03rd week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 52 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120016738 | Performance based pricing, promotion, and personalized offer management - Techniques for conducting a promotion of a product or service, managing various promotion activities, and rewarding promotion partners are disclosed. An incremental sales (e.g., incremental sales volume, revenue, and profit) analysis due to a promotion is performed and a fee is assessed based on a result of the incremental sales analysis. In some embodiments, performing the incremental analysis includes assigning to a control group a first subset of a plurality of target customers associated with the promotion, assigning to an offer group at least a second non-overlapping subset of the plurality of target customers, providing to at least the offer group but not to the control group an offer associated with the promotion, and determining an incremental change in sales of the product contributed by the customers in the offer group—as compared to sales contributed by the customers in the control group. In some embodiments, performing the incremental sales due to the promotion is determined based on a difference between a maximum allowable discount and an actual discount for individual customers. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016739 | SYSTEM FOR TARGETING ADVERTISING CONTENT TO A PLURALITY OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES - A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016740 | SYSTEM FOR TARGETING ADVERTISING CONTENT TO A PLURALITY OF MOBILE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES - A system for targeting advertising content includes the steps of: (a) receiving respective requests for advertising content corresponding to a plurality of mobile communication facilities operated by a group of users, wherein the plurality includes first and second types of mobile communication facilities with different rendering capabilities; (b) receiving a datum corresponding to the group; (c) selecting from a first and second sponsor respective content based on a relevancy to the datum, wherein each content includes a first and second item requiring respective rendering capabilities; (d) receiving bids from the first and second sponsors; (e) attributing a priority to the content of the first sponsor based upon a determination that a yield associated with the first sponsor is greater than a yield associated with the second sponsor; and (f) transmitting the first and second items of the first sponsor to the first and second types of mobile communication facilities respectively. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016741 | TARGETING CONTENT WITHOUT KEYWORDS - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, that are operable to index a plurality of commercial landing web pages in a database using queries previously resolved to the commercial landing pages where each entry in the database includes at least one query and a pointer to a commercial landing web page. A query can be received. The query can be processed by one or more processors including identifying a relevant commercial landing web page using the query. An advertisement creative can be generated from the relevant commercial landing web page. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016742 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING ADVERTISEMENT-SUBSIDIZED E-BOOK - A method for distributing an advertisement-subsidized e-book over the Internet is disclosed, the method comprises sending a selection page to a client device through the Internet, the selection page collecting a client's decision as to whether to order an e-book with or without advertisements, inserting at least one advertisement in a predetermined location of a digital copy of an ordered e-book, and transmitting the advertisement-inserted digital copy of the ordered e-book to the client device. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016743 | USING A DIRECTED GRAPH AS AN ADVERTISING SYSTEM TAXONOMY - Embodiments relate to generating and using a directed graph as an advertising network taxonomy. Individual delivery locations provided by publishers for presenting advertisements are identified. A directed graph is generated that includes specific advertising opportunities that each correspond with an individual delivery location. The directed graph also includes multiple general advertising opportunities that correspond with aggregations of delivery locations. Multiple aggregations may each include all or part of the same set of delivery locations. Advertisers may then use the directed graph to purchase advertising opportunities, and advertisements may be served to delivery locations based on the advertiser selections. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016744 | Method and System for Providing Filtered and/or Masked Advertisements Over the Internet - Methods and systems that allow an Internet distribution partner of an advertisement listings provider to receive filtered and masked listings for display on the website of the Internet distribution partner. The Internet distribution partner defines filters to be applied to ranked advertising listings provided by an advertising listing provider. The advertisement listings provider system applies the filter to the listings in its database and identify matches and/or excludes matches depending on the characteristic specified. The advertisement listings provider may then send the Internet distribution partner advertisement listings based on the application of one or more filter selected by the distribution partner. Thus, the advertisement listings provider and the Internet distribution partner are able to generate additional revenue without risking the Internet distribution partner's valuable relationships with its exclusive advertisers and without jeopardizing the Internet advertising distribution partner's relationships with its end users. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016745 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING CUSTOMER WAIT TIME, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MARKETING EFFICIENCY IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY - A system and method including an Internet preordering system accessible online or onsite at a free-standing kiosk located in or near client properties in which customers may create profiles for the requested services and provide such information to the service provider in advance of the customer's arrival for the requested services. When the customer arrives, the customer identifies himself/herself and the preorder is accessed, verified and/or modified. The preorder is then forwarded to the service provider and the delivery of the service is optimally timed to the readiness of the customer. The customer's profile and preorder information are maintained in a database and used for in-house precision marketing campaigns and cross-promotional opportunities. For example, in a restaurant embodiment, a registered customer is given access to menus and may create menu preferences for a participating restaurant. The registered customer may also make a reservation at a participating restaurant for a party of any size in advance (for example, up to 24 hours) of the reservation time. The food and/or drink preorder for each guest in the party may be completed in advance and maintained on the server, with the reservation time, for access when the party arrives at the designated reservation time. After a verification process, the customer may retrieve the party's preorder, make any desired changes, and then verify the preorder at the kiosk. Once the preorder is verified, the customer may finalize the preorder and proceed to the hostess kiosk where the preorder is accessed by the restaurant staff. Either when the party is seated or at an appropriate time prior to seating (based on a comparison of the seating wait queue to the kitchen wait queue), the preorder is forwarded for preparation so that the ordered food and/or drink arrives shortly after the customer's party is seated. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016746 | Method And System For Computer-Based Network Advertising - A computer-based method of advertising products and services for communication to an electronic device user, the method includes the steps of receiving a message-value from an electronic device, matching the message-value to a staggered electronic marketing campaign, creating a subscriber data profile corresponding to the mobile electronic device associated with the staggered electronic marketing campaign, confirming receipt of the message value, and sending campaign advertisements to the electronic device. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016747 | System and Method of Delivering Advertising Messages from a Shop Window to a Stop-by Potential Customer - A system for delivering advertising messages from a shop window to a stop-by potential customer is disclosed. An image capturing system including multiple digital cameras is employed to determine orientation of the person towards at least one of displayed items. Advertising messages related to the displayed item are transmitted to a mobile device carried by the person. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016748 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, NETWORK ELEMENTS AND APPLICATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH BROWSING OF WEB/WAP SITES AND SERVICES - Methodologies, systems and software support or implement functionality to provide sponsored browsing of web/WAP sites and/or services for mobile device users wherein web sites are selected for browsing in dependence on a data size requirement for providing access to content available from a given web/WAP site. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016749 | CONSOLIDATED CONTENT ITEM REQUEST FOR MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTS - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for consolidating content item request for multiple content item environments. In one aspect, a method includes consolidating content item requests for two or more content item environments in a webpage. A first content item environment is a primary content item environment and the remaining content item environments are secondary content item environments. The primary content item environments issues a content item request for itself and the secondary content item environments, and owns a process that distributes the received content items for the secondary content item environments to the secondary content item environments. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016750 | EXCLUSIVITY BIDDING FOR MOBILE SPONSORED CONTENT - A system for exclusivity bidding for mobile sponsored content includes one or more computers having computer readable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes the system to perform the steps of (a) receiving a bid for an exclusive sponsored content item to be presented on a mobile communication facility, the bid including an amount and at least one exclusivity characteristic relating to a transaction as recorded via use of the mobile communication facility by a user thereof; and (b) matching the at least one exclusivity characteristic with the exclusive sponsored content item based at least in part on a relevancy for presentation to the mobile communication facility. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016751 | EXCLUSIVITY BIDDING FOR MOBILE SPONSORED CONTENT - A system for exclusivity bidding for mobile sponsored content includes one or more computers having computer readable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the one or more computers, causes the system to perform the steps of (a) receiving a bid for an exclusive sponsored content item to be presented on a mobile communication facility, the bid including an amount and at least two exclusivity characteristics, wherein the exclusivity characteristics relate to (i) a usage history as recorded via use of the mobile communication facility by a user thereof; and (ii) a geography associated with the mobile communication facility, respectively; and (b) matching the at least two exclusivity characteristics with the exclusive sponsored content item based at least in part on a relevancy for presentation to the mobile communication facility. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016752 | ONLINE ADVERTISING SYSTEM - A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to display a new browser window behind a first displayed window without the user realizing the new browser window has been generated. A second window is generated in front of a first window, the first window is closed and regenerated, which results in the second window “behind” the first window. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016753 | AD SERVER INTEGRATION - A method and system for providing a content object is disclosed with an in-stream ad unit inserted into the content object for a content object player. The content object is audio and/or video. A media services platform (MSP) knows of one or more in-stream slots in the content object where in-stream ad units may be placed. The MSP queries a display ad server (DAS) to specify the in-stream ad unit, however the DAS does not natively support in-stream ad units in this embodiment. The MSP maps one or more in-stream slots in the content object to corresponding display ad locations. The MSP places the in-stream ad unit into the slot of the content object to create a processed content object. The MSP optionally transcodes the processed content object. The processed content object is downloaded or streamed to the content object player. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016754 | FOOD SERVICE AND EVENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A food service management system, method and computer-readable storage medium which includes a menu database. The menu database stores a menu organized by plates. A record of each of the plates includes: recipes, ingredients, season, dietary restriction, course, food cost, and menu pricing. A processor has an events module, a document generator, and an application interface. The application interface receives an electronic request to edit the plates on the menu from a user and forwards the request to the events module. The events module retrieves new plates from the menu database and populates the menu. The document generator configured to generate a revised menu and store the revised menu in the menu database. The document generator may then publish the revised menu on a printer or as a Cloud-based service via a computer network, such as the Internet. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016755 | Check Processing And Funds Verification - A system and method of verifying sufficient funds in an account associated with a negotiable instrument, such as a check, money order, traveler's check, etc., received for payment is provided. The verification of funds may be provided prior to accepting the check as payment. In some examples, the check may be scanned into a funds verification system at a back office or front end system, such as a check out lane, point of sale system, etc., of a merchant, vendor, service provider, etc. receiving the check for payment. The scanned image of the check may be transmitted to a financial institution associated with the merchant, vendor, service provider, etc. and the financial institution may verify that sufficient funds exist. If sufficient funds exist, the check may be deposited into an account of the vendor, merchant, service provider, etc. at the financial institution. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016756 | Method and System for Providing a Distributed Adaptive Rules Based Dynamic Pricing System - A system for providing distributed control to process transactions is disclosed. The system includes a service provider system having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, a point of service device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, and a portable device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules. The portable device uses its associated rules to determine an outcome for a transaction. If the portable device is unable to determine the outcome for the transaction, the portable device uses its associated meta-rules to either determine whether one or more of its associated rules can be altered locally in order to determine the outcome or request the point of service device to help determine the outcome using the rules and meta-rules associated with the point of service device. If the point of service device is unable to determine the outcome using its associated rules, the point of service device uses its associated meta-rules to either determine whether one or more of its associated rules can be altered locally in order to determine the outcome or request the service provider system to help determine the outcome using the rules and meta-rules associated with the service provider system. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016757 | LOCAL SHOPPING AND INVENTORY - Estimating product inventory comprises determining a rate of sales events for a product and an amount of time that has elapsed since a previous product availability estimate fro the product. Then, a new product availability estimate for the product is determined based on the rate sales events for the product. The rate of sales events for the product can be determined based on product data feeds from the merchant or other sales data. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016758 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE COMMERCE AND SALES - A system and method for conducting commerce and sales operations is disclosed. A sales representative identifies a customer, chooses a product, and completes a sales transaction using a front-end POS software application. The sales data is transferred to a central storage server, where a master database is created with the data from the front-end POS software application. The central storage server transmits and receives data from back-end corporate servers and databases and creates a master database containing data from corporate applications. The front-end POS software devices uses a holster that includes a docking station, sliding cradle for a mobile device, a card reader, and an infrared scanner to identify products and complete payment. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016759 | POINT OF SALE DATA COLLECTION - A point of sale (POS) data collection system includes a POS data collector that is implemented as a hardware device and/or in software. The collector may be installed at the point of sale in retail stores, for example, between a barcode scanner and the POS application running on a POS terminal (for example, the cash register). When a product is scanned at the point of sale, the collector may intercept the barcode as it transmitted from the barcode scanner to the POS application. After intercepting the barcode, the collector may transmit the barcode to the POS application without noticeable delay, so that the collector does not interrupt standard business processes. In addition, the collector may send the barcode to a remote server via a network connection. In this manner, the remote server may collect POS data that covers a significant number of products, retailers, and locations. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016760 | POINT OF SALE DATA COLLECTION - A point of sale (POS) data collection system includes a POS data collector that is implemented as a hardware device and/or in software. The collector may be installed at the point of sale in retail stores, for example, between a barcode scanner and the POS application running on a POS terminal (for example, the cash register). When a product is scanned at the point of sale, the collector may intercept the barcode as it transmitted from the barcode scanner to the POS application. After intercepting the barcode, the collector may transmit the barcode to the POS application without noticeable delay, so that the collector does not interrupt standard business processes. In addition, the collector may send the barcode to a remote server via a network connection. In this manner, the remote server may collect POS data that covers a significant number of products, retailers, and locations. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016761 | Techniques For Provisioning Content - Techniques including systems and methods for facilitating transactions in connection with electronic trading cards. A finite number of electronic cards are created and associated with owners. Electronic cards are allowed to be bought, sold, traded, gifted, and/or otherwise involved in transactions. Card-related transactions may be conducted in connection with a social network. In one embodiment, publishers provide content for electronic trading cards and determine the timing and manner in which the cards are distributed. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016762 | Method Of Selling Absorbent Articles Bearing Similar And/Or Related Graphics - A method of selling absorbent articles wherein the absorbent articles are co-packaged sets of absorbent articles bearing similar and/or related graphics. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016763 | METHOD OF PROVIDING PRESCRIPTION SAFETY EYEWEAR - A system and an apparatus for an employer to provide safety prescription eyewear to employees is described. The steps of the preferred embodiment comprise providing a kiosk at or near a place of employment, allowing employees to access the kiosk virtually to try on various models of frames and to submit prescription information, and causing the prescription safety eyewear to be manufactured and shipped. Employee benefits are handled at the kiosk as are all options available relating to, for examples, the selected frame, the prescription lenses, and the method of shipping. Payments in excess of the benefit are accounted for by payment at the kiosk or by payroll deduction. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016764 | Commerce System and Method of Controlling the Commerce System Using an Optimized Shopping List - A commerce system involves transactions between manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Product information for a plurality of products is collected and stored in a database. A website is provided for a consumer to create a shopping list with weighted product attributes. A baseline product value is determined for each of the products. A consumer weighted product value is determined based on the baseline product value and the weighted product attributes. A discounted offer is generated for the consumer. A product score is determined based on the consumer weighted product value and retailer product value. The shopping list is optimized based on the product score. The optimized shopping list is provided to the consumer to assist with purchasing decisions. Purchasing decisions within the commerce system are controlled by enabling the consumer to select the products for purchase based on the optimized shopping list. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016765 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING CHANNELS TO USERS - A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016766 | Payment System and Method for Electronic Commerce Transactions - A payment system and method for electronic commerce transactions is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a payment administrator receives a request for a payment notice for an electronic commerce transaction, such as a purchase on a merchant website. In response, the payment administrator creates a payment notice comprising a transaction amount (which may be converted between different currencies), an age restriction for the purchased product (if applicable), and a unique identifier for the electronic commerce transaction. Preferably, the unique identifier is presented in both human-readable form and machine-readable form (such as a barcode) on the payment notice. The payment administrator then transmits the payment notice to the purchaser, who may print and take the payment notice to a retailer for full or partial payment of the transaction amount printed on the payment notice. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016767 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHANNEL TO CHANNEL INTEGRATION IN AN IP MARKETPLACE - A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016768 | CONTEXTUAL PRESENTATION ON ELECTRONIC CATALOG PAGES OF INFORMATION REFLECTIVE OF PRIOR ORDERS - An interactive system personalizes pages of an electronic catalog with information reflective of related orders placed by the user. In one embodiment, when a user requests a category page (such as a browse node page, author page, or artist page) of an electronic catalog, the system determines whether the user previously ordered any items falling within the associated category. If any such orders are identified, information regarding the prior order(s) is incorporated into the requested category page. This information may include, for example, an indication of the particular item(s) ordered, and the order date and/or status of each such order. The system may also personalize item detail pages with information regarding any orders placed for the corresponding items and/or similar items. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016769 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING CHANNEL CONTENT DRILL DOWN - A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016770 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPILING STATISTICS IN AN IP MARKETPLACE - A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016771 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WORKFLOW DRIVEN CHANNEL SEARCH RESULTS - A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016772 | Value Maximizing Recommendation Systems - A server determines a plurality of immediate candidate items for a first web page to recommend to a user. For each particular immediate candidate item of the plurality of immediate candidate items, the server determines a separate sequence of two or more subsequent possible candidate items for subsequent web pages to recommend to the user in the event that the user selects the particular immediate candidate item. Further, the server selects a particular immediate candidate item from the plurality of immediate candidate items for the first web page to recommend to the user. The first web page that recommends the plurality of immediate candidate items is generated and sent over the Internet to the user. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016773 | Customizable Method and System for Determining a Preliminary Cost Estimate for a Home Renovation Project - A method and system for providing a preliminary cost estimate for a renovation project for a room in a home such as a kitchen or a bathroom is disclosed and claimed. The method includes the steps of a user inputting into a computer system, information regarding a room layout most closely resembling that of a potential customer. The user may also input general categories selected by the customer regarding cabinet door styles, cabinet construction and finish, countertop materials, and floor materials. The user may also input the potential customer's selections regarding faucet styles, appliance packages, and backsplash styles. In response, the computer system produces a report based upon the potential customer's selections. The report contains a description of materials needed to complete the project as well as an estimate of total cost to complete the project. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016774 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UPSELLING TO A USER OF A DIGITAL BOOK LENDING LIBRARY - A method is disclosed where an e-book lending library is provided. The lending library includes data relating a plurality of e-books. A first e-book from the plurality of e-books is loaned to a user for a predetermined finite period of time, which comprises transmitting to an electronic device associated with the user, via a communications network, the first e-book including a lending license therefore. Upon expiration of the predetermined finite period of time, data is received from the electronic device relating to the user's reading history of the first e-book. The user's reading progress through the first e-book is determined automatically based on the data. When it is determined that the user has other than finished reading the first e-book, a signal is transmitted to the electronic device via the communication network, the signal comprising an offer to sell to the user the first e-book via the e-book lending library. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016775 | VENDOR AND SERVICE REQUEST SYSTEM AND METHOD - A user can request various business services, products, goods, and real-time quotes from a vendor or a plurality of vendors by sending an SMS text message, or a message from an enabled-computer, to a short code text message number. In an internet-enabled or communication network-enabled interface, a user can enter the number of the mobile communication device where the user wants to receive vendor information and/or a quote for goods or services. The interface also provides the option for a user to track a part/component or tracking number for a particular good. The system provides the vendors with an alert that informs the vendor of a user request and the user's contact information. The user may be provided with a vendor's instant quote. The user can then choose to contact a vendor via text message, phone, or email or accept a vendor's offer for a good or service. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016776 | DYNAMIC CONTENT FOR ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Various methods and systems are disclosed to provide dynamic content to users of online payment service providers without requiring users to log in or otherwise actively engage the payment service providers. In one example, a method of providing dynamic content includes providing a client device with access to an online marketplace over a network. The method also includes facilitating transmission of a user identifier stored by the client device to a payment service provider. The method further includes receiving dynamic content from the payment service provider in response to the user identifier. In addition, the method includes serving the dynamic content to the client device over the network. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016777 | EXCEPTION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for distributing prepaid cash alternatives and resolving exceptions related to the sale of prepaid cash alternatives such as traveler's cheques or prepaid cards. Reports of sales may be reviewed to identify exceptions, and information explaining the exceptions may be made available electronically. Sellers may be notified of exceptions by e-mail, which may include a link or address to information explaining the exceptions. The information may be provided in real time through a secure site on a network, such as the Internet. A company may contract with business partners to sell the prepaid cash alternatives to customers, and the business partners may report the sales to the company via reports. After being notified of exceptions, business partners may provide corrected information or new information to resolve the exceptions. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016778 | CONTROLLING CLOUD SERVICES - In a method | 2012-01-19 |
20120016779 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING A CONTRACTOR TO EFFICIENTLY SERVICE AN EQUIPMENT - A method and system are disclosed for assisting a contractor to efficiently service an equipment. The method and system enable contractors, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors, dealers, and technicians, to improve efficiency in providing services to their customers. The method and system formalize the repair planning execution tasks, and provide data in useful formats immediately available at a work site to contractors, thus reducing avoidable errors and improving efficiency in repairing or replacing equipment. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016780 | LOCAL SHOPPING AND INVENTORY - Estimating product inventory comprises determining a rate of sales events for a product and an amount of time that has elapsed since a previous product availability estimate from the product. Then, a new product availability estimate for the product is determined based on the rate sales events for the product. The rate of sales events for the product can be determined based on product data feeds from the merchant or other sales data. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016781 | COOKING SUPPORT SYSTEM, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING PURCHASE AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT OF COOKING INGREDIENTS - In the case of supporting the purchase and the inventory management of actual foods by a user with respect to necessary foods, a function to support the purchase and the inventory management by which input operations are reduced, and a burden on the user is reduced, is realized. By providing a management method suitable for a food for cooking, the problem regarding the difference which occurs between the inventory information managed by the cooking support system and the purchased food can be solved. Further, a function to support the purchase and the inventory management of necessary foods in a management period type purchase style and in an everyday type purchase style is provided. There are a necessary food information storage means for storing necessary food information; a purchase time and date registration information editing means for editing the necessary food information to the purchase time and date registration information; a purchase time and date registration means for storing the purchase time and date in association with the necessary food information; a purchase information editing means for editing purchase information which is the information capable of being identified for respective purchase groups and purchase times and dates; and an inventory management information acquisition means for acquiring the last cooking time and date from cooking times and dates associated with the necessary food information which is associates with the same purchase group and purchase time and date, and making the acquired time and date to the cooking completion time and date which is the time and date when the inventory becomes empty. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016782 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING INTEREST EARNED ON THE MONETARY VALUE OF TRANSFERRED MONETARY RIGHTS MANAGED ON AN INTERNET-BASED MONETARY RIGHTS TRANSFER (MRT) NETWORK SUPPORTED BY A REAL-TIME GROSS SETTLEMENT (RTGS) SYSTEM - Method of capturing interest associated with a whole or partial amount of money possessed or controlled by an owner/holder and held in a first account maintained by a home financial institution, associated with a monetary rights transfer (MRT) network operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet and a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system, and the home financial institution or an external financial institution associated with the MRT network, maintaining a second account, interest bearing, for the owner/holder of the amount of money to capture interest. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016783 | Negative Balance Management - A system, apparatus, and method for managing account data for accounts having a negative balance. The invention embodiment includes a method, process or workflow for processing data for accounts associated with a debit, credit, pre-paid card or other form of financial instrument that have a negative balance. The data processing includes application of issuer criteria or filters to determine if certain of the accounts having a negative balance are not suitable for chargeback processing and instead may be processed in bulk, thereby reducing administrative and data processing overhead. For each account that is potentially eligible for chargeback processing, the invention embodiment accesses the account data and determines if the data supports initiation of a chargeback procedure for one or more transactions described by the account data. If the account contains one or more transactions that are eligible for chargeback processing, then a provisional credit in the amount of the one or more transactions may be applied to the account. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016784 | Managing Hedge Orders for Synthetic Spread Trading - Hedge legs for synthetic spread trading strategies are managed as attached or detached from a synthetic spread order. A legged hedge order may be changed, adjusted, deleted, cancelled or otherwise managed according to changes, adjustments, deletions ad/or cancellations of the synthetic spread order upon which the legged spread order was submitted. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016785 | Smart Matching for Synthetic Spreads - A smart match for synthetic trades may include monitoring working, or quoting orders, as well as legged hedge orders for one or more synthetic trades of a trader to identify possible matches prior to submitting a new order for trading. A resting (i.e., legged) hedge order for a synthetic trade of a trader may be pending execution while a second order from the synthetic trade, another synthetic trade, or an outright trade, may be identified. When the resting hedge order matches the second order, a cancel or delete message may be sent to the exchange for the resting hedge order, and the resting hedge order and second order may be matched or filled for the trader. When the resting hedge order is for a larger quantity than the second order, the message may delete or cancel a portion of the resting hedge order. If the quantity of the resting hedge order is for less than the second order, the message may be for the entire quantity of the resting hedge order, and a portion of the second hedge order may be submitted for trading. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016786 | Distributed Server Side Device Architecture - An electronic trading method is provided. The method includes receiving a trading strategy order having a parent trading strategy including multiple quoting legs; splitting the trading strategy order into multiple child orders; and submitting each of the multiple child orders to exchange systems adapted to fill the quoting legs in the child orders. Each child order includes a child trading strategy having a single quoting leg or a reduced number of quoting legs relative to the parent trading strategy. The child trading strategies are the same as the parent trading strategy except for the number of legs marked as quoting legs. The method may be performed by a trading strategy device disposed between a client device and multiple server side devices. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016787 | Methods, Systems, and Computer Program Products for Providing Low Risk Portable Alpha Investment Instruments - Provided are methods of providing a portable alpha investment instrument. Some embodiments of such methods include allocating a first portion of a financial asset to a first asset class, allocating a second portion of the financial asset to a second asset class, establishing a swap transaction corresponding to the first portion of the financial asset, the swap transaction configured to define a minimum term corresponding to an asset status change, and transferring the first portion and the second portion of the financial asset responsive to the allocating. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016788 | ELECTRONIC SECURITIES MARKETPLACE HAVING INTEGRATION WITH ORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016789 | System and Method for Changing Order Priority Levels in an Electronic Trading Environment - A system and method for fee-based order priority level modification in an electronic trading environment are described. When an order reaches an exchange, a priority level of the order may be changed to a higher priority level, and the priority level of the order initially at the higher priority level may be changed to a lower priority level of the received order. In one embodiment, a trader who is gaining a higher priority level will be preferably charged a fee for having his order moved to the higher priority level, and at least a portion of that fee may be paid to a trader who is giving up his high priority level. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016790 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BROKERS AND TRADERS USING A MESSAGING FORMAT - According to one embodiment, a method of managing messages in a trading network is provided. A set of user relationships between a first user and one or more second users authorized to act on behalf of the first user is stored. A trading message regarding a trading order submitted on behalf of the first user is received from a trading system. The trading message is communicated to the first user. Each of the second users is identifying from the set of user relationships. For each of the identified second users, a carrier message is generated that includes the trading message and routing information associated with that second user. For each of the identified second users, the respective carrier message is communicated toward a user application associated with that second user based at least on the routing information included in the respective carrier message. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016791 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT INDEXED TO ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE - A method for forming a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes determining a first funding amount for a first entertainment event. A second funding amount is determined for a second entertainment event. Next, a dividend schedule is determined for the first and second entertainment events. A securities bundle is formed at least partially based on the funding amounts and the dividend schedule, with the securities bundle comprising a first security and a second security. The first security is associated with the first entertainment event and the second security is associated with the second entertainment event. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016792 | Electronic System for Financing Healthcare Treatment - Systems and methods for financing healthcare treatment are described that include a web-based electronic infrastructure that automatically retrieves patient data from a patient management system of a service provider. A credit application is generated by automatically populating a credit application form of the patient financing system using the patient data. Custom credit applications are generated by mapping the credit application to the custom credit applications, with each custom credit application corresponding to one of a number of credit providers. The custom credit applications are electronically submitted to the credit providers. Electronic credit decisions are received from the credit providers in response to submission of the custom credit applications. A decision on a selected credit provider is received and, in response, an electronic acceptance form is generated and submitted to the selected credit provider. Notification of the decision is sent to the credit providers not selected. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016793 | Wearable Contactless Payment Devices - Contactless payment devices are incorporated in wearable accessories and accouterments. The payment devices include switches, which are operable to activate proximity payment functionality of the devices. The payment devices can optionally include magnetic stripes so that the devices have both proximity and contact payment functionalities. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016794 | Real-Time Gifting Using a Computing device and Social Media - A user of a social network can open a tab at a business (e.g., a bar or restaurant) and can provide a message to other users of the social network, to which the user is socially coupled, to join the user at the business. The message to the other users can include an account identification that the other users can use applying money to the tab or in purchasing a good or service, for sale by the business, for the user. One or more of the other users can be present at the business to purchase a good or service for the user, and/or one or more of the other users may not be present at the business to purchase a good or service for the user. For example, one or more of the other users can purchase a good or service for the user from a remote location. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016795 | INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE SYSTEM BASED ON PAYMENT CARD ACCOUNTS WITH ACCESS BY MOBILE TELEPHONE - A funds transfer system includes a first mobile telephone operating company and a first financial institution which exchanges data communications regarding funds transfer requests with the first mobile telephone operating company. The system further includes a second mobile telephone company and a second financial institution. The system also includes a payment processing network operating company. The payment processing network operating company transfers funds from the first financial institution to the second financial institution to benefit a recipient who owns a mobile telephone served by the second mobile telephone operating company. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016796 | Apparatuses, Methods and Systems for a Trackable Virtual Currencies Platform - Methods for detecting fraud using virtual currency transaction include receiving information regarding a virtual currency transaction from a user. The information is analyzed to determine whether the transaction involves a user that is being tracked, wherein the user being tracked is associated with an elevated level of risk of fraud. When a user associated with the transaction is being tracked, the virtual currency transaction is monitored using tracked virtual currency. The virtual currency transaction is identified as potentially fraudulent based on the monitoring. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016797 | System and Method for Instant Issue of Personalized Financial Transaction Cards - In a method for instantly issuing a personalized financial transaction card to a customer a bank employee receives customer information and card information from the customer at a branch location. The card information may include a card personal identification number (PIN) selected by the customer. The operator inputs the customer information and at least some the card information into a data processing terminal at the branch. The customer information and the card information are communicated from the branch across a network to a card services provider. At the card services provider, the PIN is entered into a PIN database and a reference number associated with the customer and a PIN offset is generated. The reference number and at least some of the customer data and card data may be stored in a card file associated with the customer. The reference number is used to retrieve the PIN from the PIN database. The retrieved PIN is then used to apply calculations to the card file. The card file is securely sent from the card services provider across the network to the branch location. Using information from the card file, the financial transaction card is printed for the customer at the branch location. In a preferred embodiment, the personalized card is instantly issued while the customer is present at the branch location. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016798 | BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND BIOMETRIC SENSOR CONFIGURED FOR SINGLE USER AUTHENTICATION - A biometric authentication system comprises a biometric sensor configured for single user authentication. The biometric sensor can be configured for single user authentication through an enrollment procedure in which one or more sensing parameters are adjusted based on unique characteristics of the user. Thereafter, the user can be authenticated by capturing biometric data using the adjusted sensing parameters and comparing the captured biometric data against stored template data. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016799 | MONEY TRANSFER SYSTEM GATEWAY SERVICE - A method includes receiving, in a computer, a transaction request from a payment services provider. An end user identifier included in the request is mapped into a payment card system account number. The end user identifier identifies an end user who has been assigned the payment card system account, and who is a subscriber to a closed-loop payment system operated by the payment services provider. Funds from the payment services provider are credited to a shadow open-loop system payment card account identified by the payment card system account number. An authorization request for an open-loop system transaction is sent to an acquirer financial institution that represents a merchant with which the end user is dealing, and is received back from a payment card system authorization system by the same computer that received the transaction request from the payment services provider and that generated the authorization request. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016800 | ELECTRONIC PAYMENT AND AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM WITH DEBIT AND IDENTIFICATION DATA VERIFICATION AND ELECTRONIC CHECK CAPABILITIES - An electronic payment and authentication system that includes features to verify the authenticity of a payer, validate debit data, and facilitate debit (as opposed to credit) payment transactions. The electronic payment system allows a consumer to purchase items and services via a network while utilizing a debit transaction. The invention provides merchants with the ability to verify the identity of the consumer, determine if the consumer is a good debit transaction risk, and retrieve debit data associated with a particular consumer. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016801 | Automated Execution of Business Processes Using Two Stage State - Systems and methods for automating and increasing the efficiency of business processes using two-stage state. In one embodiment, an automated method for execution of a business process is provided, where the business process is an event-driven activity including first and secondary events. The method includes the computer-implemented automatic steps of initiating the first event in response to user input and the first event initiating one or more of the secondary events. Each of the secondary events has a plurality of states and each of the plurality of states has an associated status. The method further includes the first event monitoring the state and associated status of each of the secondary events and the first event executing one or more actions that are selected based on the state and associated status of each of the secondary events. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016802 | AUTOMATIC EVENT MANAGEMENT FOR REGULATION COMPLIANCE - In one embodiment, a method includes determining a plurality of event types where each event type associated with event metadata. An event is received and an event type in the plurality of event types for the received event is determined. The method determines event metadata for the determined event type and event data from the event based on the event metadata. A rule associated with the event type is determined where the rule includes a criterion based on a regulatory compliance issue. A computing device evaluates the event data with the criterion to determine if the event is non-compliant or compliant with the regulatory compliance issue. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016803 | Management and dispersal of social media accounts - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for managing a social media account upon a death of an account holder. A method includes receiving instructions at a management server from a social media account holder regarding disposition of a social media account upon the social media account holder's death or incapacitation, verifying account holder ownership of the social media account, verifying the received instructions, posting a life status indicator on a graphical user interface (GUI) of the social media account, receiving notification at the management server of the account holder's death or incapacitation, receiving confirmation at the management server of the account holder's death or incapacitation, and implementing the instructions regarding disposition of the social media account. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016804 | Carrier selection method for logistics network - A carrier selection method for the logistics network is disclosed to evaluate the network reliability of each carrier set for choosing an optimal carrier set. The logistics network includes a start, a terminal and a plurality of routes between the start and the terminal, and a plurality of minimal paths are composed of the routes. The carrier set is composed of carriers chosen in every route of the logistics network. The carrier selection method includes the steps of choosing one carrier for transporting; distributing a demand in the minimal paths, and each carrier having a plurality of capacities and a maximal capacity; calculating a network reliability for the carrier set transporting the demand in the minimal paths according to the demand, the capacities and the maximal capacity; and executing genetic algorithm for searching an optimal carrier set. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016805 | Generating Machine-Understandable Representations of Content - An electronic document is accessed. A structural definition that defines a structural convention according to which information within the electronic document is arranged also is accessed. Based on the accessed structural definition, at least some of the information is extracted from the electronic document. A machine-understandable representation of the extracted information then is generated. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016806 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING LONG TERM PROCESS ADOPTION IN AN ORGANIZATION - A method for facilitating and improving process adoption in an organization is provided. The organization has a plurality of processes to carry out organizational tasks. The method includes receiving a set of priorities about the organization from at least one stakeholder in the organization. Further, the method includes the step of receiving a set of attributes about the organization from the at least one stakeholder in the organization. Furthermore the method includes the step of processing, on a computer, the set of priorities and the set of attributes to generate an optimal plan of training end users in the organization. The plan of training is designed to facilitate the process adoption. Finally, the method includes the step of monitoring the end users to improve the process adoption. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC PERSONALIZED FINANCIAL ILLUSTRATIONS - A personalized financial illustration system includes a computer or data processing device, which is configured to implement a method for generating personalized financial illustrations based on summary prospectus format or chassis, incorporating a potential investor's selections of variables defining investment goals, constraints, and an investment plan. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016808 | Business Review and Volume Optimizer (BRAVO) - An optimization engine is provided to determine, through price optimization modeling, an optimal combination of price and volume for various products and services of an organization while also considering numerous factors internal and external to the organization. The price optimization modeling provided by the optimization engine may, among other things, be used by the organization to determine the optimal set of pricing recommendations that will provide the organization with the highest total contribution margin (total revenue less total variable cost). The optimization engine may consider various data inputs and analytics that allow an organization to develop a more effective and disciplined price-decisioning process. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016809 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INVESTOR-DRIVEN CREATIVE PRODUCTION - A system for investor-driven creative production, in one example embodiment, comprises a receiving module to receive metadata associated with the creative production. The metadata can be received from a creative content provider via a creative content interface and include a description of the creative production and an investment goal. The system can further include a posting module to post the metadata to the creative content interface and the receiving module to receive an investment in the creative production from an investor via the creative content interface. The system can further include an investment processing module to determine that the investment goal is reached and a production initiation module to selectively commence the creative production based on the determination that the investment goal is reached. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016810 | Method and system for simulating implied volatility surface for basket option pricing - A method and system for simulating changes in volatility for a price of a particular option on an underlying financial instrument is disclosed. A volatility surface model having at least one surface parameter is provided along with a set of volatilities for a plurality of options on the underlying financial instrument. The set of volatilities is analyzed to determine an initial value for each surface parameter which, when used in the surface model, defines a surface approximating the set of volatilities. The values of the surface parameters are then evolved using an appropriate evolution function. A volatility value for a particular option is extracted from the volatility surface defined by the evolved surface parameter values. The extracted volatility value can then be used in an option pricing model to provide a price of the particular option. The volatility of a basket options valued relative to the performance of multiple components can be simulated by determining the value of surface parameters for options on the component securities and then combining the component surface parameters to determine surface parameters for a volatility surface of the basket. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016811 | LONG-TERM INVESTING - The present invention is a method, system and investment product for allocating or structuring investment assets (such as marketable securities, bonds, mortgages, or other property interests, options or derivatives). The system, method or product enables selecting or grouping a number of individual financial instruments together into a portfolio (e.g., a fund or trust) and assigning weight coefficients to the selected financial instruments based upon a predetermined scale. After assigning the weight coefficients, the system or method purchases the selected instruments based on the allocated total purchase for each instrument (i.e., the total price of each instrument reflects is the price per unit×number of units, which correspond the predetermined weight coefficient). Then, the purchased individual financial instruments are allowed to fluctuate and perform for a predetermined time period (i.e., a number of years and months) without any further significant adjustments to the initial portfolio. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016812 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA RELATING TO ALLOCATION OF ASSETS - A distributed asset allocation processing system performs a computerized method for allocating subscriber assets. The system configures predetermined investment allocation paths that relate asset allocation models to trigger events. The system then selects a predetermined path based on a subscriber's risk tolerance. At each trigger event along the predetermined path, the system automatically rebalances the subscriber's assets according to an asset allocation model corresponding to the trigger event. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016813 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A communication device includes: a communication unit that is configured to execute communication of data according to one of a plurality of bandwidth guarantees with different communication charges per time unit; and a selection unit that is configured to select a first bandwidth guarantee with the lowest communication charges required for communication of specific data, among the plurality of bandwidth guarantees, using a data size of the specific data when the communication of the specific data is to be executed, wherein the communication of the specific data is executed according to the selected first bandwidth guarantee. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016814 | PRODUCTION OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED FOODS - A system, method, and apparatus for a non-industrialized, sustainable, minimally processed organic dairy industry that provides the highest quality milk and milk derivative products that is end-to-end from ground-to-cow-to-dairy-to-distribution-to-consumer, and centered on low temperature batch or vat pasteurization in which the product is minimally processed, for which product certificates, which include a numerical score and/or a corresponding color code that rank organic, minimally processed products as the high quality. The product certificates can also be applied to non-milk products, such as, but not limited to, meats, fowl, fish, vegetables, nuts, fruits, eggs, etc. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016815 | SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016816 | DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR PARALLEL MACHINE LEARNING - A controller of a distributed computing system assigns feature vectors, and assigns data processors and a model updater to first computers. The data processors have charge of iteration calculation of machine learning algorithms, acquire the feature vectors over a network when starting learning, and store the feature vectors in a local storage. In iteration of second and subsequent learning processes, the data processors load the feature vectors from the local storage, and conduct the learning process. The feature vectors are retained in the local storage till completion of learning. The data processors send only the learning results to the model updater, and waits for a next input from the model updater. The model updater conducts the initialization, integration, and convergence check of the model parameters, completes the processing if the model parameters are converged, and transmits new model parameters to the data processor if the model parameters are not converged. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016817 | Predicting Life Changes of Members of a Social Networking System - To predict a life change event for a user of the social networking system, such as a change in marital status, relationship status, employment status, etc., the disclosed system generates a training set of data comprising historical data of other users who have gone through a life change event. The system uses the training set data to generate a prediction algorithm using machine learning models. Furthermore, the system inputs the user data to the prediction algorithm to retrieve a prediction of whether the user will undergo one or more life change events. The system updates the user's profile to indicate the life change event and provides advertisements to the user responsive to the prediction of one or more life change events. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016818 | Classification of Biological Samples Using Spectroscopic Analysis - A method and system is described for rapidly classifying a sample of a biological fluid, comprising obtaining a spectrum of the biological fluid in response to excitation of the sample in a specified frequency range, and applying a multivariate classifier to one or more spectral regions of the spectrum to classify the biological sample into one class in a set of classes, the classes comprising at least two disease states having similar clinical symptoms. Methods and systems for developing the classifiers are also described. In one example the classification uses a vibrational spectrometer ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016819 | Distributed multimedia document indexing strategies - A method for a system that indexes/ranks/clusters multimedia documents using hybrids of information retrieval algorithms and the stochastic optimization techniques of evolutionary computation (EC) that optimizes parameter sets comprising of object parameters. The method creates a plurality of individual parameter sets, the parameter sets comprising information sharing system object parameters for describing a model, structure, shape, design, process, search query set, or dynamic search space to be optimized and setting the initial population as a current (static parent) population. These parameters are required to filter, organize, and index any large-scale data set—information stored on a single computer, a local area network (LAN), and a wide area network (WAN) that encompasses the whole Internet—that may consists of constantly fluctuating information content over relatively short periods of time | 2012-01-19 |
20120016820 | Stochastic search strategies for multimedia resource discovery and retrieval system - A method is described for applying distributed stochastic optimization techniques of evolutionary computation using a plurality of servers and a plurality of clients machines being connected via a computer network such as the Internet. The stochastic optimization techniques of evolutionary computation seek to optimize a populations of individuals against one or more predetermined fitness criteria when applied to solving solve the network routing problem coupled with one or more information retrieval problems. The field of evolutionary computation encompasses stochastic optimization techniques, such as randomized search strategies, in the form of evolutionary strategies (ES), evolutionary programming (EP), genetic algorithms (GA), classifier systems, evolvable hardware (EHW), and genetic programming (GP). The stochastic optimization component objectives of the multimedia resource discovery and retrieval systems includes maximization of resource utilization and of overall LAN throughput. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016821 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided a method including inputting a plurality of symbol strings and attribute information desired to be extracted from each symbol string; selecting a plurality of functions from a predetermined function group including a function for converting a symbol string into a numerical value, and generating a plurality of feature quantity functions for outputting a feature quantity from the symbol string by combining the plurality of functions; inputting each symbol string to each feature quantity function, and calculating a feature quantity corresponding to each symbol string; executing machine learning using the attribute information corresponding to each symbol string and the feature quantity corresponding to each symbol string, and generating an estimation function for estimating the attribute information from the feature quantity; and outputting the feature quantity functions and the estimation function. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016822 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an information processing method including inputting a feature quantity vector and an objective variable corresponding to the feature quantity vector, generating a basis function for outputting a scalar quantity by mapping the feature quantity vector, mapping the feature quantity vector using the basis function and calculating the scalar quantity corresponding to the feature quantity vector, evaluating whether or not the basis function used to calculate the scalar quantity is useful for estimating the objective variable using the objective variable along with the scalar quantity and the feature quantity vector corresponding to the scalar quantity, generating an estimation function for estimating the objective variable from the scalar quantity by machine learning on the basis of the scalar quantity and the objective variable corresponding to the scalar quantity using the basis function evaluated to be useful, and outputting the estimation function. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016823 | DATA COMPRESSION METHOD FOR A CLASSIFIER - A method of classifying a sample of values related to the use of a server, comprises the steps of recording, by the server, use events in a log; configuring a classifier tool with a behavioral model formed of a weighted list of parameters; establishing the sample of values from the log and supplying it as parameters to a classifier tool, whereby the classifier tool calculates a score representative of the adequacy of the sample to a target category; reading recent use events saved in the log and aggregating them over basic time intervals; storing in a database the aggregation result obtained for each basic interval in a distinct record of a first group; aggregating, when the number of records of the first group reaches a threshold, the contents of the records of the first group in a distinct record of a second group of the database; and establishing the sample of values supplied to the classifier tool from the contents of records of the database. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016824 | METHOD FOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED ANALYZING OF A TECHNICAL SYSTEM - A method for computer-assisted analyzing of a technical system is provided. The technical system is described by a case base including multiple cases, each case including a state vector with a number of attributes, the state vector referring to an operation state of the technical system, wherein a class from a number of classes is assigned to each case, each class referring to an operation condition of the technical system. Each case is processed by extracting a local information vector depending on the classes of one or more neighboring cases in the case base, the neighboring cases being similar to the case being processed according to a neighborhood measure. Subsequently, machine learning of a classification is performed based on the extracted local information vectors of the cases in the case base, resulting in a learned adaptation function providing a class depending on a local information vector extracted for a case. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016825 | DETECTOR CONFIGURATION APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A detector configuration apparatus for configuring a detector that performs detection through a plurality of detection stages with different resolutions capable of objectively determining a detection target modality type to be detected in each stage. The detector is configured to detect to which of a plurality of attribute values an attribute of an object included in input data corresponds with respect to each of a plurality of modality types. A variation amount calculation unit obtains, based on a plurality of teacher data corresponding to each modality type used for training the detector, a representative value of variation between a plurality of teacher data with respect to each modality type, and a detection stage determination unit determines in which stage of the plurality of detection stages each modality type is to be detected based on the representative value of variation between the teacher data. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016826 | EVOLUTIONARY CLUSTERING ALGORITHM - The invention relates to selecting a set of candidate genes from a pool of genes. The method comprising receiving a set of gene data; arranging the set of gene data into a set of clusters with similar profiles by use of a clustering algorithm; and inputting the set of clusters into a genetic algorithm to select a set of candidate genes from the set of clusters. The method thus relates to hybrid between selection by clustering computation and selection by evolutionary computation. This hybrid is also referred to as an evolutionary clustering algorithm (ECA). | 2012-01-19 |
20120016827 | BIOMETRICS WITH MENTAL/ PHYSICAL STATE DETERMINATION METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for determining whether a particular individual is to be granted, among other things, access to information, access to a particular room or other space, or permission to perform a given act or transaction are disclosed. For example, disclosed is an exemplary method that includes performing multiple biometrics tests on the individual to retrieve multiple biometrics test results, performing at least a first data fusion operation on the multiple biometrics test results to determine an identity result, performing at least one biological state test to determine one or more biological state test results of the individual, and conditionally granting authority to the individual based on the identity result and the one or more biological state results. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016828 | METHOD FOR SOLVING MINIMAX AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS - A novel method is disclosed for efficiently solving minimax problems, and in particular, for efficiently solving minimax problems wherein the corresponding matrix is large. In particular, the novel method solves minimax problems in O(n | 2012-01-19 |
20120016829 | Memristive Adaptive Resonance Networks - A method for implementing an artificial neural network includes connecting a plurality of receiving neurons to a plurality of transmitting neurons through memristive synapses ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016830 | INSTANTIATING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICE IN LIGHT OF MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS - In a method of instantiating an information technology (IT) service in light of maintenance requirements, maintenance window instances are determined. The maintenance instance windows are associated with reusable service instances available in a datacenter. The maintenance window instances are analyzed in conjunction with a service model of said IT service to determine a maintenance efficient binding of a selection of said reusable service instances with which to provide an instance of said IT service. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016831 | SIMULATION AND TEST FRAMEWORK FOR A RULE ENGINE - Some embodiments of a simulation and test framework for a rule engine have been presented. In one embodiment, a simulator runs a simulation in a time-aware environment. A rule engine, coupled to the simulator, may execute a set of business logic in response to the simulation in order to test behavior of the business logic. The business logic may include rules, workflow, and event processing. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016832 | AUTOMATED DOCUMENT SEPARATION - Systems and methods for automated document separation. The system includes a host device that is configured to communicate with one or more client devices over a network. The host device includes a splitting module, a correction module, a knowledge base, and a document store. The splitting module is configured to perform a multi-level document splitting. Pages are grouped into documents based on, for example, the sender information, the lack of sender information, and whether the sender is known. Following the initial separation, the splitting module performs an automatic correction of the initial document separation based on information stored within the knowledge base. The knowledge base is updated each time a document is processed and a user provides feedback related to whether the documents were successfully separated. Based on the success or failure of a particular document separation, the knowledge base evaluates the modifications made by a user to learn from the errors made during document separation. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016833 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC PROCESS MODEL RECONFIGURATION BASED ON PROCESS EXECUTION CONTEXT - Methods and systems to dynamically reconfigure an instance of a process model based on process execution context are described. In one example, a system includes a context engine, a rules engine, and a business process engine. The context engine maintains context information related to a business process model. The context information is dynamically updated continuously. The rules engine produces decisions based on information from the context engine. The rules engine evaluates decision points within an instance of the business process model using a relevant context obtained from the context engine. The rule engine also receives changes in context dynamically from the context engine, and re-evaluates decision points based on the context changes. The business process engine executes the instance of the business process model and can dynamically alter the instance during execution based on decisions generated by the rules engine. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016834 | NAME CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS SOFTWARE AND METHODS - One or more databases may be created through an array of onomastic convolutions performed on lists of names. The creation of one or more databases may result in an array correlating individual onomastic elements and normalized probabilities that the onomastic elements belong to various categorizations. A software program preferably determines all possible onomastic elements within a selected name that may be useful in determining a selected name's categorization. The software program preferably takes the onomastic elements from the selected name and compares the onomastic elements to the one or more databases. The software program preferably executes the one or more algorithms and selects categorizations with the highest probability of matching the onomastic elements. The results of the matching process preferably are displayed to the user in one or more formats depending upon the user's preferences. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016835 | Universal database - cDB - Cloud database is a single integrated universal database for enterprises, which provides a single database for online analytical processing (OLAP) and online transaction processing (OLTP) capabilities on the same database which stores real data. Cloud Database (cDB) can use any column oriented distributed database hosted on cluster of distributed file system to store the data into files. cDB uses divide and conquer principle to process the analytical queries. cDB hosts databases for various application which uses different database of different vendors. cDB adapter is interface between the enterprise application and cDB and handles query processing for the application. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016836 | BROWSER BASED USER IDENTIFICATION - An online behavior tracking system includes a unique ID module configured to determine attributes of a user device, and calculate a unique ID for a user from the attributes. The unique ID is used to track online behavior for the user across different domains. Also, the online behavior tracking system is used in a content evaluation system which delivers content treatments to users and tracks online behavior of the users in response to the delivered treatments. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016837 | MERGING APPARATUS, MERGING METHOD, AND MERGING PROGRAM - A merging apparatus includes a first database in which a plurality of attributes including a key attribute that is set in advance as a key for merging is set and a second database in which one or a plurality of attributes excluding the key attribute is set. Furthermore, the merging apparatus checks an attribute that is set in the first database against an attribute that is set in the second database and extracts a common attribute that is set in common in both the first database and the second database. Then, the merging apparatus merges the first database with the second database by determining whether attribute values classified under the extracted common attribute match. | 2012-01-19 |