04th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 57 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110022443 | EMPLOYMENT INFERENCE FROM MOBILE DEVICE DATA - One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for inferring a user's activity. During operation, the system collects contextual information recorded by a plurality of components located on a mobile device associated with the user. The system then extracts the user's behavior pattern based on the collected contextual information, and determines whether the user is engaged in an employment-related activity. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022444 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING MOBILE APPLICATION VALUE - A method and system for assessing a value of a first application with respect to a use of a mobile communication device in communication with a second communication device are presented. The method entails assigning a set of proximity values that relate the use of the application to the communication between the mobile communication device and the second communication device, and determining an impact and a value based on the proximity values. The proximity values may include a relationship proximity value, a time proximity value, a geographical proximity value, an action proximity value, and one or more user-defined proximity values. The determined value may be expressed as a monetary value. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022445 | AIRPORT PROMOTION AND ADVERTISEMENT SYSTEM - A method of promoting businesses at airports includes the step of providing an internet database for access by consumers. The database lists promotional offers of businesses with airport locations. The method further includes sorting the promotional offers by a selected criteria which allows a consumer or customer to more quickly find desired information. Further, the method includes allowing the consumer to access the promotional offers for review and select one or more of the promotional offers for use. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022446 | SIMPLIFIED REBATE REDEMPTION SYSTEM - A method of simplified rebate redemption for a good or service purchased by a consumer comprises using a mobile communication device of a consumer to complete the rebate redemption. Preferably the mobile communication device utilized is a mobile telephone having text messaging capability. Thus, the method includes sending a receipt, bar code information and redemption offer information to the entity offering the rebate using the text messaging capability of a mobile telephone of a consumer purchasing the good or service for which the rebate is offered. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022447 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GIFTING AND PROMOTING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A method of delivering one or more gift certificates and/or one or more gift cards to recipients over a communication network. The method includes storing a multiple of messages in a message database. A user selects a message from the multiple of messages and stores information of the one or more recipients in an information database. A corresponding advertising information is integrated with the selected message to form a basis for an electronic communication. The advertising information is embedded as a substantive feature of the message selected from the multiple of messages. A message content includes the selected message from the multiple of messages and the corresponding advertising information is transmitted to the one or more recipients via the electronic communication to the wireless communication devices. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022448 | System and Method for Granting Promotional Rewards to Credit Account Holders - A system and method for providing promotional rewards is provided. First, a promotional reward is communicated to a customer. The promotional reward offer comprises a promotional reward associated with one or more promotional reward-earning behaviors and a promotional time frame. The offer may specify a customer population, and the customer may be enrolled in the promotional reward program if the customer is determined to be in the population. The customer is credited a promotional reward if the customer accomplishes the promotional reward-earning behavior(s) within the promotional time frame. The customer may also be enrolled in a base reward program. The promotional rewards and base rewards may be accumulated in a customer account. A system for implementing a promotional rewards program is also provided. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022449 | Multimedia User Interfaces For Documents And Associated Digital Videos - Generating a multimedia user interface with synchronized digital video and document content can include receiving a document, receiving a digital video that corresponds to the document, generating a plurality of mappings, wherein each of the mappings maps a section of the document to a segment of the digital video, and generating a multimedia user interface responsive to the document, the digital video, and the plurality of mappings. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022450 | COMPTUER NETWORK CHAT SYSTEM FOR DISPLAY OF TEXT AND VIDEO IN A RIVALRY CONTEXT - A chat system comprises a chat room application (Team Chat application) running on a chat server connected to a computer network having a plurality of users. The Team Chat application is configured to produce a chat room interface on the display of users accessing the chat room site. The chat room interface includes a central chat display area flanked on either side by two lists of users identifying themselves in support of one of the two sides of a rivalry (e.g., team A or team B). Once a user is logged in and identifies which team (i.e., side of the rivalry) they support (e.g., either team A or team B), the user and other users affiliated with that team will be represented on one side of the central chat display area (e.g., the left side), and the users affiliated with the rival team will be represented on the other side of the central chat display area (e.g., on the right side). Users cannot participate in the chat until they log in and identify which side of the rivalry they support. If not logged in, the user cannot participate, but the central chat display area is still visible and updated. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022451 | ADVERTISING CONTENT FOR MOBILE DEVICES - Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to advertising content for mobile devices. In aspects, advertising content is downloaded to a mobile device when the mobile device is connected to a network. The advertising content is stored on a storage media of the mobile device. Later, a user may search the advertising content of the mobile device without connecting the mobile device to a network. Because the advertising content is downloaded to the mobile device, the advertising content may be accessed more quickly. Additionally, the advertising content may be sized to be suited for the display size of the mobile device. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022452 | SPORTING EVENT PROMOTION - A method of promoting a sporting event via a contest includes the steps of using a global positioning satellite system and a mobile communication device of a subscriber consumer to determine the presence of the subscriber consumer at a particular sporting event and selecting a winner from all subscriber consumers determined to be located and present at the sporting event. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022453 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RULES-BASED MEDIA BUNDLES - In various exemplary embodiments, a system and associated method to provide rule-based media subscription bundles is provided. A selection of a subscription plan is received from a subscriber. One or more content categories and rules associated with the selected subscription plan are determined. The rules comprise a designation of a number of selections of media to be made from the one or more content categories. A listing of media associated with the one or more content categories is provided to the subscriber, and a selection of media from the listing of media is received in response. The media subscription bundle comprising the selected media is then generated. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022454 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RETAINING CUSTOMER LOYALTY - A system and method for providing incentives to customers where the incentives are tailored to the customer's needs and expectations while achieving profitability to the provider are presented. The present invention determines a set of incentives based on customer segmentation, card segmentation, call type as well as other factors. Upon receiving a request for termination or other request, the customer may be routed to an appropriate person, department, or group. Information regarding the account may be identified and retrieved and the customer may be verified. Based on customer payment history and other information, the customer segment may be identified. Incentives are then determined based on customer segmentation data, product information, and call type. These incentives are offered to the customer for approval. If the customer does not accept the incentive, other sales opportunities may be offered to the customer in an effort to retain customer loyalty. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022455 | System and Method for E-Mail Based Rewards - A system and method provide rewards or loyalty incentives to card member customers. The system includes an enrolled card member customer database, an enrolled merchant database, a participating merchant offer database and a registered card processor. The enrolled card member customer database includes transaction accounts of card member customers enrolled in a loyalty incentive program. The enrolled merchant database includes a list of merchants participating in the loyalty incentive program. The participating merchant offer database includes loyalty incentive offers from participating merchants. The registered card processor receives a record for charge for a purchase made with an enrolled merchant by an enrolled card member customer and uses the record of charge to determine whether the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit in accordance with a discount offer from the enrolled merchant. If the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit, the registered card processor provides the rebate credit to an account of the enrolled card member customer. The registered card processor also provides for electronic notification of rewards offers or credit to prepaid cards, in response to purchases conforming to a specific set of merchant criteria. The system provides a coupon-less way for merchants to provide incentive discounts and/or credits to enrolled customers, along with notifying customers of other available incentive offers. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022456 | MOBILE PHONE EQUIPPED WITH BAR CODE READER AND RELATED METHOD - A communication device comprises a transmitter, a receiver and a bar code reader. In one embodiment the communication device comprises a combined or integrated mobile telephone and bar code reader. Further, a method is provided for promoting the sale of a selected good or service. The method comprises the steps of receiving a bar code for a selected good or service from the communication device of the consumer and sending a coupon for the selected good or service to the communication device of the consumer. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022457 | LOCATION SPECIFIC PROMOTION OF STORE - A method of promoting sales at specific store locations includes the step of providing a promotional website on the internet. The method also includes allowing a consumer to designate on that website a specific store location and a specific good or service for purchase at the designated store location. Further, the method includes sending a coupon for purchase of the designated good or service at the designated store location. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022458 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PREVENT TERMINATION OF ON-LINE TRANSACTIONS - An apparatus includes a processor configured to initiate an on-line transaction during a transaction session. The apparatus can identify an attempt to terminate the transaction session prior to completion of the on-line transaction. The apparatus can provide a notification in response to the identified attempt. The notification can include an indication of at least one selection made during the transaction session prior to the completion of the on-line transaction. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022459 | METHOD FOR TRACKING RESPONSES TO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - A method for tracking responses to advertising campaigns is provided where a client places advertisements in a plurality of different outlet media channels for accessing target recipients of the campaign. The method acts to monitor location responses from recipients and attribute the responses to the different outlet media channels either by providing different response addresses for the different outlet media channels and routing the responses to or through the monitoring location or by evaluating those responses which are not attributed by a neural network to analyze response data and attribute each response to a specific media channel. The data is displayed in real time on a display screen for the client showing real time changes in data obtained from the analysis. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022460 | EXPLICIT ONLINE ADVERTISING EXPOSURE TERMS - Methods and systems are provided for managing online advertising. Advertisers can specify requirements or preferences relating to advertisement exposures. The requirements or preferences can include, during a period of time, a minimum number of users exposed to an advertisement or group of advertisements, a range of exposures per exposed user, an average number of exposures per exposed users and an allowed variation about the average. Advertisement serving planning and advertisement serving are facilitated based in part on the specified requirements or preferences. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022461 | Privacy-safe targeted advertising method and system - A method and system for sophisticated consumer deep profile building provided as a service in a certifiably clean, i.e., privacy-safe, manner to advertisers, ad networks, publishers, aggregators and service providers. In an embodiment, an entity provides a tracking and targeting service that acts as a container for sensitive consumer information. The entity preferably implements a stringent policy of transparency and disclosure, deploys sophisticated security and data anonymization technologies, and it offers a simple, centralized consumer service for privacy disclosure, review and deletion of collected profile information, opt-in, opt-out, and the like. In exchange, advertisers, ad networks, publishers, aggregators and service providers (including, without limitation, mobile operators, multiple service providers (MSPs), Internet service providers (ISPs), and the like), receive privacy-safe targeting services without ever having to touch sensitive information. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022462 | DIGITAL CINEMA NETWORK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING FILMS AND ADVERTISING - Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the distribution of media content to the public, utilizing an internet community network of subscribers having access to sample content; systems and methods for financing the implementation of digital projection capability in a plurality of theaters; systems and methods for dynamically targeting advertising to an audience based on the brand landscape at a given time in a given place; and systems and methods for progressively encumbering content through licensing as the popularity of content increases. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022463 | System and method for tracking purchases - A novel method for obtaining transaction information includes receiving a first transaction record including data indicative of one or more products purchased by a first purchaser from a first merchant, storing the data included in the first record, receiving a second transaction record including electronic data indicative of one or more products purchased by the purchaser from a second merchant, storing the data included in the second record, and providing the first purchaser access to the first transaction record and the said second transaction record. The method is performed on a handheld device which is carried by the first purchaser and includes: a processing unit operative to process data and code, a transaction record interface operative to receive the first and second transaction records, a memory for storing the first and second transaction records, and a purchaser interface operative to provide the first purchaser access to the first and second transaction records. In another more particular embodiment, the method further includes receiving a third transaction record including data indicative of one or more products purchased by a second purchaser from a third merchant, storing the data included in the third record, receiving a fourth transaction record including electronic data indicative of one or more products purchased by the second purchaser from a fourth merchant, storing the data included in the forth record, and providing the second purchaser access to the third and fourth transaction records. In a more particular embodiment, the method is performed by a service provider which captures and stores various purchase records associated with various respective purchasers. A point-of-sale system is also disclosed and includes: a processing unit operative to process data and code, a product interface operative to receive product data indicative of a first product, memory operative to store a first transaction record which includes the data indicative of the first product, and a transaction record interface operative to output electronic data indicative of the first transaction record. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022464 | OPTIMIZING ADS BY CUSTOMIZATION FOR A TARGET DEVICE - Computer systems, methods and media for optimizing an advertisement are provided. Creative elements for an ad campaign are received from an advertiser. In response to an ad call from a target device, device information, application information, and user information are accessed. Based on the accessed information and the creative elements of the dynamic creative, a customized ad is created that includes an optimized set of creative elements for the target device and the application such that the user gets an optimized user experience regardless of the target device presenting the ad. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022465 | System and Method for Managing Online Experiences Based on User Sentiment Characteristics and Publisher Targeting Goals - A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer readable medium product for presenting to a user, a message (for achievement of the message publisher's goal) in the form of one or more display pages based on combined user demographics and user sentiment-related relevance attribute values. The method includes receiving sentiment-related (that is, sentigraphic) vector data structures wherein the sentigraphic vector is configured to indicate one or more user-specific sentiment-related relevance attribute values, which values are correlated to demographic data structures. In embodiments, the method includes inferring sentigraphic attribute values based on the demographic data structure. Inferred sentigraphic attributes extend demographics in the sense that at least some sentigraphic attribute values are not present in the demographic data structure. The method implements techniques for performing automated layout of display pages before presenting to the user the message in the form of pages displayed on any sort of client system, computer, or mobile terminal. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022466 | TRAVEL PROMOTION SYSTEM - A method of promoting travel includes the step of providing a website for promoting travel destinations for access by subscriber consumers and compiling promotional offers of all participating entities by travel destination. The method further includes allowing the subscriber consumer to select a travel destination and a promotional offer of interest. Further, the method includes sending the selected promotional offer to the subscriber consumer by means of text messaging on a mobile communication device of the subscriber consumer or customer. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022467 | METHOD OF TARGETED MARKETING - A method of targeted marketing includes the step of establishing a targeted marketing geographic area for a business. The method further includes the step of determining the location of a subscriber customer. In addition the method includes the step of sending promotional material for the business to the subscriber customer when the subscriber customer is located in the geographic area for targeted marketing. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022468 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING TARGETED ADVERTISING AND INTUITIVE WAYFINDING - The present invention is a method for displaying messaging, wayfinding and advertising on interactive kiosks and digital wireless communication devices including handheld portable devices within a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or through the Internet. The information is stored in databases connected to the Internet that include maps of shopping centers or malls, data regarding user profiles, product categories and product brands which provide users the ability to search the database and interact with the maps and point-of-purchase advertising. When proximity-based WLAN access is available, the data is merged with more data concerning the user's relative position within the network. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022469 | INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION DEVICE, INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information distribution device includes: a distribution information management table in which area information at the time of distribution indicating areas in which mobile terminals are located when advertising information is distributed from an information distributing part to the mobile terminals is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the advertising information is distributed from the information distribution part; a distribution area evaluation part that calculates, for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit probability indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of area forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited a location indicated by the advertising information; and a distribution area updating part that updates distribution area information recorded in a distribution area management table such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality of areas, those whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022470 | System and Method for Real-Time Ad Selection and Scheduling - Ads play an important role in enhancing the market reach of the products. Televisions are one of the major targets for advertising to reach mass market. With the advent of the Internet, video on demand mode of delivering content, to a variety of devices such as personal computers and mobile phones, has become a possibility. New ad targeting opportunities arise when the multitude of technologies are combined. One of the aspects of ad targeting, to keep the viewers' attention focused on ads, is to “beat the expectations.” A system and method to help in keeping viewers' attention focused on ads involves randomly selecting an ad to be displayed using a randomly selected ad display model at a randomly selected time interval during the course of watching of content. Further, a viewer's attention on ads gets enhanced when the randomly selected ads are appropriate from the point of view of the content being watched. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022471 | MESSAGING SERVICE FOR PROVIDING UPDATES FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT OF A LIVE EVENT DELIVERED OVER THE INTERNET - Messaging services for providing updates for multimedia content delivered over the Internet for a live event. In one embodiment, a messaging server provides real-time updates for multimedia content of a live event delivered over the Internet to multiple media players that request the multimedia content over the Internet. In one embodiment, the real-time updates indicate when the multimedia content is available for delivery over the Internet. In another embodiment, the real-time updates can be used to dynamically insert advertisement markers for advertisement breaks in the multimedia content. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022472 | PAYMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A payment system and method employing wireless capability where a wireless-enabled device carried by a purchaser communicates with a wireless-enabled transaction terminal. The two devices communicate with each other to exchange transaction data to effect the transaction and exchange additional information that supports and expands the transaction event. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022473 | MOBILE DEVICE MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PLATFORMS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - A mobile marketing campaign platform and method including: a planning module including: a definition module for setting budget and objectives; and a design module for designing the campaign utilizing a plurality of templates; an execution module including: design tools for designing an executable campaign from the campaign design made from the templates; and operating tools for causing the executable campaign to execute over multiple mobile services; and a reporting module including: tracking means for tracking at least one of a campaign activity, the campaign performance objectives; and the brand performance objectives. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022474 | Secure Access Personal Entertainment Area with Advertising Based on Travel Destination - The technology disclosed herein provides methods and devices for providing advertising to travelers at travel points based on a destination of travel, the destination information gleaned from a user identification document such as a credit card, travel ticket, or the like. Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a secure access personal entertainment area at a travel point comprising an electronically secured entrance user input receiving device to glean data from user access identification documents. Within the secure entertainment area is a plurality of entertainment activities. Further, within this area, advertisements exhibited to the user of the secure access personal entertainment area are based, at least in part, upon user interaction with the plurality of entertainment activities. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022475 | DISTRIBUTION OF PROMOTIONAL DATA AND RECEIPT OF CUSTOMERS' REACTIONS TO THE DATA - A system for evoking positive customer reactions to a promotional activity for advertising entities on demand. The system comprises an input unit for receiving a bid for a positive reaction to a promotional activity from an advertising entity, a customer-targeting unit for generating a promotion list that specifies potential customers based on the bid, and an output unit configured for outputting said promotion list. The generated promotion list is calculated to evoke a sufficient amount of positive customer reactions to the promotional activity from the plurality of potential customers to meet said bid. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022476 | MEDIA PROVIDING SERVICE - A server, said server configured to receive information from a user equipment regarding interaction of the user with media content by a user of said user equipment; using said information to define preferences for said users; using said defined preferences to determine media content to be provided to said user, and transmitting information on said determined media content to said user equipment. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022477 | BEHAVIOR-BASED USER DETECTION - Techniques for observing user operations and recognizing a current user of a computer based on those operations. Characteristics of observed user operations are compared to characteristics of operations performed by known users, such as those users with existing user profiles. The current user may be recognized as a user having a known user profile or a new user, for which information on user interests or other profile information may be stored. The profile of the current user may be used to customize presentation of services according to preferences for the current user. Components that collect information on user interactions may be incorporated in an operating system of the computer so that user interactions with both the operating system and applications that access operating system facilities may be used to recognize a user. Customization of the operating system or other components based on inferred user recognition may improve the user experience. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022478 | Advertising Request and Rules-Based Content Provision Engine, System and Method - A clearinghouse apparatus, system and method for content, including an ad generator, an ad generator interface by which a user can interact with the ad generator, wherein, in an interaction with the ad generator using the ad generator interface, at least one content item other than content owned by the user is requested for inclusion in a creative, a content provision rules engine having a plurality of rules asserted by the owner of the content to govern the inclusion of the content in the creative, including at least one upsell rule, and a content provision interface by which the owner of the content can interact with the content rules engine to assert the plurality of rules. The invention may additionally include an approval engine, wherein ones of the plurality of rules necessitate that the creative be reviewed and approved by the owner prior to the inclusion of the content, and an approval engine interface by which the owner can interact with the approval engine. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022479 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AN ON-LINE HEALTHCARE OPEN MARKET EXCHANGE - An Internet-based competitive pricing and bidding transaction system includes one or more transaction processing servers that interface and communicate over the Internet with client computer systems of prospective online consumers, medical and professional/licensed services providers and a plurality of related information databases. The transaction processing system handles online communications and procedures for conducting auctions for delivery of proffered medical and professional/licensed services and maintains a registration database of service providers and online prospective consumers/bidders. Medical and professional/licensed services providers may include licensed doctors/nurses, licensed veterinary doctors/technicians as well as conventional homecare/hospice providers, physical therapy providers, babysitting and other professional caretaker services that can provided to/for man or animal. The online proffered services may include conventional medical treatment and/or veterinary services provided for animals, pets or other creatures. A professional license authentication/qualifier engine is provided which transparently and automatically researches, verifies and updates professional credentials, accreditations and background information of each professional service provider upon registration of that service provider with the transaction system, and makes that information available to prospective registered bidders online. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022480 | Loss Prevention At Point Of Sale - Loss prevention at a point of sale (‘POS’) with POS apparatus including a microphone, a speech to text converter, a POS transaction module, a POS transaction log, and a POS security module, also including storing, by the POS transaction module in the transaction log for commercial transactions at the POS, information describing each transaction, including capturing for each transaction, into the transaction log through the microphone and the speech to text converter as text, speech utterances of transaction participants; identifying by the POS security module a risk of loss in dependence upon the information stored in the transaction log including the captured speech utterances; and notifying by the POS security module the store manager of the identified risk of loss. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022481 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD IN PAYMENT PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS - A method includes receiving an authorization request for a purchase transaction, and determining whether the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device. The method further includes mapping a first account number included in the authorization request into a second account number associated with the first account number if it is determined that the authorization request arose from proximity-reading a proximity payment device and if the first account number is qualified for mapping. In addition, the method includes transmitting the authorization request to an issuer financial institution with the second account number substituted for the first account number in the authorization request. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022482 | PAYMENT TERMINAL USING A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, SUCH AS A MOBILE PHONE; A METHOD OF DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENT TRANSACTION - A payment terminal using a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, is located on a removable memory card ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022483 | APPARATUS INCLUDING DATA BEARING MEDIUM FOR REDUCING FRAUD IN PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS USING A BLACK LIST - A system, apparatus, and method for reducing fraud in electronic payment transactions. The apparatus includes a processor that executes instructions to implement a process to identify consumer or merchant devices that have been used in fraudulent transactions and prevent the authorization of future transactions that are initiated using those devices. By collecting device data as part of authorization messages and processing that data, devices that are used in fraudulent transactions with different merchants or involving different accounts may be identified and prevented from being the source of future transactions. This prevents future losses and reinforces the integrity of the transaction system. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022484 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Retail Transactions - Systems and methods are provided to facilitate retail transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a retail terminal includes: a user interface to receive a phone number of a customer; a memory; a data communication interface; and a processor coupled with the memory and the data communication interface to transmit the phone number to a server computer to cause the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction, and to receive from the server computer a message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction. The retail terminal is to perform the transaction in response to the message from the server computer. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022485 | TAX TRANSACTION SYSTEM - A tax transaction system, and combined sale and tax transaction systems, are disclosed for use in electronic commerce for the deduction of a tax, which may be a sales tax, value-added tax, or any tax on income related to a transaction or taxing event. A trusted third party server system ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022486 | TAX TRANSACTION SYSTEM - A tax transaction system, and combined sale and tax transaction systems, are disclosed for use in electronic commerce for the deduction of a tax, which may be a sales tax, value-added tax, or any tax on income related to a transaction or taxing event. A trusted third party server system ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022487 | Food Container Sale Method - A method for selling individual containers used for the storage of fresh foods comprising the steps of providing individual containers in store and adjacent a fresh food product to be purchased, and charging the shopper for the container on a per container basis separately from the food purchased. The bags or containers used in the method of the invention will include at least one feature or characteristic that adds value for the consumer over and above the bags currently provided for free by grocery stores in the produce section. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022488 | FRANCHISE ADD-ON SYSTEM, USER OPERATION TERMINAL AND MANUFACTURER'S MANAGEMENT DEVICE USED THEREFOR, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM USED THEREFOR - A user operation terminal | 2011-01-27 |
20110022489 | Third-Party Inspection of Vehicles in an Electronic Marketplace System - A Third-Party Inspection (TPI) System in which wholesale sellers of items, like automobiles for example, can order third party inspections of their vehicles online, automatically track the status of the inspections and have the inspections loaded to an online wholesale marketplace for sale. The TPI system allows dealers to manage the entire process, from inspection ordering to wholesale sale, through a single interface, by integrating inspection ordering, status tracking and receipt into an online system and an online wholesale marketplace. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022490 | SELLER-CONTROLLED PUBLICATION OF QUESTION AND ANSWER SETS - An auction mechanism that would allow a buyer to submit a question to a seller, and optionally have the seller post the relevant question as well as a response for inclusion within a listing. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022491 | System And Method For Assigning Participants To A Rideshare Based On Financial Transactions - A system and method for financial transactions in a rideshare system is provided. A rideshare environment with multiple rideshare transactions is maintained. Each rideshare transaction includes one or more participants. Bids are received from potential participants for a position in at least one of the rideshare transactions. At least one potential participant is assigned to one of the rideshare transactions based on one of the bids. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022492 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING SERVICES AND/OR CONTENT IN A NETWORK COMPRISING MULTIPLE SERVICE AND/OR CONTENT PROVIDERS - One or more processors and/or one or more circuits in a user device may be operable to communicate a request for desired content to content and service providers. Bids may be received, responsive to the request, for providing the desired content to the user device and/or other devices. The request may initiate a parallel bidding process between the content and service providers. Bids to provide and/or deliver the desired content may be received from content and/or service providers by the user device. A profile of the end user device may be configured for automatically generating the capability and/or requirements in the request, and may be stored in the end user device. The end user device may include a handheld wireless device. Delivery of the content may be at a desired price and/or at a desired time. The request for content may be submitted via a website. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022493 | Method and System for Determining a Hot Runner Component Configuration and Presenting Same to a Customer - Embodiments of the present invention teach a method and system for determining a hot runner component configuration and presenting same to a customer. For example, a method ( | 2011-01-27 |
20110022494 | EXCHANGE FOR FRACTIONAL INTERESTS AND USAGE RIGHTS IN A COLLECTION OF ASSETS - Methods and systems are provided herewith for exchanging and rating works of art. A value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants is determined Ownership interests in the plurality of portfolios of art are pooled in a legal ownership entity. For each participant, an initial participant value is determined based on the determined value of each portfolio of art owned by the respective participant. A respective quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity for each respective participant is determined based on the participant value determined for the participant. An indicia of the respective quantity of shares is transmitted to each respective participant. Participants may buy and sell usage and ownership interests in the portfolios of art. Participants may also redeem their shares for cash or other value. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022495 | RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS FOR CONTENT - A recording and reproducing apparatus for content detects that the same-already purchased content is present when a user newly purchases a content, and determines, based on information in which a user who previously purchases a content sets whether to open the purchase, whether a message to the effect that the content is purchased in duplicate is displayed to the user who newly purchases the content. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022496 | ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY - In one embodiment, system to manage and delivery electronic documents is disclosed. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022497 | CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE LISTINGS CATALOG - A dynamic listings catalog may be generated from a plurality of auction listings to allow a more robust user experience in viewing these catalogs, a more personalized grouping of ecommerce items, and facilitate rendering and embedding within a third party website. A listings catalog is defined as a compilation of ecommerce listings within a rich media environment and does not require page-by-page loading of listing sites as a user sequences through them. One natural consequence of the ability to dynamically group and catalog listing sites is that micro-communities may be developed. A micro-community is defined as a group of users (either sellers or buyers) that share one or more commonalities and that are integrated together to facilitate ecommerce within the grouping. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022498 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFORMING PRODUCT INTENT DESCRIPTIONS INTO A PROCESS NETWORK AND POPULATING AN ORDER ENTRY SYSTEM - A method and system for transforming a product intent description into a process network utilizing a target workflow. The product description can be classified as a specific product type and routed to a target workflow that is reliably classified to manufacture the product type associated with the product description. The classification of the workflow can be automatically accomplished by comparing a workflow description to a set of product type descriptions, in order to determine the product type(s) the workflow is intended to manufacture by a rule-based expert structure (e.g., system). The detailed product descriptions for the product types associated with the workflow can be utilized to create/populate the product catalog entries of an order entry system. Thereafter, a workflow automation system converts the product description to a workflow plan utilizing both the product description and the target workflow description. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022499 | Personal mobile shopping network - a method of sales and retailing involving multimedia messaging feature of mobile cellular phones and PDA devices - The method and apparatus of the present invention relates to a method of selling merchandise, particularly clothing fashions and accessories, to customers via multimedia text messages through the customer's mobile cell phone device. Initially, potential customers will be directed to sign up to be placed on the network list, providing cell phone number, name, and address. Once the person is a registered member of the network it will be able to receive the multimedia message alerts of items that are available for sale. The alert will contain a picture of the item, short description of the item, retail price, sale price where applicable, and the multiple media options for transactions and purchase, as well as the website where the item is located for further viewing. This is a new method of retailing through the use of the mobile phone by which a personal shopper can do all the bargain shopping for the customer, through any and all media, from large and small manufacturers, independent designers, designers, department stores, specialty boutiques, and large chain stores. For any and all merchandise and commerce including electronics, apparel, sporting goods, home sales, hardware, and commodities and then send the picture of item or items with description and comparison cost to their consumer/client via their personal mobile phone or PDA device. If a customer is interested in purchasing merchandise, he/she may do so at the established online website, third party mobile transaction processor, or through the established company telephone number. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022500 | Video E-Commerce - Video e-commerce network, module and methods. In one embodiment, a product/service catalog which includes a video playlist, is delivered to a viewer via a published video e-commerce module. In one embodiment, the catalog is customized based on the website that published the module and/or the viewer of the module. In one embodiment, the viewer may complete the purchase of a product/service in the catalog within the module. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022501 | SERVICE CHANGE COMPONENT GENERATION SYSTEM, METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A service component change generation system is provided with a dependence relationship information creation means that, when service change information including information to specify a component to be changed out of a plurality of components is inputted, refers to a database that stores definitions of dependence relationships indicating the dependence relationships between the change of a component and the change of related components, and creates information of dependence relationships between components to be changed in the service; and a changing component set creation means that refers to the information of the dependence relationships, extracts components to be changed that are mutually related by the dependence relationships and creates a set of components to be changed. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022502 | Tax resolution process and system - A tax resolution system and method are disclosed for identifying and implementing solutions to tax delinquency problems. A taxpayer who is delinquent is guided to provide pertinent data and preferences to be analyzed to derive one or more potential solutions to resolve tax problems or plan a future tax strategy. The taxpayer or a tax professional is provided with the data and support information to solve tax problems and prepare documentation to implement potential solutions based on recommendations provided by the tax resolution system and method. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022503 | MOBILE BUSINESS SYSTEM - The present invention concerns business management. In one aspect, the invention is a mobile business system comprising a database to record one or more mobile workers, where each mobile worker is associated with one or more jobs. The system may comprises a server in communication with a mobile communication device associated with a mobile worker and be operable to receive encrypted payment information associated with a job from the mobile communication device and decrypt the received encrypted payment information and based on the decrypted payment information, request approval of payment from an external server. And, if approval is received, the system may automatically update an accounting system associated the mobile worker with the payment to reflect the approved payment, update status of the job associated with the payment information in the database and send a payment confirmation message to the mobile communication device. In other aspects, the invention is a computer program to implement the system, a method operating at a server to facilitate a mobile business, and a method operating at a mobile communication device to facilitate a mobile business. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022504 | Systems And Method For Establishing A Data-Path Between A Mobile Station And A Home Access Service Network Gateway - The present invention relates to systems and methods for establishing a data-path between a mobile station and a home access service network gateway (“ASN-GW”). During the authentication process, a visited ASN-GW receives a first message that identifies a home ASN-GW associated with the mobile station. After the mobile station has been authenticated, the visited ASN-GW receives a first data-path request message from a base station serving the mobile station, requesting a path for data-packet communication for the mobile station that extends between base station and the visited ASN-GW. The visited ASN-GW responsively uses the received identification to send a second data-path request message to the home ASN-GW which requests a path for data-packet communication that extends between the base station and the home ASN-GW. Once the data-path has been established, the home ASN-GW may monitor and/or place restrictions on the data being transmitted to and from the mobile stations. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022505 | BILLING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, BILLING MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, BILLING INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A billing management system includes an image forming apparatus and a billing management apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a process information receiving unit for receiving process information indicating a list of processes in a process flow; a registration unit for transmitting identification information for the process flow to the billing management apparatus; a process execution unit for performing a first process assigned to the image forming apparatus; a billing information transmitting unit for transmitting billing information for the first process to the billing management apparatus; and a data transfer unit for transferring output data of the first process to a service providing apparatus that is to perform a second process. The billing management apparatus receives the billing information for the first and second processes from the image forming apparatus and the service providing apparatus and records the billing information in association with the identification information. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022506 | Location Visit Detail Services for Wireless Devices - A location visit detail service, typically provided by a wireless carrier to a subscriber includes a portable wireless device, a location identification means and a central processor. The central processor periodically receives location data generated by the location identification means. The central processor data transforms the location data into time and position data pairs that identify the location of the portable wireless device at a particular time. Through a geographic information system database, the position data is converted to street address data. The details data is provided by the wireless carrier to the subscriber, which can use the details data to provide a summary report describing the activity of the service person. This summary report can be used for preparation of bills or for gathering statistics on (individual or group) service person efficiency. Alternatively, the wireless carrier can prepare the report that is then transmitted to the subscriber. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022507 | MORTGAGE LOAN HAVING EXERCISABLE OPTION - Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing, processing, and/or servicing a mortgage loan having one or more exercisable options. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes storing, in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, one or more terms of an exercisable option, where the option is incorporated into a mortgage loan, where the mortgage loan includes a fixed interest rate, and where the option includes an interest rate modification feature, such that exercising the option results in the value of the fixed interest rate being modified from a first value to a second value. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022508 | TRADING ORDERS WITH DECAYING RESERVES - In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory stores software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a trading order for a particular quantity of a trading product. The trading order specifies that a first portion of the particular quantity is a displayed quantity and that a second portion of the particular quantity is a reserved quantity. The trading order specifies at least one of a decay rule, a decay interval, a decay rate, decay quantity, and one or more conditions. The software instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the reserved quantity to decay based at least in part on at least one of the decay rule, the decay interval, the decay rate, and the decay quantity, and one or more conditions. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022509 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC TRADING VIA A YIELD CURVE ON PLURAL NETWORK DEVICES - A method and system for providing automatic electronic trading via yield curves. A yield curve is automatically traded via one or more electronic trading exchanges on a client device and/or a server device and/or a combination thereof, thereby making the execution of electronic trades for the yield curve faster and more reliable than when executing on one network device alone. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY REGULATING ORDER ENTRY IN AN ELECTRONIC TRADING ENVIRONMENT - A system and method are provided for trading a trading strategy defined for at least one tradeable object in an electronic trading environment. More specifically, one example method includes using a first pay-up tick value to determine a first acceptable price level for an order associated with the trading strategy, automatically modifying the first pay-up tick to a second pay-up tick value in response to detecting a predefined condition, and using the second pay-up tick value to determine a second acceptable price level for the order associated with the trading strategy. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022511 | Balancing Arbitragable Tracking Securities - A financial product is based on a first fund that is traded on a trading marketplace in a first country. The financial product is registered in the first country. The first fund has the characteristics of being based on an index of securities that are traded in a second, different country. The first fund is arbitragable with a second fund that is based on the index and which is registered in a second different country. The first fund has a creation unit basis that is substantially the same basis as a creation unit basis for the second fund. The calculation of the net asset value of the first fund occurs at essentially or exactly the same time that second country fund has its NAV calculated. The agent for the first fund has the option of providing or accepting second fund shares or other securities, rather than cash, to cover “cash amount” obligations. Such obligations arise from the need to equate the value received or given for the first fund shares (e.g., the creation unit stock basket plus or minus the “cash amount”) with the NAV of the first fund shares that it has issued or received. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022512 | MODIFIABLE MORTGAGE - Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing, processing, and/or servicing a mortgage loan having one or more exercisable options. For example, in some embodiments, a method is provided that includes storing, in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, one or more terms of an exercisable option, where the option is incorporated into a mortgage loan, where exercising the option results in one or more terms of the mortgage loan being modified, and where one or more terms of the option are based at least partially on a non-mortgage relationship between a borrower associated with the mortgage loan and a lender associated with the mortgage loan. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022513 | INTELLIGENT COLLECTIONS MODELS - Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for analyzing credit and tax form data and determining a collections treatment type to collect revenue. A collections model is constructed to determine a collections score that is based on raw credit data and tax form data and is indicative of a debtor's propensity to pay an owed amount. The collections model includes score bands, each score band being associated with a range of credit scores. A collections score is determined from a scoring expression that is associated with a score band and that typically includes a subset of available raw credit data and tax form data. A collections treatment type is determined from a collections score. Each treatment type corresponds to a treatment action that is directed to the debtor. A collections model is constructed from historical tax data, in which score bands and scoring expressions are constructed for the collections model. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022514 | Loyalty Rewards Optimization Bill Payables and Receivables Service - For several accounts receivable, a reward account is determined as the account that receives the largest deposit to the loyalty reward balance thereof by a payment of the account receivable. For each reward account, a deficient reward account is found if the currency balance for the reward account is not sufficient for the payment of the account payable. For each deficiency reward account, if identified accounts receivables can be deposited such that the currency balance thereof will be sufficient to pay the account payable, then payments are made of: (i) the identified accounts receivables as corresponding deposits to the currency balance of the deficiency reward account such that the currency balance thereof is sufficient for the payment of the account payable; and (ii) the account payable by a withdrawal from the currency balance of the deficiency reward account. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022515 | Mobile payment system - A mobile payment system is disclosed for processing payments authorized by mobile devices (“mobile payments”) that is configured to process mobile payment authorizations that are directed to an electronic lock box. The mobile payment authorizations are processed by way of electronic funds transfer and cleared, for example, by way of an automated electronic funds clearing network, such as the Automated Clearing House (ACH). In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the mobile payment system also processes returns for payments that cannot be cleared. The mobile payment system may be configured to provide advance notification of billing deadlines to payees, e.g., mobile clients, by way of an SMS (Small Message System) message and enable consumers to authorize payment in the same fashion. In addition to facilitating payment by the consumer, the system in accordance with the present invention significantly the “float time” and makes funds available to the merchant in a relatively shorter period of time than known mobile payment systems, once payment authorization is received from the consumer. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022516 | Multiple Payments at One Click - A 1-click method for executing an expedited payment package of paying multiple bills right away through Internet. A user logs into an online bill pay account in a server system from a client system, and receives a web document specifying all bills including a 1-click-pay button. The user prepares a payment package of multiple bills, including a plurality of the identifications of the receiver, bill details, schedule definitions, and delivery details. After selection of 1-click-pay button performed by the user, the client system sends the payment package and a request to execute. Server system collectively processes bill payments the same day or right away according to the payment package and its settings but overriding the previously defined schedule for individual bill. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022517 | APPARATUS INCLUDING DATA BEARING MEDIUM FOR AUTHORIZING A PAYMENT TRANSACTION USING SEASONED DATA - A system, apparatus, and method for expediting the authorization of an electronic payment transaction. Authorization of a transaction at a node of an authorization network is the result of inferring the trustworthiness of a customer to the transaction using data obtained from a different node of the authorization network. The authorization process is expedited by relying on the previous authentication decision of another node, where the previous decision may have been made based on a different payment device or different user inputs. The invention uses a decision made by a first node in the authorization network as a proxy for the authorization decision at a different node, thereby transferring the trustworthiness of a consumer, consumer's device, payment device, or other aspect of the transaction from the first node to the second. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022518 | APPARATUS INCLUDING DATA BEARING MEDIUM FOR SEASONING A DEVICE USING DATA OBTAINED FROM MULTIPLE TRANSACTION ENVIRONMENTS - An apparatus includes a processor and a set of instructions stored in a memory, where when executed by the processor, the instructions implement a method or process of determining if a consumer device should be accepted as valid based on correlating a location of the device with a location of a different transaction involving the same account. This enables an authorization decision for a transaction to be made at an earlier stage of the overall authorization process, or with less data processing or computational resources than might otherwise be required. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022519 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ADVERTISING MESSAGE DISTRIBUTION BY EMPLOYING PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER - System and method is disclosed for distributing advertising messages by employing a portable media player. Selected media assets and advertising messages are pre-loaded to the media player based upon a targeted user's personal profile which indicates the user's personal interests in specific media asset groups and in specific advertising message groups. The operation of “pre-loading” may be performed at a manufacturing site or at a point of sales. The selected media assets may be encoded. At least one advertising message is delivered to the user through an output unit of the media player before a selected media asset is decoded and is delivered. The storage capacity of a storage unit of the device is managed by a software module. Each pre-loaded media asset and advertising message is assigned a priority in a sequential manner. The lower priority assets and messages are deleted, in a manner un-notified to the user, when the storage capacity is required as a result of the user's operation of the device. The priority of the delivered advertising message may be adjusted and advertising messages and media assets may be replaced by new ones when the device is connected to a server. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022520 | Systems and Methods for Secure Transaction Management and Electronic Rights Protection - The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.” | 2011-01-27 |
20110022521 | Authentication arrangement and method for use with financial transaction - A system and method for generating an authentication token which is used by an issuer associated with a integrated circuit card to authenticate a transaction. A personal card reader receives data, including an authentication cryptogram, from the integrated circuit card. The personal card reader uses the data received from the integrated circuit card to select one of at least two default bitmaps stored in a memory portion of the personal card reader. The personal card reader uses the selected default bitmap and the authentication cryptogram to build the authentication token. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022522 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REAL-TIME ACCESS TO MOBILE COMMERCE PURCHASE CONFIRMATION EVIDENCE - A method and system are provided for providing a real-time access to mobile commerce payment evidence. The method includes receiving and storing evidence that a mobile handset user has confirmed his intention of making a purchase to be billed to his mobile operator account. The method further includes authenticating the confirmation received, and storing evidence of that authentication. Further, the method includes providing at least some of that evidence to at least one of the subscriber, the utility provider, and a provider of the product purchased. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022523 | NEGOTIATION PLATFORM IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT - A method and a system for providing a negotiation platform in the event that a listing fails by becoming inactive without the offering being sold are provided. For example, a negotiation eligibility detector may detect a failed listing of an offering. The listing may be associated with a first user and a first offer. A potential buyer detector may identify at least one potential buyer based on a user action associated with the failed listing. A negotiation manager may be in communication with the negotiation eligibility detector and the potential buyer detector. In response to the detecting of the failed listing and the identifying of the potential buyers, the negotiation manager may transmit a request to the at least one potential buyer for a second offer associated with the failed listing. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022524 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WITH PASSIVE RFID TRANSPONDER - A process is provided for testing or operating an integrated circuit that includes providing a passive radio frequency identification transponder in electrical communication with the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is associated with a printed circuit board or analog circuitry. The passive radio frequency identification transponder is shielded from the integrated circuit with a ferrite material ground in power planes as well as radiated emissions from the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is energized. Information about the function of the integrated circuit is communicated to a remote location with an antenna coupled to the transponder in response to an external signal that provokes the communication so as to test or operate the integrated circuit. An assembly is provided that includes a printed circuit board or analog circuitry inclusive of a central processing unit that defines a ground plane and a power plane, and provides irradiated emissions upon the central processing unit being energized. A passive radio frequency identification is also present. An antenna circuit is in electrical communication with the passive radio frequency identification transponder and includes a coil antenna or a patch antenna. A ferrite loaded material is positioned intermediate between the radio frequency identification transponder and the printed circuit board or analog circuitry to shield the radio frequency identification transponder from the ground plane, the power plane, and radiated emissions when produced by the printed circuit board or the analog circuitry being energized. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022525 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE UTILIZATION OF PRICING MODELS IN THE AGGREGATION, ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND MONETIZATION OF PRICING DATA FOR VEHICLES AND OTHER COMMODITIES - Embodiments of systems and methods for the aggregation, analysis, display and monetization of pricing data for commodities in general, and which may be particularly useful applied to vehicles are disclosed. In certain embodiments, one or more models may be applied over a set of historical transaction data associated with a vehicle configuration to determine pricing data. Some models may leverage incremental data in various conditions, including cases where fewer than a desired number of historical transactions are present in the bin of a specified vehicle, where fewer than, equal to, or more than a certain number of list prices for the specified vehicle available, and where no historical transaction data for new models is available. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022526 | Method and System for Content Selection, Delivery and Payment - Aspects of a method and system for content selection, delivery and payment may comprise a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to select one or more parameters associated with a particular content type from the management entity. The particular content type may specify a type of media content that is handled by the one or more endpoint devices. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to receive configuration information from the management entity based on the selected one or more parameters associated with the particular content type. The one or more endpoint devices may be configured utilizing the received configuration information. The one or more endpoint devices may be operable to pay for the received configuration information. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022527 | ROUTE SEARCHING APPARATUS AND ROUTE SEARCHING METHOD - In the present invention, at least a single route is created that satisfies route search conditions received from an information processing terminal, an amount of emissions caused by following the created route is calculated on a route-by-route basis, an emission credit purchase amount required for compensating the calculated amount of emissions is calculated, a route search result including the route, the amount of emissions, and the emission credit purchase amount is sent to the information processing terminal, emission amount compensation is performed by subtracting, from the quantity of emission credits stored in a storage unit, the amount of emissions equivalent to the emission credit purchase amount specified in an emission credit purchase order received from the information processing terminal, and a compensation result at least including the compensated amount of emissions and the corresponding emission credit purchase amount to the information processing terminal is sent for display. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022528 | Method and system for transmitting information via a plurality of different formats - A method for transmitting a plurality of related data items by a plurality of different formats includes assigning a unique identifier to a plurality of related data items stored on web server. The method further includes a transmitter receiving the unique identifier from a browser function and retrieving the plurality of related data items from the web server storing the unique identifier and the plurality of related data items. The transmitter formats the plurality of related data items into at least one of the different transmission formats and transmits the plurality of related data items by the formats selected by the user. In one embodiment, the browser function is a bookmarklet having the function of sending the unique identifier to the transmitter. In another embodiment, the plurality of related data items is information related to a job opportunity and the unique identifier is a job identifier. In one such embodiment, the plurality of different transmission methods includes job boards, email campaigns, key word advertising campaigns and social networking sites. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022529 | SOCIAL NETWORK CREATION USING IMAGE RECOGNITION - A method for dynamically creating a social network using image recognition may include performing image recognition analysis on an image and determining selected information based on the image recognition analysis. A new social network may then be created from the selected information. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022530 | Method and apparatus for ranking candidates - A method and apparatus for ranking candidates is provided. Preferably, the method includes steps of and/or apparatus performs steps of receiving candidate referrals from a plurality of referrers, generating a predicted prospect ranking (PPR) based at least in part on received candidate referrals, and displaying a candidate list ranked by the PPR. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022531 | Electronic Verification Software - A method is described herein for managing employees and their workforce verification. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022532 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING AN OBJECT IN TRANSIT - A shipping container is used with methods for controlling shipment of a temperature controlled material so that once a customer order is initiated with a customer origin point and a customer destination the shipping container with a phase change material maintaining a sample chamber within the shipping container within a desired temperature range is shipped to the customer origin point where a temperature controlled material is loaded into the sample chamber and then the shipping container is shipped to the customer destination and then returned to a repurposing site and periodic location of the shipping container is tracked by use of a wireless location sensor associated with the shipping container during its shipment. The health of the shipping container, as well as the temperature of its sample chamber, can also be monitored, tracked, recorded and retrieved either during shipment or at the conclusion of a shipping cycle. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022533 | Method and system for providing shipment tracking and notifications - Improved approaches for monitoring status of articles being shipped are disclosed. The monitoring can produce notifications to interested parties. The notifications typically contain status information pertaining to the articles being shipped. Alternatively, interested parties can gain access to status information pertaining to the articles being shipped via a website. According to one embodiment, the status information includes at least position (location) information and shipping conditions information. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022534 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATED GLOBAL SHIPPING AND VISIBILITY - Disclosed is an integrated global shipment system that provides end-to-end visibility of the movement of a package. The integrated global shipment system employs a shipment consolidating application for integrating one or more freight tracking systems with one or more end-delivery systems. As a result, shippers are provided with complete visibility of the movement of their shipments of goods from an origin country to a destination country and till the final consignees. In addition, the integrated shipment system significantly decreases the cost of managing inventories by providing a virtual inventory solution. Under this virtual inventory solution, suppliers are able to bypass distribution centers and delay allocation of goods until after the importation of goods into a destination country. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022535 | TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to transportation management processes and systems. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method in a computer system for determining one or more routes for transporting items, including receiving multiple orders to transport items from an origination stop to a destination stop, generating one or more consolidations, and generating one or more shipments wherein each shipment includes a selected consolidation that meets at least one shipment parameter or an order. The method further includes generating one or more routes with an ordered sequence of stops wherein each route is associated with one or more shipments. The method still further includes selecting one or more routes based on one or more route parameters. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022536 | PROVIDER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT FACILITATES INTERACTION BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONS - A provider relationship management system (“PRM system”) is disclosed that enables an individual to manage information about and electronically interact with organizations. The PRM system presents an individual with a list of organizations that the individual may have a relationship with. The individual selects one or more organizations from the list to add the selected organizations to a personal provider directory. The individual uses the personal provider directory to manage information associated with each organization. The individual may seek to establish an interactive connection with one or more organizations in the personal provider directory. If a selected organization agrees to establish an interactive connection with the individual, the organization is permitted to communicate with and send electronic documents to the individual. Each document is associated with a document type, and the document type is associated with certain actions that may be taken with respect to the corresponding document. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022537 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING AND REPORTING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE BASED ON COMMENTS COLLECTED FROM WEB PAGE USERS USING SOFTWARE ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSED WEB PAGES - According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for measuring and reporting business intelligence based on comments collected from web page users using software associated with accessed web pages includes: using a computer system, accessing a plurality of user comments collected from users of one or more web pages using feedback collection software that provides users who access a particular web page a viewable element through which to provide their comments regarding one or more aspects of a business associated with the particular web page; using a computer system, associating each of the plurality of collected user comments with one or more of a plurality of predefined business-related categories; and using a computer system, generating a report identifying, for each of the plurality of predefined business-related categories, one or more quantitative values derived from the collected user comments associated with that business-related category. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022538 | PROCESS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SIMULATION METHOD - There is provided a process management support system and the like which supports searching continuously a business process appropriate to a change of the external environments. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022539 | COMPUTERIZED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A FINANCIAL PORTFOLIO RELATIVE TO MARKET VOLATILITY - The system and method for managing a financial portfolio relative to market stability includes determining a first allocation of assets in the portfolio and a level of equity exposure, the portfolio including a plurality of funds; monitoring a quantitative risk indicator for market signals, determining whether the quantitative risk indicator meets a predetermined risk threshold value and if the risk indicator meets the risk threshold value, adjusting the level of equity exposure by selling a first position on a first set of options associated with a first fund and purchasing a second position on a second set of options associated with a second fund. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022540 | Location-Based Address Determination and Real Estate Valuation - Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for location-based address determination and real estate valuation. Current location information from a mobile device is received by a server computing device. The location information includes global positioning data associated with the mobile device and photographic data associated with one or more photos taken by the mobile device and associated with the location. A street address based on the location information is determined by the server computing device. The photographic data is processed in associated with the global positioning data, wherein the photographic data is used to determine the street address. Financial data associated with the street address is received. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022541 | Methods and Systems for Proactive Loan Modification - Embodiments of the invention include a computer implemented method for automatically modifying the terms of a plurality of mortgages within a portfolio of mortgages, such that, monthly payments for the plurality of mortgages are reduced. The method includes calculating a current net present value for each of the mortgages in the portfolio of mortgages. The method also includes calculating a plurality of future net present values for each of the mortgages in the portfolio, each future net present value corresponding to one set of modified loan terms. The method also includes selecting the largest calculated future net present value. The method also includes automatically modifying the loan terms of each of the plurality of mortgages where the largest future net present value is greater than the current net present value. Loan terms are modified to correspond to the modified loan terms resulting in the largest net present value. | 2011-01-27 |
20110022542 | METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS FOR EXCHANGING FRACTIONAL INTERESTS IN A COLLECTION OF ASSETS - Methods and systems are provided herewith for exchanging and rating works of art. A value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants is determined Each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art. Ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art are pooled in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares. For each participant, an initial participant value is determined based on the determined value of each portfolio of art owned by the respective participant. A respective quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity to each respective participant is determined based on the participant value determined for the participant. An indicia of the respective quantity of shares is transmitted to each respective participant. In various embodiments, participants may buy and sell usage and ownership interests in the portfolios of art. | 2011-01-27 |