33rd week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 51 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110202342 | MULTI-MODAL WEB INTERACTION OVER WIRELESS NETWORK - A system, apparatus, and method is disclosed for receiving user input at a client device, interpreting the user input to identify a selection of at least one of a plurality of web interaction modes, producing a corresponding client request based in part on the user input and the web interaction mode; and sending the client request to a server via a network. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202343 | CONCISE DYNAMIC GRAMMARS USING N-BEST SELECTION - A method and apparatus derive a dynamic grammar composed of a subset of a plurality of data elements that are each associated with one of a plurality of reference identifiers. The present invention generates a set of selection identifiers on the basis of a user-provided first input identifier and determines which of these selection identifiers are present in a set of pre-stored reference identifiers. The present invention creates a dynamic grammar that includes those data elements that are associated with those reference identifiers that are matched to any of the selection identifiers. Based on a user-provided second identifier and on the data elements of the dynamic grammar, the present invention selects one of the reference identifiers in the dynamic grammar. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202344 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SPEECH OUTPUT FOR SPEECH-ENABLED APPLICATIONS - Techniques for providing speech output for speech-enabled applications. A synthesis system receives from a speech-enabled application a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output. The synthesis system selects one or more audio recordings corresponding to one or more portions of the text input. In one aspect, the synthesis system selects from audio recordings provided by a developer of the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, the synthesis system selects an audio recording of a speaker speaking a plurality of words. The synthesis system forms a speech output including the one or more selected audio recordings and provides the speech output for the speech-enabled application. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202345 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SYNTHETIC SPEECH WITH CONTRASTIVE STRESS - Techniques for generating synthetic speech with contrastive stress. In one aspect, a speech-enabled application generates a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output, and inputs the text input to a speech synthesis system. The synthesis system generates an audio speech output corresponding to at least a portion of the text input, with at least one portion carrying contrastive stress, and provides the audio speech output for the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, a speech-enabled application inputs a plurality of text strings, each corresponding to a portion of a desired speech output, to a software module for rendering contrastive stress. The software module identifies a plurality of audio recordings that render at least one portion of at least one of the text strings as speech carrying contrastive stress. The speech-enabled application generates an audio speech output corresponding to the desired speech output using the audio recordings. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202346 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SYNTHETIC SPEECH WITH CONTRASTIVE STRESS - Techniques for generating synthetic speech with contrastive stress. In one aspect, a speech-enabled application generates a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output, and inputs the text input to a speech synthesis system. The synthesis system generates an audio speech output corresponding to at least a portion of the text input, with at least one portion carrying contrastive stress, and provides the audio speech output for the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, a speech-enabled application inputs a plurality of text strings, each corresponding to a portion of a desired speech output, to a software module for rendering contrastive stress. The software module identifies a plurality of audio recordings that render at least one portion of at least one of the text strings as speech carrying contrastive stress. The speech-enabled application generates an audio speech output corresponding to the desired speech output using the audio recordings. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202347 | COMMUNICATION CONVERTER FOR CONVERTING AUDIO INFORMATION/TEXTUAL INFORMATION TO CORRESPONDING TEXTUAL INFORMATION/AUDIO INFORMATION - A communication converter is described for converting among speech signals and textual information, permitting communication between telephone users and textual instant communications users. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202348 | RHYTHM PROCESSING AND FREQUENCY TRACKING IN GRADIENT FREQUENCY NONLINEAR OSCILLATOR NETWORKS - A method for mimicking the auditory system's response to rhythm of an input signal having a time varying structure comprising the steps of receiving a time varying input signal x(t) to a network of n nonlinear oscillators, each oscillator having a different natural frequency of oscillation and obeying a dynamical equation of the form | 2011-08-18 |
20110202349 | ESTABLISHING A MULTIMODAL ADVERTISING PERSONALITY FOR A SPONSOR OF A MULTIMODAL APPLICATION - Establishing a multimodal advertising personality for a sponsor of a multimodal application, including associating one or more vocal demeanors with a sponsor of a multimodal application and presenting a speech portion of the multimodal application for the sponsor using at least one of the vocal demeanors associated with the sponsor. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202350 | REMOTE CONTROL OF A WEB BROWSER - A system for remotely and interactively controlling visual and multimedia content displayed on and rendered by a web browser using a telephony device. In particular, the system relates to receiving a voice input (e.g., dual tone multi-frequency DTMF input, spoken input, etc.) from a telephony device (e.g., a landline, a cellular telephone, or other system with telephone functionality, etc.) via a wide-area network to an intermediary computer that is configured to control the rendering of one or more web pages (or other web data) by a standard web browser. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202351 | Audio system and method for coordinating tasks - A system includes a hands free mobile communication device. Software stored on a machine readable storage device is executed to cause the hands free mobile communication device to communicate audibly with a field operator performing field operations. The operator receives instructions regarding operations to be performed. Oral communications are received from the operator and are processed automatically to provide further instructions in response to the received oral communications. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202352 | Apparatus and a Method for Generating Bandwidth Extension Output Data - An apparatus for generating bandwidth extension output data for an audio signal has a noise floor measurer, a signal energy characterizer and a processor. The audio signal has components in a first frequency band and components in a second frequency band, the bandwidth extension output data are adapted to control a synthesis of the components in the second frequency band. The noise floor measurer measures noise floor data of the second frequency band for a time portion of the audio signal. The signal energy characterizer derives energy distribution data, the energy distribution data characterizing an energy distribution in a spectrum of the time portion of the audio signal. The processor combines the noise floor data and the energy distribution data to obtain the bandwidth extension output data. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202353 | Apparatus and a Method for Decoding an Encoded Audio Signal - An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal having first and second portions encoded in accordance with first and second encoding algorithms, respectively, BWE parameters for the first and second portions and a coding mode information indicating a first or a second decoding algorithm, includes first and second decoders, a BWE module and a controller. The decoders decode portions in accordance with decoding algorithms for time portions of the encoded signal to obtain decoded signals. The BWE module has a controllable crossover frequency and is configured for performing a bandwidth extension algorithm using the first decoded signal and the BWE parameters for the first portion, and for performing a bandwidth extension algorithm using the second decoded signal and the bandwidth extension parameter for the second portion. The controller controls the crossover frequency for the BWE module in accordance with the coding mode information. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202354 | Low Bitrate Audio Encoding/Decoding Scheme Having Cascaded Switches - An audio encoder has a first information sink oriented encoding branch such as a spectral domain encoding branch, a second information source or SNR oriented encoding branch such as an LPC-domain encoding branch, and a switch for switching between the first encoding branch and the second encoding branch, wherein the second encoding branch has a converter into a specific domain different from the spectral domain such as an LPC analysis stage generating an excitation signal, and wherein the second encoding branch furthermore has a specific domain coding branch such as LPC domain processing branch, and a specific spectral domain coding branch such as LPC spectral domain processing branch, and an additional switch for switching between the specific domain coding branch and the specific spectral domain coding branch. An audio decoder has a first domain decoder such as a spectral domain decoding branch, a second domain decoder such as an LPC domain decoding branch for decoding a signal such as an excitation signal in the second domain, and a third domain decoder such as an LPC-spectral decoder branch and two cascaded switches for switching between the decoders. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202355 | Audio Encoding/Decoding Scheme Having a Switchable Bypass - An apparatus for encoding includes a first domain converter, a switchable bypass, a second domain converter, a first processor and a second processor to obtain an encoded audio signal having different signal portions represented by coded data in different domains, which have been coded by different coding algorithms. Corresponding decoding stages in the decoder together with a bypass for bypassing a domain converter allow the generation of a decoded audio signal with high quality and low bit rate. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202356 | Methods and Apparatuses for Encoding and Decoding Object-Based Audio Signals - An audio decoding method and apparatus and an audio encoding method and apparatus which can efficiently process object-based audio signals are provided. The audio decoding method includes receiving a downmix signal, which is obtained by downmixing a plurality of object signals, and object side information, extracting metadata from the object-side information and displaying an information regarding the object signals based on the metadata. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202357 | Methods and Apparatuses for Encoding and Decoding Object-Based Audio Signals - An audio decoding method and apparatus and an audio encoding method and apparatus which can efficiently process object-based audio signals are provided. The audio decoding method includes receiving a downmix signal, which is obtained by downmixing a plurality of object signals, and object side information, extracting metadata from the object-side information and displaying an information regarding the object signals based on the metadata. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202358 | Apparatus and a Method for Calculating a Number of Spectral Envelopes - An apparatus calculates a number of spectral envelopes to be derived by a spectral band replication (SBR) encoder, wherein the SBR encoder is adapted to encode an audio signal using a plurality of sample values within a predetermined number of subsequent time portions in an SBR frame extending from an initial time to a final time, the predetermined number of subsequent time portions being arranged in a time sequence given by the audio signal. The apparatus has a decision value calculator for determining a decision value, the decision value measuring a deviation in spectral energy distributions of a pair of neighboring time portions. The apparatus further has a detector for detecting a violation of a threshold by the decision value and a processor for determining a first envelope border between the pair of neighboring time portions when the violation of the threshold is detected. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202359 | System and method for determining a nutritional value of a food item - Computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for determining a nutritional health value of a food item are disclosed. The method includes receiving information about number of ingredients, controversial ingredients, nutrients and vitamins contained in the food item, assigning a predetermined weighting value to each nutrient contained in the food item. For each nutrient contained in the food item, the method determines a nutrient value based on a percentage of the nutrient contained in the food item and the weighting value of each nutrient contained in the food item. For each vitamin contained in the food item, the method determines a vitamin value based on a sum of percentages of all vitamins contained in the food item. The method further determining an ingredient value based on a total number of ingredients and a total number of controversial ingredients contained in the food item. Then, the method calculates a negative-health-effect value based on a sum of a first set of nutrient values, a positive-health-effect value based on a sum of a second set of nutrient values, a nutrient-to-vitamin value using the calculated negative-health-effect value, the calculated positive-effect-value, and a maximum weight of the calculated positive-effect-value, and a controversial ingredient penalty value. The nutritional health value of the food item is generated using the calculated nutrient-to-vitamin value and the calculated controversial ingredient penalty value. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202360 | SUPPLIER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM - Methods and systems are presented for a supplier enrollment program in which suppliers who are not enrolled in a payment processing network such as Visa are aggregated, commercial data about them is obtained and appended to the data, and the resulting sales leads are distributed to acquirers. If the acquirer fails to sign up the supplier within a predetermined time limit, then the sales lead is pulled back from the acquirer and rotated to another acquirer to let the other acquirer attempt to sign up the supplier. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202361 | Computational systems and methods for health services planning and matching - Systems and methods are described relating to accepting an indication of at least one health-related status of an individual; determining a plurality of health service options for the individual based on the indication of at least one health-related status; filtering the plurality of health service options; and providing a matching system for procurement of a desired health service option. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202362 | WEIGHT LOSS METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING AND MONITORING THE SAME - Methods and systems of establishing a program to maximize weight loss include determining an energy deficiency and an exercise regimen for a particular female individual based on an increased concentration or level of at least one ovarian hormone, such as an oestrogen or progesterone. The increased concentration of the at least one ovarian hormone may be determined by calculating a phase of a menstrual cycle of the female subject. The daily energy deficiency may be calculated and an exercise regimen determined based on the phase of the menstrual cycle. By decreasing the daily energy deficiency and increasing the exercise regimen while the concentration of at least one ovarian hormone is increased, weight loss (i.e., fat loss) may be maximized. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202363 | CONTINUING PATIENT EDUCATION PROGRAM - A standardized continuing patient education (CPE) method offers certification and incentives in exchange for sustained health status improvement and continuation of educational learning. The CPE method may create the foundations for developing an innovative method for validating individual accountability and responsibility for patients with chronic illness. The CPE method of delivery may be consistent and taught by health experts having advanced degrees. Certification and renewals through the CPE program may support sustainable self-care practices and subsequent favorable health outcomes. Reward mechanisms may be set up to provide rewards as a result of adopting responsibility and accountability for poor health practices. The CPE concept may foster patients with chronic illnesses or conditions to adopt self-care behaviors that translate to a reward mechanism over an extended demonstration of favorable health outcomes. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202364 | COMMUNICATONS SYSTEM FOR ARTICLES OF CARE FURNITURE - Communications system for exchanging data between a patient in an article of care furniture and a nursing staff or service personnel which manages a nursing task for the patient or a service function of the article of care furniture, where the control communicationwise is connected to a gateway, which comprises a modem for communication between a patient and the nursing staff or service personnel via the mobile telephone network where the communication is carried out by exchanging data in the form of text strings. The patient may with his actions or by activating a switch initiate the transmittal of a text string. When receiving a text string on a mobile receiver, the nursing staff may, based on the contents of the text string, determine whether the visiting route should be changed so that a more acute nursing task may be given a higher priority. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202365 | Systems and Methods for Providing Personalized Health Care - A system and method is provided for personalized health care. In one embodiment, a patent monitors one or more of their biometric characteristics using a biometric data reader several times a day for at least several days. The biometric data is then passed to a central server that reviews the biometric data and determines if there are any undesirable spikes or troughs in the readings. If so, then the timing of the patient taking their medication is adjusted so that more medication is available in the patient's system when needed to combat the spikes or troughs. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202366 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TELEPHARMACY SERVICES - A system for distributing packaged medical supplies is provided. The system includes a record server configured to generate medical supply data. The medical supply data includes identification of a physical package containing physical medical supplies, identification of the physical medical supplies, and identification of a remote site the physical package is to be physically moved to. The record server is configured to correlate the package data with verification data received from a remote client. The verification data includes identification of a physical package received by the record client, identification of a patient prescription received by the remote client, and identification of the site of the remote client. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202367 | Healthcare Data Delivery System - A system for providing preselected data to a human user who is a patient in a healthcare facility. The data can feature therapeutic audio content, informational content, and instructional content. The system can include a portable cart or other mobile platform on which a computer and touch screen display connected to the computer are installed. The computer can include a memory device capable of storing the therapeutic audio content. The touch screen display can feature control icons sized so as to be easily selected by manual manipulation by a user who is ill, impaired, or at least partially incapacitated. The touch screen display may also include a detachable transparent film affixed over a display surface. A method of the invention can include the step of decreasing audio volume to permit two-way communication between the user and a healthcare professional using the system. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202368 | EMAILING/TEXTING BIOMETRIC DATA FOR AUTOMATIC EMR INCORPORATION - A message from a device may be automatically identified by an identifier associated with the message or the device or combination thereof. The identifier may be mapped to a user record in a database. The message may be parsed into health related data associated with the user. The health related data is automatically stored into the user record of the database. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202369 | Medical Information Device And Associated Methods - A device and method are provided for improving patient safety preparatory to a surgical procedure. The device is affixable to or adjacent the patient and includes an audio recording and playback medium. The medium can be used to record a message thereon, preferably by the patient. The message is for communicating at least patient identity and planned procedure to, for example, a surgical team. The medium can be activated by a healthcare worker prior to initiating the procedure, such as during a planned “time-out” period. A second recording can also be made by a healthcare worker that contains patient and procedure data to provide yet another safety element. Both recordings are reviewed prior to beginning the surgical procedure to ensure the correctness of the procedure. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202370 | INTEGRATED MEDICAL SOFTWARE SYSTEM WITH EMBEDDED TRANSCRIPTION FUNCTIONALITY - An integrated medical software system with embedded transcription functionality, and a method of using that system, is disclosed. The system includes a clinical software module that is configured to be executed by a processor to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data for a patient in the electronic document during an encounter with the patient. The system also includes a transcription software application that is configured to be executed by the processor to select predefined clinical data that will appear within the electronic document in response to speech commands and to automatically transcribe dictated clinical data that will appear within the electronic document in response to dictation, wherein the predefined clinical data being previously linked to at least one of a diagnosis code and a procedure code and the dictated clinical data being automatically linked to at least one of a diagnosis code and a procedure code as it is transcribed. And the system includes an account management software module that is configured to be executed by the processor to automatically generate at least one of a bill, a claim, or a statement for the patient using the at least one of a diagnosis code and a procedure code linked to at least one of the predefined clinical data and the dictated clinical data. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202371 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTEXTUALIZED MEDICAL DATA - The invention concerns a point of care device comprising: a medical device connectivity module comprising connection means for collecting and storing medical data originating from at least one medical apparatus and data translation means for translating the received medical data into a common format; a proximity detection module comprising a reader and processing means for associating the point of care device with items within a range of the reader and generating association data relative to the association of the point of care device with the items; an interface module comprising processing means for merging the medical data in the common format with the generated association data so as to provide contextualized medical data, and sending means for sending said contextualized medical data to a contextual information server. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202372 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING UNPAID CLAIMS - An apparatus for analyzing liabilities including a claims analyzer. The claims analyzer can be configured to create a preliminary model of employment history of at least one organization, create a pre-audit model of the at least one organization; and create a preliminary estimate of liability associated with the at least one organization based on the preliminary model of employment history and the pre-audit model. The preliminary estimate of liability is configured to reveal an unpaid liability associated with the at least one organization. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202373 | Computer-Implemented Systems And Methods For Parameter Risk Estimation For Operational Risk - Systems and methods are provided for determining a loss mitigation reserve requirement based on a risk measure estimation and a confidence interval associated with the risk measure estimation. Distribution parameters of a frequency model and distribution parameters of a severity model are determined, and a covariance matrix representing the determined parameters of the distribution of the frequency model and the determined parameters of distribution of the severity model is generated. One or more analytical derivatives of a cumulative distribution function of the frequency model, one or more analytical derivatives of a cumulative distribution function of the severity model, and a parameter covariance matrix are calculated. A confidence interval is computed for the risk measure estimation based on a vector of derivatives of a cumulative distribution function. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202374 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING WORK PRODUCTS FOR VEHICLES VIA THE WORLD WIDE WEB - A method and system for receiving data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmitting a valuation report for the damaged vehicle over the world wide web. The system includes a client computer and a web server that are coupled through an electronic communication network such as the internet. The web server contains a web site that contains a plurality of web pages. Each web page allows an operator to enter the insurance claim data. The data can be processed into a valuation report by a separate valuation server. The valuation report can be transmitted to the client computer through the web server. A claims adjuster can access the web server by merely entering a uniform resource locator (“URL”) into a web browser. The adjuster does not have to dial directly into the valuation server. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202375 | HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, ADMINISTRATOR AND METHOD FOR EFFECTUATING A MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT, ADHERENCE AND PHARMACOSURVEILLANCE PROGRAM - A method is provided that includes initiating adjudication of a primary claim in response to a purchase transaction at a primary payer for a client at a point of sale of a healthcare provider, and adjudicating one or more services of a program of the administrator to which the client is enrolled and/or one or more secondary benefits following the adjudication of the primary claim. The purchase transaction is applicable to the respective program and the respective secondary benefit, and the program includes one or more services. The method also includes providing the one or more services and/or secondary benefits to the client in response to adjudicating the one or more services and/or secondary benefits. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202376 | System For Golf Reservations - A system and method for making reservations, in particular golf tee times, utilizing the Internet is disclosed. The system provides a user with access to a reservation system of a particular location, such as a golf course. The user is able to make and confirm a reservation for an event, such as a tee time, from anywhere. The system can also employ Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable a user to make and confirm a reservation for an event by dialing a local phone number. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202377 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SEGMENT BASED DIFFERENTIATED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SOLUTION - A method for providing a segment based differentiated customer service solution. The method comprises a step of first receiving information about online status of a customer. The method includes providing one or more personalized offers based on the received information. Further, a remote financial advisor application for facilitating interaction between the customer and an advisor in an advisement session is invoked and financial analysis related to the purchase of one or more personalized offers is provided to the customer. The purchase of the personalized offer is then provisioned which comprises completing transaction details for the purchase. The method also includes facilitating the provision of real-time advice to the customer through a remote advisement session. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202378 | ENTERPRISE RENDERING PLATFORM - According to one non-limiting embodiment, an enterprise rendering platform for providing ERP functionality for a computing device having a web browser includes at least one ERP system storing enterprise data on at least one server. A rendering workbench provides a GUI-based editor in which metadata for at least one selected ERP function is presented to a view setup user, and in which a view for executing the ERP function may be created with no coding. A repository stores the view and the metadata for the view. The gateway invokes an execution engine to execute the ERP function to retrieve ERP data and renders the view to include the retrieved ERP data. The rendered view is sent to a remote user for display in a web browser on a computing device | 2011-08-18 |
20110202379 | Personalized uniform resource locator contact management system - Real-time notification of customers using communication channels such as email and the web that enables intelligent routing of the notification based on user generated rules. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202380 | MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS SESSION SUPPORT BY A REMOTE TECHNICIAN - In a remote technical support system, a technical support controller receives an indication of a maximum number of support sessions to be serviced by a remote technician. Thereafter, the technical support controller receives a service request for a user device. The technical support controller determines if handling of the service request by the remote technician would cause the number of support sessions currently being handled by the remote technician to exceed the previously-indicated maximum number of support sessions. If not, the service request is added to a work queue for the remote technician. Each service request may be classified into categories such that only remote technicians associated with a given category can handle service requests for that category. Furthermore, the process of selecting a remote technician to handle a given service request can be completely automated or based on individual remote technicians selecting service requests from a preliminary queue. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202381 | NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES VIA PASS CODE ACCESSED WEB PAGES - Disclosed is an Internet-based database system and method (ASP), that enables school districts and temporary employment agencies to automate the dispatching (24/7) of pre-qualified substitute/temporary personnel to specified school/work site locations for specific absent employees/job openings. The system includes a profile database of permanent and substitute (temporary) employees, positions, skills, working dates/shifts, rates of pay, work sites, lesson plans/comments, reasons for absence and corresponding budget codes. Approved substitute/temporary employees may access the database using a multi-level access and secure logon code through their Internet-based browser device. The software filters job/position information to match specific job openings to the skills, qualifications (certification), preferences and availability of the substitute/temporary employee/s. As job openings (absences) are entered into the system by employees, the school district or employment agency, job details are immediately available through Internet “distributed technology” to all appropriate substitute/temporary employees through their web browser device. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202382 | WORKFORCE PLANNING - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with workforce planning. One example method includes receiving a project data associated with a project opportunity. The project data includes a probability data. The probability data describes the likelihood of a project opportunity being selected. The project data includes a workforce demand. The example method may also include establishing an objective function that is based, at least in part, on the project data, and a set of constraints. The objective function concerns a workforce allocation plan. The example method may also include minimizing a workforce cost by solving the objective function in light of the set of constraints. Solving the objective function includes optimizing a tradeoff between labor utilization and project demand fulfillment. The example method may also include providing the workforce allocation plan. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202383 | MOBILE DEVICE THAT PRESENTS INTERACTIVE MEDIA AND PROCESSES USER RESPONSE - An electronic infrastructure consisting a plurality of client mobile devices, a distribution server and a media creator computer, wherein the client mobile devices present interactive media upon user request. The plurality of client mobile devices support dynamic screen display and, contain a plurality of soft keys. The distribution server that supports delivery of interactive media to the client mobile devices. The media creator is a personal computer that generates interactive media and sends them to the distribution server for distribution. A network such as combination of Internet and mobile network communicatively couple the plurality of client mobile devices, distribution server and personal computer (media creator). The personal computer sends interactive media to the distribution server, the distribution server processes and sends the interactive media to the client mobile device and the client mobile devices presents the interactive media in a series of screens to the user. The client mobile devices interactively send the user responses back to the distribution server. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202384 | Enterprise Rendering Platform - According to one non-limiting embodiment, an enterprise rendering platform for providing ERP functionality for a computing device having a web browser includes at least one ERP system storing enterprise data on at least one server. A rendering workbench provides a GUI-based editor in which executable metadata for at least one selected ERP function is presented to a setup user, and in which a view for executing the ERP function may be created with no coding. A repository stores the view and the executable metadata for the view. The gateway invokes an execution engine to execute the ERP function to retrieve ERP data and renders the view to include the retrieved ERP data. The rendered view is sent to a remote user for display in a web browser on a computing device | 2011-08-18 |
20110202385 | METHOD AND ITS APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING PROJECT AND PROGRAM FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - The present invention provides a project supporting method which presents information on the order of priority of risk information associated with a target project, the method comprising the steps of: determining, on a past projects basis, similarity between risk information about past projects and information indicative of degree of risk for respective risk items that is characteristic to the target project; extracting past projects, the determined similarity of which is higher; creating profit impact-severity information for the respective risk items based on the risk information for the respective risk items and an estimated value and an actual value which are profit parameters for the extracted past projects; creating handling priority-order information from the created profit impact-severity information for the respective risk items regardless of evaluation information about the respective risk items which is inputted by a user; and outputting the created handling priority-order information and the created profit impact-severity information for the respective risk items. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202386 | IDENTIFYING INDUSTRY SEGMENTS WITH HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR NEW CUSTOMERS OR NEW SPENDING FOR CURRENT CUSTOMERS - A method and system are used to identify industry segments with highest potential for new customers or new spending for current customers. This includes receiving data, segregated into each of a plurality of industries, relating to a number of small businesses, cost of goods sold for each of the small businesses, and percentage of cost of goods sold that is spent on raw materials and inventory for each of the small businesses. Capturing data, segregated into each of the plurality of industries, relating to average amount charged per current card member, percentage of the current card members charging the raw materials and the inventory, percentage of card member penetration, and total estimated charging for the current card members. Determining which of the plurality of industries or segments of the plurality of the industries are available for a highest potential for new card members or that are available for a greatest amount of incremental increased charging by the current card members. Communicating with the current card members in each of the plurality of industries or segments and receiving data therefrom based on one or more of the previous steps. Communicating with internal and external sources to capture additional industry-specific charging data. Receiving data relating to industry reports and census data. Generating ranked data sets based on the previous steps. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202387 | Data Prediction for Business Process Metrics - Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include methods and systems for data prediction. A method includes analyzing time-series data in a business process with a single-metric technique and with a multiple-metric technique; and combining predictions from the single-metric technique and the multiple-metric technique to predict a predetermined change in the business process | 2011-08-18 |
20110202388 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MARKETING STRATEGIES - A method and system for analyzing a “detail” (the use of promotional materials in combination with a sales pitch), measures the effectiveness of a sales presentation and its ability to drive market share through a standardized, quantitative evaluation of the entire sale presentation and its related components. The method includes administering two, different surveys. The first survey, the Detail Performance Monitor survey, comprises an “in the field” test of how respondents are responding to various marketing strategies by tracking subsequent behavioral data of the respondents and comparing the behavioral data to the survey results. The second survey, the Detail Assessment survey, comprises an “in the lab” test of how various marketing strategies affect respondent attitude towards a product by comparing respondent attitude before and after presentation of a simulated “detail” that represents the marketing strategy. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202389 | Inventory and Revenue Maximization Method and System - A method is provided for enterprise management and bundling of inventory to maximize revenue on perishable products. An electronic data-mart collects factors for the probability and price sensitivity of a buyer. The data-mart also collects rules for inventory scaling, available inventory to sell, budget (goal) information, advertiser payment history, and station performance data to feed to a scenario planner. Once three or more variables exist, algorithms create scenario plans to present the most profitable bundle of offerings. The scenarios are typically pre-approved although presented to local business units for an abnormality failsafe. Once processed by local business units, the scenarios are presented to the buyer. Negotiations typically cause the process to restart. The main systems that interact to build scenarios are: an enterprise data-mart, a scenario planner, a performance measurement system, a rate or yield management subsystem, a traffic and accounts receivable system, and a local inventory booking system. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202390 | Providing a Result with a Requested Accuracy Using Individuals Previously Acting with a Consensus - A result for a task may be provided in response to receiving a request from, for example, a user for the result. The request specifies a desired accuracy level for the result. The accuracy of the result is determined using the individual accuracies of one or more persons that have selected the result. Each person's individual accuracy is determined based on results for prior tasks previously performed by that person. The person's individual accuracy is proportional to the number of that person's prior results that are with a consensus of other persons that have performed the same prior task. The result is provided if the accuracy of the result is equal to or greater than the desired accuracy level. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202391 | Intelligently Interactive Profiling System and Method - One aspect of the invention is a method for identifying at least one property of data. An example of the method includes receiving data, and making assessments regarding the data. The method also includes applying at least one behavioral operator, and outputting results. The method further comprises receiving feedback concerning system performance. Additionally, the method includes adjusting at least one parameter based on the feedback received concerning system performance, wherein the at least one parameter is a parameter of a machine learning method. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202392 | System and Method for Un-Issuing Voting Credits - The present invention is directed to a system and method for un-issuing a voting credit that has been erroneously issued to a voter in an election. The system includes an electronic poll book that is used to check-in a voter by locating the appropriate voter record and analyzing the voter record to determine whether a voting credit has been issued to the voter in the election. If a voting credit has been issued to the voter, the electronic poll book displays an indication that the voter has already voted in the election. If it is determined that the voting credit was erroneously issued to the voter, a poll worker enters an un-issue code into the poll book. The poll book verifies the validity of the un-issue code and updates the voter record so as to un-issue the voting credit. As such, the voter may vote a regular ballot in the election. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202393 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAR POOLING USING SMART CARDS, GPS, GPRS, ACTIVE POSTER AND NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A method, integrated system and in-vehicle Active Poster for processing mobile touch transactions including carpooling transactions. The integration includes a near field contactless or swipe smart card or other portable identification device which may be standalone, affixed to, or part of a mobile or hand held portable wireless communication device, a touch sensitive Active Poster also with swipe or near field contactless communication capability and also incorporating or in communication with GPS or other vehicle location services capability for the vehicle, a car pool management or other service provider's system and application and a host computer with networking capability. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202394 | ENHANCED SHOPPING & MERCHANDISING METHODOLOGY - An enhanced shopping system for facilitating grocery shopping and in-store advertising is disclosed. The system utilizes uniquely changes (1) the way grocery retail industry captures and retains customers, (2) how customers organize their shopping efforts in grocery stores, (3) the approach to advertising and reaching customers, and (4) the information available to retailers and merchandisers related to customer (a) shopping patterns, (b) responses to merchandising and advertising, and (c) specific impact of discounting/coupons. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202395 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNIFIED LOYALTY MERCHANT REWARDS - The present invention provides a single payment and rewards card (or device) which can be used to purchase goods/services from a large variety of participating merchants. According to one aspect of the invention, card or device is arranged to earn and redeem different kinds of rewards points. For example, the single card/device can be used to earn airline miles from a participating airline and also grocery store rewards from participating grocery stores. It can also be arranged to obtain different kinds of rewards simultaneously. For example, when purchasing merchandise from a merchant, the card/device can be enabled to earn three different kinds of rewards: from the merchant, from the manufacturer of the merchandise, and from the financial institution that issued the card/device. All of the rewards can be subject to different rules, each set of rules imposed by the entity granting the rewards. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202396 | PORTABLE INTERACTIVE MODULAR SELLING ROOM - Disclosed is a portable interactive modular selling room that recreates the home environment in a retail business location to help educate the user for sales and training purposes. The plug and play selling system utilizes standard electrical connectors to allow for seamless integration within a store without the need of electricians or construction contractors. Encompassing all five senses in an interactive environment develops an intellectual and emotional connection with the user which allows the product implementation to demonstrate features and value in a more meaningful and engaging manner over traditional retail environments. The computer system implemented inside of the system encompasses an interaction engine which utilizes sensors and monitoring equipment to record and analyze the user to provide real-time responses and also feedback to a central database for future interaction development. Increased customer satisfaction improves sales which allows for the sales system to remain economically viable. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202397 | Systems and Methods to Deliver Event-Driven Content - In some embodiments, event data is displayed by receiving, at a client device in communication with a remote content engine, an event message, the event message including data identifying an event type and event data. A determination is made whether the event type of the event message is an ad event, and an event display module is updated with the event data. If the event type is an ad event type, an ad request message is transmitted to the remote content engine, where the ad request message includes data identifying the client device and the event type. An ad response message is received from the remote content engine where the ad response message includes data identifying an advertisement. The advertisement is displayed for the user using the event display module. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202398 | PERSONAL PLANNER WITH TARGETED ADVERTISING - A computerized system for generating a visual presentation for visually organizing one or more planned future activities of a user. The system presents a time line for each one of potentially several aspects of the user's life, an icon for selecting one or more time lines, and at least one advisory icon which displays advertiser content related to commercial goods or services pertaining to a future activity. The advisory icon may contain data transmitted over the internet from a web source of the vendor of the commercial good or service. The system may display recommended details of a future activity, such as a checklist of details of conducting a wedding, thereby serving as a reminder. The system may apply a filter function to eliminate some vendors from consideration due for example to excessive distance from the activity. Life aspects may include vocation, house, automobiles, children, education, pregnancy, and social occasions. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202399 | ONLINE COUPON DISTRIBUTION METHOD - An online coupon distribution method includes creating, at a coupon distribution server and for a sold goods coupon, a pair of a code number and an authentication key which are stored in a coupon database. The code number is sent to a wireless communication terminal and the authentication key is sent to the wireless communication terminal using a callback short message service (SMS). When the sold goods store coupon is used at a goods store terminal, the code number is sent from the goods store terminal to the coupon distribution server. The coupon distribution server receives the authentication key sent from the wireless communication terminal through a callback SMS, and compares the received code number and authentication key with the code number and authentication key stored in the coupon database. The coupon distribution server sends an authentication result to the goods store terminal where the goods store coupon is used. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202400 | System and Method for an Electronic Product Advisor - A system and method operates on a client device and acquires a suspect list of user products based on information derived from the client device. The system normalizes the list, and the user confirms the accuracy of the product list. The user product list is sent to a server where the user product list is compared to other lists using collaborative filtering techniques. The collaborative filtering techniques determine products of interest for the use and the level of interest of the user. The system computes a similarity measure based upon the number of similar products that match the user's product list and rankings provided by the user and others. Demographic and behavioral data may also be used in performing the comparison and the similarity measure. The system acquires editorial rankings of products from other users and provides a ranked list of recommended products based upon the editorial rankings. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202401 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MULTI-MERCHANT COUPONING - Methods and systems for enabling multi-merchant coupon campaigns within an online publication system are described. In an example, a method can include generating an item listing, receiving information specifying a set of coupon criteria, detecting an event within a multi-merchant publication system, and present a coupon in response to detecting the event. The generating an item listing can be based on information received from a merchant-computer. If the set of coupon criteria is detected it can result in presenting a coupon for the item listing. The event can satisfy a particular coupon criteria from the set of coupon criteria. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202402 | MARKETING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention relates to real-time, automated marketing programs implementing one or more program rules matrix modules that calculate benefits to customers based on one or more customer identifier(s), one or more merchant identifier(s) and one or more customer behavior(s). In one embodiment, program rules matrix modules implement Points Multiplier Program(s) that award benefits in an accelerated fashion, based upon one or more qualifying customer identifier(s), merchant identifier(s), and customer behavior(s). Marketing programs are implemented using a host controller that communicates with a plurality of remote transaction systems to provide real-time, individualized, automated awards and sophisticated multi-variable analysis of transaction data. Another aspect of the present invention relates to systems and methods implementing a plurality of marketing programs, offered by a plurality of merchants or merchant groups, upon presentation of a qualifying identifier, such as a (single) transaction card. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides methods and systems enabling a “single-swipe” transaction, wherein data is selectively packeted and transmitted to one or more institutions following a single electronic reading of a transaction card. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202403 | Method and system for flexible automated interactions - A computer platform provides a method and system for establishing scenarios for interactions between users (both individually and as a group) and a web site or other software application over a network. The interactions are described in terms of events, actions, and conditions, where a single mechanism may be used to describe events, actions, and conditions for both individuals and a group. One portion of a scenario may apply to the group, while another portion applies to individuals. Time elements and branches also can be employed to describe the scenario. The scenario may describe a non-deterministic process, but be modeled as a deterministic state machine for execution. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202404 | Marketing Communication and Transaction/Distribution Services Platform for Building and Managing Personalized Customer Relationships - An interactive marketing communication and transaction services platform for managing personalized customer relationships. The platform facilitates communication and transactions between consumers, retailers and manufacturers, by helping suppliers customize product/service offerings, presentations and advertising messages to reflect individual consumers' needs, while providing portals with premium advertising messages for personal interactive info/news/entertainment services. The core of the platform consists of i) a central database system with ‘product/retail information’ and ‘holistic purchase-behavior specific consumer profiles’, generated by registering on-line product/retail information retrieved by consumers, as well as purchases made both on-line and in-store, using a loyalty card; ii) software applications, that create ‘market intelligence’ on manufacturer/retailer offers, consumer purchase needs, market performance of products/retailers and impact of brand/retailer presentations and ads on consumer purchase behavior; and iii) standard performance indicators, that make it possible to benchmark individual consumer communication programs against each other. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202405 | SERVICE LEVEL SELECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method, system and graphical user interface for service level selection, for use in connection with a data network that supports multiple service levels. A server monitors usage of a network to identify a communication session and a service level associated with the communication session. The server may also monitor a global usage of the data network. The server determines at least one alternative service level for the communication session and causes conveyance of an offer of a choice of the at least one alternative service level. A graphical user interface causes information regarding the offer to be displayed and allows a user to identify a selected one of the at least one alternative service level. In response to user input identifying the selected service level, the server causes a change in the service level for the communication session. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202406 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ITEMS USING A SOCIAL GRAPH - An approach is provided for distributing items via a store. A social graph associated with a user account at a store is retrieved. The social graph depicts relationships between the user account and other user accounts. One or more of the other user accounts are selected. A user account history is retrieved for each of the selected other user accounts. Presentation of one or more items from the retrieved user account histories is caused, at least in part. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202407 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING INTERNET SEARCH RESULTS USING TELECOMMUNICATIONS DATA - A method of displaying advertising to a user includes receiving a request including search terms from the user, receiving a mobile directory number associated with the user, requesting telecommunications data based on the mobile directory number, receiving the telecommunications data, determining advertising results based on the search terms and the telecommunications data, and displaying the advertising results to the user. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202408 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING MESSAGES - A system for generating a schedule for use in triggering transmission of message content in a telecommunications network is provided. The system comprises a store for storing profiles of a plurality of recipients, and a plurality of message delivery campaigns with one or more criteria. The campaigns to be executed in relation to a given inventory, which may relate to a predetermined time period, may be arranged into one or more campaign clusters. A suitable allocation method may be used individually for each of said plurality of campaign clusters to allocate, among the plurality of recipients, target recipients for each of the campaign clusters based on campaign criteria and the profiles. The allocation process may be repeated to obtain, for example as high a number of messages as possible with the network resources available without exceeding a predetermined maximum number of messages per any given recipient. After the allocation process is completed, the campaign messages are delivered to the allocated target recipients via a communications network. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202409 | USING LANGUAGE INSERTION TO PROVIDE TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS - A system and method for providing targeted advertisements are provided. The system and method involve receiving a request message from a request source for a content element hosted by a content source. A request description is inserted into the request message for use in selecting a targeted advertisement, whereby the request description contains information about the request source. The request description is sent to the content source, and after receiving a response message that includes a targeted advertisement that was selected based on the request description, the response message is sent to the request source. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202410 | Inventory and Revenue Maximization Method and System - A method is provided for enterprise management and bundling of inventory to maximize revenue on perishable products. An electronic data-mart collects factors for the probability and price sensitivity of a buyer. The data-mart also collects rules for inventory scaling, available inventory to sell, budget (goal) information, advertiser payment history, and station performance data to feed to a scenario planner. Once three or more variables exist, algorithms create scenario plans to present the most profitable bundle of offerings. The scenarios are typically pre-approved although presented to local business units for an abnormality failsafe. Once processed by local business units, the scenarios are presented to the buyer. Negotiations typically cause the process to restart. The main systems that interact to build scenarios are: an enterprise data-mart, a scenario planner, a performance measurement system, a rate or yield management subsystem, a traffic and accounts receivable system, and a local inventory booking system. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202411 | ADVERTISING VOICE CONTROL DEVICE, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, ADVERTISING VOICE CONTROL METHOD, ADVERTISING VOICE CONTROL PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A control terminal device | 2011-08-18 |
20110202412 | TOUCHLESS AND TOUCH OPTIMIZED PROCESSING OF RETAIL AND OTHER COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS - A computer implemented method for reducing input performed in a commerce based application is provided. The method includes receiving a sequence of input values from an input device and associating the sequence of input values with an object in the application based on the sequence. A context of the application is determined One or more tasks in the application are automatically performed based on the object, the context and the sequence of input values. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202413 | Monitoring a Plurality of Merchant Gateway Devices - A multiservice merchant gateway (MMG) is disclosed. The MMG allows point of sale terminals and other devices to be interfaced with a wide area network, thereby improving speed and service to terminal owners and users, allowing for more efficient systems on merchant premises, and also allowing the merchant to provide and/or utilize various additional features and services. Support infrastructure for configuring MMGs, managing MMGs, and providing related services are also disclosed. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202414 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VISUAL FEEDBACK THROUGH A PHYSICAL MECHANISM - Thus, systems and methods for providing visual feedback for a banking customer have been provided. Such systems may include a financial instrument preparation device. Such a device may be used for providing cues to a banking customer. The financial instrument preparation device may include a cueing panel and an integrated silicon chip. The chip may further include a communications module for receiving an electronic signal relating to the banking customer's account balance. The chip may also include a computer processing unit for storing the electronic signal in a computer memory. In addition the chip may include an output signal connected to the cueing panel. The output signal may be based, at least in part, on the electronic signal. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202415 | Automated transaction system and settlement processes - Disclosed is a mobile platform that enables unique tap-and-connect transaction processing and settlement, which allows consumers, merchants, financial institutions and other third parties to strengthen their relationships through a local transaction network that offers more efficient transaction processing and settlement for reduced per-transaction cost and risk management costs and increased security. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202416 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING TRANSACTIONS BASED ON DEVICE LOCATION - Aspects of a method and system for authorizing network transactions based on device location are provided. In this regard, a request may be received to approve a transaction that was initiated from a first communication device and comprises a need to access an account. In response to the request, a second communication device that is associated with the account may be determined, and it may be determined whether to approve the transaction based on received data relating to the identity and location of the second communication device. The transaction may be associated with the second communication device via a database stored on the location server. The transaction may be approved in instances that the first communication device is in a location associated, via the database, with the second communication device. The transaction may be approved in instances that the first communication device is in substantially the same location as the second communication device. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202417 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING MOBILE COMMERCE TRANSACTIONS USING ACTIVE POSTERS AND CONTACTLESS IDENTITY MODULES - A method, integrated system and Active Poster for processing mobile touch transactions. The integration consists of an RFID or other near field communication enabled device which may be standalone, affixed to, or part of a mobile or hand held portable wireless communication device (optionally using a Contact Less (CL) SIM with near field communication capability), a touch sensitive Active Poster also with near field communication capability, an issuer's or mobile network provider's system and application and a host computer with networking capability. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202418 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE STATION EQUIPMENT FOR GRID-INTEGRATED VEHICLES - Methods, systems, and apparatus transferring power between the grid and an electric vehicle are disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one vehicle communication port for interfacing with electric vehicle equipment (EVE) and a processor coupled to the at least one vehicle communication port to establish communication with the EVE, receive EVE attributes from the EVE, and transmit electric vehicle station equipment (EVSE) attributes to the EVE. Power may be transferred between the grid and the electric vehicle by maintaining EVSE attributes, establishing communication with the EVE, and transmitting the EVSE maintained attributes to the EVE. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202419 | Method and system for facilitation of wireless e-commerce transactions - A method for facilitating a wireless transaction includes receiving, by a transaction fulfillment system, a transaction request from a transaction requester and verifying an identity of the transaction requester. After verifying the identity of the transaction requester, a transaction code is communicated from the transaction fulfillment system to a wireless communication device. After receiving the transaction code, the transaction code is optically scanned from a visual display of the wireless communication device by the transaction fulfillment system. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202420 | Innovation Brokerage - A method for regulating exchanges between a buyer and a seller comprises the steps of: identifying a problem to be solved; submitting the problem to a broker; preparing a deal concerning the problem to be submitted to potential sellers of at least one solution to the problem; launching the deal to the potential sellers; submitting at least one solution within a particular time period by the potential sellers; filing intellectual property protection to each solution; submitting each solution from each potential seller to a selection panel; analyzing each solution and rating each solution; and communicating each rated solution to a buyer for selection. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202421 | SPECTACLE LENS EVALUATING METHOD, SPECTACLE LENS DESIGNING METHOD USING SAME, SPECTACLE LENS MANUFACTURING METHOD, SPECTACLE LENS MANUFACTURING SYSTEM, AND SPECTACLE LENS - More appropriate evaluation, design, and manufacture are made feasible by taking visual performances into consideration more appropriately. In order to achieve this object, in the present invention, spectacle lenses are evaluated using a visual acuity function including a factor representing physiological astigma. The physiological astigma herein means astigma in the phenomenon that an improved visual acuity is yielded when slight astigma is present in the region where the accommodation power is lower than the region indicating the range of positive relative accommodation power in which the accommodation power increases among the relative accommodation power as adaptable accommodation power in a state that convergence does not change. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202422 | CONFIGURATOR USING STRUCTURE AND RULES TO PROVIDE A USER INTERFACE - A configurator using structure and rules to provide a user interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, a customizable product class is created. The customizable product class includes a set of one or more attributes to define the customizable product class. A component product class is added to the customizable product class, where the component product class is a subclass of the customizable product. A customizable class rule is associated to the customizable product class, the customizable class rule including expressions which provide conditions on component products added to the customizable product. A customizable UI is mapped to the customizable product class, where the customizable UI provides access structure to the configurator. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202423 | AUTOMOTIVE MARKET PLACE SYSTEM - A method for ranking vehicles for sale, the method comprising (1) providing a first database of available vehicles, (2) creating a second database of similar vehicles by identifying vehicles in the first database that are similar to a subject vehicle, and (3) creating a third database of ranked vehicles by determining a vehicle rank score of each of the vehicles in the second database, wherein determining a vehicle rank score of a vehicle comprises (a) calculating a base score of the vehicle, (b) calculating a multiplier of the vehicle, and (c) determining the vehicle rank score of the vehicle by multiplying the base rank by the multiplier. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202424 | RICH CONTENT CREATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A system for creating rich content displayable on a webpage. The system includes content files stored on a server and an editor displayed by a client in a Rich Internet Application (‘RIA’). The editor has a region into which content objects may be inserted to create a rich content item. At least a portion of the content objects are linked to content files stored on the server. The system generates a code segment operable to generate a display on a webpage based on the rich content item that does not use the RIA. The display is substantially equivalent to the rich content item displayed in the editing region using the RIA. The code segment is configured to be search engine friendly. The system may broadcast a common Rich Content item between a Broadcaster and a viewer both of whom may edit the Rich Content item at the same time. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202425 | SELF CHECKOUT SYSTEM - A self check out system comprises a hardware device for inputting purchase information and a means for payment and confirmation of the payment prior to exiting the store. A network permits communication between the hardware device and a server and deactivation of an existing security system which may include a tag device on the purchased good. The server stores the purchase information and the copy of the related receipt. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202426 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION DATA IN A DIRECT, EFFICIENT MANNER - A method, computer program product and system for obtaining property owner or community association data. An order for a selection of products is directly received from a requestor. The order is built using a master questionnaire, which is stored on a database from which all sub-questionnaires (products) are created. As all “products” are created at the moment the order is placed, the information (community association data) in the master questionnaire is the information which will be incorporated into each sub-questionnaire. By receiving an order directly with the requestor and building the order using a master questionnaire which includes questions and answers that may be incorporated into the sub-questionnaires (products), the association data may be obtained by requestors in a direct, efficient manner without the use of a third party service provider. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202427 | Device-Pairing by Reading an Address Provided in Device-Readable Form - A system is described for allowing a user, operating a trusted device, to remotely log into a server via a potentially untrustworthy client. The system operates by establishing a first secure connection between the client and the server. The system then establishes a second secure connection between the device and the server through the client. The user then remotely logs into the server over the second secure connection using the device. The second secure connection is tunneled within the first secure connection, preventing the untrustworthy client from discovering personal information associated with the user. According to one feature, prior to forming the second secure connection, the user can establish a pairing relationship with the client by reading an address of the client using any kind of reading mechanism. According to another feature, the device can receive marketing information in the course of a transaction. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202428 | BUSINESS METHOD OF REAL TIME GROUP BUYING - This invention is a kind of business method in electronic commerce for real-time group-buying, wherein buyers can buy commodities for the cheapest price through buyers organize automatically a buying grouping that buys the same goods during some time wherever they select commodities. This invention as a business method is the method comprising: 1) prepare the group-buying including registering buyers and sellers, 2) select commodities, 3) register buying-intention, 4) extract sellers, 5) transfer selling information, 6) select buying method, 7) register a buying contract, 8) transact the buying contract. This invention for a real-time group-buying enables buyers to prevent their buying from mutual consent between sellers, profiteering due to mutual consent and dishonesty by the operator of this invention of group-buying, because buying amount gathered through ‘Group-buying Server’ makes the buyers' group dominant and because buyers in group-buying can search all sellers and their ‘the terms of selling including prices’. Also, this invention enables buyers to overcome sellers' influence and to buy in real-time through group-buying, because buyers share their buying information by P2P method. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202429 | OBJECT TRACKING SYSTEM WITH NARRATIVE - A method and system records, tracks, and shares the stories of objects as they pass from one person to the next. The process begins offline when the originator of the item places a tracking code on an object. The specific object is tied to the unique code in a database once the originator creates an item page online. When creating the item page, the originator uploads a photo and provides additional information about the object including his or her personal story about the item. The originator then sells or gives the object to another user who uses the tracking code to access this information and add additional information and an optional photo. This process results in the creation of a co-authored “life story” of the object that connects people associated with the item. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202430 | SOCIAL NETWORK MEDIA SHARING WITH CLIENT LIBRARY - Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing media content sharing. The concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be employed to share media content with a social network, even for content subject to access control mechanisms and/or copyright laws. According to various embodiments disclosed herein, media content can be shared with a social network, or the like. An application running at or in conjunction with a computer can obtain information relating to media content displayed at or accessible to the computer, format the data, and transmit the data to a social networking site or other location in a format appropriate for the site. Contents and technologies for viewing the shared content also are disclosed. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202431 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING ONLINE RESEARCH, PUBLICATION, PROMOTION AND MANAGEMENT OF USER GOODS - A system and method for enabling online research, publication, promotion, and management of user goods is presented. An embodiment guiding the process of online selling across multiple platforms is presented. Information is gathered from various sources across the Internet to determine pricing and publication options. Data and user input are aggregated to create a listing. Listings are published and promoted across platforms and channels and feedback is presented to the user through an online interface. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202432 | On-Line Product Catalogue and Ordering System, and the Presentation of Multimedia Content - A method of presenting an on-line product catalogue and ordering system to a user, said method comprising providing a graphical user interface representing a virtual space through which users may navigate, said virtual space including representations representing products, through which a user may obtain product information and order a product on-line, and representations representing other users of the system, through which the user may identify such other users and communicate with a selected other user regarding the products on offer. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202433 | LICENSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, LICENSE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A license management system includes image processing apparatuses and a license management server that rents out licenses to the image processing apparatuses. The license management server includes: a storage unit that stores a purchased license count and a rented-out license count that are associated with type of a program; a first receiving unit that receives a license borrowing request from one of the image processing apparatuses; a rent-out control unit that, if the rented-out license count is equal to or greater than the purchased license count, determines to rent-out a trial-version license to the one image processing apparatus whereas, if not, determines to rent out a formal-version license to the one image processing apparatus; an obtaining unit that obtains license usage status; and a first notification unit that notifies a user of the usage status. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202434 | METHODS FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT - According to various embodiments, the present teachings include inventory control policies that are defined in terms of functions of aggregate cost rates, involving thresholds Ω and an order-up-to point S. An embodiment of the present teachings includes a method. The method includes tracking an inventory position of each of the plurality of items by a logistics network and determining an item cost rate for each of the plurality of items based on the tracked inventory position. The method also includes determining an aggregate cost rate for the plurality of items based on the determined item cost rates, comparing the aggregate cost rate with a cost rate threshold Ω, and ordering the plurality of items to an order-up-to point S if the compared aggregate cost rate is greater than or equal to the cost rate threshold Ω. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202435 | ACTIVITY INFORMATION ACCOUNTING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to an activity information accounting system. The system includes a central processing unit | 2011-08-18 |
20110202436 | DETECTING CREDIT MISUSE - Behavior associated with credit misuse is referred to herein as “intentional misuse of credit” (IMOC) behavior and individuals who exhibit IMOC behavior are referred to herein as IMOC individuals. Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for reviewing, on a daily basis, financial-transaction data taken across a plurality of individual consumers, identifying individual consumers whose financial-transaction data indicates IMOC behavior, and flagging those individual consumers as IMOC individuals. To enhance financial institutions' ability to make accurate credit-approval decisions, other embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for reviewing a particular credit applicant's most recent financial-transaction data and, based thereon, determining whether that credit applicant, who otherwise has a good credit history, exhibits recent IMOC behavior and thereby possesses the propensity to misuse the applied-for credit. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202437 | DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A computer-readable medium, computer-implemented method, and apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a change order for a purchasing document is created, and one or more attributes of the change order are modified. Approval of the change order is submitted and approved, and a change type of the change order is determined. When the change type is external, acknowledgment of the change order is requested and a revision number attribute of the purchasing document is incremented. The purchasing document is updated with the change order and the change order is archived. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202438 | Method for associating financial transaction data with user's project data - This invention relates to an expense reporting system for viewing and manipulating a user's financial transaction data and a method for associating financial transaction data with a user's project data. The system includes a user's financial transaction data hosted in a data storage unit, addressable on a network, and accessible by a remote user on a user interface unit having a user input means and a display; and an expense reporting module having a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to define project category data and associate representations of the user's financial data with the user-defined project category data. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202439 | TIMEMINDER FOR PROFESSIONALS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a communication system that provides various automated operations, including searches of public and private resources for third party information, performance of operations to assist a user in response to keyword identification in an audio, text or video stream, and speed dial updates based on calling frequencies to various telephone numbers. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202440 | Identification Module and Pointing Method Using Such a Module - Portable identification module including a housing of pocket format and containing a sensor of a biometric characteristic at the surface of said housing; an element for processing the biometric characteristic providing a numerical result; and a transmitter suitable for sending said numerical result in a secure form via a DTMF signal through a telephone pathway. | 2011-08-18 |
20110202441 | SMSWINCARD - The Smswincard invention revolutionizes the interactive, text based game market. Traditionally, winners of SMS sweepstakes, text-to-win sweepstakes, and respective state lottery scratch-to-win games have all purported being able to make the player an ‘instant winner’. The reality is that ‘instant win’ awards take anywhere between 6-8 weeks to be verified, processed, and actually awarded in some tangible form. Smswincard provides a means for instant verification of a winning game-piece, instant transfer of winner's account information to host, and allows for the hosts to award cash prizes immediately via wire transfer. The Smswincard platform combines cell phones, prepaid Visa debit/ATM cards, and SMS technologies to make ‘instant win’ actually instant. By combining a means of playing, a means of verifying winners, and a way to transfer and house funds, the Smswincard will be the new medium when playing any kind of ‘instant win’ game and in awarding or transferring prize money. | 2011-08-18 |