50th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080306756 | SHOPPER VIEW TRACKING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHOD - Devices, systems, and methods for tracking a view of a shopper are disclosed. The system may include camera coupled with a head of a shopper, and configured to capture one or more images in a field of view of the camera as captured image data. The shopper view tracking system may also include an analysis computing device configured to receive the captured image data, and an analysis program configured to determine an estimated shopper field of view having a boundary that is calculated to represent a probability of a person in a data sample having an actual measured focal point that occurs within the boundary, and to display the estimated shopper field of view superimposed on the one or more images in the captured image data. The analysis program further may be configured to generate an output including statistical measures based on the estimated field of view. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306757 | Server, settlement system and recording medium - A server device comprises: a first communication unit for communicating with a sales data processor and a settlement center; a first storage unit; and first control means for receiving sales data via the first communication unit from the sales data processor, for storing the sales data in the first storage unit, for receiving settlement data via the first communication unit from the sales data processor, for sending the received settlement data to the settlement center, for storing the settlement data in the first storage unit, and for processing the sales data and the settlement data stored in the first storage unit in an associated manner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306758 | System and Method for Initiating Returns Over a Network - The present invention provides systems and methods for processing return transactions over a network. An embodiment of the invention discloses an online return application that generates an electronic return shipping label that can be delivered to a browser of a customer that wishes to make a return. Also, disclosed is the creation and transmission of label delivery links, which provide for dynamic generation and delivery of shipping labels. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306759 | Patient workflow process messaging notification apparatus, system, and method - A system and method to communicate workflow process information associated with a patient. A notification configuration message includes at least one notification rule is received. The notification rule includes conditional tests to determine whether to transmit a notification message, determine the medium for communicating the notification message, and determine a recipient of the notification message. Patient information including the state of the patient through a patient workflow process is received. The notification message including the patient information is transmitted in a communication medium in accordance with the at least one notification rule. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306760 | ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS FOR DIGITAL RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT - A system produces administrative reports for a digital radiology department. The system includes a plurality of digital radiographic systems, each of which has storage for storing digital data in html relating to the use and operation of the system. A computer is in communication with the plurality of digital radiographic systems. The computer has a web browser for collecting digital data relating to the operation and/or use of each digital radiographic system. The computer produces one or more administrative reports based on the collected data. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306761 | System and Method of Performing Remote Verification of a Prescription in Combination with a Patient Access Terminal - The method and system provides a patient access terminal to collect customer and prescription order data, and enables a product work order to be divided into portions that may be routed to and processed by a plurality of entities including a customer, while providing verification processing to ensure the integrity of a delivered product. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306762 | System and Method for Managing Absenteeism in an Employee Environment - A system for managing absenteeism includes an absence manager, employees, and healthcare individuals. Absence manager can capture health-related data associated with employee and reason for employee absence. Healthcare individuals can receive a report associated with the employee that is updated in real time as new data is captured. Healthcare individuals determine an intervention plan for the employee based on the health-related data, reason for absence, and any other relevant data. Healthcare individuals can exchange data with employee related to the intervention plan with the employee. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306763 | System and Method for Modifying Risk Factors by a Healthcare Individual at a Remote Location - A method for modifying risk factors by a healthcare individual at a remote location includes interacting with a participant at a remote location to obtain health-related data, such that the interaction occurs during a live video session. The healthcare individual determining an intervention plan to the participant based on the health-related data. The healthcare individual communicating data associated with the intervention plan to the participant during the live video session. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306764 | System and Method for Complex Arena Intelligence - The present disclosure generally relates to a method and system for processing and assessing health care-related data. A system and method are provided for evaluating and/or analyzing and/or predicting performance and outcome of a health care service provider. The system and method may enable standardization of generic health care organization data, calibration of the data, and usage of the data to provide performance indications and technology assessments on a per unit and/or organizational level. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306765 | Method and Structure for Providing Medical Benefits to Retired Employees - A method for providing post-retirement health-care benefits is provided. The method includes the steps of adopting a health reimbursement arrangement that includes a sponsor and a beneficiary, wherein the beneficiary is employed by the sponsor. A pension plan is adopted, wherein the pension plan includes an account. Funds are provided to the pension plan and the account while the beneficiary is employed by the sponsor. Funds are dispersed from the account to reimburse the beneficiary only for medical expenses. The funds are dispersed in response to determining that the beneficiary is no longer employed by the sponsor and that the medical expenses are qualified medical expenses. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306766 | EXAMINATION-DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND EXAMINATION SYSTEM - An examination system comprises an examination apparatus | 2008-12-11 |
20080306767 | Weight Management System Using Adaptive Targets - A method for managing the weight of a subject having an associated predefined target weight, comprises deriving a target energy balance and computing the realized energy balance ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080306768 | Healthcare Notification Method And System Including A Healthcare Website - Methods and apparatus enabling organizations with a need to communicate with healthcare providers regarding health-related issues affecting patient health to notify healthcare providers of a health-related issue affecting patient health are disclosed. An electronic notification of the health-related issue is transmitted by one of the organizations to a healthcare notification network, which may include a healthcare website, for transmission to a healthcare provider, where the electronic notification includes a mechanism for obtaining an acknowledgement indicating that the healthcare provider has received and opened the electronic notification. The acknowledgement is then received by the healthcare website from the healthcare provider, where the acknowledgement indicates that the healthcare provider has received and opened the electronic notification. Healthcare information, such as drug recalls and medication warnings to healthcare providers from content providers, along with other services, is provided at the healthcare website. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306769 | POS PRINTING TRIGGERED BY PHARMACY PRESCRIPTION ORDERS - The invention provides a computer implemented system and method for printing at a POS, comprising: | 2008-12-11 |
20080306770 | Systems and methods for disease control and management - Methods, computer-readable media, and systems for providing disease management. In one implementation, a system develops a treatment recommendation for a patient based on patient data. The system may receive patient data, execute a basic model of the physiological system of the patient to generate a modified model for the patient based on the patient data, perform a statistical analysis of the patient data to detect data excursions of the parameter values; use the modified model to determine factors causing the data excursions; and use the model to develop a treatment recommendation to ameliorate negative effects of the disease. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306771 | Care Plan Update Management - A care plan management system ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080306772 | System and Method for Providing a Personal Internet of Objects and Information - A system and method are described for managing a personal Internet of objects and information, and applying the information to enhance the quality of daily activities such as situations where personal medical information is required but otherwise not available. The device can be used for performing various functions, such as re-ordering medication, keeping track of valuable objects, locating missing objects, performing authenticated financial transactions, contacting service providers to report failures and scheduling appointments. An information gathering module collects and organizes data on objects in partially pre-configured templates on a Personal Internet Card (PIC) embedded in an electronic device. Templates determine how that data is applied in the real world, and keep track of usage. Data collection by the PIC can be through wireless means or hardwire communication. A PIC-enabled device could apply the information and specific knowledge of objects in a manner that enhances the daily activities of its owner. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306773 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MEDICAL RECORDS - A method, computer program product, and system for receiving a request, from an individual, for one or more medical records concerning a person/patient. At least a first portion of the one or more medical records is requested from a first medical services provider. The at least a first portion of the one or more medical records is obtained from the first medical services provider. The availability of the at least a first portion of the one or more medical records is enabled to the individual. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306774 | Methods and apparatus for digital audio, video, and data player and recorder and business method of managing medical information on a branded data storage device - A credit card sized digital storage device and data system and method of marketing same pertaining to health care information, a memory and processor for processing digital data, an output on the card for converting and transmitting the digital data for video output, a set of touch sensitive controls on the planar surface of the card, a modifiable planar surface for placement of graphics, and electrical access to the memory and processor for upload and download of the digital content. A preferred embodiment includes memory storage of a patient's pertinent medical information for retrieval, addition and use by medical personnel. A preferred embodiment includes wireless transmitter or a USB connector for physical connection to a computing device. The device may also be used for branding and facilitating interrelationships between patient, medical providers and others involved in health care. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306775 | Electronic Agenda with Weight Management Function - A weight management system ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080306776 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RISK ACCEPTANCE IN THE PROVISIONING OF PRICE PROTECTION PRODUCTS - A provider of price protection products may enter into an agreement with a set of terms and associated financial risk with a financial institution such that the financial institution provides indemnification against the financial risk associated with selling a commodity. The provider may analyze data, the terms of the agreement and perform scenario analyses to determine its financial risk and may lay off or take on more risk. The provider may offer price protection products to consumers via computing devices and retail locations. The products may have the same terms as the agreement between the provider and the financial institution, or may have different terms and conditions to either take on or lay off risk. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR PRICE PROTECTION - Systems and methods for providing an insurance premium in association with an insurance strike price for a commodity are disclosed. By paying the insurance premium a consumer may obtain price protection for a commodity purchase. In particular, in one embodiment a consumer may obtain the right to be reimbursed for any amount paid over the insurance strike price for the commodity. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306778 | Accessibility Insurance Coverage Management - Accessibility insurance coverage management is provided. An insurance server receives a coverage request from a requester that includes a user identifier corresponding to a user (i.e. policyholder). The insurance server matches the user identifier with a stored policyholder identifier and retrieves accessibility data corresponding to the matched policyholder identifier. If required, the insurance server updates the policyholder's accessibility data by receiving accessibility data from an accessibility database server. The insurance server identifies the policyholder's coverage using the user's accessibility data along with the user's policy information. The insurance server sends a message to the requester which indicates an amount of the particular item corresponding to the coverage request the insurance server covers. The insurance server receives accessibility service bills on a frequent basis, such as monthly. The insurance server verifies the billing information, pays the bill, and updates policyholder claims paid to date information. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306779 | Collateral damage coverage for insurers and third parties - A method for marketing, underwriting, and adjusting damages that are associated with insured loss events but that are not covered by traditional insurance policies. This method permits the marketing of loss expense coverage, underwriting, and claim adjustment processes of insurance to be performed by reference to the loss payments that are made by a specified reinsurance policy. By referencing reinsurance loss payments, which both a buyer and a seller understand, this method provides an easy way to communicate and transact something that is otherwise difficult or impossible to define or measure. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306780 | Method for internet supported and completion of travel services - A travel selection and booking system is provided, that facilitates the selection of different travel offerings for the customer, realizes better utilization of capacities and often avoids cancellations and otherwise necessary re-bookings. This is achieved by offering a dynamic, customized internet site to each individual traveler, with pre-defined specifications given by his company or travel agent. In it he defines and arbitrarily changes his travel preferences and actual requests. Processed with an integrated parametric search engine, tour propositions and itineraries can be generated, evaluated and refreshed, so to allow easy research for options and updating or final booking. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306781 | Method and apparatus for identifying and contacting customers who are due for a visit but have not scheduled an appointment - A method and apparatus for identifying and contacting customers who have not responded to reminders to schedule a return appointment, or who are due for a visit according to accepted standards of care or office policies, but have not scheduled an appointment. A management database is queried to determine which customers have failed to respond to recall notices. The resulting list of customers may be sorted or filtered so that some customers are preferentially contacted first, based on expected value or office preferences. The list may also be sorted or filtered to fill specific providers' schedules first. Customer names and contact information are then presented to schedulers so that customers may be contacted. The time and date of each contact is automatically recorded along with the outcome of the contact. A customer name is presented to a scheduler only if the same name is not being simultaneously presented to other schedulers and that customer was not too recently contacted, so that redundant or too frequent contacts are avoided. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306782 | Method of Driving Traffic From a Mobile Wireless Device to an E-Commerce Site and Tracking that Traffic - An entity registers as an affiliate of an e-commerce site and then publishes information that promotes that WWW e-commerce site; an end-user with a mobile wireless device, sees that information and as a consequence sends a request to a remote server that can interact with the e-commerce site under control inputs from an application running on the device. The request includes data that uniquely defines the affiliate. This approach makes is easy to become an affiliate able to drive traffic from a mobile wireless device to a WWW e-commerce site; this is based on the re-use of existing affiliate management systems (previously not thought relevant to the m-commerce environment). Further, the mechanism for creating traffic for a WWW e-commerce site is easy; it just involves an affiliate publishing certain information. Still further, it is easy to track interactions between a mobile wireless device and a WWW e-commerce site and link them to appropriate affiliates; this is again based on the re-use of existing affiliate management systems (previously not thought relevant to the m-commerce environment). Finally, it is easy to pay affiliates, as well as the infrastructure operator that runs the remote server, since both can be paid using the existing affiliate management systems (again, previously not thought relevant to the m-commerce environment). | 2008-12-11 |
20080306783 | Modeling a supply chain - A method, system, and computer program product for modeling a supply chain. The method includes modeling a storage element in the supply chain as a place node and modeling an activity in the supply chain as a transition node. The transition node includes at least one of an immediate transition node, a timed transition node, and a substitution transition node. An item moved through the supply chain is modeled as a token, where the token includes multiple attributes associated with the item. The place node is linked to the transition node with a directed arc, with the directed arc indicating the direction of token movement between the place node and the transition node. The linked place and transition nodes are organized as a supply chain model that represents the flow of items through the supply chain. In addition, performance metrics for the supply chain model are defined. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306784 | Computer-implemented methods and systems for analyzing clauses of contracts and other business documents - A computer-implemented method for analyzing clauses of business documents of an enterprise may include steps of providing a database and storing a plurality of business documents used by the enterprise in the database. Each of the plurality of business document stored in the database may include a plurality of clauses, and each of the plurality of clauses may be associated with a plurality of clause attributes and a clause attribute value for each of the plurality of clause attributes. The method may include steps of prompting for a value of at least one of the clause attributes; obtaining at least one value for the prompted clause attributes and querying the database to identify all occurrences of clauses used in at least one of the stored business documents whose clause attribute values match each obtained value for the prompted clause attributes. A business document clause analysis report may then be generated that includes each identified matching clause occurrence. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306785 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING SUPPLY CHAIN CONFIGURATIONS - A machine-implemented method for optimizing a supply chain configuration may include retrieving a supply chain configuration and financial requirements for a product, receiving user input to optimize the supply chain configuration, and outputting at least one most profitable scenario over a desired time period. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306786 | License management tool to monitor and analyze license usage to determine need for additional licenses - License management techniques for managing and analyzing license usage among license consumers. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306787 | Method and System for Automatically Measuring Retail Store Display Compliance - Methods and systems for measuring retail store display compliance are provided. One or more images of one or more retail store conditions are captured and associated with related information. The one or more captured images and the related information are transmitted to a processing location for storage and processing. The one or more captured images and the related information are received at the processing location, stored in a repository and processed. The one or more retail store conditions in the one or more captured images are compared with a library to identify them and obtain identification information. The one or more identified captured images and identification information for the one or more retail store conditions are stored in the repository. The one or more retail store conditions in the one or more captured images and identification information are analyzed and one or more summary reports or one or more alerts are generated based upon the analysis. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306788 | Spen Data Clustering Engine With Outlier Detection - Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for grouping spend items in a list of said spend items, and for detecting outliers. The spend items entered into the spend database are phonetically sorted and grouped into second level clusters by the spend data clustering engine. In the first level of clustering, first level clusters are created by matching the spend items using generated word tokens and sorted sound codes. The unique spend items, in the list generated after first level clustering, are further matched to create second level clusters. The first level clusters are updated based on the second level of clustering. In order to determine discrepancies in clustering and spend, statistically deviating outliers are detected in each second level cluster. This engine provides clustering at configurable levels of accuracy. The engine's specific combination of word token and sound code matching provides accurate results for spend items. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306789 | System and Method for Generating Revenues in a Retail Commodity Network - Embodiments disclosed herein provide viable revenue models for a service provider that offers price protection on a retail commodity to businesses as well as individual consumers in a retail commodity network. Specifically, embodiments disclosed offer a plurality of revenue flows in which the cost incurred by a service provider to offer hedge positions associated with a retail commodity can be offset in a variety of ways to cover the operating expenses and generate realistic profits. In some embodiments, a revenue model for a service provider in a retail commodity network may be built depending upon whether hedging cost information is generated internally or obtained externally. Such cost may be passed on to a customer entirely, none at all, or somewhere in between. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide a plurality of revenue sources and ways to generate revenues therefrom. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306790 | Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting an order initiation offer to a wireless communications device - A system for generating and transmitting an order initiation offer to a wireless communications device (WCD), including: an identification element, in a processor of at least one specially programmed general-purpose computer, arranged to identify, using an interface element in the computer, a WCD; an eligibility element, in the processor, arranged to determine if the WCD is eligible to receive an order initiation offer; an executable element, in the processor, arrange to generate, using a set of rules or an artificial intelligence program, at least one executable, the rules and program stored in a memory for the computer; an offer element, in the processor, arranged to generate, for an eligible WCD and using the executable, an appropriate order initiation offer; and a transmission element, in the processor, arranged to transmit, using the interface element, the appropriate order initiation offer to a wireless communications network for transmission to the WCD. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306791 | Method and system for utilizing drive-time calculation - Described is a method and system for tracking leads and setting appointments. In the method and system an inquiry is received from a prospect. The zip code of a location for the prospect is entered into a database on a computer system. This database contains the estimated drive time between every pair of zip codes in a preselected territory. All prior recorded appointments in the database that are scheduled for future dates and times are identified and the estimated drive time from each of said appointments to the zip code location of the prospect is determined. A table of the estimated drive times from the prospect to the prior recorded appointments is created so that an appointment time and date can be selected with the shortest drive time. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306792 | Brokerage service method and system using human networking - Provided is a brokerage service method and system using human networking that can quickly provide a user with information or service that the user desires and also can improve reliability of the provided information or service. The present invention is constructed to repeat operations of receiving, from a user, a request for information or service that the user desires, and contact information of a possible information/service provider that the user is aware of, transferring the request to the possible information/service provider, obtain a positive response for the request or contact information of another possible information/service provider, and transferring the request to the other possible information/service provider, and thereby to transfer the request of the user based on human networking and to connect a corresponding possible information/service provider with the user when a positive answer is received. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306793 | Apparatus and Method for Automatically Improving a Set of Initial Return on Investment Calculator Templates - A method for updating the return on investment (ROI) templates used by business consultants. The present invention comprises a Template Evaluation Program (TEP) and a Template Analysis Program (TAP). The TEP compares the default template to the templates modified by the consultants for the customer's ROI analysis and assigns an effectiveness factor to the modified templates. The TAP develops a data list from the default templates and the effectiveness factors and plots the data on a histogram. The TAP performs a statistical analysis for each parameter and updates the default template parameter values if the data fits a normal distribution curve. If the data forms more than one peak on the histogram, then the TAP uses one peak to update the default template and uses the second peak to create a new template. The new template's parameter value is derived from the data in the second peak. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306794 | Measurement of content placement effectiveness over web pages and like media - A system estimates the part of a current content page that is currently visible on a user screen. A movement detection unit detects movement of the content page within the user's browser, and an estimator infers whether a particular content item of interest is within the currently visible area. The movement detection unit in one version detects operating system directives to find out whether the user is scrolling etc through the page. Alternatively an identifiable point is placed on the content item and continual measurement is made between identifiable point in the content and a point in the currently visible area. The system is useful for providing statistical data about the effectiveness of advertisement placement within web pages. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306795 | TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to transportation management processes and systems. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method in a computer system for determining one or more routes for transporting items, including receiving multiple orders to transport items from an origination stop to a destination stop, generating one or more consolidations, and generating one or more shipments wherein each shipment includes a selected consolidation that meets at least one shipment parameter or an order. The method further includes generating one or more routes with an ordered sequence of stops wherein each route is associated with one or more shipments. The method still further includes selecting one or more routes based on one or more route parameters. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306796 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CLOSED-LOOP OPERATIONS CONSULTING AND OPTIMIZATION - A closed-loop system and method for optimizing one or more aspects of the operation of a facility or business is presented. The system includes a platform at a remote provider for accepting and storing data from the facility for analysis. The system facilitates a live consultation such that information is exchanged between the parties, including facility data in analyzed or unanalyzed form for reference during the consultation, recommendations are made in relation to the facility data relative to one or more aspects of the operation of the facility, video and audio of the representative conducting the live consultation, and a whiteboard configured to display input by one or more parties. The method allows skilled experts to provide recommendations of actions for optimizing one or more aspects of operations at a facility, without the requirement that the facility maintain an infrastructure of trained personnel and equipment. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306797 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION - A method for automated resource management and optimization, the method includes: monitoring one or more of the following: resource usage, level of resource utilization, and resource amenities; receiving a request for reserving a resource; determining whether the request for the resource is granted as originally requested; wherein the determining of whether to grant the request for resources as originally requested is based one or more thresholds and conditions; wherein the one or more thresholds and conditions are based on the monitoring of at least one of the following: resource usage, the level of resource utilization; and resource amenities; and wherein if the request for reserving a resource fails to meet the one or more thresholds and conditions the request is either denied or modified. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306798 | Deployment planning of components in heterogeneous environments - Deployment plans, to service execution environments, of component services associated with a composite service associated with an analysis of data generated by one or more data sources, may be determined, the composite service including an ordering of execution of the associated component services for the analysis of the data. An evaluation of each of the deployment plans of the component services may be determined based on a first metric associating one or more weighted values with a consumption by the each deployment plan of one or more respective resources associated with each of the first and second network nodes and on a second metric associating one or more weighted values with a measure of connection availability of one or more network links included in a communication path between the first and second network nodes. A recommendation including one or more of the deployment plans may be determined based on the evaluation. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306799 | Method and system for providing maintenance & management services for long-term capital assets, equipment or fixtures by providing a warranty - A method includes the steps of diagnosing existing conditions of long-term capital assets, equipment or fixtures, providing a performance warranty on the long-term capital assets, etc. The performance warranty is negotiated and signed prior to on-site inspection so as to transfer from owner to a provider the risk of maintaining performance of the long-term capital assets, etc. during a performance warranty term and within a standard or performance. Optionally, the performance warranty includes a condition warranty which guarantees conditions of the long-term capital assets, equipment or fixtures by component at the end of the performance maintenance warranty so as to guarantee the long-term capital assets, equipment or fixtures will operate for another extended period after the performance warranty, without performing by the provider any further maintenance thenafter. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306800 | Light path management system and method thereof - A light path management system and method for displaying working status of a user and subordinates thereof on a screen with light notification determining by weighting the job priority and work load. Sequentially, it further synthesizes light notification from subordinate staff into the user's conclusive working status, and then displaying the conclusive working status for the user and the subordinate staff thereof in hierarchy order. The invention relating to the light path management system and method can be well adopted for providing administrative suggestions, enhancing operation efficiency and reducing management cost at work. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306801 | DASHBOARD FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT ITEMS - The present invention provides methods and systems for facilitating exchange of rights associated with environmentally relevant items. The methods and systems may include identifying a first environmentally relevant item, identifying a second environmentally relevant item, and providing an environmental dashboard from which at least one user may manage activities relevant to a plurality of types of actions relevant to the environmentally relevant items. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306802 | System and Method for Distribution of Campaign Resources - A system and method for distribution of campaign resources generates proposed allocations of resources, predicts electoral results based on such proposals, and selects strategies based on predetermined metrics. Both the activities of a protagonist (e.g., candidate) and of one or more opponents are considered. A campaign model considers polling impacts from the proposed allocations as well as electoral projections based on polling. Results are presented to a user via maps and timelines, as well as by alphanumeric data. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306803 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING OILFIELD PRODUCTION OPERATIONS - The invention relates to a method of performing production operations of an oilfield having at least one process facility and at least one wellsite operatively connected thereto, each at least one wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein. The method steps include receiving a number of steps each from at least one of a number of collaborators, specifying an automated workflow including the number of steps and for generating a first well plan, obtaining first data associated with the production operations, applying the automated workflow to the first data to generate the first well plan, adjusting the production operations based on the first well plan, and modifying at least one of the number of steps based on input from at least one of the number of collaborators to generate an updated automated workflow. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306804 | SYSTEMS FOR SCHEDULING MARKETING CAMPAIGNS IN PUBLIC PLACES IN ORDER TO ENABLE MEASUREMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF AUDIENCE RESPONSE - A system is described for determining how to execute a media campaign (e.g., an advertising campaign) in out-of-home environments (e.g., retail stores or other public places), in such a manner as to enable analysis of the impact of the campaign upon audience behavior, and some of the aspects of audience behavior (recollection of recent exposure, impact of repeat exposures over time) that can be incorporated into subsequent analysis; this can then extend into alterations to the campaign scheduling to optimize business metrics and/or to gain additional, richer information about audience behavior. Media content can be rendered on one or more devices, such as monitors, point of sale systems, and so forth. The media content can include advertisements, such as advertisements having images, video, audio, and multimedia content. Various business constraints and statistical experimental constraints can be satisfied when generating a schedule. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306805 | Method and Apparatus for Queue-Based Automated Staff Scheduling - The invention disclosed herein provides a queue-based scheduling system, which comprises an automated staff scheduling computer program that is highly flexible in enforcing scheduling rules. This flexibility comes from the ability to: (1) Define conditional and unconditional rules; (2) Rank the rules/requests in varying priority as represented by a numeric value assigned to each rule/request; and (3) Specify rules both per individual and per group. These three abilities synergistically produce an automatic scheduling system that can enforce a wide variety of scheduling rules and requirements seen in actual staff scheduling situations. Furthermore, all these abilities rely on using a queue per scheduled assignment to hold requests and rules. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306806 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY ALLOCATING TASKS - The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for dynamically allocating tasks. Using the methods and apparatus herein, users can dynamically assign tasks to roles within a workflow process. This allows business process designers to easily create tasks and define roles for those tasks. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306807 | Interest profiles for audio and/or video streams - A user interest profile, which indicates a portion-varying level of user interest toward a first streaming media item, is determined. The user interest profile is based on a plurality of ratings inputted by a user for a plurality of respective portions of the first streaming media item. A second streaming media item is recommended to the user based on the user interest profile. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306808 | Purchases method and system - In an automated method for providing personalised recommendations to a user, a global probabilistic purchase model based on prior interactions of a group of users of a system, is used in the generation of personalised recommendations for future purchases for a given user. Attributes of the given user are used to identify characteristics relating to the user's personal purchasing, correction factors are calculated to update the output of the global probabilistic purchase model to personalise the recommendations for the user. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306809 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SPONSOR MATCH ADVERTISEMENT SERVICE - The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a sponsor match advertisement service which, when a service user sets a sponsored tag and sponsored tag related additional information of advertising information, which is highly related to or identical to a user created content (UCC), registers the sponsored tag and sponsored tag related additional information with the content, and when a service visitor clicks the sponsored tag, may provide advertising information of a sponsor which is mapped to the sponsored tag and may provide a portion of an advertising revenue to the service user. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306810 | Method, algorithm, and computer program for optimizing the performance of messages including advertisements in an interactive measurable medium - Method, procedure, algorithm, system, and computer program for improving and attempting to optimize the performance of messaging campaigns, particularly to marketing campaigns in which advertisements or other messages are distributed over an interactive measurable medium such as the Internet. A goal is to allocate the message alternatives to the customer population to optimize business objectives. The includes reading prior stage message state data pertaining to a prior stage including a cumulative number of trials and a cumulative number of successes for a particular message. Message performance results representing message trials and message successes from the previous stage based on the prior-stage state are then read, and a current message state is computed. A current message allocation is generated based on the current message state. Desirably the cumulative number of trials and the cumulative number of successes are discounted based on the age of the information. This inventive procedure may be applied to various message types including, for example, web site banner advertisements, electronic advertisements generally, email messages and promotions, and the like. In one embodiment, the messages are internet web site banner ads, trials are impressions of the ads presented to the user, and successes are measured by clickthroughs from the banner ad to the web site associated with the banner ad. Computer system, computer program, and computer program product associated with the inventive method and procedures are also provided. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306811 | Method system and device to evaluate employees and employers - A video recorded professional interview and assessment of potential employees for the benefit of employers so the latter can examine potential employees at times and speed convenient to the employers selecting only those most suitable for live interviews. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306812 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A DEALER'S ABILITY TO CLOSE A SALE - A method of measuring the sales performance of a dealer may include determining a propensity to buy score associated with each lead received by a dealer and determining an expected close rate associated with the dealer that may be based on the determined propensity to buy scores. The method may also include determining, by a computing device, an effectiveness rate associated with the dealer that may be based on at least the expected close rate and an actual close rate. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306813 | METHOD FOR RECYCLING CONSUMER GOODS - A method to encourage consumers to return reusable or recyclable containers to the origin of purchase provides to the consumer a coupon or other proof of return to be redeemed for a discount on items made with or incorporating the recycled products returned by other consumers. The returned container may then be used by the seller or the seller's affiliate or agent as material to create more recycled consumer goods. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306814 | LOCALIZED ADVERTISEMENT SUBSTITUTION IN WEB-BASED CONTENT - The present invention discloses a system and a method of intermediate network nodes that substitute local content for detected advertisements before serving Web pages to Web clients. In the invention, served content provided by a remotely located Web server directed towards a remotely located Web browser can be detected by the network node that performs the substitution. The served content can include Web content related to a Web site and advertisement content. A portion of the served content representing advertisement content can be determined. The determined advertisement content can be replaced with substitute content. The Web content and the substitute content can be delivered to the Web browser. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306815 | Method and system for inserting targeted data in available spaces of a webpage - Various techniques for placing targeted data in a webpage requested by a user are disclosed. A presentation of the data when the webpage is displayed draws attention from the user. Examples of the data may include, but not be limited to advertisements, various alerts and notifications. In one embodiment, some of the techniques, when properly combined, can provide a mechanism to locate available spaces in a webpage and place targeted advertisements therein by embedding scripts into data packets received from the website being visited. The data packets are modified in a network device deployed at a traffic concentration point along a network, where the network device operates transparently to both the website and the user, regardless there is a need to modify existing data packets or fabricate new data packets. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306816 | Network devices for replacing an advertisement with another advertisement - Techniques for replacing an advertisement in a webpage from a website with another advertisement are disclosed. A response including the webpage is intercepted in a network device deployed in an in-line fashion, preferably at a data traffic point along a network. When it is determined that the webpage includes an advertisement that is replaceable, a preferable advertisement more correlated to the interests of a user is embedded in data packets to replace those for the original advertisement. Subsequently, the preferable advertisement is served when the webpage is displayed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306817 | Methods and Systems of Presenting Advertisements in Consumer-Defined Environments - Targeted or other advertising may comprise one or more advertisements presented in a virtual world environment constructed according to consumer parameters, with the advertisements presented according to rules, scripts, or other parameters defined by the advertiser(s). For instance, one or more consumer computing device(s) can access data defining a brand name, logo, and/or message and can access data defining consumer preferences for the context in which advertisements are to be presented. For example, the context may vary according to viewer identity, programming content, time of day, and the like. Then, the consumer computing device(s) can render a virtual world based on the consumer preferences with the virtual world also comprising the advertisement(s) generated based on advertiser definitions. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306818 | MULTI-CLIENT STREAMER WITH LATE BINDING OF AD CONTENT - A late-binding multi-client streamer utilizing Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) transfers to obtain video and advertisement content is provided. For each client device, the streamer receives a video content selection. In response, the streamer initiates an RDMA transfer of the video content or a segment of the video content from a storage device of a video content server to an associated video buffer and begins streaming the video content from the video buffer to the client device. When an upcoming advertisement slot in the video content is detected, the streamer initiates an RDMA transfer of an advertisement for the ad slot from a storage device associated with an advertisement content server to an associated ad buffer. The streamer then inserts the advertisement from the ad buffer into the ad slot in the video content as the video content is streamed to the client device. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHAPING RELEVANCE SCORES FOR POSITION AUCTIONS - The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for ranking and providing advertisements in a position auction. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a search query and selecting at least one keyword based upon the search query. A list containing at least one keyword based upon the search query is returned and a list comprising at least one bid corresponding to the returned list of keywords is retrieved. A priority score corresponding to each bid is computed and used to rank the list of bids. Advertisements are then provided corresponding to a plurality of the highest ranking bids. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306820 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR TARGETING OF CONTENT TO SEGMENTED CUSTOMER BASE - A method and system for targeted in-store advertising content is disclosed. In order to improve the success of advertising content on a group of customers, the present invention monitors and records items as they are purchased from the store. These records generate data that is used to categorize customers into defined segments. Segments are matched to pre-defined profiles, which describe certain demographic characteristics common to customers in a particular segment. Advertisers can create advertising campaigns directed to these profiles, and when a certain number of matching segments appear within a certain amount of time within the store, the present invention will display the matching media content. The present invention tracks segment frequency, and applies a weighted T-distribution analysis to determine the likelihood of certain frequencies of segments appearing at a certain time. The present invention also tracks the number of times certain media content has been displayed within a certain amount of time to prevent content overexposure. Use of the present invention's data will help advertisers by introducing a pay for performance model where advertisers pay to deliver content to their target demographic, and by providing information on whether or not an advertising campaign was successful. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306821 | System and Method of Driving Commodity Consumers to Selective Retail Locations - A system and method for driving commodity consumers to selective locations allows an operator of a price protection product to enter into agreements with locations offering a commodity such that the locations provide incentives for purchasers or consumers of the commodity to purchase the commodity at the location. The operator of the price protection system may enter into agreements with purchasers to provide information about the locations offering the incentives. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306822 | Self Funding Emergency and Other Notification System - The present invention is directed to a business model, methods, and system for generating and distributing telecom and Internet advertising revenue between a voice message broadcast provider and partner social network. The inventive business model provides voice message broadcast services to a social network, self-configured by the administrators and members of that social network via an Internet web-interface. The web-interface, furnished to the social network by the voice message broadcast service provider, converges the interests of the social network's administrators, the social network's members, interested non-members, and 3 | 2008-12-11 |
20080306823 | ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION ADVERTISING SYSTEM - An electronic publication advertising system including establishing sponsorship standards for reviewing advertisements for inclusion in an electronic publication. At least one advertisement is reviewed to determine whether the at least one advertisement complies with the sponsorship standards. The electronic publication is reviewed to determine a placement location of the at least one advertisement. The electronic publication is distributed with the at least one advertisement in the placement location. The electronic publication is reviewed by a person affiliated with the use of the distributed electronic publication to determine if the at least one advertisement meets the sponsorship standards. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306824 | Empty Space Advertising Engine - A web page is enabled to display advertisements in the empty space that is present in conjunction with normal content. Usage data including both positive and negative feedback is collected and stored on a server. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306825 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAKING AWARDS BASED ON THE TRAVELS OF AN ARTIFACT - In one aspect, the invention discloses an itinerant artifact in the form of a toy that embarks on travel to different places. Associated with the artifact may be a mission which includes at least one location/place that the artifact must travel to in order to be eligible for an award. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306826 | System for Providing a Service to Venues Where People Aggregate - A system and method for providing a service to promoters, including venues and advertising sponsors, who wish to provide promotions. The service includes making promoter promotions accessible by the mobile phones of members associated with an organization. Typically a promotion and member are matched based on the member's geographical position, which may be reported by the member or determined automatically by a position sensor in their mobile phone, and optionally by the member's traits and behaviors. By accepting a promotion, a member may receive reward points which can be used to obtain goods and services. In addition to accessing promotions, members have mobile access to real-time information about the venues, such as the demographics of venue attendees and media posted by attendees concerning venue characteristics. Using the system, members can determine before going to a venue, such as a nightclub or bar, which venue has their preferred attendee demographic, atmosphere, music, cover charge, drink specials, friends, etc. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306827 | System for Registration of Commercial Transactions - The present invention is a new use of the POS terminal and the existing communication networks for processing, registering and storing all commercial transactions regardless of payment method that when combined with an electronic lottery increases the registration of commercial transactions. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306828 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING TRANSACTION INFORMATION - A method for processing transaction information is provided according to the present invention. The method enables business vender to provide consumers with paperless transaction information, e.g. invoice information, via a route mainframe and a electronic data interchange platform. The method includes providing a mobile electronic device and establishing an information service platform to connect the electronic data interchange platform, for providing the consumers a means for payment of bills; when the cash register of the business vender receives a request of the payment of bills by using the mobile electronic device, having the card reader to access balance of the electronic purse of the mobile electronic device; judging whether the balance of the electronic purse is enough for the payment of bills, if not, prohibiting the mobile electronic device from proceeding to the payment of bills, and terminating the transaction information process; if yes, then having the mobile electronic device proceed to the payment of bills and allowing the cash register to transmit, via the route mainframe and the electronic data interchange platform, transaction information received to the information service platform for saving; and transmitting at least a part of the transaction information to the mobile electronic device by the information service platform. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306829 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROMOTING A DEALER IN ONLINE MERCHANDISE - A method includes providing an online merchandizing web site for a distributor and prompting a customer to select a sponsoring dealer from a list of sponsoring dealers while the customer is at the web site. The customer may select a sponsoring dealer during check out and is associated with the sponsoring dealer. The web site displays a window associated with the sponsoring dealer. The window is being linked to a dealer site-let, which is part of the web site. The dealer site-let comprises promotion information for the sponsoring dealer, such as in-store specials at the dealer's local stores, web coupons, featured class schedules, etc. The distributor handles payment, fulfillment, shipping, and customer service and returns. Furthermore, the sponsoring dealer receives a specified portion of net sale profit for each sale made to the customer from the online merchandizing web site. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306830 | SYSTEM FOR RATING QUALITY OF ONLINE VISITORS - A system for determine session, visitor, advertiser and/or website click quality scores includes a data warehouse collected from a plurality of websites, a method of determining whether a goal established for a website is achieved, a data mining system for adjusting the value of certain actions taken by a visitor to a website in accomplishing the websites ultimate goal, and a subsystem for reporting click quality scores to users of the system. For example, the system uses a script included in each page of each website monitored by the system to capture data in the data warehouse. The method for determining whether a goal is achieved may include assigning a website goal associated with access to a category of a page and recording the achievement of the goal or goals, when a visitor in a session accesses a page or pages of the specified category. The subsystem for reporting may assist in analyzing the quality of visitors, the quality of visitors referred by a particular referral source, and the quality of a website, including any effects of changes made to the website or in comparison to other websites monitored by the system. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306831 | Systems and methods for facilitating purchase transactions in a network - Systems and methods for facilitating the purchase of one or more items from one or more vendors on a network through a platform. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes receiving at the platform a request from a user for purchase of at least one item from at least one vendor, and transmitting, from the platform, instructions to create a user account at each vendor from whom a purchase is made. An indication is transmitted, from the platform, to each vendor to purchase at least one item through the corresponding user account. The platform receives a corresponding confirmation associated with the user account at each vendor. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306832 | Broadcasting data purchasing system and method thereof - A broadcasting data purchasing system includes an internet radio station, a media receiver and an online shopping server. The internet radio station provides broadcasting data. The media receiver receives, plays the broadcasting data and judges whether the broadcasting data includes metadata, which includes first audio information relevant to the broadcasting data. The media receiver responds with an operation event to output the first audio information when the broadcasting data includes the metadata. The online shopping server includes a goods database. The online shopping server receives the first audio information, searches for goods data from the goods database according to the first audio information, and stores the goods data. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306833 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRAINING DEPLETION AMOUNT IN A DEFINED TIME FRAME - Embodiments disclosed herein provide price protection on commodity purchases in which a consumer can select, accept, or otherwise agree to a depletion constraint on the consumption of the commodity thus purchased. Based on the agreed depletion constraint, a provider may adjust terms and/or the price of the price protection. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be time-based, quantity-based, value-based, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the depletion constraint can be linear. In some embodiments, a consumer may be required to purchase a certain amount of the commodity during a specified time frame. In some embodiments, the provider of the price protection may receive a payment from the consumer when the retail price of the commodity at the time of the purchase is below a specified floor price. In some embodiments, the commodity is motor fuel. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306834 | SYSTEM FOR AGGREGATING SERVICES FOR A TELECOMMUNICATION PLATFORM AND METHOD OF ORDERING A GOOD OR SERVICE - A system for aggregating services for a telecommunication platform is provided. The system includes a data administration server ( | 2008-12-11 |
20080306835 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING AN EMAIL MESSAGE - The invention includes systems and methods for facilitating customizing of electronic communications. A consumer may shop and request purchase of an item on a consolidated shopping (CS) website displaying items available for purchase on different merchant websites. A host computer providing the CS website may access a merchant website selling the requested item, and order the requested item on behalf of the consumer. A consumer may purchase/order multiple items from multiple websites in a single purchase request to the CS website. When one or more orders are placed at the merchant's website, the system injects a pseudo-email address into the order form. The pseudo-email address directs any subsequent electronic communication from a merchant to the host computer. The host computer system then customizes the electronic communication, inserts the consumer's real email address into the electronic communication, and forwards the electronic communication to the consumer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306836 | NETWORK AUCTIONING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - The invention provides an apparatus comprising a remote auction terminal operatively connected to a network auction via a network, wherein the remote auction terminal facilitates interactive screening before, and during, receipt of goods into the network auction and can also automatically notify potential auction agents of a pending sale by a seller. A method that facilitates the exchange of goods, via the remote auction terminal, and a system that employs the terminal are also disclosed. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306837 | PIN-LESS ATM PROCESSING SYSTEM - A system and method are provided for processing transactions across an ATM network without requiring the use of a PIN or a signature. The transactions can be aggregated to allow multiple purchases to be processed in a single transaction. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306838 | System and Method of Bridging a Product Catalog from a Central E-Commerce Website to Remote Access - A computer system bridges information between first and second websites. The first website is a central e-commerce website. The second website can be a social, commercial, or public service website. Product information is created on the first website. The product information may be a product catalog. Bridging code is created which relates to the product information. The bridging code is installed on the second website. The bridging code is embedded in computer executable code controlling the second website. The bridging code is utilized to establish a communication link between the first and second websites. The product information is updated on the first website. The product information from the first website is updated onto the second website. The product information is displayed on the second website. The system processes a purchase transaction based on the product information as displayed on the second website. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306839 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ONLINE CHECK PROCESSING - Methods and apparatus for processing an online payment for an item is disclosed. In one implementation, the method includes receiving information from a user corresponding to online payment for an item. The information from the user is received through a graphical user interface, and includes an authorization to pay for the item using an electronic check. The method further includes creating an electronic image of an authorized demand draft based on the authorization received from the user. The electronic image of the authorized demand draft is created directly from the information provided by the user through the graphical user interface. The electronic image includes a stage in which a physical version of the electronic check is printed out from the electronic image, briefly, before being scanned back to electronic format and transmitted. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306840 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING SALES FORCE EFFECTIVENESS AND DOWNSTREAM ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT IN A MULTI-TIERED DEMAND CHAIN - A software application program is disclosed for allowing an upstream channel member such as a supplier to enhance sales force automation and performance by making it easier to manage a downstream channel member such as a retailer. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306841 | System and method for processing orders - An order processing system includes a staging area for receiving a shipping medium prior to shipment. The shipping medium supports at least one item. An imaging device is positioned for capturing an image of the at least one item supported by the shipping medium. A data storage device is configured to store the image and order information associated with the image. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306842 | Transaction Verification System - A transaction verification system comprises a central data processing system and a plurality of satellite data processing systems discreet from the central data processing system. A plurality of audio and/or visual recorders are adapted to record sounds and/or images and to these into digital data which is transferred to the central data processing system by communication means. Each audio and/or visual recorder is associated with one or more satellite data processing systems and the central data processing system includes a data store within which digital data received from the audio and/or visual recorders is stored. The data store being divided into subsidiary data stores, each associated with one or more satellite data processing systems and the central data processing system being programmed to store digital data from audio and/or visual recorders associated with a particular satellite data processing system in a subsidiary data store associated with that satellite data processing system and to communicate data stored in a subsidiary data store only to a satellite data processing system associated with that subsidiary data store. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306843 | Cost effective methods to reduce tax avoidance by landlords, small businesses, and individuals - To allow tax collection agencies to identify underreporting of income by individuals, landlords and vendors, new methods have been developed to ensure that tax revenues are reported accurately and lay the foundation for sharing data amongst the different agencies. Presently, cost effective methods do not exist to ensure that individuals, landlords, and vendors are obeying the tax laws. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306844 | Payroll Receipt Using A Trustee Account Systems And Methods - A payroll receiving and accessing system includes an enrollment kit. The kit includes activation instructions and an enrollment form for assigning an account identifier that identifies an account for receiving payroll funds due an employee. The system also includes an account activation system programmed to receive an activation request by the employee to activate the account, provide to the employee disbursement options including at least receiving payroll funds by negotiable instrument and receiving payroll funds by presentation instrument, receive from the employee a selection from among the disbursement options, and establish the selection. The system also includes a trustee account for the benefit of the employee for receiving the payroll funds due the employee and a system configured to disburse the funds to the employee in accordance with the selection. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306845 | CHARGE MANAGING SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CHARGE MANAGING SERVER, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - A charge managing system including an image forming apparatus and a charge managing server is provided. The image forming apparatus includes plural applications each configured for executing a specific process on input data, a counter unit that counts a number of result items output as a result of executing at least one of the applications, a count value storage unit that stores a count value corresponding to the number of result items counted by the counter unit, and a storage area setting unit that secures a plurality of storage areas within the count value storage unit each of which storage areas is configured for storing a corresponding count value obtained for each of the applications. The charge managing server manages charging a fee for using the image forming apparatus based on the corresponding count value stored in each of the storage areas secured for each of the applications. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306846 | System and Method for a Frame-Based Internet Enabled User Interface - A system and method for a frame-based internet enabled interface. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for a client-side frame based internet enabled interface. The system comprises a first frame and a second frame in a window. The first frame encapsulates a resource from a third-party internet based service. The resource is requested by a user through an internet enabling software. In addition, the second frame comprises user-specific information that is related to content provided from the resource. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306847 | PROVIDING METERED ACCOUNTING OF COMPUTER RESOURCES - An apparatus and method provide the capability of metering temporary capacity on demand in a computer system in a way that allows one resource to benefit from unused billed capacity of a different resource. The actual use of a selected resource is monitored. When the selected resource is actually used, before charging the customer for the resource, a check is made to see if there is unused billed capacity of another resource that may be used by the selected resource. If so, the unused billed capacity of the other resource is “stolen” and used by the selected resource. If there is no unused billed capacity of another resource, a resource-time increment is billed for the use of the selected resource. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306848 | Lead Generation Platform - A method and system is disclosed for a financial institution to offer one or more financial products or services to a customer. Upon receiving a triggering event, such as a customer transaction, at least one of an internal and external database concerning is queried, and an algorithmic determination of an optimum selection of financial products to be offered to the customer is executed. The initiated financial transaction may be executed simultaneously with the determination of an optimum selection of financial products. The optimum selection of financial products and services may be offered by the financial institution employee who is also processing the customer transaction. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306849 | Methods, systems and computer program products for interacting with ISO 14443-4 and MIFARE applications on the same wireless smart device during a common transaction - Methods, systems, and computer program products for interacting with ISO 14443-4 and MIFARE® applications on the same wireless smart device during a common transaction are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes detecting and communicating with an ISO 14443-4 application located on a wireless smart device that includes an ISO 14443-4 and a MIFARE® application to perform at least part of the common transaction. Termination of the ISO 14443-4 application is detected, and the MIFARE® application located on the wireless smart device is detected and communicated with for performing at least part of the common transaction. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306850 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD IN PAYMENT PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS - A method includes receiving an authorization request for a purchase transaction, and determining whether the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device. The method further includes mapping a first account number included in the authorization request into a second account number associated with the first account number if it is determined that the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device and if the first account number is qualified for mapping. In addition, the method includes transmitting the authorization request to an issuer financial institution with the second account number substituted for the first account number in the authorization request. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306851 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ACCOUNTS USING A SOCIAL NETWORK OVER A NETWORK - The present invention generally relates to data processing, and more particularly, to a method and system for managing accounts using online social network. The method and system allow for computer implemented management of a trust and other accounts4 over a network where the network users can generate and share content including journals, videos, and audio files. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306852 | Home Registry with Advertiser Contributions - Systems and methods assist a potential home buyer in funding a down payment for a residence, by accumulating contributions towards the down payment at least in part as a first function of purchases made through a first business, and keeping track of the contributions. All suitable interfaces are contemplated including especially electronic web page interfaces. Contributions can include cash, but also other suitable types, including for example points, and discounts. The purchases used as a basis for making contributions can be made by the potential home buyer, or by other person or entity. In especially preferred embodiments, a commercial lender, relative, builder, a builder's agent, or other third party can match some or all of the contributions. At least one of the contributions can be returned to a donor if the down payment is not used to purchase the residence during a given period of time. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306853 | System and Apparatus for Bidding - In connection with a computer-based auction system, the auction system communicatively coupled with sellers and bidders, the system having records indicative of sellers of items and records indicative of bidders for the items and identifying for each item a winning bidder in an auction, a first bidder selects a first item for which there is a winning bidder who is not the same as the first bidder. By electronic means, information is obtained indicative of identities of second bidders other than the first bidder who previously placed respective bids for the first item. Second items are found other than the first item for which bids have been placed by one or more of the second bidders. A second item is chosen by the first bidder, for which the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended. The first bidder then attempts to discern why the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended. Alternatively this approach is used to identifying a second item for which the auction has not yet ended, and the first bidder places a bid higher than any bids previously placed for that second item. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306854 | Event Timing Mechanisms for Dutch Auction of Securities - A method for auctioning securities defines an auction start time and an auction end time. The time therebetween is defined by time bucket intervals and transparency intervals. At the auction start time, a real-time auction of securities over a communications network begins. During each time bucket interval bids are received from prospective purchasers, and assigned a time bucket stamp such that bids with the same time stamp are treated as having occurred at the same time. At the end of each transparency interval public bid information related to the auction is updated and made available to the prospective purchasers. After the auction end time, a final auction price for the securities is established based upon the bids made during the auction, and the securities are allocated to the prospective purchasers at the final auction price. | 2008-12-11 |
20080306855 | Allocation Mechanisms for Dutch Auction of Securities - A method is described for auctioning securities by an auction offeror. Bids are received for an offered number of securities. Each bid includes a bid price, a desired number of securities, and a timestamp indicting a time that the bid was received by the system. After a final bid time, a final price for the securities is established based upon the received bids. Then the desired number of securities is allocated to each bid having a bid price more favorable for the auction offeror than the final price. The desired number of securities is also allocated to each bid having a bid price at the final price, in bid timestamp order favoring earlier timestamps, until the offered number of securities has been allocated. | 2008-12-11 |