ELECTRONIC CUSTOMER ACTION BASED SYSTEMS, AND A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PERFORMING SAID METHOD - The invention concerns a computer-implemented method, system and computer program for performing said method, for identifying potentially fraudulent entities in relation to electronic entity action based systems, associated with for example at least one client website | 2009-12-10 |
20090307029 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISCOUNTED PRINTING - A system and method for method for implementing a discounted printing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for implementing discounted printing includes creating a sponsored document including a digital signature using a cryptographic protocol provided in an application by an enterprise, sending the sponsored document including the digital signature to a client computing system including a sponsored printer for printing by the enterprise, dynamically verifying the digital signature by a trusted service provider upon the enterprise sending the sponsored document to the sponsored printer, and printing the sponsored document by the sponsored printer upon a successful verification of the digital signature. The method may also include crediting an end user associated with the sponsored printer by an amount that substantially subsidizes cost associated with the printing of the sponsored document. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307030 | RISK MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVER AND JOB SUPPORT DEVICE - A risk management support server possible of obtaining support information according to various viewpoints of risk management is provided. In client ( | 2009-12-10 |
20090307031 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION, REPORTING, AND ANALYSIS OF FLEET VEHICLE INFORMATION - Presented is a system and method of providing centralized management and analysis of fleet information. The system includes a centralized fleet information management server accessible via a communications network to thin clients. The communications network may be the Internet, and the thin clients are required to have only a web browser application to fully access the functionality of the server. A portable computing device, such as a Windows CE or Palm compatible device, may be used with an installed application program to conduct on-site, off-line inspections. The portable device includes a local database that may be populated with fleet information downloaded from the fleet information management server. Upon completion of the on-site inspection, the data stored in the local database may be uploaded to the server. The server may be used by thin clients to generate various reports based on the fleet data, including the estimation of operating cost savings. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307032 | BRAND PROTECTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A product management system for monitoring the movement of products through a supply chain, the system being adapted to receive data from reader devices that capture data associated with the products as they move through the chain. The captured data is used to generate an event record for each product, at each stage in the supply chain. These records are used, together with at least one model of the supply chain, to detect anomalous events. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307033 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING DUPLICATE SURVEY ATTEMPTS - A system and method for detecting and avoiding attempts at taking the same survey by the same respondent. A respondent is assigned a Global unique identifier (GUID) and the encrypted global identifier is inserted in a “cookie” stored on the user's computer. Each time a respondent attempts to take a survey, a respondent is identified using a mechanism such as e-mail, computer identifier or the like and a Survey Management system checks to see if this respondent should have a global identifier encoded in a cookie. Based on this review, the Survey Management system can determine whether or not this particular user, whether using different computer systems or under different user accounts has previously taken the survey. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307034 | ENERGY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An energy information management system and a computer-implemented method of managing energy information are disclosed. The computer-implemented method may include receiving energy use data based upon the energy consumption of one or more facilities, associating the energy use data with one or more facility types based upon characteristics of the one or more facilities to which the energy use data is related, and storing the energy use data in a database. Each facility type may be determined based upon at least one of an owner, location, size, age, use, operating schedule, lighting, water use, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment of the facility to which the energy use data is related. The energy information management system may include one or more sources of energy use data which generate data signals, a server, and a browser-enabled user device. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307035 | RESOLUTION OF RESOURCE OVER-ALLOCATIONS IN PROJECT PLANS - Architecture that introduces a new default leveling algorithm related to a leveling order that uses one or more of task identifier, start dates, and existing priority field, such that users do not need to define an explicit priority value for each task before using leveling. The architecture allows the user to reschedule only a specific task based on availability, without changing other tasks in the schedule. Users can select a single over-allocated task and the architecture looks at all other tasks in the overall schedule to find the next open timeslot when the assigned resources have capacity. The architecture further allows a user to selectively level a subset of tasks in a project. The user can choose to level only tasks that are relevant and the application only resolves over-allocation within the selection and excludes all other unselected tasks in the project. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307036 | Budget-Based Power Consumption For Application Execution On A Plurality Of Compute Nodes - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for budget-based power consumption for application execution on a plurality of compute nodes that include: assigning an execution priority to each of one or more applications; executing, on the plurality of compute nodes, the applications according to the execution priorities assigned to the applications at an initial power level provided to the compute nodes until a predetermined power consumption threshold is reached; and applying, upon reaching the predetermined power consumption threshold, one or more power conservation actions to reduce power consumption of the plurality of compute nodes during execution of the applications. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307037 | Resource Planning System With Carbon Emission Input - Embodiments of systems, methods, and software associated with the development of a resource or production plan within an enterprise's integration system are described in the present disclosure. In one of many embodiments, a method is described. Upon obtaining a master planning schedule, the method includes evaluating an inventory of resource associated with the master planning schedule. A production schedule associated with the master planning schedule is evaluated. Also, the method includes estimating carbon emission information associated with the master planning schedule. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307038 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATION OF DATA FEEDS BASED ON CALENDER MEETING PARTICIPANTS - In some embodiments, a method for determining data feeds in an electronic calendar comprises identifying participants of a meeting scheduled in the electronic calendar and determining topics relevant to the participants of the meeting. The method can also comprise selecting data feeds based on the topics relevant to the participants of the meeting, wherein the data feeds provide information about the topics. The method can also include presenting the data feeds to one or more of the participants of the meeting. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307039 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING WORK INSTRUCTIONS FOR VEHICLES - A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving work instructions for a plurality of vehicles, receiving location information for the plurality of vehicles relative to an entity, and generating an order for the plurality of vehicles using the location information for the plurality of vehicles. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307040 | NETWORK-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT METHOD - An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a storage medium having instructions for a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast. The method also includes monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment, refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center; and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307041 | Methods and apparatus for interactive specification of context-sensitive service level agreements; for provisioning of resources required during service delivery events regulated by service level agreements; and for monitoring compliance with service level agreements during service delivery events - In a first aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus implement graphical user interfaces for interactively specifying service level agreements used to regulate delivery of services to, for example, computer systems. An interactive graphical user interface allows a user to see the effects of varying values of service delivery variables on the level of service achievable in a particular service delivery context. In a second aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention provision resources required for service delivery. In the second aspect, the methods and apparatus of the present invention select a service delivery model dependent on context. The selected service delivery model is used to provision resources that will be required during service delivery. In a third aspect, methods and apparatus of the present invention monitor compliance with a service level agreement during a service delivery event. In instances where a given service delivery does not comply with service level attributes specified in a controlling service level agreement, the methods and apparatus of the present invention take corrective action. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307042 | On-the-Spot Labour Market Providing Support System - A market is provided where spot employment of a labor provider on the site can be offered in real time by using a location information system such as a mobile phone with a GPS function. A spot labor market provision support system ( | 2009-12-10 |
20090307043 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PATTERN BASED SCHEDULING - Disclosed is a method and system for receiving a scheduling input parameter for an event, analyzing the scheduling input parameter to determine a schedule pattern and generating a list of schedules for the event based on the schedule pattern. The list of schedules includes a recurring schedule and a non-recurring schedule for the event. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307044 | System and method for consolidation of calendar appointments - A system and method for dynamically consolidating an appointment schedule. The system includes a client computer, a calendar server, and a server calendar management agent (CMA). The client computer displays a calendar user interface to show a first candidate appointment. The calendar server facilitates a scheduling consolidation session. The server CMA searches for a second candidate appointment for consolidation with the first candidate appointment based on at least one consolidation parameter. The server CMA also identifies a consolidated appointment for at least the first and second candidate appointments. The consolidated appointment combines the first and second candidate appointments according to the consolidation parameter. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307045 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZATION OF MEETINGS BASED ON SUBJECT/PARTICIPANT RELATIONSHIPS - In some embodiments, a method for determining meeting participants in an electronic calendar comprises identifying, based on user input, a first set of participants to invite to a meeting scheduled in the electronic calendar, wherein the meeting is associated with a topic. The method can also comprise identifying a second set of participants based on the topic associated with the meeting. The method can include determining a union of the first and second sets of participants and generating, for this union, calendar entries in the electronic calendar. The method can also include presenting the calendar entries in the electronic calendar. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307046 | Contracting method and apparatus for services - An electronic contracting method and apparatus for the purchase of pre-funded future services to equalize the bargaining positions of the parties and then deliver payment in accordance with the negotiated service contract terms. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307047 | System to Defer and Refer Advertisements Presented in Conjunction with Media Device Control Interfaces - A targeted advertising method and system tracks user interaction with and responses to a displayed advertisement. The advertisement is displayed in the user viewing control interface of a media device system (e.g. delivering cable television, satellite television, global computer network/online media). Based on recorded user responses, the invention system generates viewer lists enabling targeted advertising. The viewer lists include lists of users that have viewed the advertisement, lists of users that have requested more information and/or lists of peer recommended users. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307048 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS - A recipient's viewing or listening attentiveness to an advertisement is identified and subsequent advertisements are targeted to the recipient responsive to the recipient's attentiveness. The recipient may be a viewer or a listener of an advertisement, such as a television commercial. While the recipient is viewing or listening to an advertisement, if the recipient fast-forwards through or interrupts the advertisement, then a subsequent advertisement is chosen that has a higher probability of being viewed in its entirety. Thus, the advertisements are targeted toward the recipient based on the recipient's attentiveness to certain types of the advertisements. This increases the probability that the recipient will watch an entire advertisement, making the advertisement more effective. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307049 | Soft Co-Clustering of Data - The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes accessing a data structure that includes information about purchasers, merchants, and financial transactions between the purchasers and the merchants and generating purchaser clusters. Generating purchaser clusters includes clustering the purchasers based on which purchasers make purchases from the same or similar merchants. Each purchaser cluster adopts associations between purchasers belonging to the purchase cluster and merchants from which these purchasers have made purchases. The method also includes generating merchant clusters, where generating the merchant clusters includes clustering merchants based on which merchants are associated with the same or similar purchase clusters and outputting profile information that characterizes typical purchases associated with one or more of the merchant clusters for use in detecting fraudulent transactions. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307050 | Method for Identifying, Rating, and Promoting Desirable Real Estate Listings - A method is disclosed for identifying and rating desirable real estate listings and posting them on the internet with other highly desirable listings. An agent may post only one listing at a time, either his/her own listing or, with permission, a listing of another agent. A submitted comparative market analysis (CMA) is validated, or “swept,” after which a “scrubbing” formula is applied to determine “threshold” prices. The listing is only posted if its listing price is below a threshold price. Embodiments include ratings of postings and of posting agents. Additional categories can be included for postings that are not below a threshold price. Listing agent commissions can be higher than posting agent commissions. Referral fees can be paid to listing or posting agents who do not participate in sales that result from postings. In embodiments, an agent cannot post a listing belonging to another agent in the same office. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307051 | CONSUMER RATING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE BASED THEREON WITHIN A VIRTUAL UNIVERSE - The present invention is directed to providing consumer ratings and customer service based thereon within a virtual universe. A method for providing a consumer rating and customer service within a virtual universe includes: determining a consumer habit(s) of a customer in the virtual universe and then calculating a consumer rating, based on the determination of the consumer habit(s). From the calculated consumer rating, a particular consumer service is selectively providing in the virtual universe. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307052 | WORKFORCE PLANNING SYSTEM, METHOD AND TOOL - A method, system and tool are disclosed for planning workforce requirements for an organization, where the organization is organized into functional areas. An input is received of a workforce supply for the organization. An input is also received of a workforce demand. The workforce demand includes an organizational direction of the organization, including strategic planning and current performance of the organization, and includes productivity levers, which include productivity metrics for each of the functional areas of the organization. A workforce gap is forecasted by comparing the workforce demand to the workforce supply. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307053 | Apparatus, system and method for a brand affinity engine using positive and negative mentions - An apparatus, system and method of implementing a computerized brand affinity engine. The apparatus, system and method include at least a plurality of computerized access points having accessible thereto a plurality of sites mentioning at least one sponsor, a categorized, hierarchical database of keywords, wherein at least the keywords falling in at least one category of the hierarchy correspond to a sponsor category of the at least one sponsor, and a tracker, wherein the tracker tracks positive ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites and negative ones of the mentions of the at least one sponsor on ones of the plurality of sites, in accordance with positive and negative keywords of the categorized, hierarchical database in the sponsor category, and wherein the tracker issues an rating with regard to the at least one sponsor in accordance with the positive ones and the negative ones of the mentions. An assessment of optimal sponsors for particular markets and/or in particular geographies that additionally increases sponsorship opportunities in particular markets and/or in particular geographies is thereby provided. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307054 | Consumer and Shopper Analysis System - Systems and methods are provided for analyzing data sets representing consumer and shopper behavior. A data processing system for analyzing sales of a company's consumer packaged goods includes an interface for receiving master and shipment data from sources internal to a company and sources external to the company. Master data and shipment data are stored on a database. A merge and aggregation component operates on shipment and consumption data to create a unique repository of shopper and consumer data. A transcoding and integration component operates on external and internal master data to create a unified master data repository. A set of analytics and reports use unified master data and shipment/consumption data to support Consumer and Shopper Analysis. A sub set of secondary analysis can be performed, capitalizing the Master Data unification and sell-in and sell-out data integration. Consumer and Shopper analysis are performed for clusters of buyers and key performance indicators (KPIs) are calculated for individual customer or groups of customers. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307055 | Assessing Demand for Products and Services - A technique for assessing the viability of several concepts for new/different products, services, or bundles of products and/or services, using discrete choice modeling, or a combination of discrete choice modeling and monadic concept testing. The core of the invention involves one or more of the following: a methodological technique for combining monadic and discrete choice data, a method for gathering monadic and discrete choice data at the same time during a single fielding, a method for gathering specific diagnostic information, a method for using discrete choice modeling to generate specific diagnostic information, a unique web-enabled interface that helps individuals make quick and accurate choices by displaying concepts at low and high resolution at the same time, a unique web-enabled interface that permits gathering choice data on multiple dimensions for each set of concepts shown, methodological innovations permitting hierarchical and/or Bayesian analysis of discrete choice data using data for multiple dimensions within the same model, and methods and apparatus for storing, organizing, and reporting input and output from this system. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307056 | COLLECTING AND SCORING ONLINE REFERENCES - One example embodiment includes a method for indexing online references of an entity. The method includes identifying one or more channels of the Internet to be searched for references to an entity and identifying one or more signals to be evaluated within each of the one or more channels. The method also includes crawling the Internet for online references to the entity, wherein crawling the Internet comprises searching the one or more channels of the Internet for references to the entity and evaluating the one or more signals. The method further includes constructing a reverse index of the references, wherein the reverse index is based on each channel in which a reference is found and the one or more signals evaluated for the reference. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307057 | ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY OPERATORS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR USING A SOCIAL NETWORK FOR PREDICTIVE MARKETING ANALYSIS - Provided are an associative memory operator system and methods for predictive marketing analysis using a computer implemented social network. A system includes multiple associative memory cells corresponding to multiple computer implemented social network users. A respective one of the associative memory cells corresponds to a user in the computer implemented social network and includes a sink memory of associations corresponding to which ones of the computer implemented social network users have been influenced by the user and a source memory of associations corresponding to which other ones of the computer implemented social network users have influenced the user. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307058 | END USER INTERFACE CUSTOMIZATION AND END USER BEHAVIORAL METRICS COLLECTION AND PROCESSING - A method and a system for customizing an end user interface for a computer application is provided. The method includes developing a customized user interface for the computer application, wherein the customized user interface includes features that provide content associated with a brand, and providing updated content to the customized user interface. The system includes a host server operable to download and update the customized end user interface. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307059 | TARIFF GENERATION, INVOICING AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT - A computer-implemented method of supplying a tariff to a tariff recipient, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving one or more cost curves from one or more suppliers, each cost curve being indicative of variations in the cost of a product or service expected by a respective associated supplier over time; b) receiving a load curve, the load curve being indicative of expected o variations in consumption of the product or service over time; c) calculating a tariff from the load curve received in step b) and the >cost curve received in step a) in accordance with a predetermined algorithm; and d) transmitting the tariff calculated in step c) to the tariff recipient. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307060 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING A LOYALTY PROFILE FOR A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARDHOLDER - A computer-based method and system for determining a loyalty profile for a cardholder is provided. The cardholder having an account associated with a payment card. The payment card is issued by an issuer to the cardholder. The method is performed using a computer coupled to a database. The method includes electronically receiving transaction information of the cardholder at the computer wherein the transaction information includes data representing each transaction initiated by the cardholder and associated with the cardholder account, electronically storing the transaction information within the database, and transforming the transaction information at the computer to generate the loyalty profile for the cardholder wherein the loyalty profile represents a pattern of usage of the payment card and the associated account by the cardholder. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307061 | Measuring Exposure To Media - Exposure to media content across one or more media delivery mechanisms is measured. The delivery mechanisms can include, for example, television and radio, as well as Internet delivery of web pages or other content viewed on a computer, mobile device, or other electronic device using a browser or other application. Media can include web-based content and/or audio content originating from a network source and/or from other content sources. Reference signatures are generated for media content items of interest. Monitoring devices and/or software monitor user exposure to media items, and intercepted signatures are generated. In some embodiments, user exposure across multiple delivery mechanisms is monitored. Reports can be generated based on comparison of the intercepted signatures with the reference signatures; such reports may include analysis of media exposure across multiple delivery mechanisms. Content items can be selected for presentation to a user based on media exposure history. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307062 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC FILE USE AND MANAGEMENT - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating online storage of files (e.g., audio tracks, video, etc.) for playback/access or sale/exchange by the owners of the files without violating copyrights that copyright holders have in the files. For example, by providing a playback service that does not store additional versions of an audio file when the file is transmitted to, and immediately played on, a user device without buffering, the present invention avoids violating copyright laws by not making copies of the file. Numerous other aspects are disclosed. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307063 | NETWORK-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT METHOD - An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method for facilitating supply chain collaboration in a network environment, said supply chain including an enterprise and at least one supplier. The method includes generating and transmitting an unconstrained forecast to a supplier; receiving a supplier capability statement in response; and generating a constrained forecast utilizing the supplier capability statement. The constrained forecast is transmitted to the supplier which responds with a formal commitment to product a needed supply indicated in the constrained forecast. The method also includes monitoring inventory levels at a replenishment service center by a supplier based upon a formal commitment, refilling inventory items at the replenishment service center, and facilitating delivery of the inventory items to the enterprise site by transmitting a pull signal to the replenishment service center whereby inventory items are delivered in response to the pull signal. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307064 | PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A computerised method of managing the performance of an employee or a group of employees of an organisation, the method comprising the steps of: a) creating a job description containing job description data for an employee or group of employees, b) creating an objectives file containing objectives data relating to objectives to be achieved by the employee or group of employees in the performance of their job description, c) processing of the job description data and the objectives data to obtain defined performance expectation data for employee or group of employees, d) receiving performance data obtained from the organisation relating to the performance of employee or group of employees, e) comparing the performance data with the defined performance expectations data and f) creating and/or modifying a development plan for the employee or group of employees. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307065 | DIRECT DEMOCRACY FRAMEWORK - There is disclosed a global infrastructure that would help change the world's political landscape. Utilizing the distributed technology of end-user voting tools—installed on computers, cell phones, and other digital devices across the globe—this new infrastructure would facilitate a viral virtual democracy process identified as distributed voting. When integrated with the centralized management capabilities of a Voting Management Server into a Direct Democracy Framework, this process can dovetail into petitioning, registration, congress, and ratification. Such a system makes it clearly possible to represent the will of the people far more effectively than the often slow-moving voting systems that serve us today, either by providing a conduit of the people's will to existing representative governments or, where appropriate, by facilitated governance by direct democracy. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307066 | COUPON DISPENSING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A coupon dispensing system is provided, and includes a plurality of dispensing devices located in retail establishments, wherein each dispensing device includes a kiosk unit. The kiosk unit includes a processing unit, a touch screen display, a modem and/or network connection, and a storage device. Also provided is a control system capable of exchanging information with the dispensing devices, wherein the control system includes software operable to maintain library of coupon offerings, send coupon offering information to dispensing devices, collect and operate on data received from coupon dispensing devices, provide a web interface accessible over the Internet to provide for viewing of selected dispensing system data. Also provided is a coupon offering authoring tool to prepare coupon offering data to be used to display coupon offerings by the dispensing devices. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307067 | LOCATION BASED COUPON DELIVERY SYSTEM | 2009-12-10 |
20090307068 | DISTRIBUTED PROMOTIONAL COUPON SYSTEM WITH REAL-TIME ACTIVITY MONITORING - Methods and apparatuses for a distributed promotional coupon system for use within a casino which has cash-less gaming machines involving a plurality of game installed cash-out vouchers printers networked to a central server. The system can provide promotions to all patrons of a casino, either through player tracking or anonymously. The system provide a means for the creation and issuance of promotional coupons as well as the tracking of the redemption of such coupons, real-time monitoring of a gaming printer's activities, connecting to other existing systems in a casino, such as an accounting system or point-of-sale system. Additionally, such a system may use existing equipment such as a gaming printer to produce such coupons, however, only after the existing equipment produces a cash-out voucher. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307069 | PROMOTIONAL COUPON SYSTEM WITH ANONYMOUS PLAYER TRACKING IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT - Methods and apparatuses for a promotional coupon system which can provide promotions and promotional coupons to all patrons of a casino, specifically to patrons who do not want to provide personal information yet would enjoy receiving promotions. Casinos can track an anonymous player and offer incentives such as promotional coupons to the player to entice them to return to the casino. The system provides a means for the creation and issuance of promotional coupons as well as the tracking of the redemption of such coupons and the tracking of anonymous players, to provide real-time monitoring of a gaming printer's activities; for connecting to other existing systems in a casino, such as an accounting system or point-of-sale system. Additionally, such a system may use existing equipment such as a gaming printer to produce such coupons, however, only after the existing equipment produces a cash-out voucher. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307070 | GOODS AND SERVICES-BASED TRADE METHOD AND SYSTEM - Trading methods and systems for promoting trade credit transactions between and among Trade Credit Exchanges and other users such as non-commercial consumers are described | 2009-12-10 |
20090307071 | Symbiotic Mass Marketing - The present invention relates to certain methods and systems for promoting the sale of goods and services. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, such methods generally comprise the steps of (1) selling a first good or service to a customer for a discounted price that is less than a standard price, (2) establishing a sales goal (which represents an amount of desired sales of a second good or service to customers during a promotional period), and (3) issuing a credit to, or receiving a payment from, each participating customer based on a level of success achieved towards the sales goal. The invention provides that the extent to which the sales goal is achieved depends on the aggregate sales of the second good or service to the public at large, and is not dependent upon the sales or activity of any single customer. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307072 | Apparatus and Method for Managing Bank Account Services, Advertisement Delivery and Reward Points - A system to securely and effectively control, process and manage financial services, targeted advertisement delivery, multiple account cards and reward points comprising a web portal or financial institution internet banking portal, offering financial services comprising a secure and effective on-line apparatus and method to manage bank account services, reward points, account cards and advertisement by matching users with advertisers wherein accurate information, such as current personally identifiable financial and transactional information as well as on-line behavioral data, is employed by means to securely process, control and manage financial information located within the premises of the financial institution providing the financial services as one of the criteria for matching advertisers with users. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307073 | SOCIAL MARKETING - The described implementations relate to social marketing. One technique identifies potential buyers of a product, the potential buyers belong to a social network. The technique determines a price to offer the product to individual potential buyers that considers both influence of the individual potential buyer within the social network and overall revenue from sales of the product to the potential buyers. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307074 | CRM SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED RETENTION OF CUSTOMERS - Customer relationship management (CRM) system for enhanced retention of customers of a business entity. In one embodiment, a historical data corresponding to a customer is maintained in the CRM system, with the historical data including information on prior interactions between the customer and the business entity. On receiving a call from the customer, the historical data is identified and an attrition risk (indicating the probability of retaining the customer) is computed based on the identified data. Different offers based on the computed attrition risk are then determined and communicated to the customer during the call. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307075 | Field 55 data relationships - A data mining device, method, and apparatus configured to associate customer exclusive data from a payment card or device after a financial transaction. A financial transaction processing system comprises a report distribution management system, a data relationship manager, and a customer exclusive data association database. The report distribution management system receives financial transaction data. The data relationship manager determines an issuer associated with the financial transaction data, queries a subscription database for subscription data associated with the issuer and a core database for the issuer processing parameters. The processing parameters are applied to the financial transaction data and the subscription data. A customer exclusive data association database is updated with the financial transaction data once the processing parameters are applied. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307076 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING COUPON CONTENT AND TRANSACTIONAL ADVERTISEMENTS - A system and method is provided for distributing transactional advertisement from a distribution site over a network to online publishers. The transactional data items are rendered by the online publishers, with control elements provided from the distribution site, to control use of the transactional data items on the user terminal. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307077 | SERVICE POINT ISSUE AND RETURN SYSTEM - The invention presents a service point issue and return system capable of expanding the service point issue and return cycle autonomously by customers, and enhancing the distribution value of service points. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307078 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING SEARCH, SELECTION, PREVIEW, PURCHASE EVALUATION, OFFERING FOR SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND/OR SALE OF DIGITAL CONTENT AND ENHANCING THE SECURITY THEREOF - A method for controlling the release of an as-rendered configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of presenting said digital work as a composite of a plurality of layers comprising at least a first layer and a second layer; providing a rendering protocol interface which is adapted for defining said as-rendered configuration of the digital work by specifying a first rendering status of said first layer and a second rendering status of said second layer; providing a rendering protocol facility adapted for storing and controlling the release of said first and second rendering status of said first and second layers respectively in accordance with said as-rendered configuration; restricting unauthorized access to the rendering protocol interface, thereby preventing unauthorized modification of said as-rendered configuration; and releasing said digital work with said as-rendered configuration. The method has application in selling books, movies, software, music and other information products. A method of selling a preview version of an information product along with an option of purchase of the original version is described. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307079 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISEMENTS - A system for facilitating product and services distribution, the system including a system processor for receiving and processing data associated with promotional indicia that is placed on a mailing, and for processing data associated with feedback from recipients of the mailings. The promotional indicia include a code associated with the mailing recipient and information associated with a communication portal. A communication channel connects the recipients to the system processor via the communication portal. An advertising method is provided including providing advertisement indicia on a mailing or other display. The indicia are customized for a recipient and include a promotion, code, and portal information. Use of the code in the portal is analyzed. Also described herein are auction systems for facilitating offers and sales of advertising space, and envelopes pre-printed with advertising indicia. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307080 | SHOPPING LIST MANAGEMENT AND DISCOUNT ORGANIZER - According to some embodiments, a method and system are provided to scan a plurality of coupon identifiers into a handheld device where each coupon identifier is associated with a product coupon, categorize the plurality of coupon identifiers in a memory of the handheld device, select one or more of the plurality of coupon identifiers to transmit by scanning an identifier of one or more household products into a handheld device, and transmit the selected one or more of the plurality of coupon identifiers to an electronic cash register. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307081 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUSTOMIZING AN ADVERTISEMENT - The disclosed technology provides systems, architectures, and methods for providing to a Web page electronic advertisements related to the content of the Web page. In one aspect, the disclosed technology manages and serves electronic advertisements for affiliated Web page publishers and advertisers. A computer-implemented method in accordance with the disclosed technology receives a request for an electronic advertisement for a Web page, wherein the Web page is associated with a Web page publisher, accesses one or more keywords appearing in the Web page, identifies one or more relevant electronic advertisements related to the keyword(s), wherein the relevant electronic advertisement(s) are associated with an advertiser affiliated with the Web page publisher, and communicates one or more the relevant electronic advertisements to the Web page for display. The disclosed technology also includes a computer executing software, wherein the executed software causes the computer to perform the steps above. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307082 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEB ADVERTISEMENT - A method and system for web advertisement are disclosed. According to one embodiment a computer-implemented method comprises receiving chat room information, wherein the chat room information describes a current state of a chat room. The chat room information is provided to an advertisement server, and the advertisement server selects an advertisement based upon the chat room information. The advertisement is received and provided to an advertisement module, and the advertisement module provides the advertisement to the chat room. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307083 | System And Method For Evaluating And/Or Monitoring Effectiveness Of On-Line Advertising - A system and a method for measuring and monitoring effectiveness of on-line advertising are provided. The system and method provide a code attached to, for example, an advertising banner of a company that may advertise goods and/or services of the company. The code provides a signal to a server when the banner is viewed on a computer of a user. Cookie data is transferred by the server to the computer of the user providing information related to viewing of the advertising banner. Surveys are further presented to users to obtain information related to the effectiveness of the advertising for both exposed users and control users. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307084 | Measuring Exposure To Media Across Multiple Media Delivery Mechanisms - Exposure to media content across multiple media delivery mechanisms is measured, so as to generate reports of aggregate exposure over multiple delivery mechanisms. The delivery mechanisms can include, for example, television and radio, as well as Internet delivery of web pages or other content viewed on a computer, mobile device, or other electronic device using a browser or other application. Reference signatures are generated for media content items of interest. Monitoring devices and/or software monitor user exposure to media items across multiple delivery mechanisms. Intercepted signatures are generated for the monitored media items. Reports are generated based on comparison of the intercepted signatures with the reference signatures, including analysis of media exposure across multiple delivery mechanisms. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307085 | SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING INVENTORY SEARCH PARAMETERS FOR AN ADVERTISER - A system and method are disclosed with a search summary pane that automatically displays features that are selected for matching advertisements with available ad space. An ad broker interface may be provided for identifying advertisements and identifying available ad space by selecting common features for the matching of advertisements with the available ad space. As the user selects features on the interface, the selected features are automatically displayed in a search summary pane that lists each previously selected feature. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307086 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VISUALLY GROUPING LINKS TO DOCUMENTS - Systems and methods for sharing albums are provided. An album has a plurality of links to documents, such as static graphic representations of web pages, or web pages themselves. Users may graphically add links to documents to albums by dragging graphic representations of such documents to a designated place on a computer interface. When a user shares an album, a link to the album is sent to a recipient. When the recipient activates the album link, documents linked by the album are presented as a graphical presentation can then be reviewed. Each of these documents can be in a document repository addressable and each of these documents may be categorized. Advertisements can be served when albums are shared. Such advertisements are chosen from an advertisement repository based on a characterization of the album or a characterization of one or more documents linked by the album. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307087 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING TARGETED ADVERTISING WHILE MAINTAINING PRIVACY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RECIPIENTS - A method by which a services vendor, such as, without limitation, a health insurance company or a pharmaceutical company, among others, can provide targeted advertising to recipients based on the recipients' private personal information while still maintaining the confidentiality of such information. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307088 | Total Net Worth Derivation and Future Scenario Prediction - A system and method for managing a user's finances. Data over a network relating to a user's personal financial position are received over a network from at least one system, including an end user system. The data relating to the user's personal financial position are stored on a computer readable medium and aggregated. Anticipated changes in the user's personal financial position are forecast using the aggregated data using stochastic forecasting techniques. The aggregated data relating to the user's personal financial position in the form of total net worth and the forecasts of the anticipated changes in the user's personal financial position are displayed on a display device connected to the end user system | 2009-12-10 |
20090307089 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING ADVERTISEMENTS IN A CHAT ENVIRONMENT - A method and system for sharing advertisements in a chat environment are disclosed. According to one embodiment a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a first request for an advertisement from a first client, providing a first advertisement to the first client, the first client submitting a second request to transmit a reference to the first advertisement to a second client. A third request is received for the first advertisement from the second client and the first advertisement is provided to the second client. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307090 | System and Method for Inserting Advertisements in Voicemail - A method and system for inserting targeted advertisements into voicemail. User demographics, location of the user, and/or keywords within the voicemail may be used to target advertisements to customers, thus providing relevant advertisements within the voicemail to the customers. One embodiment includes receiving a voicemail for delivery to a recipient. One or more keywords received in the voicemail may be identified. An advertisement may be selected in response to the identification of one or more keywords. The selected advertisement may be sent with the voicemail. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307091 | INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR CONSUMERS AT A STORE USING PERSONAL MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - An information processing system is for determining information about consumers at a store where at least some of the consumers may carry personal mobile wireless devices, and each personal wireless mobile device may transmit signals for identifying the respective consumer. The system may include at least one RF receiver device arranged about the store for receiving communications from the personal mobile wireless devices, and a processor coupled to the at least one RF receiver device. The processor may be for generating consumer position data of the consumers during movement about the store based upon communications from the respective personal mobile wireless devices to the at least one RE receiver device, and associating the consumer position data with respective identities of the consumers. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307092 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MEDIA CONTENT - A system and method is provided for providing media content to a client device. The system includes a digital player that delivers time-sequenced advertisement, such as merchandise information displayed in coordination with the content presented by the digital media. The player includes a media panel for presenting the digital media and an advertisement panel for presenting advertisements associated with content currently displayed in the media panel. The player further includes a history panel that lists in sequence advertisements presented in the advertisement panel during the presentation of the media content. In this manner, the player enables the view to access previously presented advertisements at the viewer's convenience. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307093 | METHOD FOR SELECTING AN ADVERTISING MESSAGE WITHIN A PLATFORM - In the method for selecting an advertising message to be sent to a user's ( | 2009-12-10 |
20090307094 | Data center programming and application distribution interface - An exemplary data center interface for distributing and monitoring Web applications includes a specification that specifies a call statement to distribute one or more components of a Web application to one or more data centers and a call statement to report metrics associated with performance of the Web application. An exemplary data center interface for associating advertisements with distributed Web applications includes a specification that specifies a call statement and one or more call statement parameters to associate an advertisement with one or more distributed Web applications based on at least one criterion. Various other devices, systems and methods are also described. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307095 | CONTENT DISPLAYING DEVICE AND IN-CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT DISPLAY METHOD - An advertisement inserted in contents of, for example, a game does not serve its purpose after a while. An advertisement-information reception unit ( | 2009-12-10 |
20090307096 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ORDER OPTIMIZATION - An order optimization system and method is disclosed. According to the system and method, a device, such as a personal digital assistant or personal computer is in communication with an establishment computer. The system includes software and hardware capable of placing, transmitting, and receiving an order, tracking the location of the device, determining and predicting the availability of limiting resources, optimally assigning resources to the order, determining whether a triggering condition is satisfied, commanding the preparation of the order, commanding notification messages, tracking limiting resource usage, tracking implements used to prepare the order, and displaying order fulfillment status. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307097 | Self-Service Checkout System and Method - The present invention refers to self-service sales counters used in commercial establishments that allow the customers themselves to check out their purchases and make the corresponding payment without requiring the intervention of an attendant, said sales counters comprising a first ( | 2009-12-10 |
20090307098 | FIXED PRICE FUEL METHOD - A method and apparatus for a customer pre-purchasing goods, such as liquid fuel, from an entity and taking possession of the goods at a later time. Fuel is dispensed at a fuel-dispensing facility operated by a third party. The customer pre-purchases the fuel, such as by transmitting money to the entity. The entity sends evidence of the pre-purchase to the customer. The customer presents the evidence of the pre-purchase to the third party. The evidence verifies the customer's right to the fuel. The third party verifies the evidence and then permits the customer to dispense the fuel, such as into a fuel tank. The entity then transmits to the third party a second amount of money related to the amount of fuel dispensed. The second amount of money is substantially equal to a value of the dispensed fuel at the second time. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307099 | Drag-and-Drop Communication of Data Via a Computer Network - The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product for consuming Web Services, and is composed of two parts. The first component of the present invention is a Web Services agent known as HERMES (Heterogeneous Resources Management Enterprise System), which provides a uniform application interface for accessing a plurality of heterogeneous Web Services. The second component of the present invention, known as the 1-Drag Icon or system, provides a uniform user interface for accessing Web Services, and in one embodiment provides a uniform graphical user interface (GUI) component for the consumption of Web Services. HERMES and the 1-Drag Icon may be used separately or combined to provide a complete system for the consumption of Web Services. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307100 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNITY AIDED RESEARCH AND SHOPPING - A system and method for providing product research help to a consumer doing internet shopping. A consumer helper application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate the techniques that are currently used by many internet consumers into a single application program. For example, the consumer helper application allows a user to take notes, store web site links, store web site annotations, obtain collaborative input, and perform other tasks commonly used by web site consumers. The consumer helper application stores all of the information gathered in a single place. Information provided by other consumers may be shared using the consumer helper application. The consumer helper application will suggest specific items for a consumer to purchase based up on the information gathered by the consumer into the consumer helper application. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307101 | PRE-AUTHENTICATED ONLINE ORDERING SYSTEM - A computerized method and system for pre-authenticated online ordering are provided. Example embodiments may include receiving a set of user authentication credentials sufficient to uniquely identify a registered user. A selection of an item from a number of items may be received from the registered user. A unique address may be provided to the registered user. The unique address may be associated with a simplified user interface that allows users of the unique address to perform limited sets of operations associated with the item. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307102 | System and method for providing donations - A donation certificate and redemption system allows a donor to generate donation certificates that can be used by the donor or gifted to redeemers. The donation certificate includes a donation amount and a list of charities that can be selected by the redeemer. At redemption of the donation certificate, the redeemer nominates the charity and initiates a transfer of the donation amount, either from a donor account or a holding account, to an account of the nominated charity. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307103 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AND FACILITATING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS LOCALLY OR REMOTELY MADE - A financial managing and facilitating system, to be used between a registered shopkeeper or service supplier and a registered customer, using modern information technology. The system allowing a registered customer be asked to approve (or to refuse) an ongoing transaction, even if such operation is being made by a third person duly authorized by the registered customer. The system presents a simplified architecture, being based in three main elements: (1) a customer with or without an authorized dependent; a payment central, such as a credit or debit central managing financial institution; and (3) a registered shopkeeper/service supplier. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307104 | CONSUMER-ORIENTED ANONYMOUS REQUEST SYSTEM AND METHODS OF INITIATING CONTACT WITH BUSINESS PROVIDERS - According to the invention disclosed herein, methods and systems are disclosed that proactively and anonymously reach out to potential service providers, through a virtual calling agent, to screen and select one or more service providers for the consumer. Such methods would be time-consuming to conduct manually but are automated efficiently and flexibly as described herein. These methods and systems are not limited to service providers who have pre-registered at any particular web site or directory. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307105 | User Interface for Application Management for a Mobile Device - This specification describes technologies relating to user interfaces for mobile devices. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving a touch input to access an application management interface on a mobile device; presenting an application management interface; receiving one or more inputs within the application management interface including an input to install a particular application; installing the selected application; and presenting the installed application. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307106 | PERFORMING AUTOMATICALLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMMATIC TRANSACTIONS - Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by performing transactions between parties that are automatically authorized via a third-party transaction authorization system. In some situations, the transactions are programmatic transactions involving the use of fee-based Web services by executing application programs, with the transaction authorization system authorizing and/or providing payments in accordance with private authorization instructions previously specified by the parties. The authorization instructions may include predefined instruction rule sets that regulate conditions under which a potential transaction can be authorized, with the instruction rule sets each referenced by an associated reference token. After one or more of the parties to a potential transaction supply reference tokens for the parties, the transaction authorization system can determine whether to authorize the transaction based on whether the instruction rule sets associated with the reference tokens are compatible or otherwise satisfied. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307107 | PERFORMING AUTOMATICALLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMMATIC TRANSACTIONS - Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as by performing transactions between parties that are automatically authorized via a third-party transaction authorization system. In some situations, the transactions are programmatic transactions involving the use of fee-based Web services by executing application programs, with the transaction authorization system authorizing and/or providing payments in accordance with private authorization instructions previously specified by the parties. The authorization instructions may include predefined instruction rule sets that regulate conditions under which a potential transaction can be authorized, with the instruction rule sets each referenced by an associated reference token. After one or more of the parties to a potential transaction supply reference tokens for the parties, the transaction authorization system can determine whether to authorize the transaction based on whether the instruction rule sets associated with the reference tokens are compatible or otherwise satisfied. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307108 | BUSINESS PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ONLINE PURCHASES USING A RULE-BASED TRANSFERABLE SHOPPING BASKET - An online shopping basket is acquired by a buyer from an online store and is customized according to rules specified by the buyer. The buyer places zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) before they are given to at least one shopper by the online store. The shopper(s) may further customize the online shopping basket(s) with rules that do not conflict with those specified by the buyer. The shopper(s) then place zero or more items in the online shopping basket(s) and return the basket(s) to the online store. Multiple online shopping baskets are merged into a single basket, and the buyer reviews the items in the merged online shopping basket and adds or removes items as necessary. The buyer then purchases the remaining items from the online store. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307109 | COMPUTERIZED ARTICLE CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF - The present invention is a method for soliciting orders for customized apparel. The apparel can be appendage apparel, such as footwear, gloves, or head gear, or non-appendage apparel such as jackets. The present method includes providing an order form accessible through at least one computer by one or more users. The present method further includes providing one or more possible design parameters, requesting the user to customize the apparel by entering at least one of the parameters on the order form. The user submits the order form through the computer and receives apparel according to the order form. The parameters may include size, material, model, style, color, material treatment, or personalization. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307110 | MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL UNIVERSE ITEM RETURNS - The present invention relates to relates to the management of virtual universe item returns. A method for in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: initiating a return of a item by a user in a virtual universe; granting control of the return of the item to a return agency, the return agency submitting a return request on behalf of the user to a vendor associated with the item; upon approval of the return request by the vendor, sending instructions to the user to destroy the item; and upon confirmation of the destruction of the item by the user, crediting the user for the return. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307111 | CATTLE MANAGEMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system also calculates from individual animal data and other data (g) each animal's pro rata share of total feed intake for the animal's feed group. The computer system (h) stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used by management to (i) select animals for shipment from the feedlot for slaughter at the optimum time. Following an animal's shipment to a slaughter facility, its identification in the computer system is used to (j) correlate the live animal physical characteristics and performance data to the measured and evaluated carcass characteristics data obtained during the slaughter process and (k) build a data base to more accurately identify and measure value-based characteristics in subsequent animals produced and fed for more effective value-based selection and management of those animals. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307112 | Two Tier Authentication - There can be provided a complete and flexible multi-tier article authentication system. A number of different authentication systems are applied to a given article in order to allow multiple levels of authentication to be performed by different persons throughout the supply chain, and using different levels of equipment to perform the authentication. By using such a flexible approach, authenticity can be verified to one or more different levels, depending upon the interest, capability and equipment of an individual. A corresponding method and apparatus can be provided. A tracking system based upon similar principles can additionally or alternatively be provided. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307113 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING PROFIT AND LOSS FOR SELLERS USING ONLINE AUCTIONS OR E-STORES - A web-based method for sellers utilizing online auction and e-store sites to track their profits and losses by item or categories of items by user defined date parameters. The present invention is comprised of computer programming code that downloads the user's listing data from the auction or e-store web site and permits the users to enter their purchase cost and shipping cost in a plurality of methods. The invention produces reports that enable users to view, print and download data that show the item number, description, listing and sale dates, sales price, user cost, consignment fees (if any), auction or e-store fees, payment fees, and the user's profits. The report can be produced with item detail, sales category detail, or grand totals for a selected time period. The invention also provides the necessary calculations and reports to permit the users to engage in consignment listings. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307114 | Financial Institution-Based Transaction Processing System and Approach - Transaction processing for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction processing approach involves the processing of financial aspects of a transaction between buying and selling parties using transaction rules associated with a sponsoring financial institution. Transaction-related information is processed as a function of business rules associated with the sponsoring financial institution to facilitate payment for the transaction and the assessment of fees associated with the transaction processing. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307115 | FACILITATING PROCUREMENT FUNCTIONS OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - A method for facilitating procurement functions includes receiving an invoice at a centralized procurement location, retrieving a purchase order associated with the invoice, comparing price terms on the invoice to price terms on the purchase order, and comparing quantity terms on the invoice to quantity terms on the purchase order. If the price terms on the invoice and the quantity terms on the invoice match the price terms on the purchase order and the quantity terms on the purchase order, the method includes transferring the invoice to an accounts payable representative for payment. If either of the price terms on the invoice and the quantity terms on the invoice does not match either of the price terms on the purchase order and the quantity terms on the purchase order, the method includes initiating a blocked invoice referral. A storage medium for facilitating procurement functions is also provided. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING WATER DISTRIBUTION - An electronic system for maintaining and controlling the use of water includes a control valve, an electronic water counter and a central computer connected to the water counter by wire, internet or wireless for opening and closing a control valve during pre-selected periods or in the event of excess usage. The system is also capable of providing water at an increased charge and subject to modification by a Smart Card. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307117 | Utility services payment system, methods and apparatus - The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for combining aspects of a prepay and post pay utility service billing arrangement. When a customer enrolls in the program with the system, utility service is initiated and a first bill is generated and transmitted; the amount of the first bill is an estimated amount of charges for the service to be provided during a first period. In subsequent billing periods, subsequent bills are generated and transmitted and each includes an estimated amount of charges for the subsequent period as well as a difference between actual and estimated charges for the service during the previous billing period, less any payments received from the customer. Service may be terminated if the customer withdraws from the program, if the customer fails to make timely payments, or for other reasons. If service is terminated, a final bill may be generated and transmitted based on actual charges, net of any amounts | 2009-12-10 |
20090307118 | FUND ON ACTIVATION - A system and method of funding a financial transaction card, providing a financial transaction card to a user, wherein the financial transaction card has a face value and wherein an amount of funds pertaining to the face value is placed in a liability account, and wherein the financial transaction card has an actual value of zero, activating the financial transaction card by the user; and funding a funds pool for the financial transaction card with the funds from the liability account after the activation of the financial transaction card, wherein only funds from the funds pool is available for conducting a purchase. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307119 | CHECK TRANSMISSION INFORMATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR FRAUD PREVENTION - A fraud detection system can be implemented by a check processor and a financial institution. The check processor can notify the financial institution proximate to the time a check is submitted to a merchant. The financial institution can then assess whether the check is suspicious and, if suspicious, contact the account holder to confirm that the account holder actually wrote the check. The financial institution can make direct contact with the account holder to confirm that the account holder is aware of the check writing activity. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307120 | METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A STOCK INDEX - Computer-implemented methods of creating and maintaining stock indexes are provided. For a stock index of a particular size, a band is defined around the upper and/or lower limits of the stock index. To be added to, or dropped from, a particular stock index, the stocks must fall outside of the bands for that particular stock index size. Stock migration is controlled using a systematic stock migration process so that stocks are gradually added and deleted from an index. Stock investment style is determined in a multi-dimensional process, instead of a linear process. Furthermore, the number of stocks in the stock index need not be a fixed value, but may depend upon how many stocks meet predefined criteria at any given point in time. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307121 | TRADING SYSTEM PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES - A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307122 | System and Method of Online Auction of Real Estate Options - A system and method of obtaining offers for an option in one embodiment includes obtaining an option to purchase a real property, storing tax credit data associated with future development of the real property in a database, storing option data associated with the obtained option in the database, associating the stored option data with the stored tax credit data, retrieving the stored option data and the stored tax credit data, displaying the retrieved data, requesting an offer for the option associated with the displayed data, and receiving an offer to purchase the obtained option. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307123 | DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF GENERATING A CUSTOMIZED TRADE ARTICLE - Some embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a customized trade article. In one embodiment, a trade-article generator application is to receive trade information including a plurality of values of one or more trade-related parameters defining at least one trade with respect to at least one financial instrument, and to automatically generate a customized electronic trade article corresponding to the trade based on a predefined trade-article layout. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307124 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MANAGING SECURITIES FUNDED BY A MUNICIPAL ARBITRAGE PORTFOLIO (MAP) - A system, method, and computer program product for managing securities funded by a municipal arbitrage portfolio (MAP) are set forth herein. A computer receives a daily valuation of a portfolio of securities from an administrator of a special purpose trust (SPT) the portfolio having been issued by the SPT. The portfolio being funded in part by equity from the MAP fund, the MAP fund being an entity subject to securities regulation oversight, the assets of the MAP fund being managed by a fund manager, and the portfolio provides a first series of payments to the MAP fund, the MAP fund having entered into a security agreement with a liquidity provider (LP). A computer verifies the daily valuation of the portfolio. A computer calculates a daily ending net asset value (NAV) of the MAP fund, where the MAP fund holdings include at least the portfolio. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307125 | METHODS AND INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR PERFORMING TAX-DEFERRED REAL ESTATE EXCHANGES - Methods and investment instruments for investing in real estate are described wherein a portfolio of investment real estate is divided into a plurality of tenant-in-common deeds of predetermined denominations, and which are subject to a master agreement and master lease to form “deedshares.” Holders of the deedshares receive a guaranteed income stream from the master lease and yearly depreciation, without having to maintain or manage the real estate. The holders of deedshares are subject, under the master agreement, to a mechanism that enables the master tenant to purchase, or arrange for the purchase of the deedshares at fair market value (or some other calculable value) at the end of a specified term. Because the deedshares qualify as interests in investment real estate, they are eligible for tax-deferred treatment under § 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. | 2009-12-10 |
20090307126 | Multi-Currency Marketplace - A computerized method and system buying and selling in a marketplace denominated in multiple currencies. A best bid or best offer can be determined according to pecuniary advantage based upon a selected currency. An amount required to become a best bid or best offer within a set of defined currencies is also included. Some embodiments include a network of computers permitting access to a multi-currency marketplace. Prices in the multi-currency marketplace can be ranked according to a particular currency selected by a market participant. | 2009-12-10 |