04th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140025459 | APPLYING OFFERS TO PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS AT SETTLEMENT - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for applying offer to purchase transactions at settlement. An exemplary apparatus is configured to determine at least one transaction associated with a user's financial institution account; and determine, when processing the at least one transaction, whether to apply at least one offer to the at least one transaction. The at least one offer enables the user's financial institution account to receive a discount or a rebate on the at least one transaction. The at least one offer was activated by the user or automatically activated based on one or more pre-configured user preferences. In some embodiments, the at least one offer is applied to the at least one transaction based on the least one transaction occurring during a predetermined period. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025460 | ENHANCED TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for automatically processing promotion redemptions are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to authorize payment for a transaction using a customer account. The request identifies the customer account and the transaction is associated with at least one purchased product. The method includes selecting a promotion for the transaction based on the customer account and one or more rules. The amount of the transaction is adjusted based on the selected promotion. The method also includes transmitting an authorization for the adjusted transaction to the merchant. The method may also include selecting a promotion that has been pre-purchased by the customer. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025461 | ENHANCED TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Methods, systems, and computer-executable instructions for processing financial transactions are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request from a merchant to authorize payment for a transaction using a financial account of a customer. The request includes information about the transaction. The method further includes analyzing the transaction information based on a profile of the customer that is linked to the financial account and based on data pertaining to at least one other related transaction. Finally, the method includes generating a message about the transaction based on the analysis and transmitting the message to a recipient. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025462 | Promotion System And Method - A method of providing a buying incentive to a customer for the purchasing of at least one item of value, the method comprising the steps of: (a) advertising to a customer the option of buying at least one item in a series of the items of value, with predetermined special members of the series being able to be purchased for a special price, the special members being unknown to the user; (b) providing a user with the option to precommit to buying at least one of the items of value; (c) utilizing the series, including any predetermined special members having a special price, to determine the total cost to the customer of the purchase; and (d) fulfilling the purchasing requirements of the purchase. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE THROUGH PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITS DURING A TRANSACTION - Accordingly some embodiments, a merchant server receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant of a purchase of at least one item from a first merchant. The customer agrees to participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant in exchange for having the subsidy applied against the purchase from the first merchant. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025464 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR DETERMINING SHIPPING INCENTIVES - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-program products for determining shipping incentives. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve applying a shipping incentive for a customer receiving inbound shipments from a plurality of parties based on increased inbound shipments received from such parties. Additional embodiments of the invention involve applying a shipping incentive to at least one customer based on increased shipments shipped to and/or received in a locale for a particular time period using a common carrier. In particular embodiments, the incentive may be a discount on a cost of shipping for the customer. In other embodiments, the incentive may be something else such as a preferred shipping service for the customer. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025465 | Tracking Pre-Purchase/Post-Purchase Shopping Activity - A mechanism is provided for tracking and facilitating pre-shopping/post-purchase activity. An indication is received that a user has completed a task in a set of tasks of a quest, where the quest is a pre-purchase/post-purchase shopping activity quest. Verification is made as to whether the task has been completed. Responsive to verifying the task has been completed, a determination is made as to whether all of the set of tasks of the quest have been completed. Responsive to all of the set of tasks being completed, a presentation is initiated of an agreed-upon reward to the user. All information from quest is then submitted to a sponsor of the quest. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025466 | System and Apparatus for Linking Multiple Rewards Programs to Promote The Purchase of Specific Product Mixes - A method and system for linking multiple pre-existing reward programs is disclosed. The method includes receiving information about a first pre-existing reward program for a first product, where the first reward program provides for a first reward, and receiving information about a second pre-existing reward program for a second product, wherein the second reward program provides a second reward. A combination reward program is provided, and the combination reward program provides a combination reward that is greater than each of the first reward and the second reward. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025467 | OFFER ACTIVATION ACTIVITY AS AUTHENTICATION MECHANISM - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for authentication based on offer activation activity. An exemplary apparatus is configured to receive a user's access request; determine an activated offer and a rejected offer within a predetermined period in the past; and initiate presentation of an authentication prompt, wherein the authentication prompt is based on at least one of the activated offer or the rejected offer. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025468 | READABLE INDICIA FOR A REBATE REQUEST - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing readable indicia for a rebate request. An exemplary system is configured to: receive information associated with readable indicia associated with a rebate request; and process the readable indicia to issue a rebate associated with a rebate request, wherein the rebate comprises issuance of a credit associated with a purchase previously made from the merchant. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025469 | REWARD GRANTING APPARATUS, REWARD GRANTING METHOD, AND REWARD GRANTING PROGRAM - The reward granting apparatus has: a first determination unit, which determines whether or not a session ID is registered in a DB, this session ID being associated with a user ID and an application ID included in a application activation request message; an application activation command unit, which issues an application activation command that includes the session ID, the user ID, and the application ID, when the session ID is registered in the DB; a session ID extraction unit, which extracts from the DB the session ID corresponding to the user ID and the application ID included in a reward request message; a second determination unit, which determines whether or not the extracted session ID matches the session ID included in the reward request message; and a reward granting unit, which executes a process for granting a reward when both of the session IDs match. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025470 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING MERCHANT-CUSTOMER RETAIL EVENTS - Method and system is disclosed for facilitating merchant-customer retail events. The retailing system provides a service that simplifies the processes whereby consumers interact electronically with merchants, to pay for purchases, to receive relevant offers, and/or track receipts. A method for allowing a consumer to complete a payment transaction with a merchant is described. The method includes providing a redemption code to the user when the user is physically present within a preset area or distance to the merchant. In this way fraud and transaction quantity may be controlled. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025471 | Consumer Health Incentive Program - A computer implemented system for sustaining healthcare consumerism. The computer implemented system comprises a database, wherein the database contains pricing information for a medical service, a reference price for the medical service, an application configured to determine the reference price for the medical service, and an incentive engine configured to incentivize a policy holder to obtain the medical service at a price lower than the reference price for the medical service. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025472 | OPT IN SYSTEM AND METHOD - A financial transaction system includes a computer readable storage medium and a processor in communication with the computer readable storage medium. The processor is configured to receive a financial transaction request message from a payment device reader, and parse the financial transaction request message. The financial transaction request message includes a cardholder response to an offer to enroll in a loyalty program of a commercial entity. The processor is further configured to store the cardholder response in the computer readable storage medium. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025473 | CROWDFUNDING BASED ON ACTIONS - A crowdfunding platform can receive an indication that an entity has completed an action. Examples of an entity include a funder, a campaign account owner, a third party and a combination thereof. Examples of actions include making a purchase, subscribing to a service, joining an entity's social network, etc. Upon receiving the indication, an account (e.g., a crowdfund account such as a funder and/or campaign account) can be credited with a value that can correspond to the completion of the action. Value can be transferred from an external account (such as travel rewards program, an external virtual currency account, etc.) to a crowdfund account and vice versa. If the transferor account is denominated in a different unit of value than the transferee account, an exchange rate can be determined and applied to the transaction. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025474 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRONIC COUPONS - A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for distributing and redeeming manufacturer coupons for a product purchase in a retail environment. The data processing system of a retailer (hereinafter the loyalty coupon system) receives an electronic coupon from a manufacturer. The loyalty coupon system links the product to the inventory control system of the retail environment. The loyalty coupon system then targets the electronic coupon to customers that have subscribed to the loyalty coupon system. The coupon system provides for the communication of the product coupon directly to each subscribed customer on the list. Upon a customer selecting the coupon, the loyalty coupon system configures a customer reward. Upon the customer purchasing the product using their loyalty card, the loyalty coupon system disburses the customer reward at the point of sale. The manufacturer is billed for the redeemed coupon. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025475 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MARKETING SPONSORED ENERGY SERVICES - Systems and methods are disclosed for a retail energy marketing system including a server interacting with a remote display device, a sponsor, an energy market organization, and a set of financial services companies. The server executes an application for servicing customers while interacting with the remote display device and a sponsor application for sponsors to set up advertising and incentives for the retail energy marketing system. The server also executes a database, an ESI ID lookup application for validating customer eligibility for services and an accounting application for EMO energy usage transactions, EMO invoice transactions, customer bills, customer payments, treatment operations, customer incentives and sponsor commissions. A remote display device is placed at a retail location where customers can sign-up for energy services, view and print their billing and payment histories, and pay their bills. In return for using the remote display device, customers may receive incentives from the sponsor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025476 | System and method for a game involving the production and transmitting of live performances of selected behaviors - In a method for producing a transmission of a live performance of a selected behavior, a potential participant in a live performance is identified. An image of the potential applicant is posted on a website and associated with at least one behavior. One or more on-line viewers of the website then provide a contribution to a pool from which a reward is to be provided upon performance of at least one specified behavior specified. The potential participant is prompted to perform at least one specified behavior specified, and a reward is associated with each suggested behavior. A live view of a performance by the potential participant of at least one specified behavior is transmitted to the website, at which point the potential participant becomes an actual participant in the live performance. The actual participant is then provided with a reward associated with the performed specified behavior. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025477 | Incenting Answer Quality - Methods, computer program products, and systems are described for online content management. Online content in the form of answer sets are exposed to a user posing a question to a question and answer service. The question and answer service causes an award amount to be debited from an account associated with the user. The question and answer service receives a user input that (i) selects one or more answers from the answer set, and (ii) specifies a distribution of a portion of the award amount among the selected answers. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025478 | MEASURING INFLUENCE IN A SOCIAL NETWORK - Measuring influence in social networks, in which a marketing message related to a good or service has been distributed to one or more influencers. An agreement to allow tracking of the influencer's sharing of the marketing message is made. Also, after receiving the agreement to allow tracking of the influencer's sharing of the marketing message, sharing of the marketing message is enabled in a manner that enables tracking of actions taken by users to which the marketing message is shared. Sharing of the marketing message by the influencer is tracked and actions related to the marketing message taken by users to which the message was shared by the influencer are tracked. Data descriptive of an influence of the influencer related to the marketing message is stored and output based on the stored data is provided. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025479 | Systems And Methods For Keyword-Ad Pairing - Various embodiments of methods and systems for keyword-based traffic refinement are disclosed. For a keyword used in a keyword-based search engine marketing campaign implemented at one or more search engines, a plurality of queries entered at one or more search engines is received. Analytics data is received for the one or more advertisements associated with the keyword. The analytics data includes analytics data for a network site linked to the one or more advertisements pertaining to network traffic received at the network site as a result of the one or more advertisements being activated. The analytics data is segmented by advertisement for each of the plurality of advertisements. The analytics data is analyzed per keyword to determine advertisements that are candidates for new advertisement groups in the keyword-based search engine marketing campaign. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025480 | Systems And Methods For Keyword-Based Traffic Refinement - Methods and systems for keyword-based traffic refinement are disclosed. In one embodiment a plurality of queries entered at one or more search engines is received. In some embodiments, the plurality of queries are each a different query that was entered at the one or more search engines and resulted in one or more advertisements associated with the keyword being displayed in search results for the query. The analytics data comprises analytics data for a network site linked to the one or more advertisements, and pertains to network traffic received at the network site as a result of the one or more advertisements being activated. The analytics data is segmented by query for each of the plurality of queries and analyzed per query to determine one or more of the queries to use as an exact match keyword to modify the keyword-based search engine marketing campaign. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025481 | BENEFIT PROMOTION ADVERTISING IN AN AUGMENTED REALITY ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments described herein provide approaches for benefit promotion advertising in an augmented reality (AR) environment. Specifically, users are presented with an advertisement overlay generated for a video sequence from a mobile device. The advertisement overlay comprises a set of AR objects, and an incentive to the user to interact with the AR objects of the advertisement overlay. Responses from the user are recognized, and a benefit is provided to the user based on the response to the incentive. As such, advertisement campaigns in the AR environment are made more appealing to the user and, consequently, more effective for the advertiser. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025482 | System and Method for Optimizing Media Play Transactions - A database interface for developing at least one media play is disclosed. The database interface for developing at least one media play includes a plurality of templates, generated in accordance with feedback prior ones of the at least one media plays, at least two desired criteria limiting circumstances for play of the media play received at one of said templates, and an accessor that accesses media play inventory and preempts certain of the media play inventory with an insertion of the media play according to said at least two desired criteria. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025483 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING CONSUMER PRIVACY IN THE MEASURING OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ADVERTISEMENTS - A method for measuring the effectiveness of an advertisement includes: storing, in a database, a plurality of consumer data entries, each being associated with a consumer and wherein each includes at least a plurality of characteristics and activity data; identifying a subset of the plurality of characteristics; encrypting, by a processor the subset of characteristics for each consumer data entry using a one-way encryption; transmitting, by a transmitter, the one-way encryption; receiving, by a receiver, advertising data entries, each being associated with a consumer and wherein each includes at least the encrypted subset of characteristics and a segment indicator; identifying a subset of consumer data entries that correspond to the advertising data entries based on the encrypted subset of characteristics; and analyzing the activity data for each consumer data entry in the subset to measure the effectiveness of an advertisement based on the corresponding segment indicators. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025484 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CONNECT PEOPLE FOR REAL TIME COMMUNICATIONS - Methods and apparatuses to present information to sellers/advertisers/advisors for connections to customers for real time communications. One embodiment includes: responsive to a request from a customer, determining a telephonic reference of the customer; presenting to at least one entity an option to be connected to the customer; responsive to a first entity selecting the option, initiating a telephonic connection to the customer using the determined telephonic reference of the customer to provide a telephonic connection between the customer and the first entity; and charging the first entity a fee for a lead to the customer in response to establishing the telephonic connection between the customer and the first entity. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025485 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR DETERMINING OUTCOMES FOR PROGRAM PROMOTIONS - Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for determining an outcome of a content promotional message are described. For example, a media network may be configured to transmit content to a plurality of content playback devices, such as a television or a computing device. The content may include a content promotion message configured to promote content, such as a television program or a website, available through the media network. The content promotion message and the content may be associated with network identifiers generated by the media network for tracked content. When the content is played by the content playback device, a device identifier may be generated for the content. The device identifiers may be compared with the network identifiers to determine which, if any, content tracked by the media network has been played by the plurality of content playback devices. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025486 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SCHEDULING ELECTRONIC ADVERTISING - A method for scheduling advertising comprises the steps of: estimating a respective fraction of delivered advertisement impressions that result in a response from a user for each of a plurality of advertising contracts, estimating a value per impression for each of the advertising contracts, and scheduling an advertising line under the contract having the highest value per impression at a next available advertising window. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025487 | EMAIL-BASED E-COMMERCE - An email payment gateway having electronic commerce (e-commerce) system may send advertisement emails to customers that are registered with the e-commerce system. The advertisement emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink may be associated with a product that is being offered for sale, and each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to the product associated with the hyperlink, such as an identifier of the product. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the e-commerce system. The e-commerce system may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, execute a transaction to purchase the identified product on behalf of the customer. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025488 | Methods and Systems for Playing Media - A scalable architecture is disclosed for delivery of real-time information over a communications network. Embedded into the architecture is a control mechanism that provides for the management and administration of users who are to receive the real-time information. In the preferred embodiment, the information being delivered is high-quality audio. However, it could also be video, graphics, text or any other type of information that can be transmitted over a digital network. Preferably, there are multiple channels of information available simultaneously to be delivered to users, each channel consisting of an independent stream of information. A user chooses to tune in or tune out a particular channel, but does not choose the time at which the channel distributes its information. Advantageously, interactive (two-way) information can be incorporated into the system, multiple streams of information can be integrated for delivery to a user, and certain portions of the information being delivered can be tailored to the individual user. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025489 | NON PRE-APPROVED CHANNEL FILTERING FOR CARD ACQUISITION - Information can be shared across a pre-approved (PA) channel and a non pre-approved (NPA) channel to reduce unnecessary offers of a transactional instrument or transactional instrument upgrade to prospects. All prospects listed in the NPA channel that have been evaluated in the PA channel may he removed from a NPA offeree list. This may be done by matching the NPA prospect list with a list of prospects who have been evaluated in the PA channel. The list of prospects evaluated in the PA channel may include, for example, prospects who were pre-approved for an offer as well as prospects who were considered for a pre-approved offer but who were denied the offer. Prospects in the NPA channel that are removed from the NPA offer list may he dropped from further NPA processing, as such prospects are either unprofitable or do not meet a transactional account company's standards for credit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025490 | AUTOMATED RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON HISTORIC LOCATION-PREFERENCE INFORMATION - Techniques are described for providing automated recommendations of real-world locations, such as businesses, for users to visit based at least in part on historical location-preference information. The historical location-preference information used by the recommendation system may include the historical location-preference information of the person that requests the recommendation, other people explicitly identified as participants by the requestor, and/or other people implicitly determined to be participants. The historical location-preference information may be explicit, such as “check-ins” or reviews, or implicit. Implicit participants may be identified in a variety of ways, including social network relationships and the context in which the recommendation request is submitted. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025491 | OFFERS BASED ON LIFE EVENTS - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for determining offers based on life events. An exemplary apparatus is configured to determine a life event based on at least one of user information or account information associated with a user of a financial institution account; project a timeline of future events based on the life event; determine an offer associated with a future event, wherein the offer enables the user to receive at least one of a discount or a rebate on a purchase transaction; and transmit the offer to the user near in time to the future event's projected occurrence. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025492 | MICRO-TARGETING OFFERS AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for micro-targeting users at household level. An exemplary apparatus is configured to: determine a first user is accessing an account, wherein the account is associated with a first user and a second user, wherein the account is presented on a user interface; and in response to determining the first user is accessing the account, transmit a first offer to the first user, wherein the first offer is based on user information and account information associated with the first user, wherein the first offer is presented on the user interface, and wherein the first offer enables the first user to receive a discount or a rebate on a transaction associated with the first offer. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025493 | CUSTOM RETARGETING DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE - A system and method for re-targeting users includes: logging user activity within a network of users; categorizing parameters of the user activity; storing the categorized parameters; receiving a request for re-targeting; reformulating the request using a custom language definition; and running the re-formulated request against the stored categorized parameters to generate a list of users matching the request. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025494 | Interaction Analysis and Prioritization of Mobile Content - In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for receiving interaction information relating to a first mobile communication facility, weighting content based at least in part on the interaction information, and ordering the content for presentation on a second mobile communication facility based at least in part on the weighting. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025495 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING USER INFORMATION OVER A NETWORK - Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums, consistent with principles of some embodiments of the present invention provide for applying a user interface to an electronic device including storing information relating to a user of an electronic device, wherein the stored information includes user information data and user history data, storing a template user interface, modifying the user interface based on the stored user information and the user history data, and applying the modified user interface to the electronic device, wherein the user interface enables a user to instruct the electronic device to perform operations within a shopping establishment. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025496 | SOCIAL CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - A social content distribution network (SCDN) allows content producers to search over content sponsors to learn about demand in content sponsor sub-networks. Audience tracking tools are provided for the content sponsor to learn about demand for content within different audiences (content consumers) in any of the content destinations and within different audiences in any of the content destinations. Content sponsors are also provided facilities to search over an index of content producers to find relevant content to push. Having discovered content the sponsor wishes to push into a particular audience, the sponsor may use the SCDN platform to create a payload that includes a link to the selected content and a creative that annotates the link, deliver this payload, and track its performance in the content destination. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025497 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PRESENTING DIRECTED ADVERTISING TO A USER VIA A NETWORK - A system, method and computer program product for presenting an advertisement is described. A request to access a web page may be received from a requester via a network. The request may be generated in response to selection of a link to the web page on another web page. A response may be transmitted back to the requester. The response may include the requested web page as well as an ad script that may be executed after receipt of the response by the requester. The ad script may generate an ad request that includes one or more ad parameters extracted from the response. These ad parameters may include information about a network address of the other page. The generated ad request may then be received via the network. One or more advertisements may then be selected for presentment to the requester utilizing the ad parameters of the ad request. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025498 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTENT - The invention relates to methods of provision of content, more particularly for provision of content for patrons of business premises. Especially, the invention is related to a method for providing content at a premises, including at least the steps of preparing content for a computer device, installing content in a plurality of computer devices, transferring the plurality of computer devices to an operator at the premises, preparing updated content for the leased computer devices, and arranging the updated content to be installed on the leased computer devices. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025499 | REACTIVE SIGNAGE - According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a reactive display system comprising a display channel, data storage coupled to the display and configured to store pre-determined and reactive messages, a sensor configured to monitor at least one variable of an area within which the system is located, and a controller coupled to the sensor, data storage and the display, wherein the controller is configured to operate data storage and the display channel to display at least one pre-determined message in a first mode of operation, and wherein the controller is further configured to operate data storage and the display channel to display at least one reactive message in a second mode of operation in response to an indication from the sensor that the at least one variable has changed. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025500 | System and Method of Providing Advertisements to Vehicles - A communication device is removable and operable within a vehicle and is in communication with a data network as the communication device travels in the vehicle. Vehicle identification data is obtained from the communication device, and a type of media file supported by a media system of the vehicle is determined based upon the vehicle identification data. Media content is obtained in a format corresponding to the determined type of media file. When the communication device is within a desired range of a target location, the media content is transmitted to the communication device for presentation on the media system of the vehicle. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025501 | System and Method for Adding an Advertisement to a Personal Communication - A system and method is provided for adding an advertisement to a digital message. An advertisement generator residing on a network host accepts digital messages from contributors and allows the contributors to select an advertisement to be displayed with their contributed messages. These digital messages may be sent to specified recipients or published on a Web site. Using stored personal data associated with the contributor and with the recipient of a digital message, in addition to the content of the message itself, the advertisement generator suggests advertisements to be included with the digital messages based on their contextual relevance. If the contributor-selected advertisement is provided by a third party advertiser, the message, contributor, and advertisement data may be utilized to compensate the contributor of that message for sending it to at least one recipient or posting it on a Web site. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025502 | MANAGING PAYMENT FOR SPONSORED CONTENT PRESENTED TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES - A system and method for targeted delivery of advertising of a first or second sponsor to a plurality of cellular phones of a first or second type by way of a competitive bid auction process includes (a) receiving a offline purchase datum; (b) presenting to the first and second sponsor data corresponding to (1) the offline purchase datum and (2) the first type and the second type of cellular phone; (c) receiving from each sponsor advertising associated with the offline purchase datum characteristic, wherein each advertising has a different rendering capability associated therewith; (d) attributing a priority to the delivery of the advertising based upon a resultant yield determination; and (e) transmitting the appropriate advertising to the types of cellular phones having the corresponding rendering capabilities of the advertising. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025503 | System and Method for Task Specific, Metered Bandwidth Control Within Shared Client Environment on Mobile Communications Platforms - A communications system is provided which comprises (a) a platform having a plurality of tenants associated therewith, wherein each tenant has a set of mobile communications devices associated with it which has a plurality of members, wherein each mobile communications device in the set maintains an open connection to a communications network and is equipped with a graphical user interface (GUI); and (b) for each of the plurality of tenants, a group of offers selected by the tenant which are displayed on the GUI of each member of the set of mobile communications devices associated with that tenant. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025504 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR INTERACTING WITH DISPLAYS USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION NFC - A method, apparatus and system for interacting with media screens using near field communications includes determining an identity of a near-field communication enabled mobile communications device in proximity to a display device, the display device including near-field communication capabilities and selecting content to communicate to the display device based on the determined identity of the near-field communication enabled mobile communications device. In one case, selecting content to communicate to the display device includes displaying an alternate segment of content then what was scheduled to be presented on the display device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025505 | PRE-SALE DATA BROADCAST SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one embodiment, a method for promoting the sale of a substitute product at the point of sale (POS). Upon the presentation of an original product for purchase by a consumer at a POS terminal, various manufacturers may decide to offer a substitute product to the consumer, prior to completing the purchase of the original product. If the customer accepts the offer, the point of sale terminal completes the sale of the substitute product. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025506 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING INFORMATION TO A USER - Techniques are provided which allow users to receive additional information relating to advertisements. Login information is received from a user. An advertisement is displayed in a browser application. A user interface action indicating interaction with the user interface element may be received. The user's contact information may be retrieved based on the login information. In response to the user interface action, additional information relating to the advertisement may be transmitted to the user in accordance with the contact information. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025507 | REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SYSTEM - A real-time electronic, public display system, offered by a company, that is portable and mountable on a stanchion that can provide immediate and dynamic, 2-way communication that is useful to customers as well as the company. The system comprises a terminal, a housing, a processor located inside the housing, a solar power panel, a digital screen for displaying information, one or more external speakers, a power line harness conduit and a stanchion insert connector connected to the power line harness conduit. The invention describes how any paired technology, including any combination of NFC, WiFi, or Bluetooth NFC can facilitate wireless, targeted, and customized interaction for customers waiting in queues, while providing the company with a dashboard that controls offerings and communications. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025508 | ADVERTISING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An advertising unit includes a container and a flat divider dividing the container into two compartments. The divider is separate from the container and unable to support itself in an upright orientation. The divider includes an advertising display. A comestible product, such as soft-serve ice cream or frozen yogurt, is in the container on opposite sides of the divider and supports the divider in a generally upright position. Methods of advertising include placing advertising on the divider and providing the divider to a vendor of the comestible product. The advertising unit and advertising methods can be used to increase the impact of advertising by encouraging people consuming the product from the container to interact physically with the divider and creating a positive association between the advertising message and the experience of eating a desired comestible product. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025509 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BID OPTIMIZATION AND INVENTORY SCORING - Methods for bid optimization and inventory scoring are provided. The method comprises receiving a definition of a success event associated with a campaign that has a set of campaign parameters. The method also comprises calculating an impact estimate for a performance measure of the success event. The impact estimate is calculated based on a set of auction parameters and a set of historical data associated with a browser. The method further comprises defining a bidding function based on the impact estimate, a set of characteristics of the browser, and the set of campaign parameters. The method also comprises calculating, after calculating the impact estimate and defining the bidding function, a bid value using the bidding function. The method also comprises sending a signal having the bid value to a real-time bidding exchange. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025510 | INVENTORY VIDEO PRODUCTION - A computer implemented method of generating video promotional material and annotating the video promotional material with information about the product being promoted in the video promotional material, determining where the information about the product is stored, associating the information with the video and adding the information to the video promotional material in the form of video effects. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025511 | SkratchAds - Disclosed is a method for creating an interactive banner (virtual “scratch” ad) for a touch screen that suggests a redemption value may be obtained, displaying an interactive banner that suggests a redemption value may be obtained, processing touches on a screen displaying the interactive banner, converting the pixels below the touches to transparent to mimic “scratch offs”, displaying a message of winning a redemption value or of not winning a redemption value, providing advertising, and redirecting a user to a source of the redemption value. The method for creating an interactive banner that suggests a redemption value may be obtained receives a plurality of inputs pertaining to an interactive banner, messages of congratulation or condolence, and advertisements. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025512 | VENDOR PORTAL AND METHOD OF FACILITATING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE OVER A NETWORK - A vendor portal for electronic commerce over a network is provided. The vendor portal comprises a vendor portal web site, a collection of preconfigured modules linked to the portal, and vendor tools to enable a vendor to compile a promotional offer or service by selecting and personalising one or more preconfigured modules. The vendor portal further comprises a unique identifier generator to generate and link a unique identifier to said promotional offer or service; wherein the portal is operable to cause the vendor compiled promotional offer or service to be displayed on a user interface of a customer's networked device when a customer uses their networked device to scan said unique identifier. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025513 | TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MULTIPLE CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS - Systems and methods for operating a touch screen for contactless payments are described. In an embodiment, a process includes detecting the presence of multiple proximity payment devices in contact with a touchable surface of a touch screen, displaying a payment option menu for multiple consumers associated with the proximity payment devices, and detecting selection of payment amounts. The process includes reading payment account data from the multiple proximity payment devices, providing the payment account data to a processor, and transmitting the payment account data and the payment amounts associated with the multiple proximity payment devices to a payment server computer. The process may also include receiving one or more payment authorization messages associated with the proximity payment devices, and displaying the payment authorization message(s). | 2014-01-23 |
20140025514 | CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a new system and method for conducting business that provides a fully integrated cash management system for easily accessible, real-time cash flow figures for all vaults, sub vaults, banks, mini banks, point-of-sale (POS) stations, ticket redemption kiosks and automated teller machines (ATM) for casinos, gaming centers, and casino resorts. The invention may be utilized in multiple sites and utilized for resorts, retail in general, banks, stadiums, theme parks and so forth. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025515 | TRANSFERRING DIGITAL RECEIPT DATA TO MOBILE DEVICES - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025516 | TRANSFERRING DIGITAL RECEIPT DATA TO MOBILE DEVICES - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025517 | TRANSFERRING DIGITAL RECEIPT DATA TO MOBILE DEVICES - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for transferring digital receipt data to mobile devices. A point-of-sale (“POS”) system generates digital receipt data as part of a sales transaction. The point-of-sale (“POS”) system and a mobile device, possibly also along with a receipt data server, interoperate with one another to transfer digital receipt data generated to the mobile device. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data for a sales transaction to the receipt data server. An identifier, such as, for example, an application identifier or transaction identifier, is stored along with the digital receipt data to match the digital receipt data with the mobile device. The mobile device subsequently uses the identifier to access the digital receipt data from the receipt data server. In other embodiments, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system transfers digital receipt data directly to the mobile device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025518 | FINANCIAL CARD TRANSACTION SECURITY AND PROCESSING METHODS - Methods and systems for a secure financial transaction that can be processed through open loop or closed loop networks using electronically readable or visual data that is preferably provided or integrated into a financial card to determine network selection and card authentication and verification requirements. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025519 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING ELECTRONIC DATA RECORDS - A system and method for acquiring electronic data records is provided. A visual artifact encoded with content for acquiring an electronic data record associated with dynamic content is acquired at a portable electronic device. The visual artifact is processed to determine the content. The electronic data record is retrieved from a remote server via a network connection by processing the content at the portable electronic device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025520 | BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION OF MOBILE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS BY TRUSTED SERVICE MANAGERS - In one embodiment, a method comprises storing a biometric trait of a user in a data communication device of the user, comparing a biometric trait input into the device with the biometric trait stored in the device, generating a certificate authenticating the user within the device if the biometric trait input into the device matches the biometric trait stored in the device, and facilitating a financial transaction of the user using the certificate. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025521 | SECURING IN-APP PURCHASES - In one embodiment, a unique (or quasi unique) identifier can be received by an application store, or other on-line store, and the store can create a signed receipt that includes data desired from the unique identifier. This signed receipt is then transmitted to a device that is running the application obtained from the on-line store and the device can verify the receipt by deriving the unique (or quasi-unique) identifier from the signed receipt and comparing the derived identifier with the device identifier stored on the device, or the vendor identifier assigned to the application vendor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025522 | POINT OF SALE EMAIL-BASED E-COMMERCE - An e-commerce system includes a mobile device and a server. The mobile device produces or is configured to respond to an indicator of a product or service. The mobile device sends a first message to the server in response to the indicator. The mobile device receives a second message in response to the sent first message. The mobile device receives a user input based on the received second message. The mobile device sends a third message to a server in response to the user input. A user of the mobile device is provided the product or service based on the sent third message. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025523 | BIDDING APPICATION FOR PURCHASING ITEMS - A bidding process between a computing device and a plurality of vendors to purchase a desired product. A desired product to be purchased during the bidding process is identified. A specified time window during which the bidding process will be performed is designated. The bidding process with a plurality of vendors who are able to provide the desired product for purchase based at least in part upon one or more profiles is initiated. First purchase information related to the desired product from a first vendor and second purchase information from a second vendor is received in real time during the specified time window. The purchase information is configured to be updated in real time. The purchase of the desired product from a selected one of the first or second vendor based on the first and second purchase information is finalized. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025524 | EXAMPLES OF DELIVERY AND/OR REFERRAL SERVICES THAT MAY USE MOBILE ENHANCEMENTS AND/OR AUCTION MECHANISMS - Various systems and methods that may relate to referral and/or delivery services are described. Some embodiments may include auctions and/or other ways of assigning service providers. Some embodiments may include mobile applications used by one or more participants in a delivery endeavor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025525 | APPARATUS TO PROVIDE LIQUID FUNDS IN THEONLINE AUCTION AND MARKETPLACE ENVIRONMENT - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a lending system for use with electronic commerce web sites such as auction sites. A seller may receive a cash loan for items placed for sale but not yet purchased by a buyer. The seller can be required to pay back the loan after a predetermined amount of time or as soon as the item for sale is sold and payment is received from the buyer. The lender would charge interest or commission for the loan. In this manner, sellers can receive cash for items listed on auction sites before those items are actually sold, generating additional cash flow for the seller. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025526 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING REVERSE AUCTION TRANSPORT SERVICES - A method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing reverse auction services are provided. A reverse auction request for transportation or a reverse auction request for delivery is received from a communications device. Geographical location information of an origination location and a destination location for the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is received from the communications device. The reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is transmitted. Bids to the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery are received. The bids to the request for transportation or delivery are transmitted to the communications device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025527 | Automated Negotiation - A potential transaction between a first party and a second party involves multiple issues. A current offer made by the second party is received. A set of candidate counteroffers that satisfy a target utility value for the first party is identified. A counteroffer is selected from among the set of candidate counteroffers and presented to the second party. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025528 | COMPUTER PROGRAM, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR IN-HOME SERVICE VISITS - A computer program, method, and system for facilitating and conducting in-home service visits. In more detail, the computer program, method, and system provide for an interactive user interface for guiding a service technician through a customizable process for completing in-home service visits. The customizable process may include receiving a customer request for the service technician to conduct the in-home service. During the in-home service visit, the customer may be presented with primary package proposals corresponding to a primary service of the in-home service visit. In addition, the customer may be presented with one or more consumer questions requesting information regarding one or more secondary services that may be performed. Thereafter, the answers to the one or more consumer questions may be analyzed to determine secondary package proposals corresponding to the one or more secondary services. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025529 | Systems and Methods for Generating Three-Dimensional Product Configuration - Computer-based systems and methods for the creation and design of custom products in real time that provides sales implementation functionality are provided. A visual design tool can provide a user the capability to configure in real time a three-dimensional product configuration using gestural, affordance-based construction techniques. The visual design tool can provide a navigable and interactive three-dimensional visualization of the product configuration. Once the design of the product configuration is complete, sales implementation information can be generated for the custom product. The sales implementation information can include, for instance, a specification, a bill of materials, engineering drawings for the product, a quote for fabrication and delivery of the product, and other information. On approval of the quote, the product can be ordered. The time from initiation of the customization to placing the order may be no more than a few minutes. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025530 | System and Method for Managing Product Customization - Systems and methods for managing the customization of products can be implemented to facilitate the cooperative efforts of sellers, buyers, and producers of customizable products through a common, loosely coupled, remote system. This system may be implemented via a web-based software system as a hosted solution or as an easily integrated solution to the existing web presence of the seller. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025531 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHOPPING IN AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ENVIRONMENT WITH SOCIAL NETWORKING CONNECTIONS - A computer-implemented method for shopping in an electronic commerce environment via a data communication network includes identifying a first user who is interacting with the electronic commerce environment via a browser, selecting items for sale in the electronic commerce environment based on a browsing history of a second user associated with the first user via a social network connection, and displaying a representation of the selected items to the first user via the browser. The browsing history of the second user includes items viewed and/or purchased by the second user. The method may include updating the selection of items to include items relevant to content being displayed to the first user via the browser. The relevance may be based at least in part on information describing a function, a characteristic and/or a price of the items with respect to the content. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025532 | Correlated Content Recommendation Techniques - Techniques are disclosed for generating and ranking product recommendations based at least in part on product attributes. Two or more sets of product recommendations may be generated based on a source product. The recommendation sets may include products also purchased by those who purchased the source product, products within the same genre as the source product, or products with some other trait in common with the source product. The product recommendations may be initially ranked based on overlap within the recommendation sets. A product attribute relating to the source product or one or more of the product recommendations may be determined, and this attribute may be correlated with the product recommendations. The recommendations may then be re-ranked based on the correlated product attribute and a product recommendation list may be displayed to the user. The recommendation list may be limited to a particular type of product using a control filter. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025533 | Method and Apparatus of Recommending Clothing Products - The present disclosure provides techniques to recommending items (clothing items). These techniques may send an item operation request including a user identifier. After receiving the request, the server may determine a pre-established correspondence between the user identifier and attribute values of the items' first attribute based on the user identifier. The server may acquire the attribute values corresponding to the user identifier contained in the request. The server may then select certain items from the items associated with the corresponding attribute values, and recommend the certain items to users. These techniques avoid problems of existing technologies and improve item recommendation efficiency. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025534 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ORDERING PAINT USING A PORTABLE SELF-CONTAINED TOOL - A nonvolatile machine-readable memory medium in a mobile computing device includes instructions stored thereon as an application. The application is executed by a processor on the mobile computing device to order paint to cover a surface. The mobile computing device is communicatively coupled with a paint purchasing tool. The method includes retrieving a color value from a machine-readable memory residing within the paint purchasing tool. The processor retrieves a paint quantity from a machine-readable memory. The processor compiles an order for paint including the paint quantity and color value and transmits the order from the processor to a vendor for formulating the paint quantity having the color value when painted upon the surface and allowed to dry. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025535 | ECOMMERCE HIGH VOLUME ORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A high volume order management system is disclosed. Order capture and order processing are separated in order to allow the maximum number of orders to be captured during a short period of time. An order capture system is integrated with each website on which the product is offered. The system is comprised of a number of pods which are further comprised of order capture web pages, business rules and modules designed to capture orders as quickly as possible while still preventing fraudulent orders and providing the shopper with an expectation of whether the purchase attempt was successful. Orders are collected in a file and are subsequently processed by a global ecommerce system. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025536 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SALE OF GOODS BY PRIVATE SELLERS OVER THE INTERNET - A method of selling and buying online, the method comprising: receiving from sellers information for creating sale listings for goods; displaying the sale listings to potential buyers; at sale, automatic purchasing and printing by the web platform of a first, prepaid and seller-addressed shipping label based on the shipping-from information previously provided to the web platform by the seller and the weight of an appropriately sized shipping box for the purchased good, and of a second, prepaid, and buyer-addressed shipping label based on the shipping-from information provided by the seller, the shipping-to information provided by the buyer, the weight of the purchased good, and the size of the appropriately sized shipping box; shipping to the seller of the purchased good, using the first shipping label, the appropriately sized shipping box and the second shipping label, for the seller to place the purchased good in the appropriately sized shipping box and ship it to the buyer using the second shipping label. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025537 | VERIFYING ACCESSORY COMPATIBILITY WITH A MOBILE DEVICE - Systems and techniques for providing an automated interface that enables a user of a mobile station to quickly determine whether a hardware accessory or mobile station accessory of interest is compatible with the mobile station are provided. A determination is made whether or not the mobile station accessory product is compatible with the mobile station based on the type of the mobile station and information identifying the mobile station accessory product. A message or notification indicating whether or not the mobile station accessory product is compatible with the first mobile station is automatically displayed to the user of the mobile station via an interface provided at the mobile station. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025538 | Dual Encoding of Machine Readable Code for Automatic Scan-Initiated Purchase or Uniform Resource Locator Checkout - Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for allowing a single representation of a trigger for payment across different environments using machine readable codes. A machine readable code may be encoded with a URL and information about a product to which the machine readable code is attached. A first electronic device may be able to scan and decode the machine readable code into first recognizable product information using a complaint application. The compliant application may populate a first form on the first electronic device for a first transaction with the recognizable product information without having to access a server. A non-compliant application on a second electronic device will launch a browser using the URL and provide the unrecognizable product information to the server for decoding. The server will decode the unrecognizable product information into a second recognizable product information that may be used to populate a second form for a second transaction. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025539 | ADJUSTABLE PRIORITY RETAILER RANKING SYSTEM - An adjustable priority retailer ranking system that performs a method for generating an ordered comparison list of merchant sources is disclosed. A first unordered list of merchant sources is received from a queried search engine. A location value of an end user is derived. For the merchant sources in the unordered list, a plurality user independent merchant evaluation factors are retrieved, and a plurality of user-independent merchant evaluation factors are generated based upon the location value. Predetermined weights are assigned to the merchant evaluation factors. A merchant ranking score for the merchant sources are generated from a composite of the weights and the merchant evaluation factors. An ordered list of merchant sources arranged according to the ranking scores is outputted to the end user. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025540 | System and Methods for Storing Customer Purchasing and Preference Data, Enabling a Customer to Pre-Register Orders and Events, and for Vendors to Market to the Customers Using the Customers' Profiles and GPS Location - A real time management system for marketing to customers and vendors with customer purchasing and preference data in specific consumer markets including restaurant, retail, travel, hospitality, entertainment, and combinations thereof. The management database allows the consumer to make Precision Purchasing™ transactions, reservation transactions, and Precision Gifting™ transactions via a web-based interface, POS based touchscreen interface, and mobile device-based interface. The consumer profile database is comprised of mainly consumer inputted preference and consumer purchase data which is stored into each customer profile and can be accessed/verified with a GPS recognition of the customer's mobile device, biometric hand or finger scan, access card, retinal scan, password, or other terminal kiosk, touchscreen, or mobile application of the like. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025541 | PLACING A PURCHASE ORDER USING ONE OF MULTIPLE PROCUREMENT OPTIONS - A method and system for placing an order to purchase an item via the Internet. The order is placed by a user at a client system and received by a server system. The client system can display information identifying the item and, for each of multiple procurement options having information related to ordering the identified item, can display an indication of the procurement option such that selection of the displayed indication represents an ordering of the identified item using the information of the procurement option. In response to selection of a displayed indication, the client system can send to a server computer a request to order the identified item using the information of the procurement option for the selected indication. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025542 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF REMOTELY AUDITING INVENTORIED ASSETS - A system and method for remotely auditing inventoried assets, particularly those financed by asset-based inventory lending, by capturing unique, non-clonable, auditing information with an interrogation device at an inventory location to indicate whether each asset is present or absent at the inventory location, and by sending inventory information about such assets based on the captured auditing information to an auditor. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025543 | TOOL TRAINING FOR AUTOMATED TOOL CONTROL SYSTEMS - An inventory control system and method determines an inventory condition of objects stored in the system. Embodiments include a storage container including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; an image sensing device to capture image data of the container, including image data of the plurality of storage locations and a target area that includes an individual object storage location having less than the plurality of storage locations; a data storage device for storing the image data of the container; and a data processor. The processor receives initial image data representing an initial image of the plurality of storage locations, and image data representing an image of the target area captured subsequent to the initial image; modifies the initial image data based on the image data of the target area to generate adjusted image data; and stores the adjusted image data in the data storage device. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025544 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CUSTOMIZING INVENTORY IN AN AUTOMATED DISPENSING CABINET - A system and method for configuring a dispensing cabinet with products within an electronic catalog hosted by a wholesaler system includes a display of a user interface having a graphical representation of a dispensing cabinet for dispensing products including a graphical representation of each dispensing mechanism. A selection of a single product from a listing of products associates the selected single product to at least one dispensing mechanism and causes a change in the graphical representation of the dispensing cabinet such that the at least one dispensing mechanism is visually identified as having the selected single product associated with the dispensing mechanism. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025545 | AUTOMATED LABEL AND VERIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FILLING CUSTOMER ORDERS OF MEDICAL ITEMS - Systems and methods for filling a customer order. An automated label and verification machine is used to print and apply patient labels to products containing medical items and then verify the product label and patient label on each of the products. In order to supply the automated label and verification machine with a batch of different products making up the customer order, a user is sent to a storage carousel and prompted to pick the products from storage locations rotated into location adjacent to a door in the cage surrounding the storage carousel. The use of the storage carousels maximizes the number of distinct products and amount of those products that may be stored in close relation to the automated label and verification machine, thereby making the process more space and time efficient. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025546 | TIME ATTENDANCE TRACKING METHOD AND SYSTEM - Time attendance tracking methods and systems are described in which a hand-held device is set as a primary device or a secondary device based on an inherent mobile identity of the hand-held device and operable in either a first mode or a second mode. The first mode permits the user to clock-in or clock-out for attendance recording for the user tied account while the second mode restricts the user to clock-in or clock-out for attendance recording for the user tied account. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025547 | METHOD FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER AND BILLING FOR ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLIED USING FREQUENCY REGULATION CREDITS - A method supplying AC power and billing a customer using frequency regulation credits. The method includes using an AC frequency measuring device, measuring a current AC frequency on an AC power line; using a power consumption measuring device, measuring a current power consumption on the AC power line over a period of time equal to a sampling interval; calculating a power consumption moving average of a last N power current power consumptions measured, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; generating credits or debits based on the current power consumption, the current AC frequency and the power consumption moving average; adding the credits or debits to a frequency regulation credit; and for each next sampling interval repeating measuring the current AC frequency, measuring current power consumption, calculating the power consumption moving average, generating the credits or debits, and adding the credits or debits to the frequency regulation credit. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025548 | AUTOMATED ANOMALY DETECTION FOR REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS - Processes are disclosed for assessing a risk of fraud associated with a property, such as for specific transactions associated with the property. For instance, processes are described for assessing a risk of fraud associated with publicly recorded documents describing transactions associated with real estate properties. In one embodiment, a process accesses appropriate data (e.g., aggregated loan data, aggregated property data such as property transaction history data, etc.) and processes the data to determine whether one or more triggering conditions are met. The triggering conditions are indicative of an elevated risk of fraud with respect to a transaction such as a publicly recorded lien release. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025549 | PARALLEL PROCESSING SYSTEM - Techniques for performing high-frequency trading in over-the-counter markets, including for foreign exchange trading and financial arbitrage. Some embodiments include multiple software modules that each implement operations related to a trading system. The multiple software modules may be arranged according to sets that correspond to sequences of trades that may be evaluated and potentially selected for execution by the trading system. Each set of software modules may include software modules of various types that perform different operations related to processing trading data and selecting a sequence of trades for execution based on a potential for profit associated with the sequence of trades. The software modules may be executed on multiple processing cores, including cores of low-cost, consumer-grade multicore processing units. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025550 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHARING EXCESS PROFITS - Systems and methods for trading commodity, an item or instrument are provided. The market prices and trading may be monitored to detect a spike in the market price or artificially high market price. Excess profits resulting from the sale at an artificially high market price may be distributed to market participants based upon the participant's trading record in the market or upon some other suitable method. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025551 | INTEGRATED TRADING INFORMATION PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR EXEMPT SECURITIES - The present invention provides a system for processing and transmitting trading information incorporating (a) a risk analytic module using the latest market prices and data provided by the other two modules, (b) an auction module comprising a private asset auction functionality and a two way trader workstation capability, with bid-offer and unique asset price sourcing capabilities, (c) an asset or portfolio tracking module to provide browser based, real-time consolidated reporting of multi-firm asset positions (public or private), and (d) an out-of-band communications module which alerts users/subscribers who may or may not be logged on the system via fax, e-mail, or text messages of a pending transaction being consummated or achieved. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025552 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS - The present invention is a system and method for providing improved functionality for management of credit futures products. The improved system includes functionality implementing trading capabilities for trading credit default swaps, including providing a user with relevant market information for assessing and placing offers for credit default swaps, as well as for managing offers already placed. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025553 | UNATTENDED PRECIOUS METAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS - Apparatus, systems, and methods for unattended precious metal distribution are disclosed. A method for distributing precious metal includes maintaining user accounts on a server system and permitting access to the user accounts from unattended precious metal distribution terminals. An unattended distribution apparatus includes a precious metal distributor that dispenses precious metal in response to dispersal instructions and a remote account interface coupled to the distributor that receives withdrawal information from a remote server and issues the dispersal instructions. A distribution system includes unattended precious metal distribution terminals and a remote server system accessible by the distribution terminals. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025554 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING REAL TIME ANALYTIC WIDGETS IN A FINANCIAL TRADING SYSTEM - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for providing real time analytics and monitoring to a user of a securities trading system. In one embodiment, a list of one or more securities may be selected from a trading blotter and a widget engine may obtain one or more analytics for the list of one or more securities based on real time market and/or transaction cost data. The widget engine may display a graphical representation of the analytics in a manner that compliments the workflow of a trader. The graphical representation may be automatically updated based on real-time market data. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025555 | System and Method for a Risk Check - Various systems and methods are described herein for a risk check. The risk check bases a decision to allow a trading strategy to proceed on whether the order quantity for each leg of the trading strategy satisfies a certain condition. Particularly, when a trading strategy is initiated, the quantity for each of the orders to be submitted on behalf of the trading strategy, including the quantity of the initial order and any subsequent orders, is then compared to a corresponding risk value. If the order quantity for each of the orders is less than the corresponding risk value, then the trading strategy can proceed and the initial order can be sent on to the exchange. However, if the order quantity for any of the orders exceeds the risk value, then the initial order is not sent to the electronic exchange. Additionally, as described herein, quantity associated with the trading strategy is held or reserved for execution of the trading strategy regardless of the activity taken by the trader since the trading strategy was initiated. The reserved quantity can be drawn from the trading strategy until the quantity is depleted, the trading strategy has ended, or both, for example. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025556 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RISK MANAGEMENT USING AVERAGE EXPIRATION TIMES - A margin requirement is computed while trading. The margin requirement may be calculated while trading because the preferred system takes into account working orders to generate the margin requirement. The on the fly possibility allows the preferred system to provide pre-trade risk calculations, but can also be used to provide post-trade calculations. A generic spread number and the maximum number of outright positions are determined. Average expirations for the generic spread are computed. Using the spread positions, the average expirations and the maximum number of outright positions, a spread margin and an outright margin are calculated, which when summed provide a total margin requirement. Limits based in part on the total margin requirement may be imposed on one or more traders. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025557 | METHOD OF TRADING A BIDDABLE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT WITH A VARIABLE MATURITY DATE - The present invention relates to a new type of financial instrument for trade over an auction platform designed to trade the new financial instrument, a new trading platform and associated system, and a method of trading thereof, and more specifically to a new variable maturity long-term security, such as a bond or, more specifically, a municipal bond. | 2014-01-23 |
20140025558 | Trading Control System that Shares Customer Trading Activity Data Among Plural Servers - A network enables a plurality of servers to share information about customers' trading activities and locally recalculate customer trading limits resulting from these trading activities. If a trading limit is exceeded, a server may automatically change to a less permissive trading mode, prevent an order being placed with the at least one exchange server and/or enter a trading mode in which orders that decrease account exposure are allowed and orders that increase account exposure are prevented. | 2014-01-23 |