Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110099165 | Searching Of Databases - An intelligent search functionality is described, in which the search query is optimised through the use of semantic information provided by the elements of an index, or in which context-appropriate metadata tags are presented with search results in order of their potential utility in refining those search results. The step of pre-processing the search input by presenting the user with additional search options is based on metadata associated with various file types. Thus, potential additional selections are offered which are context-aware. The selection of the additional search terms allows the search data entered by the user to be optimised, providing much more focussed and accurate results when compared with a simple keyword search. | 04-28-2011 |
20110106859 | Database Schema - We propose an innovative approach to an XML structure in which the XML Schema can be subject to user-driven variation. This could be achieved via a file indexing system for recording attributes of a plurality of files, comprising an XML document, an associated XML schema, defining the attributes of the files that are to be recorded in the XML document, a parser for interpreting the XML document under the control of the schema, and a user interface for presenting the output of the parser to a user, said output comprising a plurality of metadata tags and respective content associated with said metadata tags, and for accepting user instructions editing said output, wherein the user interface is arranged to accept instructions defining a new metadata tag that is absent from the schema and content for said new metadata tag, and to amend the schema automatically so as to introduce the new metadata tag. The fact that the user is editing an XML schema is ideally something that is hidden from the user. All amendments should be subject to an enforced compliance with an overall information model. Where the XML schema exists in several locations on the same network, other instances of the schema can inherit additional tags from an updated XML schema on the same network. The overall information model should enforce that the XML schema can only be added to; existing tags cannot be deleted by a user. | 05-05-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130191199 | DYNAMIC OFFERS - A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions is described. A dynamic amount is dynamically determined based on historic transaction data of a plurality of first charge requests of a consumer account. A merchant offer is associated with the consumer account, including the dynamic amount. A transaction is then processed, including receiving a second charge request, and processing the second charge request based on the dynamic amount. | 07-25-2013 |
20130232048 | TRANSFERRING CREDITS FROM A CARRIER ACCOUNT - A stored value in a consumer account is increased by transferring credits from a carrier computer system. Credits are retrieved from the carrier computer system and transmitted to a consumer device. The consumer selects how many credits to transfer and the credits are converted to a credit amount using an exchange rate. The stored value is then increased by the credit amount and the carrier computer system is notified of the transfer. | 09-05-2013 |
20140235197 | TEXT-TO-BILL TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A text-to-bill processing transaction system is described. A consumer transmits a text message having a merchant keyword component and a transaction details component. The merchant keyword component is used to find a select merchant server from a merchant server data store. The transaction details component is then routed to the select merchant server. The select merchant server then returns a charge amount corresponding to the transaction details component and a fulfillment message. A billing gateway then causes entry of the charge amount against a phone number in an accounts database of a carrier server. A success message transmission module transmits a text message back to the consumer that includes the fulfillment message. The fulfillment message may for example be a code that has to be entered by a consumer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235198 | MERCHANT SERVER PROGRAMMED FOR USER ACQUISITION WITHIN A REPEAT PAYMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM - A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer. | 08-21-2014 |
20140235202 | MOBILE BILLING OPERATOR SERVER PROGRAMMED FOR USER ACQUISITION WITHIN A REPEAT PAYMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM - A repeat payment computer system includes a merchant server and mobile billing operator server that are programmed for user acquisition through carrier billing and subsequent conversion to credit card billing. An advantage of the process is that the user does not have to enter credit card information for the default billing cycles to occur. The user only enters a phone number and password. Fewer barriers are provided for the user to become a regular repeat customer of the merchant server. The fees associated with mobile billing according to the default billing cycles have to be paid by the merchant server and may be too high in the long run. The merchant server can avoid the high fees associated with carrier billing by switching the user to billing according to the credit card information provided. The user is typically switched after the user has already become a regular customer. | 08-21-2014 |
20150058221 | TEXT-TO-PAY FOR REDEEMABLE CODES - A method and system of processing a sale of an article, a virtual article, a service or a functionality such as a game is described. A code is generated by a server. A charge request is transmitted to an account server to charge an account of a user for a value of the code. The code is transmitted to a user device. The code is then processed by redeeming the code, wherein redemption of the code includes receiving the code from a user device and in response allowing access to the user device to the article, virtual article, a service or a functionality. | 02-26-2015 |
20150073880 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METERED PARKING AT A BILLING SERVER - A parking request text message is transmitted from a user mobile phone to a billing server and is forwarded to a parking server. The parking server makes a charge API call to the billing server, including a custom text, an amount to be billed and a msisdn of the mobile phone. The billing server charges an account at a carrier server corresponding to the msisdn, receives a charge confirmation from the carrier server, transmits a billing result to the parking server, and sends a confirmation text message to the user mobile phone with the custom text. The parking server updates a parking data structure to indicate that parking has been allotted based on a parking identification in the parking request text message. | 03-12-2015 |
20150073881 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR METERED PARKING AT A PARKING SERVER - A parking request text message is transmitted from a user mobile phone to a billing server and is forwarded to a parking server. The parking server makes a charge API call to the billing server, including a custom text, an amount to be billed and a msisdn of the mobile phone. The billing server charges an account at a carrier server corresponding to the msisdn, receives a charge confirmation from the carrier server, transmits a billing result to the parking server, and sends a confirmation text message to the user mobile phone with the custom text. The parking server updates a parking data structure to indicate that parking has been allotted based on a parking identification in the parking request text message. | 03-12-2015 |
20150088711 | TEXT-TO-PAY FOR A NEW SUBSCRIPTION - A code is communicated between the billing server and subscription server. The billing server receives a code request text message from the user device. The billing server identifies a carrier server from the code request text message. The billing server receives an authorization text message from the user device in response to an authorization request text message and charges an account of the carrier server that has been identified. If the charge has been successful, then the billing server transmits a code redemption text message to the user device including the code and a link to a redemption page of a website of a subscription server. The subscription server processes redemption to a code and transmits an account set up page to the user device. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120265595 | MOBILE DIGITAL MEDIA DOWNLOAD INCENTIVE MANAGEMENT THROUGH MULTIPLE USER ACTION TRACKING - A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive. | 10-18-2012 |
20120265599 | TEMPORAL TRACKING OF MOBILE USER BEHAVIOR WITH RESPECT TO WEB-BASED ADVERTISEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH TEMPORARY AND KEYED ID USE IN DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT - A method for tracking downloads of digital media content is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Content suppliers would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, a user downloads digital media content and receives the incentive in two stages. In the first stage, a user who has expressed interest is sent a first web-based link offering the content and the incentive. In the second stage, after activating the link, the user is allowed to download the content and receive the inventive. The web-based link includes user identifiers that are matched for the user to receive the incentive. | 10-18-2012 |
20120265602 | MOBILE DIGITAL MEDIA DOWNLOAD INCENTIVE MANAGEMENT THROUGH TRACKING OF ID STORED IN NATIVE FACILITIES OF THE MOBILE DEVICE - A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive. | 10-18-2012 |
20120265603 | MOBILE DIGITAL MEDIA DOWNLOAD TRACKING MANAGEMENT UTILIZING STATISTICAL USER FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES THROUGH CORRELATION OF WEB-BASED DOWNLOAD USER ACTIONS WITH MOBILE APPLICATION DOWNLOAD USER ACTIONS - A method for tracking downloads to a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Suppliers of such digital media content would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download an application. The incentive may be, for example, a free application, rewards points or a virtual currency. In one method, the user downloads digital media content in two stages. In the first stage, the user activates a first web-based link to download the digital media content. In the second stage, after downloading, the user activates a second web-based link to activate the application or other digital media content. The web-based links include user identifiers that are matched for the user to subsequently receive the incentive. | 10-18-2012 |
20120265604 | REWARDING A USER FOR DOWNLOADING A FREE APP WITH THE RIGHT TO USE ANOTHER FREE APP - A method for tracking downloads of digital media content is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Content suppliers would appreciate it if their works were more widely disseminated and used. Users or customers may receive an incentive to purchase or to download a first portion of content. The incentive may be, for example, a second portion of the content or other incentive. In one method, a user downloads and receives a first portion of digital media content. In the second stage, the user's actions with the first portion of the content are tracked. When the user satisfies one or more conditions of using the first portion, the user is allowed to download the second portion or other incentive. | 10-18-2012 |
20130198011 | REAL-TIME BIDDING OPTIMIZATION THROUGH UTILIZATION OF MOBILE CHARACTERISTICS - A method for optimizing real-time bidding utilizing mobile device characteristics in a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Advertisers of such digital media content that utilize real-time bidding would appreciate it if their advertisements were more closely related to users most likely to download their digital media content. In one method, an inference may be made through collected device characteristics that the same mobile device that has downloaded digital media had previously interacted with a real-time bidding advertisement for the digital media, and that through evaluation of an advertisement placement characteristic from the advertisement, new advertisement placements may be optimized based on the evaluation. | 08-01-2013 |
20130275195 | FRAUD PROTECTION IN AN INCENTIVIZED COMPUTER SYSTEM - A method for preventing computer device fraud utilizing mobile device characteristics in a computer system is disclosed. Digital media content, such as music, games and applications (“apps”) are widely available with the popularity of mobile computing. Advertisers of such digital media content may utilize incentives to users of mobile computer devices to download the digital media content, but want to prevent fraud on the system. In one method, usage information may be collected from user devices and be utilized to track and determine fraud on the system from individual devices, where the individual device is then blocked from access to the incentives. | 10-17-2013 |