27th week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 46 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100174537 | Speech coding - A method, system and computer program for encoding speech according to a source-filter model. The method comprises deriving a spectral envelope signal representative of a modelled filter and a first remaining signal representative of a modelled source signal, and deriving a second remaining signal from the first remaining signal by, at intervals during the encoding: exploiting a correlation between approximately periodic portions in the first remaining signal to generate a predicted version of a later portion from a stored version of an earlier portion, and using the predicted-version of the later portion to remove an effect of said periodicity from the first remaining signal. The method further comprises, once every number of intervals, transforming the stored version of the earlier portion of the first remaining signal prior to generating the predicted version of the respective later portion. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174538 | Speech encoding - A method, system and program for encoding and decoding speech according to a source-filter model whereby speech is modelled to comprise a source signal filtered by a time-varying filter. The method comprises: receiving a speech signal comprising successive frames. For each of a plurality of frames of the speech signal: adding a predetermined noise signal to the speech signal to generate a simulated signal, determining linear predictive coding coefficients based on the simulated signal frame, and determining a linear predictive coding residual signal based on the linear predictive coding coefficients and one of the speech signal and the simulated signal. Then forming an encoded signal representing said speech signal, based on the linear predictive coding coefficients and the linear predictive coding residual signal. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174539 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VECTOR QUANTIZATION CODEBOOK SEARCH - A vector quantization codebook search method and apparatus use support vector machines (“SVMs”) to compute a hyperplane, where the hyperplane is used to separate codebook elements into a plurality of bins. During execution, a controller determines which of the plurality of bins contains a desired codebook element, and then searches the determined bin. Codebook search complexity is reduced and an exhaustive codebook search is selectively avoided. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174540 | Time-Varying Audio-Signal Level Using a Time-Varying Estimated Probability Density of the Level - Methods, media and apparatus for smoothing a time-varying level of a signal. A method includes estimating a time-varying probability density of a short-term level of the signal and smoothing a level of the signal by using the probability density. The signal may be an audio signal. The short-term level and the smoothed level may be time series, each having current and previous time indices. Here, before the smoothing, computing a probability of the smoothed level at the previous time index may occur. Before the smoothing, calculating smoothing parameters using the probability density may occur. Calculating the smoothing parameters may include calculating the smoothing parameters using the smoothed level at the previous time index, the short-term level at the current time index and the probability of the smoothed level at the previous time index. Calculating the smoothing parameters may include calculating the smoothing parameters using breadth of the estimated probability density. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174541 | Quantization - A method, system and program for encoding speech. The method comprises: receiving an input signal representing a property of speech; quantizing the input signal, thus generating a quantized output signal; prior to the quantization, supplying a version of the input signal to a first noise shaping filter having a first set of filter coefficients, thus generating a first filtered signal based on that version of the input signal and the first set of filter coefficients; following the quantization, supplying a version of the quantized output signal to a second noise shaping filter having a second set of filter coefficients different than said first set, thus generating a second filter signal based on that version of the quantized output signal and the second set of filter coefficients; performing a noise shaping operation to control a frequency spectrum of a noise effect in the quantized output signal caused by the quantization, wherein the noise shaping operation is performed based on both the first and second filtered signals; and transmitting the quantised output signal in an encoded signal. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174542 | Speech coding - A method, system and program for encoding and/or decoding a speech signal. The method comprises: generating a first signal representing a property of an input speech signal; transforming the first signal using a simulated random-noise signal, thus producing a second signal; quantizing the second signal based on a plurality of discrete representation levels, thus generating quantization values for transmission in an encoded speech signal, and also generating a third signal being a quantized version of the second signal; and performing an inverse of the transformation on the third signal, thus generating a quantized output signal, wherein the generation of the first signal is based on feedback of the quantized output signal. The method further comprises controlling the transformation in dependence on a property of the first signal so as to vary the magnitude of a noise effect created by the transformation relative to the representation levels. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174543 | SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING CONVERSIONS OF TEXT EQUIVALENTS - Embodiments of the invention include a system for displaying an audit diagram. The system includes a monitor capable of electronically displaying the audit diagram. The monitor includes a text equivalent constructed from an input text, and a conversion representation including an operator indicator, a result arrow, and a rule arrow. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174544 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND END-USER DEVICE FOR VOCAL DELIVERY OF TEXTUAL DATA - System and method for receiving documents of different formats from external sources, analyzing the documents and transforming them into an internal format comprising tokens for effective browsing and referencing, communicating data volumes of transformed documents to a user device, browsing and vocalizing tokens from the documents to the user, receiving and processing verbal user commands pertaining to said vocalized tokens, retrieving documents pertaining to the user command and vocalizing the retrieved documents to said user. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174545 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND TEXT-TO-SPEECH METHOD - An information processing apparatus for playing back data includes an oral reading unit, a storage unit storing text templates for responses to questions from a user and text template conversion rules, an input unit for inputting a question from a user, and a control unit for retrieving data and items of information associated with the data. The control unit analyzes a question about a data from a user, for example, a question about a tune, to select a text template for a response to the question and detects the characters in items of tune information of the tune. The characters are designated to replace replacement symbols included in the text template. The control unit also converts the text template based on whether the characters can be read aloud, generates a text to be read aloud using the converted text template, and causes the oral reading unit to read the text aloud. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174546 | Sound recognition apparatus of robot and method for controlling the same - Disclosed is a sound recognition apparatus of a robot and a method for controlling the same. The sound recognition apparatus senses sound and determines if the sound is for communication by comparing the sensed sound with a preset reference condition. If the sound is for conversation, the movement of the robot is controlled. The method includes comparing the sound sensed by the robot with a preset reference condition, thereby determining if the sound is for communication with a user. When a conversation is intended, recognition rate is increased, and the robot is moved according to the intention of communication. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174547 | Speech coding - A method, system and program for encoding and decoding speech according to a source-filter model whereby speech is modelled to comprise a source signal filtered by a time-varying filter. The method comprises: receiving a speech signal; and from the speech signal, deriving a spectral envelope signal representing the modelled filter and a remaining signal representing the modelled source. At intervals during the encoding, the method further comprises determining a period between portions of the remaining signal having a degree of repetition and determining a correlation between said portions based on that period, thus producing a respective vector of the correlation for each interval. Once every number of said intervals, the method further comprises selecting a codebook from a plurality of codebooks for quantizing the vectors, quantizing the vectors of that number of intervals according to the selected codebook, and transmitting the quantized vectors along with an indication of the selected codebook. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174548 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CODING AND DECODING MULTI-OBJECT AUDIO SIGNAL WITH VARIOUS CHANNEL - Provided are an apparatus and method for coding and decoding a multi-object audio signal. The apparatus includes a down-mixer for down-mixing the audio signals into one down-mixed audio signal and extracting supplementary information including header information and spatial cue information for each of the audio signals, a coder for coding the down-mixed audio signal, and a supplementary information coder for generating the supplementary information as a bit stream. The header information includes identification information for each of the audio signals and channel information for the audio signals. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174549 | Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool and Method - The Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool (ECAT) is an interactive web-based software tool. ECAT is designed to meet the challenge of assessing health risks and determining what actions need to be taken during a crisis caused by a terrorist attack or natural disaster. ECAT provides instant access to key information and allows its users to conduct rapid analyses. The tool also provides a holistic approach to rapid risk assessment by integrating critical information across many diverse scientific disciplines and is a useful training tool. ECAT allows its users to conduct health risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. It allows users not only to define the health threats, but also to determine what actions need to be taken to protect the public and first responders, and how best to communicate this information to the public. It evaluates the risks from chemical and biological agents in multiple environments, such as indoors, outdoors and from water contact, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Further, ECAT has the potential to quantify risks to different human subpopulations. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174550 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ONLINE INVENTORY AND COST MANAGEMENT - The present invention relates to a method and system for procedure pack inventory management. The system provides access to data relating to healthcare facilities, custom and standard procedure pack data, component data for each procedure pack, and vendor data. The system may filter the access data and output the results of the filterings on a display. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174551 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF REGISTERING FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES - Various systems and methods are provided for registering for emergency medical services. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a current wait time for an emergency medical facility; receiving a request to reserve a visitation time for the emergency medical facility, the visitation time after the current wait time; requesting patient information; and notifying the emergency medical facility of the reserved visitation time. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174552 | SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY FOR FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS - An overall pharmacy system and methodology begins with bulk medications and supplements introduced into the work flow, individually packaged and assembled into med pass orders per patient and delivered to the long-term care (LTC) facility or other institution for patient consumption. The process according to one embodiment of this invention begins by converting bulk medications and supplements to packaged unit doses and ultimately individually packaged med pass bags for each patient on a 24-hour schedule. The various safeguards and measures built into this system increase patient safety eliminate waste and increase labor efficiency by reducing and/or minimizing the disposal of unused medications and supplements. The design of the overall system and its individual components allows for physical control of each unit dose package from start to finish without any unit dose package “free fall” in the system. This process is automated and does not rely upon manual sorting. The med pass bags are consolidated into the final shipping container and do not require manual sorting and packing. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174553 | Diabetes Therapy Management System - A method of diabetes analysis is provided. A plurality of glucose level readings for a user is received. The plurality of blood glucose level readings are analyzed to generate a report. The report includes a first chart along a 24-hour timeline indicating the plurality of glucose level readings, and a second chart having at least one of infusion device settings and active insulin levels corresponding to the 24-hour timeline of the first chart. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174554 | ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS - A method of administering a drug to a patient which involves providing a single interface for entry of data including one or more of drug identity, dosage rate, prescribed dosage form, concentration and form of drug, and patient body weight, processing the input data using an algorithm which converts the input data into a set of instructions for administering the drug including the amount and time for the first and subsequent administrations, administering the drug and recording the amount and times on the patients record. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174555 | System for automatic clinical pathway optimization - At least one embodiment of the present invention refers to a method, a system, a computer readable medium and/or a computer program product for optimizing a clinical pathway. The clinical pathway includes a sequence of actions. In at least one embodiment, he method aims at finding the best suitable and optimal following action for a respective action. There is provided a set of rules, patient information data and optimization criteria. After having received a symptom or an action there is deduced a set of possible following actions. After having deduced all possible following actions, these possible following actions are evaluated by the optimization criteria. After evaluation the optimal following action is suggested as a result. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174556 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING PROVIDER PAYMENT - Authorization, clearing and settlement are facilitated for a pre-payment portion of a transaction conducted with a provider using a payment device having an account number. Adjudication of a claim pertaining to the transaction is facilitated, resulting in a payer portion and a remaining patient portion. Storage of transaction information pertaining to the transaction, by an issuer of the payment device, is facilitated, as is matching, by the issuer of the payment device, of: (i) a payment advice associated with the adjudication of the claim with (ii) the transaction information stored in the step of facilitating storage. In some instances, responsive to the matching, an additional step includes facilitating the issuer controlling initiation of authorization, clearing, and settlement of the remaining patient portion. In addition to or in lieu of the additional step, the step facilitating the issuer communicating with a holder of the payment device to offer the holder an opportunity for opt-out, prior to settlement of the remaining patient portion, may be carried out. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174557 | System and Method for Ranking Quality Improvement Factors in Patient Care - Quality improvement factors in patient care are ranked. Hospital performance is measured, such as a CMS measure. The variables and/or values relative contribution to quality of care is determined using medical records of the hospital. The variables and/or values are ranked according influence of the quality of care result. The ranking is performed by a given medical institution at a desired time rather than based on a broad study. The medical institution may regularly determine variables (e.g., admitting doctor) and/or values (e.g., doctor X) that are relevant to a decreased quality of care. Quality may be regularly improved using a software product. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174558 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT - Collecting, validating, managing, and sharing data, for example healthcare and patient data, may include using a networked portable device. A forms-based system and process (referred to in some embodiments as DirectForms™) may allow clinical staff to efficiently collect and validate data on portable devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system combines a portable computing device, validation of data, network connectivity, and an opportunity for shared effort among users via industry-standard (for example HL7 compliant) or customized interfaces. A server-based utility may route forms and HL7-compliant data transaction exports. Interfaces may provide for merging data into appropriate patient records. Some systems may be used in an ambulatory care setting. Various aspects may provide for improved clinical assessment, effective patient management, cost savings, and the ability to provide a more efficient billing process. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174559 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING NEURON CONDITIONING - A method and system for forming an integrated group. The method comprises taking and comparing neuro-hormone ratios of individuals and comparing the ratios to predetermined ratio. The method may also comprise comparing an fMRI scan of an individual to a predetermined fMRI scan. By correcting differences from the predetermined values integrated groups may be formed. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174560 | Method, system and apparatus for assembling data associated with an emergency call event - A method and apparatus for assembling data associated with an emergency call event is provided. A location of a communication device is determined based on a device identifier conveyed via an emergency call, responsive to determining that the emergency call has occurred in a communication network, originating from the communication device. A database is accessed to determine first contextual data associated with the communication device using the device identifier. The location of the communication device and the first contextual data is provided in a format processable by a computing device associated with an emergency response team. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174561 | Computer Implemented Methods To Manage the Profitability of An Insurance Network - Computer implemented methods are provided for managing and optimizing the profitability of an insurance network with a plurality of physicians in a healthcare practice participating therein. Exemplary computer implemented methods can include, for example, comparing data received via a communications network for each of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice with one or more preferred ancillary medical procedures of the insurance network to thereby identify at least one of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice who engages in ancillary medical procedures that are not preferred by the insurance network. Such exemplary computer implemented methods can also include, for example, determining whether the risk of the at least one of the plurality of physicians of not receiving a predetermined reimbursement amount for the ancillary medical costs from the insurance company has been reduced responsive to recommending alternative ancillary medical procedures to the at least one of the plurality of physicians. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174562 | WARRANTY METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present invention compensates loss resulting from unexpected outcome of service or unanticipated product performance. A consumer is provided an option to purchase a warranty prior to or during product purchase or service engagement, the warranty offering pre-determined levels of award calculated from a probabilistic, multi-variable process. Each level of award is associated with a warranty purchase price and a degree of variation of actual outcome from expected outcome. For medical services, variables could include age and gender of the patient, skill level and history of the doctor, quality of the hospital, difficulty of the procedure, type of medical equipment used, prior condition of the patient, geographic location and patient profile. The warranty could require the physician to provide additional medical or surgical care, without charge, to optimize actual outcome prior to granting an award. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174563 | System and Method for Purchasing Insurance - The present invention is a system, device, and method of purchasing insurance from a remote location. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174564 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING AN INSURED TO AN INSURER USING A MOBILE DEVICE - A system and method for connecting an insured to an insurer using a mobile device in order to provide insurance services. The mobile device, which is associated with the insured, includes a mobile insurance module that is in communication with a server insurance module of a server, which is associated with the insurer. Together, the mobile insurance module and the server insurance module establish a communication channel with the insurer over which insurance services (e.g., requesting a quote, buying a policy, filing a claim and reviewing account information) are provided. The communication channel leverages the technological capabilities of the mobile device, such as a smart phone, to deliver data in a fast, efficient and integrated manner having robust functionalities. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174565 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MINIMUM CONTRACT VALUES IN AN ANNUITY WITH LIFETIME BENEFIT PAYMENTS - A data processing method administers a deferred annuity product during the accumulation phase for a relevant life. The annuity product has a contract value, a guarantee of lifetime benefit payments and a minimum contract value. Administration of the product determines a minimum contract value, while paying a lifetime benefit payment and a guaranteed death benefit. The lifetime benefit payment does not reduce the contract value below the minimum contract value. If necessary, the lifetime benefit payment is funded by the general account assets of the company that issues the annuity product. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174566 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING SENSOR DATA - The invention herein generally pertains to underwriting an insurance policy utilizing sensors to detect, determine, measure and assess one or more conditions, states of affairs, physical properties and process as each relates an insurable property interest. More specifically is disclosed a method and computerized system for managing the underwriting, quoting and binding an insurance policy with regard to the technology used to militate against the financial consequences of certain property losses. The significance of operable safety related devices or system loads are important diagnostic safety markers for measuring one or more properties affecting the safety or risk aversion and for underwriting an insurable interest. This invention also relates to a system and a method for acquiring and assessing the qualities, variables and parameters that affect the underwriting premium for a building structure (commercial or residential), vehicle, aircraft, marine craft or cargo. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174567 | MOBILITY ASSISTANCE SYSTEM - Apparatus ( | 2010-07-08 |
20100174568 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR VALIDATING OPEN BASIS RESRVATION AT LODGING - A method of doing business, and related system, for a pre-reservation on an open basis, namely for a guaranteed room on a future unspecified date or future unspecified dates at lodging, which belongs to a group of pre-selected lodgings in a designated geographic area, where the open basis reservation can be converted to a guaranteed room on a specified date or dates. The method and system are useful in one or both of a disaster/emergency or absence of a disaster/emergency. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174569 | Destin - An enterprise resource planning (ERP) based total task integrated destination management system. The system is configured to operate in a Windows based platform comprising a destination management service organizer and a concierge service organizer for rendering hospitality services. The destination management service organizer is operable to receive a plurality of informational components such as an event category, destination of event, mode of travel, arrival and departure details, etc. from group travelers and/or Free Independent Travelers (FITs). The concierge service organizer is operable to receive a plurality of inputs from at least one customer for at least one program event such as, international conferences, ground logistics and hospitality programs, exhibitions, incentive travel programs, and corporate events. The system incorporates arrival and/or departure scheduling, transportation links and a database that includes interactive tables that may update automatically whenever a change is made to the informational components or the user inputs. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174570 | Method and System for Risk Monitoring in Online Business - A method of risk monitoring in online business is disclosed. The method captures parameters of a user request and business data of processing the request by a business processing system; packs the parameters and the business data into an event object; analyzes the event object according to risk monitoring rules; and generates a risk record if a risk is determined to exist in an operation event that produces the business data. The method further determines a risk processing mode according to the risk record and a risk processing configuration, and processes the risk of the operation event in the risk processing mode. Also disclosed is a system for risk monitoring in online business. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174571 | Open Dealership Management System developed in MySQL, PHP, HTML, and JavaScript - An open browser-based dealership management system and more particularly, a method of using web-based tools (mySQL, PHP, HTML, JavaScript/AJAX) to provide accounting, financial reporting, sales tracking, and customer management for automotive, truck, RV, motorcycle, and boat retail dealerships. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174572 | Methods and Apparatus for Analyzing User Information to Identify Conditions Indicating a Need for Assistance for the User - Systems and techniques for analyzing information relating to a user to determine whether the user requires assistance. Information for a user is received from sources selected to provide information relating to the user's activities and analyzed to determine whether conditions exist indicating a possible need for assistance for the user. User location, motion, and activity information is received and analyzed against expected information stored in the user profile and analyzed to determine if assistance is needed. If a determination is made that the user's behavior indicates that assistance may be needed, communication is initiated to summon appropriate assistance. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174573 | ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE NARRATIVE SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for modeling and estimating costs for a project, such as a construction or remodeling project. For example, embodiments of the present invention provide a project cost modeling system having a communication interface configured to receive a first level input for a first level project parameter from a user, a memory configured to store a rule, and a processor operatively connected to the communication interface and the memory and configured to determine a second level project parameter and a second level input for the second level project parameter based at least partially on a comparison of the first level input to the rule. The system is further configured to compute cost estimates and provide cost models based at least partially on the first level input, the second level input, and/or information about other projects stored in the memory. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174574 | Intelligent submittal management related applications - A computer implemented method for managing construction submittal requirements for a construction project. The method provides a first database containing information related to managing a construction project having stored therein a plurality of requirements for the construction project.
| 2010-07-08 |
20100174575 | MEETING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH FAILOVER AND FAILBACK CAPABILITIES FOR MEETING MODERATORS - Meeting management software can include a moderator assigner module. The moderator assigner can include a moderator failover capability and a moderator failback capability. The moderator failover capability can substitute a replacement for a moderator when the moderator is determined to be unavailable for a scheduled meeting. The moderator failback capability can substitute a moderator for a replacement when a believed to be unavailable moderator is determined to be available for a scheduled meeting for which the replacement has been established. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174576 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OPERATION OF VEHICLES - Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products useful for the gathering and use of data relating to structural loading and other operational use of transit and other vehicles, and their systems. Systems according to the invention can, for example, comprise one or more data acquisition devices such as strain gauges, accelerometers, or other sensors; data processors; memories; and communications systems. Such systems, methods, and programming are useful in a wide variety of ways, including, for example, monitoring the structural status and use of vehicles and their systems, including fatigue other operational analyses; gathering and applying data useful in the maintenance of such vehicles and the routes they travel; monitoring the use/abuse of such vehicles by operators and other individuals; reporting traffic events or anomalies; and routing transit and other vehicles around such events or anomalies. Rainflow, level-crossing and other peak-counting or event-counting algorithms are applied to advantage, such that required data storage is greatly reduced, and life-long monitoring is feasible. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174577 | Automated Task Delegation Based on Skills - The automated task delegation and project management system tracks user profiles and project profiles, which include information about the interests and skills each user in the system possess as well as the skills that are required by each project in the system and the characteristics of each project. This information can then be utilized to correlate user interests and skills with the available projects. Similarly, these user profiles can be utilized to identify mentors for new users in the system based on the skill sets and project involvement of other users and potential mentors in the system and the interests and skill sets of the new users. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174578 | Interface for Project and Task Submission for Automated Delegation - The automated task delegation and project management system tracks user profiles and project profiles, which include information about the interests and skills each user in the system possesses as well as the skills that are required by each project in the system and the characteristics of each project. This information can then be utilized to correlate user interests and skills with the available projects. Project data can be collected from the submitter to enable the automated matching. The user interface facilitates the collection and storage of the project profile data including tasks, files, resources, and tags. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174579 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COMPLETION - In general, in one aspect, a system for planning and executing projects, facilitates creating a project model comprising tasks and dependencies, determining the complexity of the tasks, and modifying the tasks to maintain complexity within predetermined bounds. The system can facilitate designating one or more tasks to be redundant tasks, and undertaking the redundant tasks with redundant resources. In some embodiments, the system includes a module for evaluating task criticality and designating redundant tasks based on the task complexity and criticality. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174580 | METHOD FOR INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION OF SOFTWARE-ASSISTED ACTIVITY, IN PARTICULAR IN A HOSPITAL - In a hospital, a virtual team can be formed on an interdepartmental basis, with individual roles of treating physicians being defined based on a scheme appropriate to a treatment situation and specific physicians being allocated to the roles such that just-in-time planning of a patient's treatment can be carried out. In at least one embodiment, the sequential execution of tasks appropriate to the individual departments is monitored by a central data processing device. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174581 | WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EMBODIED ON A COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM - In order to provide the information for allowing smooth execution of a plurality of processes defined by a workflow, a workflow management apparatus includes a workflow accepting portion to accept and store a workflow, an identification information obtaining portion to obtain identification information for identifying a worker, an execution workflow extracting portion to extract from the workflows an execution workflow which assigns a target process that is to be the object of execution to the worker of the obtained identification information, a schedule obtaining portion to obtain a schedule of a worker assigned to a post-process that comes later in sequential order than the target process defined by the execution workflow, a deadline deciding portion to decide on a deadline for the execution of the target process based on the obtained schedule, and a notifying portion to notify the decided deadline to the worker to whom the target process is assigned. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174582 | EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE USER TARGETED ADVERTISING THROUGH USER DRIVEN SELECTIONS AND USE OF VIDEO AND ELECTRONIC GAMES - Systems, apparatus and methods for marketing through advertising video games are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises presenting a list of the one or more products, services, brands or locations to one or more users; requesting the users select one or more products, services, brands or locations; receiving data indicating which of the one or more products, services, brands or locations the at users selected; presenting one or more video games to the users, presenting one or more instances of advertising related to the specific products, services, brands or locations selected by the users to the users; providing one or more incentives related directly to the specific products, services, brands or locations selected by the users to the users and receiving data from the users regarding their interest in, acceptance or rejection of the incentives provided to the users. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174583 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BUSINESS PROCESS MODELLING - A system and method for automatically or semi-automatically analyzing business processes including elements for or processes for: monitoring business activities as conducted by a user of a target software application by monitoring the computer screens viewed by the user and user-system interaction; using pattern matching to determine the semantic elements of each computer screen and action; using screen element identity relationships to compare screens and develop process flows based on a sequence of the computer screens and the user-system interaction; using process flow end-point comparisons to synthesize business process fragments from the process flows; and combining business process fragments to create a business process model. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174584 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CLIENT ACQUISITION AND SURVEYING - A method, system and computer program for enabling a loyalty system to be linked to one or more card issuers, cardholders, merchants, and thereby their cardholders. A system operable to create, implement and manage one or more loyalty programs that provide benefits to members of the loyalty programs in connection with transactions between the members and one or more merchants associated with the loyalty system. The method includes registering on the loyalty system one or more card issuers; one or more merchant acquirers associated with the one or more card issuers; a plurality of cardholders as members of the loyalty program. Establishing and applying rules for accrual and processing of benefits from the merchants to cardholders associated with the one or more card issuers in connection with transactions between the cardholders and the merchants with the loyalty system. Defining a rule based survey utility operable to issue surveys to members of the loyalty system on a transaction and non-transaction basis. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174585 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR INTERFACING SOFTWARE ENGINES - A system, method and computer program product for interfacing a decision engine and a marketing engine in order to provide vendor-related data in response to decision-related data is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system and method may include providing a decision engine on a user-accessible network; interfacing a marketing engine with the decision engine on the network; receiving a plurality of user inputs with the decision engine; processing decision-related data with the decision engine in accordance with the plurality of user inputs; sharing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; processing the decision-related data with the marketing engine; and transmitting vendor-related data via the network. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174586 | Methods for Measuring Emotive Response and Selection Preference - The present invention relates generally to consumer research methods for measuring emotive response to visual stimuli. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174587 | PET SERVICE EXCHANGE MARKET - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems of creating and operating a pet service exchange marketplace. The marketplace facilitates the matching of members desiring pet care services with other members willing to provide these services. Point values may be established for various services and these points may be debited or credited to members of the pet care service marketplace in exchange for the performance of pet care services. According to some embodiments, the methods and systems operate to maintain an equilibrium between negative point balances and positive point balances of the members of the system. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174588 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BANKING MARKET ANALYSIS - System and method of estimating a wallet share for one or more advisors for investment banking deals involving equity-related products that occurred during an evaluation time period. Method may comprising determining a fee estimate for the one or more advisors for the deals involving equity-related products during the evaluation time period, wherein the fee estimate for the one or more advisors for each deal is determined based on one or more look-up tables specific to the type of equity-related product and the geographic region for the deal, and wherein the one or more look-up tables indicate a fee estimate for the one or more advisors based on the deal size, the number of advisors, and the role of the one or more advisors. Method may also comprise determining a wallet share for the one or more advisors over the evaluation time period based on an aggregation of the fee estimates for the one or more advisors during the evaluation time period. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174589 | System and method for supporting allocation of reward points, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program - A terminal for supporting allocation, to a customer, of reward points redeemable for an article or a service is provided. The terminal includes a soon-to-be-lost-point calculation portion that calculates, for each of reward programs in which the customer participates, an amount of soon-to-be-lost-reward points that is an amount of reward points to be lost during a predetermined period among the reward points, and a reward points information display process portion that displays, based on the result of calculation performed by the soon-to-be-lost-point calculation portion, a screen for indicating, among the reward programs, a reward program having the soon-to-be-lost-reward points whose amount is equal to or more than a predetermined value. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174590 | ADVERTISING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - The advertising device has a frame having a recessed front surface surrounded by a protrusive edge. A plurality of slots is formed along the protrusive edge proximate the recessed front surface. At least one insert is provided. The insert has a plurality of tabs capable of being inserted into the plurality of slots. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174591 | Data Access Engine And Graphic Interface For Portable Computer Devices - A data access engine and graphic interface for portable computer devices are disclosed. According to one embodiment a system comprises a server in communication with a network, a database in communication with the network, a device in communication with the network, and an interface displayed on the device. The interface has a nested ring structure, wherein the nested ring structure comprises a contiguous geometrical shape, and a labeled segment having a category. The contiguous geometrical shape and labeled segment are hierarchically structured. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174592 | Inventory Control And Balancing System - A method for providing a plurality of users with the ability to engage in the swap of a plurality of items comprising the following: providing a system for the entry of a plurality of items into inventory of a system by a plurality of users; providing a fixed number of credits for each said item entered which can be then used to obtain other items in the system's inventory wherein the number of credits received for each item will be automatically set by the system depending on each item's characteristics and where the total number of credits allocated represent the total value of all entered items. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174593 | ONLINE SIMULATIONS AND NETWORK APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods are provided that involve a player to a significant degree with an advertisement and its accompanying product or service. One setting of the system and method may be a network application that is adjunct to an online simulation such as an MMO game. The system and method may be implemented in either or both, or in video games that are embodied in just one of these. The system and method provide a convenient way to tie advertising to game content. By use of advertisements, the user (through the player character) can become aware of and can access in-game items, player character attribute modifications, and rewards. Such advertisements may be banner advertisements or any other type of advertising. By taking advantage of the offers presented in the advertisements, a user of the network application may obtain items for their own use or for that of a corresponding MMO character. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174594 | My Faves section for a website - Social networking site where the user selects advertising material that is shown on their personal section. The user enters favorites, and stored promotional information associated with those favorites is shown to the user. The user selects which of the stored promotional material will be shown on their personal part of their site. The material can be logos or videos, for example. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174595 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING CREDITS VIA A MOBILE DEVICE - System and method for delivering upon request credits having monetary value to a mobile device using a communications network. An account of available credit for the user of the mobile device is maintained and authorization to issue credit is generated when a request for credit for the mobile device is received and there is available credit in the account associated with the mobile device equal to or greater than the requested credit. Credit may be sponsored by one or more sponsors and issued to the user, upon authorization, to enable the user to use the mobile device to purchase items, e.g., at a point of sale terminal. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174596 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOBILE OFFER FULFILLMENT - Rewards systems, methods, means and computer program code are provided which include a transaction processing system, receiving a transaction authorization request message generated from a point of interaction, the transaction authorization request message including a purchase amount, and a customer account identifier, the transaction processing system generating an authorization response message for transmission to the point of interaction. The rewards systems further include a messaging system, in communication with the transaction processing system, generating a rewards message for transmission to a mobile device associated with the customer account identifier, the rewards message including details of a status associated with a reward transaction. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174597 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING WILDCARD VALUES - A method of processing data on a server computer is disclosed. The method includes receiving data at the server computer, the data including a first data string including one or more wildcard values. The first data string is specifically associated with a consumer, and the one or more wildcard values are associated with the purchase transaction. The method also includes comparing the first data string to a second data string by the server computer, and providing an output to the consumer based on the comparison. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174598 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR REDEEMING AND DELIVERING ELECTRONIC LOYALTY REWARD CERTIFICATES USING A MOBILE DEVICE - Methods, systems, and computer readable media for redeeming and delivering electronic loyalty reward certificates using a mobile device are disclosed. In one example, the method includes utilizing a loyalty reward certificate selection device to generate electronic loyalty reward certificate selection information and providing the loyalty reward certificate selection information and a recipient mobile device identifier to a loyalty management server. Electronic loyalty reward certificate data derived from the loyalty reward certificate selection information and the recipient mobile device identifier is received from the loyalty management server. The method also includes establishing a communications link with a mobile device corresponding to the recipient mobile device identifier and provisioning the electronic loyalty reward certificate data on the mobile device over the communications link via over the air (OTA) communications. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174599 | System and method for providing content associated with a product or service - Systems, methods, and devices for providing and managing benefits associated with a product or service are provided. For example, a device for managing benefits associated with a product or service may include a processor configured to run a product benefit management application, a memory device operably coupled to the processor, an electronic display operably coupled to the processor, and an input interface. The input interface may be a near field communication interface configured to receive data associated with at least one benefit associated with the product or service from a radio frequency identification tag associated with the product or service. The electronic product benefit management application may be configured to enable a user of the electronic device to use the at least one benefit. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174600 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CREDITS FOR GAME PLAY - Systems and methods are provided for offering a voucher which is redeemable for credits at a casino. The voucher may be redeemed for a first value of credits. One is charged a second value for the voucher, in which the second value is less than the first value. If the person is purchasing an additional product or service, the person may also be charged a reduced price for that product. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174601 | System and Method for Redeeming Coupons - A method dealing with the marketing of manufacturer products using promotional coupons and web based point of sale technology that inventories and matches coupon promotions based on the demands of the consumer. Shopping lists are matched to coupons offered, which provides a mechanism for consumers to prioritize and anticipate buying based on expiration and/or value of coupons. Coupons are presented to the consumer via a website. As the consumer views each coupon, they can bank selected coupons. A coupon bank account is maintained including all coupons banked and redeemed. The consumer does not retain a physical coupon instead at the end of the transaction goods purchased are matched with the coupon bank selected by the consumer. Users are identified through the retailer's loyalty program or a universal coupon card for companies without a loyalty card. After products are matched the coupon value is deducted from the total bill. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174602 | Methods and systems for providing targeted marketing over the internet - A system, method and computer-readable medium for providing customized content to at least one prospective customer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of creating a personalized portal page in a database by aggregating corporate information relevant to a prospect's business interest. Next, the method directs the personalized portal page to the prospect. Once the prospect accesses the portal and reviews the content, the present system then gathers prospect behavior data. Next, a report based on the prospect behavior data is generated, and then the personalized portal page is modified in response to the behavior data. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174603 | System and Method for Advertising Placement and/or Web Site Optimization - In general, in one aspect, a method for web site optimization includes publishing performance statistics of task performers, facilitating selection of task performers for participation in a competition based on the published performance statistics, facilitating optimization by each selected competitors, collecting response to the optimization of each selected competitor, updating the published performance statistics based on the response; and compensating the task performers based on the published performance statistics. In some embodiments, a prize is awarded to the task performer with the best performance. In some embodiments, a competition is conducted for the design of web site content to be optimized. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174604 | Business method for promoting goods and services of providers - A business method for promoting goods and services of providers includes the steps of designating a group of targeted recipients, and storing demographics information of each recipient in an electronic database. A plurality of direct mail items including provider promotions is generated, and each marked with a machine-readable ID code unique to each of the recipients. The direct mail items are sorted by their respective ID codes into cooperative mail packages, each mail package containing multiple items with common ID codes. The mail packages are then forwarded to respective recipients. After redemption of a direct mail item by a recipient, the ID code is read and electronically linked with the recipient's demographics information contained in the electronic database. A report is generated based on the direct mail items redeemed. The report may include a geographic map which plots respective locations of recipients, and/or a listing of receipts grouped into a plurality of demographics segments. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174605 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SERVING RELEVANT ADVERTISEMENTS - The relevance of advertisements to a user's interests is improved. In one implementation, the content of a web page is analyzed to determine a list of one or more topics associated with that web page. An advertisement is considered to be relevant to that web page if it is associated with keywords belonging to the list of one or more topics. One or more of these relevant advertisements may be provided for rendering in conjunction with the web page or related web pages. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174606 | TARGETED ADVERTISING SERVICES METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method and apparatus for providing an automatically upgradeable software application includes targeted advertising based upon demographics and user interaction with the computer. The software application includes a display region used for banner advertising that is downloaded over a network such as the Internet. The software application is accessible from a server via the network and demographic information on the user is acquired by the server and used for determining what advertising will be sent to the user. The software application further targets the advertisements in response to normal user interaction with the computer. Data associated with each advertisement is used by the software application in determining when a particular advertisement is to be displayed. This includes the specification of certain programs that the user may have so that, when the user runs the program (e.g., a spreadsheet program), a relevant advertisement will be displayed (e.g., an advertisement for a stock brokerage). This provides two-tiered, real-time targeting of advertising—both demographically and reactively. The software application includes programming that accesses the server to determine if one or more components of the application need upgrading. If so, the components can be downloaded and installed without further action by the user. A distribution tool is provided for software distribution and upgrading over the network. Also provided is a user profile that is accessible to any computer on the network. Furthermore, multiple users of the same computer can possess Internet web resources and files that are personalized, maintained and organized. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174607 | CONTEXTUAL ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES FOR IMPLEMENTED AT MOBILE DEVICES - Various techniques are disclosed for delivering contextual advertising information to end users of a data network via a mobile device. At least one operation may be initiated to determine the features, capabilities and/or services supported at an identified mobile device. A first contextual advertising delivery technique may be implemented in response to a determination that a first type of functionality is supported at the identified mobile device. A second contextual advertising delivery technique may be implemented in response to a determination that the first type of functionality is not supported at the identified mobile device. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174608 | DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT AND AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Digital rights management and audience measurement systems and methods are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request to transfer a first packet of a media content at a router, extracting a code embedded in a payload of the first packet, analyzing a business rule based on the extracted code to determine if the media content is authorized for transfer, receiving a request to transfer a second packet of the media content after receiving the request to transfer the first packet, and when the media content is not authorized for transfer, preventing the second packet from being transferred. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174609 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CORRECTING BIAS INTRODUCED BY ESTIMATING OFFER VALUES - A system and method for improving online advertising auctions. The system includes an offer store configured to received offers from advertisers bidding do display advertisements to users. An estimator engine in communication with the offer store estimates values for each of the offers to produce estimated offer values. An adjustment engine in communication with the estimator engine adjusts the estimated offer values to correct for bias introduced by estimating values for the offers. An auction engine in communication with the adjustment engine selects one or more advertisements for display to a user based on the adjusted estimated offer values. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174610 | Internet-Based Personal Media Group Website Technology for Content Management and Exchange (System and Methods) - Internet Based System and Methods for implementing a Media Group Website Technology Platform for Content Management and Exchange by providing means for allowing: A1) The creation of the Personal Media Group comprised by: A1) A Community Website for Media Broadcasters (including Program/Channel Schedule), A2) A Community Website for Media Consumers, A3) Personal Media Portals for Media Consumers. B) The Communication within the Personal Media Group: B1) Among entity websites (Communities and Personal Media Portals), B2) To electronic mail via e-mail devices and/or text-messaging devices. These entity websites are independent Content Management Systems (CMS) reachable by their domain names. Each CMS includes their own security system and predefined pages for Media Content (Television, Radio, News Papers, Songs [Music], Movies, PC [Cloud Computer], Home [Virtual Home], Phone [Video Conferencing], etc.) delivered by Broadcasters. Each CMS is connected to the Personal Media Group (GCMS) allowing within the Management and Exchange of Media Content. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174611 | Method for improving financial transaction security - Methods are disclosed for performing cardholder verification associated with a customer card transaction through use of code sequences delivered independently to a point of sale terminal and to a customer unit (e.g., mobile phone). A point of sale terminal initiates a customer card transaction by sending a card number to a customer card processing system. An application server receives the card number and generates a code sequence corresponding to the transaction. The application server sends a first instance of the code sequence to the point of sale terminal and a second instance of the code sequence to the customer unit associated with the card number. Authorization status of the transaction is thereafter determined by an operator of the point of sale terminal comparing the first and second instances of the code sequence. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174612 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES FOR USE IN ASSOCIATION WITH TOKEN - In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a request from a customer to temporarily associate a token issued to the customer with a payment account associated with the customer, and temporarily associating the token with the payment account in response at least in part to the request. In some embodiments, a method comprises issuing a token to a customer before the token is associated with a payment account; and arranging for the customer to have an ability to request that the token be associated with a payment account and usable as a payment token. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a mapping associating an identifier of a token with a payment account; receiving the identifier from a point of sale system; and determining the payment account based at least in part on the mapping and the identifier received from the point of sale system. In some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a processing system to: receive a request from a customer to temporarily associate a token issued to the customer with a payment account associated with the customer, and temporarily associate the token with the payment account in response at least in part to the request. In some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a processing system to: receive a mapping associating an identifier of a token with a payment account; receive the identifier from a point of sale system; and determine the payment account based at least in part on the mapping and the identifier received from the point of sale system. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174613 | Customer Sessions with Ticket Association using Lottery Point-of-Sale Devices - The present invention provides a system and method that facilitates the tracking of customer sessions for lottery customers using a lottery-related point-of-sale (POS) device and/or printer control device (PCD). Rather than printing and cutting receipts in that order, the present invention handles multiple gaming-related transactions by first issuing a cut command and then a print command as part of a command sequence for the second and subsequent transactions. When the customer has completed his or her gaming-related transactions, a final cut command is issued, followed by appropriate payment processing and customer session termination. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174614 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING ELECTRONIC SERVICE PLATFORM - Provided are a system and a method for managing an electronic service platform, which are applicable to a network communication architecture including a server end, a user end, and a POS terminal. The method includes: logging in, by the user end, a common service platform provided at the server end; editing commodity sale information and/or POS terminal identification data through an editing interface provided by the common service platform; converting, by the server end, the edited commodity sale information into a POS terminal compatible file format according to a POS terminal type; and finally transmitting the converted commodity sale information to the POS terminal for display such that clients can place commodity orders via the POS terminal, thereby reducing production and usage costs of the electronic service platform. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174615 | System and Method for Processing Orders for the Procurement of Reprints - The present invention relates to a system and method for aggregating orders for a requested reprint to allow an organization to effectively capture bulk discounts afforded by reprint providers. The system and method generates a quote related to the acquisition of the requested reprint. The generated quotes can be updated in real time based on an alteration to the aggregate quantity of requested reprints. The system and method publishes the quote to allow interested users to become aware of available content and the reprint cost for ordering the requested reprint. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174616 | Method and System for Utilizing Purchase Upgrades for Purposes of Providing Humanitarian Aid - A system for processing transactions related to providing humanitarian aid. A database stores a plurality of identification codes for a plurality of upgraded items, each of which is available for purchase. The database also stores instructions for providing humanitarian aid in association with a purchase of an upgraded item. A receiver registers purchases of the upgraded item that includes an identification code for the upgraded item. A comparator is coupled to the receiver and the database for cross-referencing the database, using the identification code. In this manner, the comparator is capable of determining the corresponding instructions for a purchase of the upgraded item. In addition, an executor executes the instructions for purposes of providing humanitarian aid in association with a purchase of the upgraded item. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174617 | GESTURE EXCHANGE VIA COMMUNICATIONS IN VIRTUAL WORLD APPLICATIONS - A method, system and computer-readable medium are disclosed for exchanging gestures in a virtual world application. In one embodiment, the virtual world application determines whether a first avatar has a gesture exchange function enabled. If so, the virtual world application displays words communicated by a first user to a second user during the communication session and identifies a keyword among the communicated words corresponding to a gesture in a user inventory of the first avatar. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174618 | PERSONALIZED GIFT ARTIFACT - The present invention concerns a device and method for preparing an artifact personalized by a subject, wherein a personalized acoustic message is obtained from the subject, the message is transferred to an autonomous sound reproduction unit configured to store the message and reproduce the message upon activation, the autonomous sound reproduction unit is disposed on said artifact, thereby obtaining an artifact personalized by the subject. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TRADING ORDERS WITH DECAYING RESERVES - A system comprises a memory operable to store a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product, wherein a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to disclose the displayed quantity to one or more market centers. The processor is further operable to identify a decay rate associated with the trading order. The processor is further operable to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on the identified decay rate. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174620 | PAYMENT SYSTEM - Disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods of processing payment authorisation requests for payment transactions to be conducted via a data communications network. The method allows identification of an issuing bank from a plurality of issuing banks as one which is to be utilised in a given transaction and facilitate a user specifying, in real time in relation to the given transaction, a particular bank account that is to be used to deduct funds for that transaction. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174621 | System and method for purchasing applications and peripherals - A computerized method and system for enabling purchase of dedicated function computing is disclosed. The method and system include providing for purchase of a base microprocessing unit, accepting, at a broadband connected-user interface, of one or more user criteria indicating desired ones of the dedicated function computing, and providing for purchase and remote delivery, via the broadband connected-user interface, of the recommended at least one software peripheral. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174622 | System for searching for sound source using map information and method thereof - A sound source search system is capable of searching for a sound source using map information. If particular area information among the map information is selected, a sound source search client requests sound source tag information and sound source information associated with the selected particular area information. A sound source search server delivers the sound source tag information and the sound source information to the sound source search client in response to the request. The sound source search client displays one or more sound source tags corresponding to the particular area information on a screen based on the sound source tag information and sound source information received from the sound source search server. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174623 | System and Method for Managing Items of Interest Selected from Online Merchants - A system for managing wish list items from a plurality of online merchants is provided. The system includes a memory, processor and item management module executed by the processor. The memory stores data regarding the wish list items that have been selected by a user while browsing online merchant websites. The item management module has a receive-advice feature that sends an electronic message to user-selected contacts. The electronic message contains a request for feedback on one or more selected items of interest. When the contacts submit feedbacks, they are stored in the memory for viewing by the user. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174624 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FINANCING HIGH-VALUE ITEMS - Methods and supporting systems for inventory financing and tracking receives information from potential borrowers, potential lenders, and from inventory tracking sub-systems. The information includes information regarding items in inventory, information about the potential borrowers, information about potential lenders and information identifying the items in inventory held by the borrowers. Potential borrowers are matched with potential lenders, thus identifying lenders to provide financing to borrowers, and provides the lenders with access to the inventory information. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174625 | Method and System for Awarding Points for Purchases for Purposes of Providing Humanitarian Aid - A system is described for providing humanitarian aid. The system includes means for providing a sponsored item for sale at a merchant. The sponsored item is associated with a corresponding point value used for purposes of providing humanitarian aid. Means are provided for registering a purchase of the sponsored item at the merchant. The system includes means for determining the corresponding point value for the purchased sponsored item. This is accomplished, by cross-referencing a first database that stores an identification code and corresponding point value for the sponsored item. Further, means for associating the point value with a donation is included within the system. The donation is targeted to a recipient for providing humanitarian aid. In addition, means for determining a donation amount for the donation is included within the system. Means for distributing the donation to the recipient is also included within the system. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174626 | PAYMENT SYSTEM - Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing payment authorisation requests for payment transactions to be conducted via a data communications network on behalf of online merchants. The payment authorisation requests are conducted as a result of orders by financial instrument holders via a plurality of different online merchant systems, each of said online merchants having an online merchant identity. The method is conducted by a trusted central intermediary system which is configured to transmit payment authorisation requests to each of a plurality of different online merchant Internet Payment Service Provider (IPSP) systems. In some embodiments, a user may select a payment method on a per transaction basis, while removing the requirement for the user to provide payment details to individual online merchant systems or to their merchant IPSP systems by having the user submit their respective payment details to a separate, trusted entity. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174627 | System and Method to Analyze a Billing System Database and Revenue Performance by Applying Scientifically Proven Statistical Filters to Analyze Variation and Identify Useful Exceptions - Described herein are systems and methods for obtaining information and evaluating billing system process data to predict where problems occur. The systems and methods may be used to evaluate data collected over time by individual clients and their billing service providers. The systems and methods provide the ability to monitor any billing process and predict where problems and opportunities are in precise ways utilizing statistical rules and theories as well as control charts to analyze the existing billing data for clients to produce charts that reveal desired information, alerting the user to any exceptions, variations or abnormalities in the data as an exception report. Exceptions identified are presented in a summary file or other format allowing the user to quickly expose significant variation and assess the need for corrective action. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174628 | USE OF SEPARATE RIB LEDGERS IN A COMPUTERIZED ENTERPRISERE SOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM - Enterprise management applications perform a “revenues increasing the budget” (RIB) operation on general ledger data and store elements of the general ledger data that have a RIB effect in another ledger, called the “RIB ledger”. RIB ledgers may include sets of RIB rules, storage for documents reflecting all relevant delta values together with the corresponding links to the underlying original transaction documents as well as storage for all relevant aggregated data. Accordingly, when audit operations are performed for RIB budget increases, relevant transaction data is readily available in the RIB ledger. Such copies of the data are more easily accessed than through a search of the larger set of general ledger data, thus facilitating and accelerating use of the RIB techniques in an online system. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174629 | Metered Delivery of Wireless Power - A system is disclosed for charging or billing for access to wireless power. The device requiring power communicates with the power provider and the billing method is determined. A consumer may be required to provide billing information, or if the billing information is already associated with an existing account, the consumer account is automatically charged for the wireless power. The account may include prepaid charging minutes that are debited as wireless power is provided, or the account may be billed for the wireless power that is provided. The charging/billing for the wireless power may be used to receive value for the power that is provided, while remaining consumer friendly. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174630 | CHARGING METHOD, CHARGING NETWORK ELEMENT, CHARGING SYSTEM, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A charging method, a charging network element, a charging system, and a communication system are disclosed. Network elements are categorized into a master network element and a slave network element; charging control is triggered by the master network element, and the slave network element is responsible for reporting the charging data without credit control. In the charging process, credit control is performed for the master network element in view of the charging data of the slave network element, and centralized charging is performed at the master network element. Compared with the prior art, the disclosure simplifies the charging process, reduces the load of processing and interaction between the charging system and the charging network element, and saves the system resources. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174631 | Secure device firmware - The present invention provides a method and a device using a secure firmware for secure electronic transactions. This firmware realizes two main functions: (1) providing protection for transaction, and (2) providing a unified standard interface for application programs. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174632 | CHECK DESTRUCTION TRACKING AND RECONSTRUCTION - A method for check destruction tracking and reconstruction relates to tracking the destruction of financial institution items, such as paper checks. The method includes transferring the financial institution items to a bin for transporting the items to be destroyed. The bin is associated with a bin identifier. The items which are in the bin are identified and the bin is transported for destruction. If the items are safely transported and safely destroyed, a notification of destruction of the items in the bin is sent. If the items are either not safely transported or not safely destroyed, a notification of an incident is sent. Appropriate action may be taken in response to receiving such notification. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174633 | Determination of Implied Orders in a Trade Matching System - A computer implemented method for determining implied orders in an electronic trading system is provided. The method comprises receiving a first set of one or more real orders, wherein the orders are not tradable against each other. One or more implied orders are identified within the first set of real orders. Market data corresponding to the implied orders can also be identified. At least one additional order is received and the tradability of the additional order is determined against the real or implied orders within the first set of real orders. A resting set of orders is determined from those real and implied orders within the first set of orders not affected by the tradability of the additional order. Implied orders are determined from within the set of resting orders. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174634 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LATENCY PROTECTION FOR TRADING ORDERS - A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store an order associated with a first price. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to identify a latency value. The processor is further operable to receive a counterorder and to identify a potential trade associated with the order and the counterorder, the potential trade based at least in part on the first price. If the latency value satisfies a configurable condition, the processor is further operable to initiate a configurable period of time. If the potential trade is not valid upon expiration of the configurable period, the processor is further operable to prevent the execution of the potential trade. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174635 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF TRADING A STANDARDIZED CONTRACT - A system, method, and corresponding computer program product facilitates trading of a standardized contract. The terms of the contract may be such that it provides a payout from one party to the other based on the price, yield, level or other measure of an asset, basket, index, financial contract, other financial instrument or some economically significant variable observed at or around two specified times, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. Alternatively, the terms of the contract may be such that it provides that one party has the right but not the obligation either to purchase or to sell some asset at a price which is determined at a first specified time, such right to be exercised at some time not later than the second specified time, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. These and other related contracts are described. | 2010-07-08 |
20100174636 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF TRADING A STANDARDIZED CONTRACT - A system, method, and corresponding computer program product facilitates trading of a standardized contract. The terms of the contract may be such that it provides a payout from one party to the other based on the price, yield, level or other measure of an asset, basket, index, financial contract, other financial instrument or some economically significant variable observed at or around two specified times, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. Alternatively, the terms of the contract may be such that it provides that one party has the right but not the obligation either to purchase or to sell some asset at a price which is determined at a first specified time, such right to be exercised at some time not later than the second specified time, both such times being after the time that the standardized contract is first available for trading. These and other related contracts are described. | 2010-07-08 |