12th week of 2016 patent applcation highlights part 49 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160086062 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives plural pieces of print data described in plural types of page description languages, plural drawing processors that respectively correspond to the plural types of page description languages, extract specific drawing objects from the plural pieces of print data, and convert the specific drawing objects into print image data, and an output unit that compares the print image data that the drawing processors have converted the specific drawing objects into, and outputs comparison results. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086063 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming device includes a receiver, a generator, and a controller. The receiver receives, from an external device, print instruction information including print data described in a page description language and a first image generated from the print data by the external device. The generator generates a second image from the print data included in the print instruction information. The controller compares the first image and the second image with each other and causes a display to display misregistration of the first image and the second image as a comparison result. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086064 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming machine that forms an image on a recording material; and an image processing unit that sets different addition/subtraction amounts for thickness of lines constituting bold characters and thickness of lines constituting non-bold characters in changing thickness of lines constituting each character in case where image information for formation of an image by the image forming machine includes bold character information and non-bold character information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086065 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and an image processing section. The image forming section forms an image on a recording medium. When image information for forming the image with the image forming section includes information of a barcode image and one of a resolution of the image forming section and a resolution of the image information is not an integer multiple of the other, the image processing section regards a resolution of a part of the image information used for the barcode image as a different resolution so that one of the resolution of the part of the image information used for the barcode image and the resolution of the image forming section is an integer multiple of the other to perform rasterization. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086066 | Printing of Security Devices - A computer-implemented method of preparing a digital image file or files for lenticular printing involves selectively blanking pixels of multiples images that are or are to comprise a composite interlaced image file for lenticular printing, such that the blanked pixels are distributed amongst the multiple images in successive complementary pixel sets distributed across the composite interlaced image file. As a result, the data integrity of the file is maintained, and the multiple images are represented in the composite interlaced image file without loss of information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086067 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - There is provided an image processing apparatus capable of favorably reproducing a metallic texture on a recording medium. The image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive color information included in image data, a conversion unit configured to convert the color information into color material amount data of a chromatic color material, and a determination unit configured to make a determination on color material amount data of an achromatic color material to be formed on top of the chromatic color material on a recording medium so as to cause a hue of diffused light and a hue of specular reflection light of an image, which is formed of a chromatic color material corresponding to the converted color material amount data of the chromatic color material, formed on the recording medium to coincide with each other. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086068 | PRINT CONTROL APPARATUS, PRINT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A print control apparatus includes a generation unit that generates pieces of image data based on pieces of print data of a plurality of pages, a first determination unit that, each time the generation unit generates image data of a target page based on print data of the target page, determines whether a print condition of the target page satisfies a predetermined print condition, a setting unit that, based on a result of the determination performed by the first determination unit, sets a discharge destination of sheets on which images based on pieces of image data of a predetermined number of pages including the target page are printed, and a print control unit that causes a print unit to print an image based on image data generated by the generation unit. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086069 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus includes an operation estimation unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit. The operation estimation unit estimates an amount of operation from an operation history of an apparatus. The calculation unit calculates a degree of environmental deterioration of an internal environment of the apparatus caused when an update is performed for the apparatus. The control unit sets an inappropriate time frame or an appropriate time frame for the update using the amount of operation and the degree of environmental deterioration. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086070 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit detects an abnormality of imposition printing. The control unit performs in response to the abnormality influencing a finish region in imposition printing in an imposition layout, the imposition printing in another imposition layout in which the abnormality does not influence the finish region. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086071 | HIGH CAPACITY 2D COLOR BARCODE AND METHOD FOR DECODING THE SAME - A 2D color barcode layout is disclosed. The barcode includes a 2D array of data cells, four corner locators, and border reference cells forming four borders between the corner locators that substantially surround the array of data cells. Each data cell and border reference cell has one of four primary colors (e.g. CMYK). Most border reference cells have the same size as the data cells, except for yellow ones which are longer. The border reference cells form a repeating color sequence along the borders, and are used during decoding to calculate (1) the channel offset (a spatial offset) of each primary color at different locations along the borders and (2) the reference (average) color values of each primary color. During decoding, the color values of each data cell is measured while taking into account channel offset which is calculated by interpolating the channel offset of the border reference cells. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086072 | PERSONALIZED BARCODE INFORMATION TRANSFER - A system, method and computer program product for optically transferring data from a mobile electronic device to a computer system and memory storage unit using barcoded data. The data transferring method encodes the data into a barcode. The barcode is displayed on the mobile device display. A user directs the mobile electronic device display at a visual capture device which captures the barcoded data. The barcode pattern is then decoded into the originating data information for computer processing. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086073 | DEVICE WITH CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR TO PRODUCE TIME-VARYING MAGNETIC FIELD - An electronic transaction card communicates with an add-on slot of an intelligent electronic device. The add-on slot may be a memory card slot. The intelligent electronic device may be a mobile phone or other device with or without network connectivity. The electronic transaction card may have magnetic field producing circuitry compatible with magnetic card readers, smartcard circuitry, other point-of-sale interfaces, or any combination thereof. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086074 | COMMUNICATION TERMINAL DEVICE - An RFID antenna is arranged in the vicinity of a metal portion of and on an outer surface side of a casing of a communication terminal device. The RFID antenna includes a magnetic core, and a coil conductor that is wound around the magnetic core. The coil conductor includes a first conductor portion positioned on a first main surface side of the magnetic core and a second conductor portion positioned on the second main surface side of the magnetic core and arranged at a different position than the first conductor portion when viewed in plan from the direction of the first and second main surfaces, and the coil conductor is arranged such that the first main surface side of the magnetic core is on the metal portion side and such that the first conductor portion of the coil conductor faces a leading end portion of the casing. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086075 | CONVERTING DIGITAL NUMERIC DATA TO SPIKE EVENT DATA - One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one data-to-spike converter unit for converting input numeric data received by the system to spike event data. Each data-to-spike converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086076 | CONVERTING SPIKE EVENT DATA TO DIGITAL NUMERIC DATA - One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one spike-to-data converter unit for converting spike event data generated by neurons to output numeric data. Each spike-to-data converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086077 | SELF-TIMED, EVENT-DRIVEN NEUROSYNAPTIC CORE CONTROLLER - Embodiments of the invention relate to a system for controlling program execution. The system comprises an event-based core controller including a set of state-preserving elements. The core controller starts and stops the program execution based on one or more control signals. For each instruction of the program, the core controller triggers a target component to execute the instruction by generating and sending an instruction and/or a trigger pulse to the target component. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086078 | OBJECT RECOGNITION WITH REDUCED NEURAL NETWORK WEIGHT PRECISION - A client device configured with a neural network includes a processor, a memory, a user interface, a communications interface, a power supply and an input device, wherein the memory includes a trained neural network received from a server system that has trained and configured the neural network for the client device. A server system and a method of training a neural network are disclosed. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086079 | PROPERTIES LINK FOR SIMULTANEOUS JOINT INVERSION - A method can include receiving data associated with a geologic environment; based on at least a portion of the data, estimating relationships for multiple properties of the geologic environment; and based at least in part on the relationships, performing simultaneous joint inversion for at least one property of the geologic environment. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086080 | METHOD AND/OR SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC LOCALIZATION - A method of real time magnetic localization comprising: providing an artificial neural network field model that is calibrated and optimized for a predetermined magnet; receiving signals from one or more magnetic sensors; and solving the location of the magnet using the model based on the signals. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086081 | INTERACTIVE CONSTRAINT SOLVER - Constraint programming is used to solve problems that have many variables and that have many possible solutions. An interactive constraint solver application provides additional information to a user if a conflict arises between two choice-constraints so that the additional information can be used to resolve the conflict according to a model-constraint set up by an application developer. The additional information identifies a priority group, or queue, to which the constraint was added. Depending on the particulars included in the additional information, and the model-constraints, the conflict is resolved by the interactive constraint solver application. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086082 | PREDICTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRENDS - Community development is supported by a community rating. Community ratings for various communities are compared to identify a preferred community. Historical community ratings are determined for the preferred community. Community rating trends are identified for the community and these trends are used for predicting future community rating(s) to support development decisions. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086083 | CPU CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING APPLICATION PROCESSING SPEED AND POWER CONSUMPTION - A CPU control method and apparatus for improving application processing speed and power consumption are provided. An embodiment of the invention provides a method by which a CPU control apparatus controls a CPU, where the CPU control method includes: (a) measuring a reaction time of a user terminal for a running application; (b) computing a first predictive reaction time by stepwise changing a CPU frequency if the reaction time exceeds a preset threshold; (c) computing a second predictive reaction time by stepwise changing a processing weight of the application if the first predictive reaction time exceeds the preset threshold; and (d) repeating said step (c) if the second predictive reaction time exceeds the preset threshold. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086084 | Method and Apparatus for Triggering the Automatic Generation of Narratives - Artificial intelligence methods and systems for triggering the generation of narratives are disclosed. Specific embodiments relate to real-time evaluation and automated generation of narrative stories based on received data. For example, data can be tested against data representative of a plurality of story angles to determine whether a narrative story incorporating one or more such story angles is to be automatically generated. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086085 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CUSTOMIZING KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION SYSTEMS - Techniques for customizing knowledge representation systems including identifying, based on a plurality of concepts in a knowledge representation (KR), a group of one or more concepts relevant to user context information, and providing the identified group of one more concepts to a user. The KR may include a combination of modules. The modules may include a kernel and a customized module customized for the user. The kernel may accessible via a second KR. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086086 | MULTI-MEDIA CONTENT-RECOMMENDER SYSTEM THAT LEARNS HOW TO ELICIT USER PREFERENCES - A recommendation system utilizes an optimistic adaptive submodular maximization (OASM) approach to provide recommendations to a user based on a minimized set of inquiries. Each inquiry's value relative to establishing user preferences is maximized to reduce the number of questions required to construct a recommendation engine for that user. The recommendation system does not require a priori knowledge of a user's preferences to optimize the recommendation engine. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086087 | METHOD FOR FAST PREDICTION OF GAS COMPOSITION - A method and device for predicting a gas composition, including pre-processing, by non-negative matrix factorization, a set of input parameters related to a fluid mixture of hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbons fed into a multistage separator, and training an extreme learning machine model to predict the composition of non-hydrocarbons in the fluid mixture. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086088 | FACILITATING DYNAMIC AFFECT-BASED ADAPTIVE REPRESENTATION AND REASONING OF USER BEHAVIOR ON COMPUTING DEVICES - A mechanism is described for facilitating affect-based adaptive representation of user behavior relating to user expressions on computing devices according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes receiving a plurality of expressions communicated by a user. The plurality of expressions may include one or more visual expressions or one or more audio expressions. The method may further include extracting a plurality of features associated with the plurality of expressions, where each feature reveals a behavior trait of the user when the user communicates a corresponding expression. The method may further include mapping the plurality of expressions on a model based on the plurality of features, and discovering a behavioral reasoning associated with each of the plurality of expressions communicated by the user based on a mapping pattern as inferred from the model. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086089 | Method and System for Psychological Evaluation Based on Music Preferences - A system and method for determining users personality types, profiles, and infer the likely intent based on the users' musical taste and listening habits. The process involves identifying the listener's musical preferences and linking this to a predetermined scale within the psychological Big 5 that in turn links to a dictionary of descriptors that defines the personality type. This can be further fine tuned by knowing the persons age, gender, and many other lifestyle variables, as well as how a user may use the music. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086090 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAILORING THE OUTPUT OF AN INTELLIGENT AUTOMATED ASSISTANT TO A USER - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for tailoring the output of an intelligent automated assistant. One embodiment of a method for conducting an interaction with a human user includes collecting data about the user using a multimodal set of sensors positioned in a vicinity of the user, making a set of inferences about the user in accordance with the data, and tailoring an output to be delivered to the user in accordance with the set of inferences. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086091 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING FOR INDIVIDUAL PROPENSITY FOR BIAS IN DECISION MAKING ABILITY - The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for testing decision-making ability by measuring a test subject's implicit disposition for bias. A series of sorting tasks can be generated for a user of a computer associated with a machine. At least two digital representations of association categories can be provided. A sequence of two or more trials can be executed. Each trial can provide a randomly-selected digital representation of a stimulus that can provide at least two digital representations of association categories; receive a selection by the user in response to the stimulus; and record a time between providing the randomly-selected digital representation of the stimulus and receiving the selection by the user. A score can be calculated reflecting the strength of the user's implicit association between one pair of relatedness and biasedness categories and a different pair. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086092 | METHOD FOR SOLVING LINEAR PROGRAMS - The invention provides for a computer-implemented method for solving a linear program (LP), the method comprising the steps of:
| 2016-03-24 |
20160086093 | Passive Tracking of Underwater Acoustic Sources with Sparse Innovations - A system and method involve acoustic source localization using passive sonar and capitalizing on the sparse nature of a source location map (SLM). Two types of sparsity are exploited, namely sparsity in the support of the SLMs and sparsity in the innovations across consecutive SLMs. The first type is motivated by the desire to construct SLMs whose non-zero entries corresponded to locations where sources are present. The second type of sparsity is motivated by the observation that few changes occur in the support of consecutive SLMs. Per time instant, an SLM is obtained as the solution of a regularized least-squares problem, where the regularization terms are chosen to encourage the desired sparse structures in each SLM and the innovations. Each SLM may be obtained via a specifically-tailored, computationally-efficient proximal gradient algorithm. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086094 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An information processing apparatus includes: a model generation unit configured to generate a prediction model for calculating a prediction value related to a probability that a user performs an action on the Internet by operating a user terminal, for each group created by grouping users based on user information; a model selection unit configured to select a prediction model suited to the user from the prediction models; and a prediction value calculation unit configured to calculate the prediction value by using the prediction model selected by the model selection unit. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086095 | MULTIFACTOR INTELLIGENT AGENT CONTROL - System and techniques for multifactor intelligent agent control are described herein. A history of intelligent agent activity may be received. The history may include a record of intelligent agent activities and corresponding factors used as intelligent agent input to generate the activities. Detail-level-feedback input from a user may also be received. The detail-level-feedback input is the result of a user manipulating a detail-level-feedback user interface that is generic to any factor. An entry-time corresponding to the user manipulation of the detail-level-feedback user interface may be recorded. A set of factors may be identified from the corresponding factors based on a combination of the history of intelligent agent activity and the entry-time. The intelligent agent may be modified by changing an internally represented influence of members of the set of factors on the intelligent agent. The internally represented influence may be changed in accordance with the detail-level-feedback input. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086096 | AUTOMATON DEFORMING DEVICE, AUTOMATON DEFORMING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - According to an embodiment, an automaton deforming device includes a transforming unit and a deforming unit. The transforming unit generates second values by transforming first values, which either represent weights assigned to transitions in a weighted finite state automaton or represent values that are transformed into weights assigned to transitions in a weighted finite state automaton, in such a way that number of elements of a set of the first values are reduced and an order of the first values is preserved. The deforming unit deforms a weighted finite state automaton in which weights according to the second values are assigned to transitions. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086097 | Automatic Discovery of Message Ordering Invariants in Heterogeneous Logs - A method and system are provided. The method includes performing, by a logs-to-time-series converter, a logs-to-time-series conversion by transforming a plurality of heterogeneous logs into a set of time series. Each of the heterogeneous logs includes a time stamp and text portion with one or more fields. The method further includes performing, by a time-series-to-sequential-pattern converter, a time-series-to-sequential-pattern conversion by mining invariant relationships between the set of time series, and discovering sequential message patterns and association rules in the plurality of heterogeneous logs using the invariant relationships. The method also includes executing, by a processor, a set of log management applications, based on the sequential message patterns and the association rules. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086098 | Temporal Memory Using Sparse Distributed Representation - A processing node in a temporal memory system includes a spatial pooler and a sequence processor. The spatial pooler generates a spatial pooler signal representing similarity between received spatial patterns in an input signal and stored co-occurrence patterns. The spatial pooler signal is represented by a combination of elements that are active or inactive. Each co-occurrence pattern is mapped to different subsets of elements of an input signal. The spatial pooler signal is fed to a sequence processor receiving and processed to learn, recognize and predict temporal sequences in the input signal. The sequence processor includes one or more columns, each column including one or more cells. A subset of columns may be selected by the spatial pooler signal, causing one or more cells in these columns to activate. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086099 | SELECTING STRANGERS FOR INFORMATION SPREADING ON A SOCIAL NETWORK - A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computer system for selecting strangers for information spreading on a social network. For the strangers who are users of the social network and not related to each other, information spreading probabilities based on features, information reach, and information spreading probabilities based on a wait time are computed. Fitness scores of the strangers are computed; the fitness scores are a function of the information spreading probabilities, the information reach, and the information spreading probabilities. The strangers are ranked, based on the fitness scores, in a sorted set. One or more of the strangers for the information spreading are selected from the sorted set. The one or more of the strangers for the information spreading are selected by determining an interval in the sorted set, and the interval satisfies an optimization objective of maximizing an information spreading rate. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086100 | SELECTING STRANGERS FOR INFORMATION SPREADING ON A SOCIAL NETWORK - A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computer system for selecting strangers for information spreading on a social network. For the strangers who are users of the social network and not related to each other, information spreading probabilities based on features, information reach, and information spreading probabilities based on a wait time are computed. Fitness scores of the strangers are computed; the fitness scores are a function of the information spreading probabilities, the information reach, and the information spreading probabilities. The strangers are ranked, based on the fitness scores, in a sorted set. One or more of the strangers for the information spreading are selected from the sorted set. The one or more of the strangers for the information spreading are selected by determining an interval in the sorted set, and the interval satisfies an optimization objective of maximizing unit information reach per stranger. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086101 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO AUTOMATE LIVERY VEHICLE SCHEDULING FROM AIRLINE ITINERARY DATA - A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to automate livery vehicle scheduling from airline itinerary data retrieved from cardholder spending. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086102 | CORPORATE RECOGNITION FOR TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES - Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing inventory availability for travel inventory items associated with travel services. An inventory request is received at an inventory system for at least one travel inventory item that includes a corporate identifier and corporate value data associated with a passenger name record from a reservation system. Availability for the at least one travel inventory item is determined. The availability is determined by determining an effective yield for the at least one travel inventory item based on the corporate value data, where the availability is based at least in part on the effective yield. An availability response is communicated to the reservation system that includes the determined availability for the at least one travel item. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086103 | CORPORATE RECOGNITION FOR TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES - Methods, systems and computer program products for processing a travel request. A travel request is received at a reservation system that identifies a travel inventory item and a passenger name record. Whether the passenger name record includes a corporate identifier is determined. If the passenger name record includes a corporate identifier, corporate value data is determined, and an availability request that includes the corporate identifier and the corporate value data is communicated to at least one inventory system associated with the at least one travel inventory item. An availability response is received that indicates a determined availability for the at least one travel inventory item, where the determined availability is based at least in part on the corporate identifier and corporate value data. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086104 | FACILITATING INTELLIGENT GATHERING OF DATA AND DYNAMIC SETTING OF EVENT EXPECTATIONS FOR EVENT INVITEES ON COMPUTING DEVICES - A mechanism is described for facilitating data gathering and expectations setting according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes detecting an invitation relating to an event, where the invitation may include an invitation to an invitee to attend the event. The method may further include obtaining data relating to the event from a plurality of sources, where the data further relates to other invitees of the event. The method may further include interpreting the obtained data based on one or more of filtering factors and relevancy factors, generating recommendations based on the interpreted data, where the recommendations may include expectations relating to the event. The method may further include facilitating communication of the recommendations to set the expectations for the invitee in anticipation of the event. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086105 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A storage unit configured to store shop information regarding a predetermined item for each shop, an extracting unit (control unit) configured to extract a recommended shop satisfying a predetermined approximation condition based on the shop information of a selected shop selected by a user and the shop information of a shop other than the selected shop stored in the storage unit, and a recommending unit (control unit) configured to recommend the recommended shop extracted by the extracting unit to the user are provided. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086106 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AUTOMATED SOFTWARE WORKFLOW FOR BIOLOGICAL TESTING - The workflow application integrates with a research software application associated with a laboratory instrument to provide a user with step-by-step instructions on how to follow the workflow steps of a laboratory experiment. The instructions are dynamically tailored, according to the nature of the workflow, the samples being experimented upon and/or the operating states of the instrument and/or the research software application. The workflow application significantly reduces the learning curve to operate sophisticated laboratory instruments. In a genetic testing instrument the workflow application can prescribe the need for control samples and can optimize the layout of samples within the instrument's sample receiving plate or fixture. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086107 | METHODS FOR CALCULATING A TOTAL KNOWLEDGE EXPLOITATION SCORE FOR A KNOWLEDGE ARTIFACT AND DEVICES THEREOF - A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and device that calculates a total knowledge exploitation score for a knowledge artifact in a knowledge management system which comprises determining at the knowledge management data server device, a strategic positioning index for a knowledge artifact based on at least one of a market attractiveness index or a competitive position index. A financial positioning index for the knowledge artifact based on a conversational economic potential score is determined at the knowledge management data server device. Next a resource usage index for the knowledge artifact is determined based on at least one of an internal usage score or an external usage score. A total knowledge exploitation score for the knowledge artifact is then finally determined based on at least the calculated strategic positioning index, the determined financial positioning index and the determined resource usage index for the knowledge artifact in the knowledge management system. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086108 | CONTINUOUS DYNAMIC BOUNDARIES - Among other things, we describe a reality alternative to our physical reality, named the Expandaverse, that includes multiple digital realities that may be continuously created, broadcast, accessed, and used interactively. In what we call an Alternate Reality Teleportal Machine (ARTPM), some elements of the digital reality(ies) can be implemented using and providing functions that include: devices, architectures, processing, sensors, translation, speech recognition, remote controls, subsidiary devices usage, virtual Teleportals on alternate devices, presence, shared planetary life spaces, constructed digital realities, reality replacements, filtered views, data retrieval in constructed views, alternate realities machine(s), multiple identities, directories, controlled boundaries, life space metrics, boundaries switching, property protection, publishing/broadcasting, digital events, events location/joining, revenues, utility(ies), infrastructure, services, devices management, business systems, applications, consistent customizable user interface, active knowledge, optimizations, alerts, reporting, dashboards, switching to “best”, marketing and sales systems, improvement systems, user chosen goals, user management, governances, digital freedom from dictatorships, photography, and entertainment. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086109 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PLANNING RESOURCES BASED ON PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE LOCATION RELIEF STRATEGIES - In a computer-based method of planning resources, a plurality of Location Relief Strategy (LRS) plan data sets are imported into a resource planning application. The LRS plan data sets are associated with a resource need. One of the LRS plan data sets is defined as a primary LRS plan and at least one other one of the LRS plan data sets is defined as an alternate LRS plan. A resource plan is generated within the resource planning application based on the primary LRS plan and/or the alternate LRS plan. The primary LRS plan and the alternate LRS plan may each correspond to a plan for installing and/or retiring resources in a geographic area. The resources may, for example, be resources for carrying telecommunications in a geographic area. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086110 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WORKFLOW ANALYSIS - A system and method for workflow analysis includes an evaluation module executing on a processor that receives execution logs including records of workflow paths traversed. The evaluation module correlates at least one workflow step with a target metric and generates an importance score for the at least one workflow step based on the correlation with the target metric. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086111 | ASSESSING PROJECT RISKS - One or more computer processors generate a probability model for a cycle time of a complexity category of a completed project. One or more computer processors determine an overdue risk probability of an active project using the generated probability model. The completed project has a start date and an end date. In addition, the cycle time reflects the time difference between the start date and the end date. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086112 | PREDICTING RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS - A device may provide a user interface to a user device for inputting contract information. The device may receive the contract information from the user device via the user interface. The contract information may include information about a contract between a first party and a second party, and information about a relationship between the first party and the second party. The device may determine values for risk variables based on the contract information. The device may determine a risk score based on the values for the risk variables. The risk score may indicate a likelihood that the second party will renew the contract. The device may provide risk information to the user device to be displayed via the user interface. The risk information may indicate the risk score. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086113 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CROWD SOURCED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY REALIZATION - A computer-implemented technique includes, in a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for crowd sourced realization of a business opportunity. The method includes: facilitating an online discussion of the business opportunity between a registered service requestor and a first registered service provider; receiving a presentation of the business opportunity; evaluating the received business opportunity for realization relative to a plurality of registered service providers; assigning the evaluated business opportunity to at least one of the registered service providers pursuant to the outcome of the evaluation; imposing a pricing system on the presentation, evaluation, and assignment of the business opportunity; wherein the receiving, evaluating, and assigning are performed by a processor. In a second aspect, a computing apparatus is programmed to perform the method. In a third aspect, a non-transitory storage medium is encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing apparatus, perform the method. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086114 | SERVICE-BASED CONSULTING FRAMEWORK - A system and method for providing end-to-end consulting activity is disclosed. The consulting system receives domain input from the user of the consulting system. Based on the domain selected, the system selects a methodology for consulting activity, comprising a template with a list of questionnaires. The questionnaire may be sent to respective stakeholders/consultants for providing response. The response provided by stakeholders may involve current state of the business, pain points and desired business capabilities. The consulting system determines gap between current state of business with desired state of business based by as-is, gap, and impact analysis. Business and functional requirement are converted into desired technical capabilities for generating technology roadmap using the stakeholder response. Further, request for information (RFI) and/or request for proposal (RFP) may be created as per client goals. The user may configure vendor evaluation parameters and associated weightages for evaluating the vendor. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086115 | Performance Management by Indication - A computer-implemented method for providing a user with product consumption data stored at one or more databases includes receiving a transaction message indicating pharmaceutical product consumption for a particular pharmaceutical product from a prescribing facility and receiving a prescribing message with prescription data for the particular pharmaceutical product from one or more prescribers. The prescription data for the particular pharmaceutical product is translated into an updated database instruction configured to interface with a database and modify a record in the database based on the received pharmaceutical product consumption data. Related records within the database are identified and a multicomponent behavioral record that reflects the updated database instruction is generated. An average dosage for the particular product is calculate and based on the calculated dosage and a projected number of patients a multicomponent consumption record for an indication of the particular product is generated. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086116 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF AN AUTOMATICALLY MANAGED CALENDAR AND CONTEXTUAL TASK LIST - In one aspect, a computer system includes an application implemented with a computer processor that automatically discovers a list items from a set of user data sources, wherein the list items correspond to automatic recommendations for a set of calendar events and tasks, and wherein the list items are discovered programmatically in a set of email conversations and a set of calendar updates. The application extracts the list of items and metadata about the list items from the set of user data sources. The application identifies a type of each list item, wherein a set of types comprises a mandatory-action type and an informative type. The application receives a user created list of items. The application creates an electronic agenda view of the auto-recommended list of items and the user created list of items, and organizes these lists by date. The application populates the electronic agenda view with each item in the user created list of items | 2016-03-24 |
20160086117 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED SOCIAL NEWS GATHERING AND REPORTING - Methods and systems for gathering and publishing news are described. Such methods and systems are geographically and social interactive based, and include assigning a beat, performing source development around these beats, defining a coverage map for monitoring the source, creating a coverage plan of the beat and the coverage map, receiving data from robots, where the robots monitor the sources within the coverage map and gather news data according to the coverage plan, using tools to analyze the data and create leads, screen the leads according to the coverage plan, write a journalistic story based on the screened leads; and publish the story. Publication is performed in an on-line medium. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086118 | Direct To Store Supply Chain System And Method - A system and a method are provided for a direct to store supply chain to bring high volume, bulk space products directly from suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors to retail locations, thereby bypassing retailer distribution centers. The system comprises an order management and invoicing system configured to facilitate demand signals from retail locations to manufacturers and vendors of desired products. A routing optimization system is configured to continually optimize an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions. A tracking and notification system is configured to provide manufacturers with clear tracking visibility of en-route deliveries once they leave manufacturing facilities. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086119 | EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WORKLOAD IN A WAREHOUSE - Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums having program instructions thereon, provide for equally distributing workloads in a warehouse. In an embodiment, the workloads are distributed to the resources/employees so that there are no overloads at certain points in time as well as no idle times. In an embodiment, the equal distribution of the workload can be defined for different activity areas corresponding to a single team. In an embodiment, the equal distribution of the workload can be defined subject to a variable available capacity (i.e., the available capacity is not constant over time but has some breaks/reduced capacity in between, e.g., lunch break). Further, in an embodiment, the distribution of the workload can be defined subject to warehouse area constraints (e.g., size of the aisles). | 2016-03-24 |
20160086120 | GUIDED PAGE NAVIGATION - Configuring a set of guided documents for operation of a business activity based on a workflow for the activity, industry expertise, and a plurality of models of source data that is relevant to the business activity, wherein points of entry to access the guided documents are organized around one or more industry-specific data dimensions. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086121 | Providing Gamification Analytics in an Enterprise Environment - Technical solutions for Systems and methods for providing gamification analytics in an enterprise environment are provided. In some implementations, a method includes: analyzing performance of an enterprise data processing application that has been gamified in accordance with a predefined gamification design, by: obtaining gamification data associated with the enterprise data processing application; analyzing the gamification data in accordance with a modeled set of performance criteria; evaluating the predefined gamification design in accordance with the gamification data, thereby generating a predefined number of performance indices; and visualizing the predefined number of performance indices for a user. The predefined gamification design specifies one or more gamification rules. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086122 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTI OBJECTIVE MULTI CRITERIA VENDOR MANAGEMENT - The present subject matter discloses system and method for facilitating vendor management in procurement process. The method facilitates identification of one or more relevant criteria amongst plurality of criteria. The one or more relevant criteria may be identified either using random forest technique or analytical hierarchical processing (AHP). Further, method is provided for receiving optimal condition for the one or more relevant criteria, a plurality of constraints associated with each of the plurality of vendors, and a plurality of values corresponding to each of the plurality of constraints. After receiving such information, the method is further provided for processing the optimal condition, the plurality of constraints, and the plurality of values using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) technique in order to obtain an optimal solution. The optimal solution indicates one or more vendors selected from the plurality of vendors during the procurement process. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086123 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EVALUATING JUDICIAL SYSTEM - The present invention discloses a method for evaluating, monitoring, and improving judicial system performance. Methods of the present invention are capable of evaluating any judicial center regardless of jurisdiction. The evaluation score generated according to methods of the invention is capable of being compared directly. Also disclosed are computer information systems and computer-implemented methods for carrying out the evaluation, monitoring, and improving method. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086124 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING QUALITY ASSURANCE OF A SOFTWARE APPLICATION - Disclosed is a method and system for facilitating quality assurance of a software application. A data receiving module for receiving project requirements associated with the software application. An assigning module for assigning one or more quality control managers from a plurality of quality control managers responsible for performing the quality control activities. A selection module for enabling the one or more quality control managers to select one or more review cycles and one or more phases of a plurality of phases corresponding to each review cycle. An extraction module extracts one or more parameters corresponding to each phase of the one or more phases. An update module for enabling the one or more quality control managers to update status of each quality control activity performed thereby facilitating the quality assurance of the software application. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086125 | IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT COLLECTIVE DEFINITION OF LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY FOR METRICS BASED COMPETITIONS IN CALL CENTERS - Methods and systems for managing a metric-based competition in a work environment to increase productivity. Information related to a set of participants in a work environment can be received. One or more interfaces can be generated, which allow participants to input data for use in collaboratively defining key performance indicators associated with a proposed competition and based at least in part on the information related to the participants, so as to increase participant motivation by providing the participants with more agency and choice with respect to competitions in the work environment. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086126 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus a storage, a first extractor, a second extractor and a determiner. The storage stores worker information including an explanation that includes a keyword and that concerns a skill of a worker. The first extractor extracts, based on the keyword, worker skill word representing a characteristic of the skill of the worker, and worker skill value corresponding to the worker skill word. The second extractor extracts, based on the keyword included in a task summary, task skill word representing a characteristic of a task, and required skill value necessary for a process. The determiner determines, as a task candidate, a task indicating that task skill word matches the worker skill word and indicating that required skill value is no more than the worker skill value. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086127 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS FOR A PROCESS - A method and system that generates an interaction diagram for a process. First step of the method comprises determining selection of a process by a user through a user interface. Second step of the method comprises obtaining parameters related to the selected process from a memory. Third step of the method comprises displaying the parameters associated with the selected process on the user interface. Fourth step of the method comprises evaluating properties and corresponding inter-relations of the parameters for at least one of selected sub-process and one or more activities of the process. Fifth step of the method comprises indicating the parameters related to at least one of the selected sub-process and one or more activities of the selected process to generate interaction diagram for the process. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086128 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ON-DEMAND TRANSPORTATION OF PARCELS - The invention described herein is a system and method for on-demand transportation of parcels in real time. The system and method described herein automate the process of locating local parcel carriers, typically driving vehicles, and engaging one of those parcel carriers to pick up a parcel from a given location and delivering the parcel to a particular destination location in real time based on a predetermined cost of delivery and payment for the delivery. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086129 | ROOM INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - According to an example, a method for room inventory management may include generating inventory records for rooms for a predetermined time period. An inventory record may include an inventory record index representing a physical property of an associated room, and an inventory record attribute representing a modifiable attribute of the associated room. The method may further include generating keys to identify one or more of the inventory records based on attributes associated with the keys. A key may include a key index that matches the inventory record index for one or more of the inventory records. The method may also include receiving selections of the keys from the generated keys, and generating, by a processor, virtual room pools by grouping the selected keys for each of the selections and the inventory records identified by the selected keys for each of the selections. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086130 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOREIGN TRADE AND EXPORT CONTROL - A method and apparatus for export control includes providing input for an invoice to a computer device. The invoice is for a sale or potential sale of at least one of goods and services. A computer device determines whether at least one of a customer, location for receipt of goods, and location for receipt of services is associated with an embargo state. The computer device blocks any portion of the invoice determined to be associated with an embargo state. The computer device determines if the at least one of goods and services requires at least one export license or other permission for exporting the at least one of goods and services. The computer device assigns permissions that are available. The computer device also communicates or identifies any permission or export license that is needed to be requested to initiate a permission or export license request for that export license or permission. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086131 | STORAGE SYSTEM - A storage method includes: transmitting request including usage information relating to use of article from service relay server to warehouse management server; transmitting, from warehouse management server to delivery management device, instruction to deliver one-or-more articles packed by user to warehouse; generating detailed information about one-or-more articles in warehouse management server; storing image data obtained by capturing image of one-or-more articles that have been stored, and detailed information in warehouse management server; service relay server transmitting, to user terminal, image data and detailed information acquired from warehouse management server; requesting affiliate server corresponding to usage information to provide optional service for one-or-more articles that have been stored; in response to request from user terminal, requesting warehouse management server to return one-or-more articles that have been stored to user; and requesting by warehouse management server the delivery management device to return one-or-more articles. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086132 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING FREIGHT/LOAD DISTRIBUTION FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLES - Systems and methods of vehicle freight/load distribution are provided to assist in determining optimal freight distribution. Although it is standard practice to fill each vehicle to its maximum limit, due to the non-linear nature of engine fueling maps (that is, fueling maps vary non-linearly as a function of torque and speed), the optimal distribution may not be obtained by the standard practice. Finding a solution for the optimal freight distribution may also need to account for the cost of fueling and operator costs, particularly if the situation involves multiple vehicles not filled to capacity. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination amongst a fleet of vehicles. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086133 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE DELIVERY CHARACTERISTICS USING CLIENT PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS - The technique relates to a system and method for optimizing software maintenance delivery characteristics using client portfolio characteristics. The method involves obtaining a plurality of project maintenance characteristics and client portfolio characteristics from a software maintenance project repository, thereafter assigning a rating to each of the project maintenance characteristics and the client portfolio characteristics based on one or more assessment guidelines and finally building a relationship model between the project maintenance characteristics and the client portfolio characteristics by using one or more regression models wherein the relationship model uses an average of the assigned ratings of each of the project maintenance characteristics and the client portfolio characteristics. The method further involves validating the relationship model to determine a strength of the relationship model. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086134 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING HIGH VALUE CANDIDATES - A system and method for identifying a high value target. The system is implemented via a computer running software with first code stored on a tangible medium for processing objective data regarding a candidate to provide a first metric; second code stored on said medium for processing subjective data regarding the candidate to provide a second metric; third code stored on said medium for processing test data generated by the candidate to provide a third metric; fourth code stored on said medium for combining the first, second and/or third metrics to generate a fourth metric relating to the suitability of the candidate as a high value target; a processor for executing said first, second, third and fourth code; and an apparatus coupled to the processor for outputting a score or recommendation relating to the candidate as a high value target. The inventive method for identifying a high value target includes the steps of: processing objective data regarding a candidate to provide a first metric; processing subjective data regarding the candidate to provide a second metric; processing test data generated by the candidate to provide a third metric; and combining the first, second and/or third metrics to generate a fourth metric relating to the suitability of the candidate as a high value target. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086135 | EVALUATION APPARATUS, EVALUATION METHOD AND EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING EVALUATION TARGET PERSON - The present invention provides an evaluation apparatus and an evaluation method which can evaluate an evaluation target person without difficulty, based on data regarding the evaluation target person. An evaluation apparatus | 2016-03-24 |
20160086136 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING REAL-TIME UPDATES ON STATUS OF APPOINTMENTS OR TOKENS - A method for dynamically scheduling an event between a first entity and a second entity based on an updated expected time is provided. The method includes (a) retrieving, a list of relevant second entities from a database of said second entities based on said at least one search criteria received from a device associated with said first entity, (b) allocating, an appointment with an initial expected time to said first entity from a available appointment times with at least one second entity from said list of relevant second entities on obtaining an appointment request from said first entity on an appointment screen specific to said second entity, (c) dynamically calculating, (i) a updated expected time of said appointment, or (ii) a current token, and (d) communicating said updated expected time of said appointment for display on said appointment screen at said device associated with said first entity. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086137 | MOBILE DEVICE PROXIMITY-BASED MATCHMAKING - A mobile matchmaking system relies upon common characteristics to connect two people and then, if they choose to meet, will automatically present date options, and/or generate a date event, for them according to certain criteria. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086138 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING FUNCTION BY USING SCHEDULE INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An apparatus includes a communication interface to perform a function for a communication connection with another electronic device and to receive schedule information generated by the other electronic device; an input unit to receives a user input; a memory to store at least one of the received schedule information and the generated schedule information; a display to display the at least one of the received schedule information and the generated schedule information; and a processor, wherein the processor controls the other components, determines whether the received schedule information includes contents that cause a communication connection to be difficult to establish on a schedule of the received schedule information, determines contents of the received schedule information when a communication connection request is sent to the other electronic device, and displays the received contents as a notification when the contents cause the communication connection to be difficult to establish. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086139 | Method for Scheduling and Managing Appointments Between Multiple Unaffiliated Parties - A method for scheduling and maintaining appointments between multiple parties is provided, wherein the method is implementing via a processing device. The method includes creating an online account for a first user and setting up a first user calendar wherein the first user calendar is configurable to include first user information and wherein the first user information include a date and time that first user is available for a meeting, creating an online account for a second user, wherein the second user is configured to be able view the first user calendar and the first user information and allowing the second user to access the first user calendar to modify the first user information to set up a meeting appointment by reserving the date and time for a meeting. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086140 | APPARATUS AND SCHEDULING METHOD - An apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to specify a second user, from among a plurality of users, having a given processing aptitude relating to a first task to be executed by a first user, specify a first overlapping period between a first free period of a first schedule of the first user and a second free period of a second schedule of the second user, and set a scheduled execution period for the first task including at least part of the first overlapping period to the first schedule. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086141 | MOBILE DEVICE AND SERVER FOR TASK ASSIGNMENTS AND PICKUP REQUESTS - Mobile device for communicating arrival information at a waypoint, communicating that information to a server, receiving a set of tasks (statically assigned or dynamically assigned) for the user (for example, from the server or from another user), displaying the set of tasks to the user, receiving a completion response (successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding to the next waypoint along a route/trip plan. A coordination server facilitates communication of a list of tasks assigned to a user to be performed at a specified location. The list of tasks is delivered to the user of the first mobile device by the coordination server (if such tasks exist) when the coordination server receives notification from the first mobile device indicating arrival at a specific location. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086142 | INFORMATION PROVISION APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROVISION METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An information provision apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detection information acquisition unit, a user information acquisition unit, and an information provision unit. The detection information acquisition unit acquires information on an identification target provided at a place corresponding to a business operator from a user terminal that detects the information on the identification target. The user information acquisition unit acquires, among pieces of user information corresponding to the user terminal that detects the information on the identification target, user information corresponding to business operator information on the business operator associated with the place corresponding to the information on the identification target detected by the user terminal. The information provision unit provides information to the user terminal that detects the information on the identification target, based on the user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086143 | AUTOMATED FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - Arrangements relate to processing financial transactions on an automated teller machine (ATM). An ATM identifier can be presented on a display of the ATM. An ATM identifier confirmation can be received from a mobile computing device. Responsive to determining that the ATM identifier confirmation matches the identifier presented on the display of the ATM, a customer authentication or a transaction request can be received from the mobile computing device. Responsive to verifying the customer authentication or the transaction request, the transaction request can be processed. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086144 | PRINTING-FEE PAYMENT SYSTEM, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, PRINTING-FEE PAYMENT METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A printing-fee payment system includes a document receiving unit, a transmitting unit, a completion receiving unit, and a payment execution unit. The document receiving unit receives, from a user terminal, a document file and user information of a user who has commanded printing. The transmitting unit transmits, to a public printing system available for public use, print data of the document file and affiliation-site information for identifying an affiliation site with which the user is affiliated. The completion receiving unit receives a printing completion notification transmitted based on the affiliation-site information when the document file is printed using the public printing system. The payment execution unit executes a process for making the affiliation site pay a printing fee for the document file printed using the public printing system when the printing completion notification is received. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086145 | Electronic Voucher Ticket System - A voucher ticket system and method of use employing a bill validator installed into any suitable automated machine, including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a gaming machine, etc. The bill validator is integrated with a bill reader, a voucher ticket reader, a reader for acquisition of electronic voucher ticket information from a portable computing device, a printer, and other supporting peripheral devices. The voucher ticket system includes a secured communication link with a host account manager serving a plurality of electronic money accounts. The method includes steps of receiving a value of electronic money or identification information associated with the electronic voucher ticket with account information associated with the electronic money account and sending the received value of the electronic money or the identification information of the voucher ticket to an upper control section of the one of the gaming machine and the ATM for completion of a financial transaction. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086146 | SHELF LIFE EXPIRATION DATE MANAGEMENT - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for shelf life expiration date management for smart refrigerators. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for shelf life expiration date management for smart refrigerators is provided. The method includes identifying a consumer during a point of sale transaction for purchasing different food items by a point of sale computer system, for example by scanning a bar code or reading a magnetic strip of a loyalty program card or reading a radio frequency identification (RFID) dongle. A list of the different food items can be provided to the smart refrigerator, for example from storage in the loyalty program card or RFID dongle, or as transmitted from the point of sale computer system to the smart refrigerator over a computer communications network. Finally, expiration dates can be determined for the food items in the list and stored in the smart refrigerator. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086147 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEVERAGING A PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION ENVIRONMENT FOR OFFERING AND FULFILLING THE CROSS SELLING OF PRODUCTS TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS, UP SELLING, AND ACQUISITION OF NEW CUSTOMERS - A method, system and computer program product for communicating to a consumer one or more offers at a merchant communication device are provided. Predefined offers are stored in a database. A portal selects one or more of the predefined offers, which are then communicated to the consumer through the merchant communication device. The consumer's response to the at least one offer is accepted and the transaction is completed accordingly. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086148 | MERCHANDISE ITEM REGISTRATION APPARATUS, AND MERCHANDISE ITEM REGISTRATION METHOD - A merchandise item registration apparatus includes: a left photoelectric sensor that senses an object in a first area located on one side of a recognition area for merchandise items in a merchandise item identification device; a right photoelectric sensor that senses the object in a second area located on the other side of the recognition area; and a camera that captures an image of the recognition area. A merchandise item is identified by sensing the object from the image of the recognition area captured by the camera, and a POS terminal is made to perform a merchandise item registration process or a provisional registration cancellation process in accordance with the temporal sequence of results of the sensing performed by the camera in the respective areas. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086149 | MERCHANDISE ITEM REGISTRATION APPARATUS - A merchandise item registration apparatus includes: an item code acquiring unit configured to read a merchandise item code associated with an object to be identified; an image information acquiring unit configured to acquire image information about the object to be identified by imaging the object to be identified at a time of sales registration; and an identifying unit configured to identify a merchandise type of the object to be identified based on the read merchandise item code when the merchandise item code is successfully read by the item code acquiring unit, and associate the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit with the identified merchandise type, the image information being accumulated as a piece of a plurality of pieces of reference image information to be referred to at a time of merchandise type identification based on object recognition. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086150 | PAYMENT MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, PAYMENT MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A payment management apparatus according to an embodiment includes a purchase request receiving unit, a payment candidate selecting unit, a list information notifying unit, a selected information acquiring unit, and a payment unit. The purchase request receiving unit receives a purchase request transmitted from a user terminal. The payment candidate selecting unit selects payment candidates as candidates for a payer who pays a price for a purchasing object corresponding to the purchase request on behalf of a user who holds the user terminal. The list information notifying unit notifies the user terminal of information on a list of the payment candidates. The selected information acquiring unit acquires, from the user terminal, information on a payment candidate selected from the list of the payment candidates as information on a selected candidate. The payment unit performs a payment process on the purchasing object based on the information on the selected candidate. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086151 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PREPAYMENT ACCOUNT AND ASSOCIATED PREPAYMENT MESSAGES - A method is provided for mobile payment. The method is performed at a social networking system and includes receiving, from a first client device, a request to establish a prepayment account at the social networking system. In response to the received request, the prepayment account is established. The method further includes receiving a payment request from the first client device and, in response to the payment request, generating a unique identifier corresponding to the payment request. The unique identifier is sent to the first client device. The method further includes receiving, from a respective merchant, a transaction request that includes information corresponding to the unique identifier, a transaction amount, and an identifier of a user account of the respective merchant. The method further includes initiating transfer of the transaction amount from the prepayment account to the user account of the respective merchant. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086152 | Mobile Application for the Easy and Quick Exchange of Money - A system and method is provided in the form of an application that includes means for permitting a user to establish a user account via a registration process, where the user account is configured to be dynamically funded at select or periodic intervals by the user from one of a number of possible funding sources. The system and method further includes means for associating one or more separate accounts with the registered user account, and also means for directing a transfer of money to an outside account either directly from the registered user account or directly from one or more of the separate accounts, permitting the user to by-pass the registered user account if so desired. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086153 | MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086154 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STIMULATING AND SECURING RETAIL TRANSACTIONS - An apparatus, system and method of stimulating a retail transaction. The apparatus, system and method may include obtaining, via an opt-in to an in-store wireless network, of consumer device data regarding a plurality of consumer mobile devices, the consumer data comprising device use data, prior purchase data, and location data; receiving video surveillance data related to at least one consumer having the consumer device data; providing digital signage data to a plurality of in-store items available for purchase; interrelating, from at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing at least the consumer device data, the video surveillance data, and the digital signage data, of at least the consumer device data, the video surveillance data, and the digital signage data by at least one computing processor; and applying, by the computing processor, of a plurality of business rules to the interrelated datas to communicate uniquely with a one of the at least one consumers via at least the digital signage. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086155 | E-CARD TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION - Transactions using a bank customer's electronic debit or credit card (“e-card”) are authorized based on geographic location. For example, a transaction may be denied if it is determined that no legitimate Point of Sale (POS) terminals are in the area of the e-card. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086156 | ULTRASONIC TRIANGULATION FOR PAYMENTS METHOD AND APPARATUS - A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to determine a table location of a payment cardholder within a restaurant, to enable automatic bill receipt for the table. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086157 | PROCESS FOR PAYMENT BY CELL PHONE BY PICTURE AND GPS LOCATION - The invention these specifications refer to is for a process of a payment system using a cell phone, assisted by a photograph taken and a geo-location system known as “GPS positioning protocol”, all managed by the body which created the “GeoPay online system” (GOS) process, and which validates the data of both user and business and links the banks of both to complete the financial transaction. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086158 | PAYMENT VERIFICATION METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - Methods, apparatuses and systems of payment verification are disclosed. A method includes receiving a request for connecting to a receiver access point (AP) from a terminal of a payer to be verified and geographical location information of the receiver AP, verifying whether account information included in the request matches with pre-stored payment account information; returning a verification result to the receiver AP; receiving a payer terminal geographical location information verification request from a payment server if the verification result indicates a match; verifying geographical location information of the terminal of the payer to be verified based on the geographical location information of the receiver AP; and returning a verification result of the payer terminal geographical location information verification request to the payment server. The method increases the security of a payment process and prevents a legitimate user from suffering financial losses and unnecessary troubles. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086159 | APPLICATION IDENTIFIER (AID) PRIORITIZATION OF SECURITY MODULE APPLICATIONS - Secure transactions in a mobile device can be prioritized to execute on a security module in the mobile device over execution on a remote device. An STK function in a security module of a mobile device is initialized. A communication path between the security module and a secure wireless interface (e.g., NFC) circuit of the mobile device is initialized. The STK function provides priority table information. The priority table information includes application identifiers and links to processor executable software functions associated with the application identifiers. At least one of the processor executable software functions is stored in the security module, and at least one of the processor executable software functions stored in the security module is prioritized over a corresponding processor executable software function executable outside of the security module. The priority table is loaded in the secure wireless interface circuit with the priority table information passed over the communication path. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086160 | MESSAGE HANDLING AT A MOBILE GATEWAY FOR MANAGING DATA STRUCTURES AND SUB-STRUCTURES - Users of mobile devices communicate through a mobile gateway to a transaction processing system. The transaction processing system manages accounts, such as debit card accounts, for the users. The accounts include a main account for each user and sub accounts that are linked or related to the main account. Funds may be transferred between a main account and its linked sub accounts, including automatic funds transfer when a transaction (e.g., a payroll deposit from an employer or a debit transaction at a specified retailer) is made against the main account and meets certain parameters established by a user. Access to linked sub accounts is made through use of internal account IDs, rather than the account number of the main account. | 2016-03-24 |
20160086161 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOBILE APPLICATION, WEARABLE APPLICATION, TRANSACTIONAL MESSAGING, CALLING, DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA CAPTURE AND PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods for multimedia capture and payment transactions are provided. A system comprises a payment and multimedia capture means and a cloud-based application. The payment and multimedia capture means is configured to communicate with an external device, transmit key data from the payment and multimedia capture means to the external device. The cloud-based application is configured to receive the key data from the external device, provide a payment and multimedia capture interface on a display of the external device, receive haptic input via the haptic control, analyze the haptic input to determine a duration of the haptic input, select an operation based on the duration, and perform the selected operation. The operation include a payment operation and a multimedia capture operation. | 2016-03-24 |