15th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 42 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090094021 | Determining A Document Specificity - In one embodiment, determining a document specificity includes accessing a record that records the clusters of documents. The number of themes of a document is determined from the number of clusters of the document. The specificity of the document is determined from the number of themes. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094022 | APPARATUS FOR CREATING SPEAKER MODEL, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A transformation-parameter calculating unit calculates a first model parameter indicating a parameter of a speaker model for causing a first likelihood for a clean feature to maximum, and calculates a transformation parameter for causing the first likelihood to maximum. The transformation parameter transforms, for each of the speakers, a distribution of the clean feature corresponding to the identification information of the speaker to a distribution represented by the speaker model of the first model parameter. A model-parameter calculating unit transforms a noisy feature corresponding to identification information for each of speakers by using the transformation parameter, and calculates a second model parameter indicating a parameter of the speaker model for causing a second likelihood for the transformed noisy feature to maximum. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094023 | Method, medium, and apparatus encoding scalable wideband audio signal - Provided is a method and apparatus for encoding a scalable wideband audio signal, the method including: filtering a voiced signal by performing linear prediction on the voiced signal and modulating the filtered signal; encoding the modulated signal in the time domain, and outputting a core layer encoding result of the voiced signal; subtracting a signal obtained by decoding the core layer encoding result from the modulated signal and outputting an error signal; and encoding the error signal and outputting an enhancement layer encoding result of the voiced signal. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094024 | CODING DEVICE AND CODING METHOD - A coding device is provided with features in which optimum coding in a higher layer is flexibly carried out based on a coding result of a lower layer and a quality audio signal in limited circumstances is served to users. In this coding device, a basic layer coding unit codes an input signal to generate a basic layer information source code and outputs a linear prediction coefficient (LPC) and a quantum LPC, which are parameters calculated at coding, to an expanded layer control unit. A basic layer decoding unit decodes the basic layer information source code. An adding unit reverses a polarity of a basic layer decoded signal, adds the same to the input signal, and calculates a difference signal. The expanded layer control unit generates expanded layer mode information indicative of a coding mode in an expanded layer based on the LPC and the quantum LPC. An expanded layer coding unit codes the difference signal obtained from the adding unit under control of the expanded layer control unit. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094025 | METHOD FOR SPEECH CODING, METHOD FOR SPEECH DECODING AND THEIR APPARATUSES - A high quality speech is reproduced with a small data amount in speech coding and decoding for performing compression coding and decoding of a speech signal to a digital signal. In speech coding method according to a code-excited linear prediction (CELP)speech coding, a noise level of a speech in a concerning coding period is evaluated by using a code or coding result of at least one of spectrum information, power information, and pitch information, and various excitation codebooks are used based on an evaluation result | 2009-04-09 |
20090094026 | METHOD OF DETERMINING AN ESTIMATED FRAME ENERGY OF A COMMUNICATION - A method of processing a communication includes determining an estimated excitation energy component of a subframe of a coded frame. A filter energy component of the subframe is also estimated. Determining an estimated energy of the subframe is based upon the estimated excitation energy component and the estimated filter energy component. This technique allows for estimating frame energy of a communication such as a voice communication without having to fully decode the communication. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094027 | Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Providing Improved Voice Conversion - An apparatus for providing improved voice conversion includes a sub-feature generator and a transformation element. The sub-feature generator may be configured to define sub-feature units with respect to a feature of source speech. The transformation element may be configured to perform voice conversion of the source speech to target speech based on the conversion of the sub-feature units to corresponding target speech sub-feature units using a conversion model trained with respect to converting training source speech sub-feature units to training target speech sub-feature units. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094028 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAINTENANCE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT - Knowledge-based information can be captured and processed to create a library of such knowledge. A maintenance worker performing a task for an asset can record audio and/or video information during the performance, and can upload the recording to a maintenance system. The system processes the recording to produce a text file corresponding to any speech during the recording, and generates a search index allowing the text file to be searched by a user. If the task is performed in the context of a work order, for example, information from the work order can be associated with the text file so that a user can search by text search, keyword, task, or other such information. A user then can locate and access the text file and/or the corresponding recording for playback. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094029 | Managing Audio in a Multi-Source Audio Environment - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the management of an audio environment with multiple audio sources. According to various embodiments described herein, real-time audio from multiple sources is received. A speaker is identified for each of the audio sources. Upon detecting a change from a first audio source to a second audio source, an identification of the speaker associated with the second audio source is provided. According to various embodiments, a recording of the real-time audio may be made and descriptors inserted to identify each speaker as the audio source changes. Real-time feedback from the speakers regarding characteristics of the audio may be received and corresponding adjustments to the audio made. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094030 | INDEXING METHOD FOR QUICK SEARCH OF VOICE RECOGNITION RESULTS - A method, system and computer program product for receiving a spoken request to obtain indexed results from a database. Like result types are assigned to categories, and within each category is a plurality of result entries. The result indices are hexadecimal encoded, and each hexadecimal encoding is preceded by an initial character representing the result category. A speech recognition system is engaged, which processes the spoken request. When a item is requested, the respective category is implicitly known by the index returned, and the index provides direct access within a database to the corresponding result based on the phonetics of the request. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094031 | Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Providing Text Independent Voice Conversion - An apparatus for providing text independent voice conversion may include a first voice conversion model and a second voice conversion model. The first voice conversion model may be trained with respect to conversion of training source speech to synthetic speech corresponding to the training source speech. The second voice conversion model may be trained with respect to conversion to training target speech from synthetic speech corresponding to the training target speech. An output of the first voice conversion model may be communicated to the second voice conversion model to process source speech input into the first voice conversion model into target speech corresponding to the source speech as the output of the second voice conversion model. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094032 | Systems and methods of performing speech recognition using sensory inputs of human position - Embodiments of the present invention improve methods of performing speech recognition using sensory inputs of human position. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a speech recognition method comprising sensing a change in position of at least one part of a human body, selecting a recognition set based on the change of position, receiving a speech input signal, and recognizing the speech input signal in the context of the first recognition set. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094033 | Systems and methods of performing speech recognition using historical information - Embodiments of the present invention improve speech recognition using historical information. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of performing speech recognition comprising receiving an identifier specifying a user of a kiosk, retrieving history information about the user using the identifier, receiving speech input, recognizing said speech input in the context of a first recognition set, resulting in first recognition results, and modifying the first recognition results using the history information. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094034 | VOICE INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS - A link table is generated, voice information is associated by dot patterns, and then, voice information associated with the dot pattern is reproduced from a speaker when the dot pattern is read by means of a scanner. In this manner, the dot pattern is printed on a surface of a material such as a picture book or a card, making it possible to play back voice information corresponding to a pattern or a story of a picture book and to play back voice information corresponding to a character described on the card. In addition, by means of a link table, new voice information can be associated with, dissociated from, or changed to, a new dot pattern. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094035 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESELECTION OF SUITABLE UNITS FOR CONCATENATIVE SPEECH - A system and method for improving the response time of text-to-speech synthesis utilizes “triphone contexts” (i.e., triplets comprising a central phoneme and its immediate context) as the basic unit, instead of performing phoneme-by-phoneme synthesis. The method comprises a method of generating a triphone preselection cost database for use in speech synthesis, the method comprising 1) selecting a triphone sequence u | 2009-04-09 |
20090094036 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF HANDLING PROBLEMATIC INPUT DURING CONTEXT-SENSITIVE HELP FOR MULTI-MODAL DIALOG SYSTEMS - A method of presenting a multi-modal help dialog move to a user in a multi-modal dialog system is disclosed. The method comprises presenting an audio portion of the multi-modal help dialog move that explains available ways of user inquiry and presenting a corresponding graphical action performed on a user interface associated with the audio portion. The multi-modal help dialog move is context-sensitive and uses current display information and dialog contextual information to present a multi-modal help move that is currently related to the user. A user request or a problematic dialog detection module may trigger the multi-modal help move. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094037 | Adaptive Approach to Improve G.711 Perceptual Quality - In order to achieve the best improvement of ITU G.711 related codec perceptual quality, perceptual weighting controlling parameter(s) should be at least adaptive to relative quantization error statistics or adaptive to signal level. When the relative quantization error statistics are larger or the signal level is lower, the perceptual weighting should be “stronger”, which means α in (5) is smaller; when the relative quantization error statistics are smaller or the signal level is larger, the perceptual weighting should be “weaker”, which means α in (5) is larger. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094038 | EFFICIENT DESIGN OF MDCT / IMDCT FILTERBANKS FOR SPEECH AND AUDIO CODING APPLICATIONS - A more efficient encoder/decoder is provided in which an N-point MDCT transform is mapped into smaller sized N/2-point DCT-IV and/or DCT-II transforms with isolated pre-multiplications which can be moved to a prior or subsequent windowing stage. That is, the windowing operations may be merged with first/last stage multiplications in the core MDCT/IMDCT functions, respectively, thus reducing the total number of multiplications. Additionally, the MDCT may be systematically decimated by factor of 2 by utilizing a uniformly scaled 5-point DCT-II core function as opposed to the DCT-IV or FFT cores used in many existing MDCT designs in audio codecs. The modified windowing stage merges factors from a transform stage and windowing stage to obtain piece-wise symmetric windowing factors, which can be represented by a sub-set of the piece-wise symmetric windowing factors to save storage space. Such features offer appreciable reduction in complexity and less memory usage than the prior art. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094039 | COLLABORATIVE PRODUCTION OF RICH MEDIA CONTENT - Among other things, a publicly accessible online facility enables users to create finished rich media content (RMC) by collaboratively engaging in activities to create RMC portions related to the finished RMC, the RMC portions being made accessible to the users in different predefined levels of abstraction in which the finished RMC can be expressed. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094040 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND RESPONDING TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - A method for generating a request for proposal and responding to the request for proposal is provided. The method includes generating, via a computing module stored in a computing system, a request for proposal. The method further includes providing, via the computing module, a response to the request for proposal. The method also includes receiving at least one of a first communication related to the request for proposal and a second communication related to the response by using the computing module. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094041 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPRESENTING AGREEMENTS AS REPUTATION - System and method for representing agreements as reputation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises, in response to a request to generate an assertion relating to a piece of content, regenerating a reputation statement concerning an agreement from reputation-forming information (RFI) associated with an agreement; and generating an assertion from the reputation statement and the piece of content, the generating comprising binding the piece of content to the reputation statement. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094042 | Method and System for Providing a Customer Biopolymer to a Customer - The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing a customer biopolymer to a customer. The sequence of a customer biopolymer is transferred to a production control system of a biopolymer service provider, synthesized on a production machine of the service provider and delivered to the customer, wherein no human action is necessary to initiate or control the synthesis process. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094043 | One stop full service real estate system and method - A system and method for providing a user with assistance in selling their home. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094044 | System, method and computer-readable medium for configuring a computer via a network to generate a personalized user experience - A system, method and computer-readable medium are provided for configuring a computer to behave in accordance with a profile associated with a selected user account. A profile server includes (a.) means to store the profile in a server of an electronic communications network; and (b.) means to enable a user to download the profile to a computer via the electronic communications network, whereby the recipient computer is enabled to generate a user experience in interaction with the user. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094045 | Method and system for determining the reliability of forensic interpretation - The present invention pertains to a process for determining reliability of forensic interpretation methods. Specifically, the process comprises the steps of obtaining forensic data, a known feature, and a population of features; obtaining a forensic interpretation method that is applicable to the forensic data; applying the interpretation method to the forensic data to obtain an inferred feature; computing a match information statistic that determines a frequency of occurrence of a match between the inferred feature and the known feature relative to the population of features; and computing a numerical reliability statistic from the match information statistic to determine the reliability of the forensic interpretation method for legal admissibility in a court of law. This reliability determination is useful for validating a forensic interpretation method so that its results can be admitted as evidence in a court of law. Establishing reliability helps ensure that forensic evidence complies with F.R.E. 702, which requires that a method and the application of the method to data must be reliable in order to be admissible. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094046 | Event-Recording Gift Container and Methods of Use - A means and methods are provided to give a gift and simultaneously and unobtrusively record images and/or sound to capture the emotion and excitement of the gift recipient upon receipt of the gift and discovery of the gift-container contents. A gift container is combined with miniaturized video and/or audio recording technologies for use in conjunction with microelectronics and provides a means for recorded data transfer to external devices. Appropriate methods associated with related rentals, sales, and services to the consumer using the gift container are provided. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094047 | Systems and methods for predicting a risk utilizing epigenetic data - A method includes receiving epigenetic information associated with at least a specific individual and/or prognosticating a risk at least partially based on the epigenetic information associated with at least a specific individual and the at least one correlation of epigenetic information associated with at least a first individual for at least a first epigenetic-information interval of time with disability data associated with at least a first individual for at least a first disability-data interval of time. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094048 | System and Method For Facilitating The Introduction of Compatible Individuals Using Third Party Collaborative Tools - A system and method for facilitating an online collaborative community for individuals to meet each other, make suggestions to members in their network of other individuals as potential matches, and introduce members to each other. A number of features are provided that promote collaboration among members of the online community with regard to suggested matches of potentially compatible individuals. A first feature enables a user to initiate a multi-party discussion concerning suggested matches for particular individuals. The user has the ability to attach a profile of the suggested match to the discussion, which may be retrieved and viewed by the invited parties to the discussion. Invited parties may be non-members as well as members of the online community. A “social feed” is provided to a user to inform the user of activities happening on the site that are related to the user or any friends to whom he/she is connected. A points system is provided to award points to users for participation in various categories of activities and actions that promote the advancement of the introduction and matching network. Various games modules are provided to encourage matchmaking activities by enhancing the entertainment value of site participation. A scoreboard is also provided, which lists the top-scoring users of the site. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094049 | MACHINE-IMPLEMENTED ITEM EXCHANGE METHOD - A machine-implemented item exchange method includes the steps of: (a) based on at least one value that has been set by a first member on at least one item possessed by the first member, and at least one value that has been set by the first member on at least one item possessed by a second member, determining in accordance with an exchange rule and on behalf of the first member a correlation indicative of willingness of the first member to exchange an item possessed thereby for an item possessed by the second member; and (b) in accordance with the correlation determined in step (a), performing item matching so as to generate a match list. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094050 | Electronic shop customer registration method - A service provider places a server at a data center and a service user searches a website, connecting a terminal to the Internet. When the service user specifies a URL in a website server via a terminal accessible to the Internet, data of content stored onto the server is read out and transmitted to the terminal of the service user. The server stores customer information received from the service user and performs a customer registration as a merchandise purchaser. After completing a customer registration, information advising a membership registration different from a customer registration is transmitted to the service user. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094051 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MINIMIZING COSTS OF DRUG PURCHASES - Drug purchases are evaluated according to available offers from drug manufacturers, based on the equivalent dosage regimens for similar drugs. Equivalent doses among drugs are calculated. Purchasing amounts of equivalent doses of drugs are reviewed. The costs of the equivalent doses of the drugs are compared, taking into account contractual price adjustments, such as discounts and rebates. Subsequent purchasing amounts of the drugs are determined, using results from the comparisons. The new purchasing amounts of the equivalent doses of the drugs are produced. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094052 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY GENERATED CLINICAL FORM ELEMENTS - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for the dynamic creation of a clinical form. The method comprises acquiring a list of available clinical elements models. In an embodiment, a set of parameters is acquired for each clinical element model. A visual representation associated with each clinical element model based on the set of parameters is acquired. The behavior rules based on the visual representation associated with the clinical element models is acquired. The set of behavior rules is associated with the visual representation of the clinical element models to create a set of clinical form elements. One or more clinical form elements may be added to a form. Such a system and method may allow a user to dynamically create clinical forms. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094053 | DIAGNOSIS THROUGH GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS - An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and systems are described that receive at least one set of diagnosis parameters associated with one or more patients, determine one or more spider charts associated with one or more potential diagnoses for the one or more patients, and provide the one or more spider charts in visual proximity to one another. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094054 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING PATIENTS OVERDUE FOR AN APPOINTMENT USING STANDARD HEALTHCARE BILLING DATA - A method and apparatus for identifying overdue patients using standard billing or other office management data, so that patients can be contacted and invited to make an appointment. The invention begins by querying the diagnosis codes for each visit from the billing or other encounter tables, and matching these with a set of target medical conditions requiring regular care. Procedure codes and encounter dates for past visits are queried for these patients, to determine when each patient was last seen, and what was done. These procedure codes are matched against a set of exam codes to determine last medical examination dates, and against a set of procedures known to resolve each medical condition. Each condition requiring regular care is matched against any resolving procedures, leaving a set of untreated conditions requiring regular care. Based on the date of the last exam or treatment and accepted standards of care or office policies, a due date is calculated for each patient. The management system is queried for each overdue patient to determine whether they already have an appointment scheduled in the future, or a recall notice recently sent or yet to be sent. Additional filtering based on administrative settings may also be done. Overdue patients requiring contact are then placed on the contact list. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094055 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRICE ESTIMATES FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES - A system for providing price information for medical procedures. The system includes a user interface configured to receive patient information corresponding to a patient, an eligibility engine configured to send a health care benefit inquiry and receive a health care benefit response from an insurer or a clearinghouse for a plurality of insurers based on received patient information, and a pricing engine configured to request and receive price data for a particular medical procedure based on the received patient information. The user interface is further configured to present pricing information to a user based on the received health care benefit response and the received price data. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094056 | Systems And Methods For Projecting Sample Store Activities That Are Restricted In Non-Sample Stores - Systems and methods are provided for estimating non-sampled store activities by applying projection factors to sampled store activities taking into account restrictions on non-sampled store activities. The systems and methods adjust data projection factors for managed healthcare plans that have restrictions in non-sampled stores to prevent unrestricted activity under these plans at sample stores from being projected into non-sample stores where such projected activity would be restricted. Conventional sampled-to-non-sampled store projection factors leading to restricted plan activities are reallocated to non-restricted plan activities in the non-sample store based on the historical ratio of such activities observed in sample stores. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094057 | ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DEVICE - A technology that prevents leak of patient data, which is personal information, stored in a storage medium without requiring labor is disclosed. According to the technology, when a command for bulk-deleting pieces of data stored in memories | 2009-04-09 |
20090094058 | Quality assurance scorecard for diagnostic medical agent administration - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus where pre-defined diagnostic medical agent administration data are prospectively collected and analyzed, in order to provide an objective contrast administration risk-benefit analysis, and provide an impartial analysis for pre-testing assessment, as well as optimization of examination, contrast selection and performance parameters. By storing this data in a standardized and centralized fashion, the data could in turn be used for clinical outcome analysis on a local, regional, and national level. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094059 | Genetic Data Analysis and Database Tools - A computerized tool and method for delivery of pharmacogenetic and pharmacological information, comprising a core system having algorithms and databases for storing, collating, accessing, cross-referencing, and interpreting genetic and pharmacologic data, with a graphical user interface for a client network of providers of laboratory genetic testing services to access the core services under contract. The system includes “paypoints” in support of improved business models. Included are mechanisms for ‘pass through’ third party and insurance reimbursement for interpretive reports, insurance reimbursement for on-line access to pharmacogenetic information at the point of care, tools for market segmentation, and a conversion tool for capturing new subscribers. Also disclosed are tools and predictive algorithms for preventing drug-drug and drug-gene adverse drug reactions. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094060 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONSUMER HEALTHCARE DECISIONMAKING - A method and system for healthcare decisionmaking wherein a consumer begins with a diagnosis, is educated on the interpretation of relevant data relating thereto, assess risk, selects and prioritizes search criteria, reviews treatment option results and compares the results based on their preference, or by using statistically valid data derived from consumers like themselves. The method and system presents a structured framework for communicating information that has been personalized and customized to an individual who is a consumer of information about healthcare. The system is a networked, knowledge-based system that assists the consumer in assessing healthcare treatment options for a variety of healthcare conditions, procedures and clinical diagnoses. The system includes a server and a server-driven remote interface through which a series of progressively more personalized presentations of information are achieved by matching a consumer's preferences with those of demographically similar consumers and best practice information obtained from a variety of public and private sources. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094061 | GENERATING AND MANAGING MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION SETS - Methods, computer storage media, systems and user interfaces for generating and/or managing medical documentation sets are provided. Medical documentation sets are generated by replicating a predetermined medical template. After the predetermined medical template is replicated, the medical label associated with the medical documentation set may be modified so that the medication documentation set includes a unique medical label. Upon the completion of a medication documentation set, it may be retrieved and managed as desired. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094062 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REWARDING CONSUMERS - In order to reward a consumer for trying or learning about a product, the customer is given a unique identification number, preferably an unvalidated ATM readable card, and instructions for completing a test or survey by telephone or on the Internet. Upon successful completion of the test by the consumer, the identification number is validated so that the consumer may withdraw a cash reward from a temporary bank account funded when the identification number is validated via an ATM. Where the consumer is the patient of a physician, the patient may receive the number and card from the physician along with a prescription for redemption at a pharmacy whereat the pharmacy dispenses a supply of the drug to the patient and is paid by the manufacturer of the drug through the former's insurance payment processing system. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094063 | DISPLAY AND METHOD FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURE SELECTION - A display system and method for displaying information to a clinician when selecting the next appropriate diagnostic test or therapeutic procedure to order for a patient are provided. The system assists the clinician in selecting the next step based on the information the clinician hopes to gain from the test or the result of the treatment. The system will present general and patient-specific information about the procedure to assist the clinician's selection. The system includes a user interface configured for entering desired resultant information of a procedure; a processor configured to determine at least one result code from the entered desired resultant information from a database associating result codes to resultant information; the processor configured to determine at least one procedure matching the at least one result code; and a display device for presenting the determined at least one procedure. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094064 | Healthcare Insurance Claim Fraud and Error Detection Using Co-Occurrence - A healthcare insurance claim that includes variables characterizing aspects of a healthcare service for which reimbursement is sought is analyzed in order to determine whether there are any aspects that are indicative of fraud or error. This analysis includes generating score variables from the variables of the healthcare insurance claim and determining whether a presence of one or more of the pairs of variables is indicative of fraud or error based on levels of co-occurrence of the one or more pairs in historical healthcare insurance claims. If a positive determination occurs, then the healthcare insurance claim can be flagged or elevated for review by a user. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are also described. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094065 | Systems and methods for underwriting risks utilizing epigenetic information - Methods and devices are described for calculating insurance premiums based upon epigenetic information. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094066 | Methods and Systems for Providing Vehicle Insurance - According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for providing insurance including: permitting a customer to access a retail website; retrieving intelligently, from the customer through the website, a first limited set of information pertaining to the customer and a vehicle of the customer; determining, from the first limited set of information, a first insurance rate corresponding to a first insurance policy from a first insurer and a second insurance rate corresponding to a second insurance policy from a second insurer, wherein the first and second rates are determined without intermediately consulting the first and second insurers; evaluating which of the first and second rates is preferable to the customer to determine a preferred insurance policy; displaying information corresponding to the preferred insurance policy to the customer; and providing an option to the customer to purchase the preferred insurance policy. According to an embodiment, the method further includes retrieving intelligently, from the customer through the website, a second limited set of information pertaining to the customer and a vehicle of the customer when the customer opts to purchase the preferred insurance policy. According to an embodiment, the method further includes communicating substantially immediately, to the user, legally binding documents for the preferred insurance policy after the user purchases the preferred insurance policy to form a purchased insurance policy. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094067 | Systems and methods for company internal optimization utilizing epigenetic data - A method includes receiving epigenetic information associated with at least a first individual and/or assessing at least one corporate liability at least partially based on the epigenetic information associated with at Least a first individual. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094068 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING INSURANCE PRODUCTS - Running the individual illustration systems provided by the insurance companies is very complicated and time consuming. It requires an intimate knowledge of each system. This invention allows an agent to bypass all of that. The agent does not have to be an expert. The system | 2009-04-09 |
20090094069 | INVESTMENT FUND FOR MAXIMIZING A RISK ADJUSTED EXPECTED RETURN WHILE PROVIDING A DEFINED MINIMUM INCOME AT MATURITY - An investment fund maximizes an investor's risk-adjusted expected return on an investment while also providing the investor with a defined minimum level income upon the maturity of the investment. The investment fund comprises a risk-free portfolio and an upside portfolio. The risk-free portfolio holds risk-free assets that provide a defined minimum income stream upon a predefined maturity date, and the upside portfolio holds sophisticated assets that are only available to qualified investors that meet one or more investing criteria. As new contributions are added to the fund, they are allocated between the risk-free and upside portfolios so that the fund will provide a minimum defined income stream upon its maturity date, where this minimum income amount may increase as more value is added to the fund. Upon maturity, the investor receives the income stream from the risk-free portfolio and the assets from the upside portfolio. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094070 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND ADMINISTERING FLEXIBLE GUARANTEED INCOME PAYMENTS - A system is provided for administering fixed income immediate and deferred payments in any of a plurality of different payout schemes selected by a purchaser to accommodate varying retirement income needs. The system can be configured to administer an immediate income annuity where payments start within one year and the system can also administer a deferred payout annuity through a single dual natured payout contract. Additional options available for administration by the system include options to permit the contract owner to change the annuity commencement date and the ability to commute future period certain periodic payments into a single lump sum payment. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094071 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUESTS - A method for processing insurance coverage requests. An insurance data processing system (IDPS) receives at least one request from a customer relating to insurance coverage for the customer. Each request independently requests activation or deactivation of the insurance coverage. The requests are ordered in a time sequence if the at least one request includes more than one request. The IDPS verifies, for each request received, that it is permissible for the IDPS to accommodate each request. After each request is verified, the IDPS archives each request in a non-volatile storage medium of the IDPS. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094072 | System for golf reservations - A system and method for making reservations, in particular golf tee times, utilizing the Internet is disclosed. The system provides a user with access to a reservation system of a particular location, such as a golf course. The user is able to make and confirm a reservation for an event, such as a tee time, from anywhere. The system can also employ Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable a user to make and confirm a reservation for an event by dialing a local phone number. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094073 | REAL TIME CLICK (RTC) SYSTEM AND METHODS - A real-time click system to process advertisement (ad) clicks includes a real-time listener operative to listen for, and store in a memory, a plurality of click event packets emitted by an ad server when corresponding ads are clicked by web users. A sequencer stores the click event packets in a database. A collector is coupled with the real-time listener and the sequencer and is operative to retrieve the plurality of click event packets, upon request, from the memory at a predetermined time interval. The collector also determines a partition number associated with each of the plurality of click event packets and sends to the sequencer the click event packets having a partition number corresponding to the sequencer. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094074 | Method for Constructing Business Process Models from Task Execution Traces - A business process is modeled by determining, for each possible pair of tasks in a trace of executions of N tasks corresponding to a business process, whether the tasks in each pair have an identical relation condition with every other task in the trace. A pair of tasks is identified as child task nodes of an associated parent relation node if the identical relation condition is true. A renderable workflow tree is constructed from all identified child task of the associated corresponding parent relation, nodes. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094075 | System And Method For Real Time Maintaining An Inventory Of Services And Associated Resources Of A Client Company - A system for real-time maintaining an inventory of services and associated resources of a client company. A product component communicates with feeds receiving inventory data from the client company. A transactional component communicates with the product component for managing transactional records, processing responses related thereto and updating the inventory records accordingly. An expert engine component evaluates the transactional records against corresponding ones of the inventory records stored in the product component to identify eventual changes to be made to the inventory records as determined by set conditions, and controls generation of service orders articulated on action parameters of the transactions and the inventory records concerned by the transactions. A user interface capable of displaying selected inventory records, inputting transactions relative to the inventory records, and of inputting responses to the service orders placed by the expert engine component communicates with the product and transactional components. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094076 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING FOR ESTIMATING TEST COSTS FOR BAYESIAN DIAGNOSTIC MODELS - In accordance with an embodiment, a method for troubleshooting a fault to determine a root cause of the fault. A Bayesian network model is created based on information obtained from a Fault Isolation Manual (FIM), where the FIM provides tests to be performed in troubleshooting the fault to determine a root cause of the fault. Heuristics are used to determine a structure and conditional probabilities for the Bayesian network. A plurality of test costs inherent in the FIM are imputed by first generating a plurality of constraints between the cost of each test and fault probabilities that hold for all fault scenarios. A linear programming algorithm is used to solve the plurality of constraints, and to construct a tuned Bayesian network model. The tuned Bayesian network model is used to iteratively rank likely faults according to their probabilities given accumulating test evidence, and to rank pending tests according to their value. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094077 | Site development planning - In a computer implemented method for site development planning, a development mix is automatically determined for developing a site. The development mix is based upon a location of the site and regulatory information regarding the site location. An earthworks parameter for the site is automatically estimated from the development mix. A site build phase parameter is automatically determined from the development mix. One or more of the development mix, site earthworks parameter, and site build phase parameter are then provided as a site development planning output. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094078 | ENVIRONMENTAL OFFSETS FOR SERVICES - Techniques for providing services in a manner that takes into account the environmental impact of such service delivery are provided. In one embodiment, in response to a request for services from a prospective customer, the environmental impact of the requested service is determined based on analysis of each sub-service constituting the service. The resulting estimate of the environmental impact as well as any alternative delivery options having an effect on the estimated environmental impact may be presented to the prospective customer. In another embodiment, the potential customer may be provided the option to pursue an offset against the estimated environmental impact. In this manner, potential customers may be provided with more environmentally-conscious options when selecting a potential service provider. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094079 | EVALUATING COMMODITY CONDITIONS USING AERIAL IMAGE DATA - Various tools, strategies and techniques are provided for evaluating the condition of one or more commodities in one or more regions of interest. Collection of image data associated with the commodities can be facilitated through use of an aircraft traveling a predetermined travel route over the regions of interest. The collected image data may be analyzed to evaluate the condition of the commodities, forecast commodity production, and/or to perform other tasks. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094080 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE OPERABILITY OF A PRODUCTION PLANT - A method for improving the operability of a production plant is invented. The production plant has at least one production process comprising at least one equipment, a system for obtaining equipment condition measuring data and a system for obtaining maintenance work data. The equipment condition measuring data and the maintenance work data is continuously acquired and stored to equipment reliability calculation system, and equipment reliability is calculated based on the equipment condition measuring data and the maintenance work data. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094081 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE OF COIN ACCEPTORS, BILL VALIDATORS, AND OTHER AUTOMATED PAYMENT METHODS - An apparatus, system, and method of monitoring performance of a currency detector such as a coin acceptor or bill validator. Status of the currency detector relative to each item introduced to it is tracked. A ratio of rejected items to accepted items is compiled over a given period of time to create a rejection rate. Rejection rate can be displayed or communicated to another device. The rejection rate can be used to indicate poor operation or malfunction of the currency detector. It may indicate attempts at cheating. It also can be used to attempt to improve performance or adjust or train operation of the currency detector. Analogous techniques can be used to monitor performance of a credit card or proximity card reader. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094082 | Systems and methods for application programming interfaces for shipping services - Systems and methods provide shipping services information. In one implementation, a method is provided in which an e-commerce server receives a request for shipping information from an end-user. The e-commerce server generates an extensible markup language (XML) request based on the requested shipping information and sends the XML request to an application programming interface (API) server. The API server determines, based on the XML request, one of a plurality of API modules stored in the API server to process the XML request and generates an XML response based on data included in the XML request. The API server sends the XML response to the e-commerce server, which sends the XML response to the end-user. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094083 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC MODERATOR DELEGATION - A method and computer program product for receiving an indication of a meeting being scheduled between a plurality of attendees. At least one of the attendees is designated a moderator of the meeting. The actions of the designated moderator are monitored to determine if the designated moderator is capable of performing one or more moderator responsibilities associated with being the designated moderator. If it is determined that the designated moderator is incapable of performing the one or more moderator responsibilities, an alternate moderator chosen from the plurality of attendees is designated. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094084 | Method and System for Use in Scheduling Transfer of Transportation Assets - A method and system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight use a graphical user interface to collect, enter and display transportation asset data and freight data, thus enabling a user to select origin and destination locations for the transportation asset data and freight data on a map displayed on an electronic display screen. The method and system enable a user to associate transportation asset data to the selected locations and upload selected locations and transportation data to a transportation management system for scheduling transfer of transportation assets and freight. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094085 | Scheduling delivery of products via the internet - Methods and apparatus for scheduling delivery of an order via a wide area network. A delivery interface is generated in which a plurality of delivery windows are presented. The delivery interface is transmitted to a remote platform via the wide area network. In response to selection of a first one of the plurality of delivery windows, it is determined whether the order may be delivered in the first delivery window. Where it is determined that the order may be delivered in the first delivery window, delivery of the order is scheduled in the first delivery window. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094086 | AUTOMATIC ASSIGNMENT FOR DOCUMENT REVIEWING - Assignment algorithm for automatically making assignments between documents and document reviewers for a review process. If the automated assignments need adjusting, a coordinator can manually refine the assignment(s). The assignment algorithm facilitates the automated assignment process based on inputs related to a constraint and/or a preference. The constraints and preferences include, but are not limited to, a conflict of interest, a minimum number of reviews, a maximum number of submissions, a partial assignment, bidding preferences, and health metrics. Once the assignments have been made, histograms can be generated that present an overview of certain health metrics, further allowing refinement of the assignment process. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094087 | MULTI-TIER CROSS-DEPARTMENT SCHEDULING MODEL FOR ORDER PROCESSING OPERATIONS - A multi-tier cross-department scheduling model for order processing operations. A scheduling model for planning assignment of discrete jobs to multiple departments for shipment, wherein selected jobs are assignable to respective selected departments and the departments share finite capacity resources, includes a programmable computer system having loaded therein an objective function, and the computer system being operable to minimize a value of the objective function; and wherein the objective function comprises a sum of cost to ship containers in at least one of consolidated and unconsolidated forms, cost for each of a container equivalent not completed in a selected scheduling horizon, cost to process each job in each department, and cost for setup due to at least one of shift crossing and job splitting. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094088 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES FOR AUTOMATED CONFIRMATIONS OF MEETINGS - Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for confirming attendance of prospective attendees to a meeting or events via time management or event scheduling applications, such as calendar applications, are disclosed. Various embodiments comprise scheduling the meeting, waiting for a period of time, and automatically sending confirmation requests to one or more prospective attendees of the meeting. Some embodiments also comprise sending invitations to and receiving acceptances by one or more prospective attendees. Some embodiments further comprise receiving one or more responses to the confirmation requests from the prospective attendees. Some embodiments may reschedule the meeting, or events of the meeting, based upon responses to the confirmation requests. Various embodiments may send or receive the confirmation requests and responses via instant messaging (IM) messages, e-mail messages, and short message service (SMS) messages. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094089 | CUSTOM DISPATCH SOFTWARE - A system and method for a dispatching program and for its implementation, involves logging into a system, selecting or creating a work unit, and assigning work orders to the selected unit. After the work orders have been assigned the assignments are transmitted to each work crew. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094090 | LEAN STAFFING METHODOLOGY - A method of sourcing resumes from databases connected to the internet, the method comprising of receiving a requirement from an employer for one or more candidate(s) to be employed, assessing the requirement to obtain a desired profile of the candidate to be employed, defining at least one primary internet keyword search command based on the desired profile, collecting a first set of resumes based on the at least one primary internet keyword search command, mapping inputs provided by the employer, wherein the inputs are based on the first set of resumes collected, converting the inputs provided by the employer to at least one secondary internet keyword search command, collecting a second set of resumes based on the at least one secondary internet keyword search command, calibrating the candidates identified by the second set of resumes using the at least one secondary internet keyword search command, establishing a standard to identify candidates suitable for an interview, converting the established standard to atleast one final internet keyword search command, and sourcing resumes of candidates according to the at least one final internet search command. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094091 | SERVICE CALL DATA SELECTION AND DELIVERY METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method of dispatching a service call for an electromechanical device, such as a document production device, is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a dispatching server, a communication requesting service on a first document production device. The communication includes a unique identifier corresponding to the first device. A data server stores operational history data for a multiple document production devices, and the dispatching server accesses the operational history data in the data server to retrieve service data for the first device. The dispatching service sends a service order message to a customer service representative mobile communication device. The service order message includes a location identifier for the first device, operator contact information for the first device, and the service data. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094092 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT - A system and method of advertisement is shown. By associating a theme of an advertisement with an aspect of a music performance, the advertisement can be played in a time slot that is adjacent to the music performance during a broadcast. The close temporal proximity of the advertisement to the music performance enhances the effectiveness of the advertisement. Methods and systems of making an association between an advertisement theme and a music performance are shown. Examples of associating methods and systems to implement them include auction methods and systems. One example includes online auctions and systems for implementing them. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094093 | SYSTEM FOR SELECTING ADVERTISEMENTS - A system for selecting an advertisement for display to a user. The system includes a plurality of web properties and an advertisement engine. Each of the web properties include a web interface that may be customized based on user profile data provided by the user. As such, data may be explicitly associated with the user's profile naturally over time as the user interacts with various web pages and sets user preferences. Upon visiting one of the web properties, the web interface may request an advertisement for the advertisement engine to be displayed to the user. The advertisement engine identifies the user and accesses the user profile data for the identified user stored in each of the web properties. The advertisement engine also accesses advertisement target profile data associated with an advertisement and compares the user profile data to the advertisement target profile data to determine whether to display the advertisement to the user. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094094 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FORECASTING PRINT JOB RELATED DEMAND - A print demand forecasting system is provided for use with a print production system in which print demand data is collected for each print job processed during a selected time interval. The print demand data is processed with a computer implemented service manager to obtain a first demand series with two or more demand components and a second demand series with one demand component. Each one of the two or more demand components is less than a selected variability level and the one demand component is greater than the selected variability level. The computer implemented service manager is adapted to (1) generate a first demand related forecast with a combination of the two or more demand components, and (2) generate a second demand related forecast with the one demand component if convergent forecasting results are obtainable for the second demand series. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094095 | RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON AN ADOPTION CURVE - Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for recommendations based on adoption curve. A method includes tracking over a period of time user popularity of a media content using a web service residing in a server, the popularity and period of time representing a life cycle of each of the media content. The method tracks over the period of time users enrolled in the web service and when in the period of time each of the users adopted the tracked media content and associates adopted media content with user profiles representing the users. The method recommends media content associated with a first user who adopted the tracked media content earlier in the period of time to a second user who may want to adopt the tracked media content subsequently in the period of time. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094096 | INTERACTIVE ADVERTISEMENT FRAMEWORK - A system including a server is configured to enable a user of a client device to view advertisements. The system may provide an advertisement framework to be displayed on the client device, the framework including an advertisement and a set of controls. The controls may allow a user to view another advertisement, view a previously viewed advertisement, or submit information to a server. Advertisements may include forms, coupons, or other types of advertisements. The framework may be displayed in response to a user selection or mouse-over of an initial advertisement, and the framework may be larger than the initial advertisement. The system may determine advertisements to be sent to the client device based on a number of factors, including user demographics, information entered in any of the advertisement forms, user manipulation of the controls, or other factors. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094097 | Network-based optimization of services - Method and system enable remote control of utilities and other scheduled products and services using data communications networks. Information provided by third parties is obtained to control the use of utilities, products and/or services. Obtained information is analyzed to create or modify a schedule for using power, water or any other utility, product or service that depends on or relates to such data. Analysis results in schedule modification or creation, which affects use. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094098 | Promotion of a wine industry - Disclosed herein is a method and system for promoting a first wine industry of a first geographical location utilizing a plurality of advertising media. In a first embodiment, the plurality of advertising mediums is selected for promoting the first wine industry. The disclosed method links information of contribution of the first wine industry to a second wine industry. The information is publicized in a plurality of locations. In a second embodiment, the first wine industry is promoted utilizing a web portal. The web portal comprises a first set of information of the first wine industry and a second set of information of the second wine industry. The web portal establishes a virtual link between the first set of information and the second set of information. Further, revenue may be generated through the advertising mediums and targeted advertising. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094099 | EVALUATING COMMODITY CONDITIONS USING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION - Various tools, strategies and techniques are provided for evaluating the condition of commodities in different regions of interest. The evaluation of commodity condition can be facilitated through using multiple information sources and/or one or more likelihood functions associated with the information sources. One or more probability distribution functions may be generated to provide an indication of commodity condition. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094100 | COMPLETE SELF-CHECKOUT SYSTEM FOR RETAIL STORES USING WIRELESS ENABLED HANDHELD DEVICES - A novel system EzCheckout using wireless enabled hand held devices is disclosed. This system enables an all-new way of complete end to end shopping. The customer enters the code of the item he needs, does price check, does the checkout process and payment all by himself without interacting with any shopkeepers (unless he/she is buying some restricted items like alcohol). EzCheckout system is based on the wireless connectivity of hand-held devices like cell-phones and PDA's. EzCheckout is a simple but effective way of helping users to make their shopping fast and easy using the power of networking capability of handheld devices. This makes the customer shopping experience interesting and satisfying. This also provides a number of advantages to the store in terms of satisfied customers with lower cost of operation, capability for personalized individual marketing and reduced liability. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094101 | QUICK TO COACH: A Performance Management Tool - The current invention is a human capital performance management tool which creates measurable performance expectations for correcting ineffective behavior. The tool provides managers a “what to say and how to say it” coaching conversation and documentation to address behaviors specific to individual employee performances. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094102 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT - A system and method of advertisement is shown. By associating a theme of an advertisement with an aspect of a music performance, the advertisement can be played in a time slot that is adjacent to the music performance during a broadcast. The close temporal proximity of the advertisement to the music performance enhances the effectiveness of the advertisement. Methods and systems of making an association between an advertisement theme and a music performance are shown. Examples of associating methods and systems to implement them include auction methods and systems. One example includes online auctions and systems for implementing them. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094103 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISEMENT PLACEMENT - A system and method of advertisement is shown. By associating a theme of an advertisement with an aspect of a music performance, the advertisement can be played in a time slot that is adjacent to the music performance during a broadcast. The close temporal proximity of the advertisement to the music performance enhances the effectiveness of the advertisement. Methods and systems of making an association between an advertisement theme and a music performance are shown. Examples of associating methods and systems to implement them include auction methods and systems. One example includes online auctions and systems for implementing them. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094104 | Advertisements for Products in Media Content - Advertisements for products in media content is described. In embodiment(s), products that are included in video media content can be determined. A request for the video media content can be received, such as to purchase the video media content and/or as an on-demand request from a television client device. Advertisements can then be displayed for the products that are included in the video media content, and a product can be selected for purchase from an advertisement. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094105 | CONTENT EMBEDDED TOOLTIP ADVERTISING - Contextual advertisements embedded within content having tooltip type display functionality are provided where content can be evaluated for possible points for insertion of the advertisements. The content can be evaluated against a list of trigger points indicating advertisement should be inserted along with instructions to embed the advertisements. Using this information, the content can be modified to embed appropriate advertising. Upon returning the content, a viewer thereof can view the content normally, but certain events with respect to the trigger points can cause tooltip type display of the advertisement (such as hovering a cursor over the trigger point). In this regard, trigger points, such as keywords, having associated pop-up advertisements can be underlined or otherwise identified. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094106 | PROVIDING ADVERTISING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - Technologies are described herein for providing advertising in a virtual world. An inventory list identifying a plurality of virtual objects is provided. A selection of one or more virtual objects from the inventory is received. An advertisement list identifying a plurality of advertisements is further provided. A selection of one or more advertisements from the advertisement list is further received. The selection of advertisements is placed on the selection of virtual objects in the virtual world. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094107 | Enhanced Ad-Wrapped Applications for Mobile and Other Computing Devices - An application, executing on a mobile or other computing device, which has been subject to wrapping technology, provides the wrapper with the ability to insert logos, banners, and other advertising material, and allows that advertising information to be displayed within the wrapped application, not just before and after execution of the application. By having the wrapper specify the advertising images and data to be used, the in-application advertisements can complement the advertisements the wrapper displays before and after the application is executed. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094108 | Flexible Revenue Sharing and Referral Bounty System - An advertising system manager, a partner and one or more participating publishers may collectively agree on a revenue sharing arrangement, based on revenue generated from ad conversions, for revenue sharing between publishers and partners such as content providers distributing embedded content links to publishers through the advertising system manager. The advertising system manager may define various components of the revenue sharing arrangement including details of the revenue sharing arrangement and the criteria for offering the revenue sharing arrangement. The partner may separately negotiate with the publisher with respect to the terms of the revenue sharing arrangement. The terms may include a predetermined revenue sharing rate for the partner and the publisher based on the gross revenue received by the advertising system manager. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094109 | Method and System for Providing Discounted Services to Customers - ServiceClub provides an efficient and economic way to connect sellers of services with potential buyers of their services. Discounts, coupons, and special promotions can be provided potential customers based on geographic considerations, so a potential customer can receive services of a specific type either around where he lives or works, or currently is located. Since the system provides geographic filtering, a national or international system can provide discounts and promotions local to a user. Customers benefit because of the national system, and service providers benefit through highly focused advertising. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094110 | Flexible savings system - A savings system, method, and apparatus that combines benefits of a layaway payment plan, a traditional Christmas savings bank account and individual savings accounts and also are able to take advantage of merchant promotional offers. The system for saving for an internet purchase includes an adjustable electronic savings structure that permits at least one end-user to create at least one flexible electronic layaway account for a topic of savings. The end user has flexibility as to how much to save, when to save and for what to save, including the ability to change to a different topic of savings. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094111 | Advertising framework for wireless networks - An advertising framework for transmitting advertisements from wireless access points to client devices that need not be connected to the wireless access point. The client device can display the advertisements on a user interface of the client device. Such advertisements may be transmitted, for example, as part of a control message transmitted by a wireless access point of a wireless network, or other message conventionally used to broadcast network characteristics necessary for a client device to establish a connection to the wireless access point. In terms of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) layered model of a network, layer 2 control messages, including announcement transmissions such as beacons, may be used for control messages. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094112 | TECHNOLOGY AGNOSTIC UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE DATA MODEL FOR A TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE PROVIDER ARCHITECTURE - An implementation foundation for a telecommunication service provider provides an efficient, robust, and reliable cornerstone for any new telecommunication service provider architecture. The implementation foundation includes a universally applicable data model that encodes the fundamental entities of interest to telecommunications service providers. The data model is free of constraints on any particular technology, and provides a reusable foundation for implementing new telecommunication service providers. The data model is composed of business entities that technically support business processes for a telecommunication service provider. As a result, new telecommunication service providers may be implemented in a rapid manner on a proven foundation, without complex and unwieldy customized technologies that rely on immensely complicated point-to-point message connections. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094113 | Systems and Methods For Using Video Metadata to Associate Advertisements Therewith - A system for using metadata from a video signal to associate advertisements therewith, comprising (i) a segmentation system to divide the video signal into video clips, (ii) a digitizing system for digitizing the video clips, (iii) a feature extraction system for extracting audio and video features from each video clip, associating each audio feature with respective video clips, associating each video feature with respective video clips, and saving the audio and video features into an associated metadata file, (iv) a web interface to the feature extraction system for receiving the video clips, and (v) a database, wherein video signals and associated metadata files are stored and indexed, wherein the associated metadata file is provided when a video player requests the corresponding video signal, enabling selection of a relevant advertisement for presentment in conjunction with respective video clips based on the associated audio and video features of the respective video clip. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094114 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZED ADDRESSABLE ADVERTISING - The system and method includes, in one embodiment targeted micro-advertising that allows buyers and sellers of advertisements to be advantageously paired. The system allows for potential sellers of advertising space to post available times. Buyers then may view and purchase the list of available advertisement space. In some embodiments, buyers of advertising space may bid for the space which creates an auction. The auction creates a market for both available advertising opportunities and purchasers of the opportunities. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094115 | CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT INCENTIVE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF ACCOUNTS - The present invention relates generally to a credit card holder awards system and method. The system and method is set up to “reward” responsible management of accounts and good credit practices. Specifically, the method and system monitors customer activity at defined intervals, selects an award winner from among the qualified customers based on a predetermined criteria and provides the predetermined award to the winning customer. The predetermined criteria used in the present invention relates to payments and good credit practices in order to allow users to develop a favorable credit history. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094116 | METHOD FOR EXPEDITIOUS RESOURCE RE-ALLOCATION IN A NETWORK OF MEMBERS - According to a computer implemented approach for expeditious resource re-allocation in a network, customers specify what items or services to request or offer by adding to the “MyHaves” or “MyWants” selection criteria. According to the method, a customer requests an item or service by adding it to his/her “MyWants” in any of the following three ways: using a single click, searching and then adding, or feeding in user-defined-inputs. Similarly, a customer declares to offer an item or service by adding it to his/her “MyHaves” in any of the three aforementioned ways. The system algorithm of an embodiment “crawls” to find matches between the “MyHaves” of offerers and the “MyWants” of requesters, paying attention to and giving priority to the proximity and social network rules in the system. When a match is found, the system automatically triggers an email that is sent to the offerer, notifying him/her that a fellow customer wants what the offerer-customer has. If the offerer-customer agrees to deliver the item or service to the requester, the implementation proceeds to require the requester customer to confirm receipt once the item is received. Confirmation of receipt by a requester causes the system to award points or credits to the offerer as a form of reward. These points can then be used—by the awarded offerer—to enjoy discounted purchases at selected system partner businesses. The point system may be implemented adopting a variety of methodologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, customers (users) communicate with one another using the system's “messenger tool” called “TtMessage”, and control the re-allocation of resources by forming their own circles using the “TtCircle” capability therein. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094117 | NATURAL TARGETED ADVERTISING ENGINE - A method and system for categorizing information in a Web-based system based upon natural words and geographic which is then used to match the information with relevant advertising. The method and system allows advertisers to precisely target their ads based upon the relevancy and location of information which create a high probability of success for the ads. The system and method also presents information providers with an easy-to-use interface and process for quickly categorizing and assigning their information with one or more geographic locations so that it has a higher probability of reaching intended audiences. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094118 | System and Method for the Real-Time Transfer of Loyalty Points Between Accounts - The invention includes facilitating the substantially real-time transfer of loyalty points between accounts. The method and system include receiving a transfer request (e.g., consumer request, triggering event, etc) for a transfer of a certain number of loyalty points, accessing and analyzing the total number of loyalty points in the transferor account to determine if a sufficient number of points exist, analyzing the type/level of consumer and type/level of points to be involved in the transfer, deducting the requested loyalty points from the transferor account, determining if any rules exist for restricting or limiting the transfer of points, using a conversion engine to convert the point value to an appropriate point value in the transferee account and increasing the point balance in the transferee account. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094119 | Method for transacting an advertisement transfer - A method for transacting an advertisement transfer is disclosed which facilitates expressing the rate structure for the individual advertisement as a function of a profile of the individual potential customer; and which is directed to the creation of a mechanism from the vantage of an Internet site that is being visited. It should be appreciated that this must include the participation of other entities in the Internet (such as distributors, clients, intermediary agencies, etc.). The method is for transacting an advertisement transfer, from an advertisement distributor to a visitor, the method including, upon the occurrence of a visitor visitation at a communications node, the communication node performing the steps of: constructing a visitor profile; broadcasting the profile to at least one distributor; collecting responses from the at least one distributor; selecting a response from the at least one responding distributor; contracting, between the node and the at least one distributor of the selected response, a transference of an advertisement from the distributor to the visitor; and effecting a transfer of the advertisement to the visitor. | 2009-04-09 |
20090094120 | Systems And Methods For Helping Advertisers Take Advantage Of Co-Op Advertising Opportunities - Software is used to automate selection of suitable co-op advertising programs from among choices with which an advertiser has had no prior substantial business relationship, to facilitate production, distribution and tracking of advertisements that comply with the specific requirements of the selected co-op advertising program(s). Of particular interest are Internet Yellow Pages and search engine business indices, although ad-serving networks, and other partner advertising platforms/sites are also contemplated. Preferred systems and methods can be utilized by advertising agencies on behalf of their clients, which among other things allow the agencies to cost-effectively provide services to even very small clients. Different interface skins can be used for displaying summary customer tracking information to advertisers, advertising agencies, co-op program managers, national brand managers, media providers, and so forth. | 2009-04-09 |