23rd week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 64 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120143711 | Electronic Sales With Decreasing Price - A pricing method, having multiple buyers collaborating virtually to achieve a declining price schedule for a given product or service. The method invites buyers to commit at a certain price, which may or may not be the price they ultimately pay. The price may or may not decline as more buyers commit. All buyers pay the same (lowest) price, at the end of the finite sale period. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143712 | SECONDARY PURCHASE METHOD FOR ONLINE AUCTION OVER A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A method on a server for providing a secondary purchase method for an auction provided over a communications network, includes: providing an online auction for a seller's item to a plurality of bidders, wherein each of the plurality of bidders provides a bid for the item; selecting a winner of the auction from the plurality of bidders; sending a communication offering the item for a first amount greater than an amount of the winner's bid; receiving payment for the item from a recipient of the communication, wherein payment is for the first amount; sending the seller of the item a payment substantially equal to the winner's bid; sending the winner a payment substantially equal to a difference between the first amount and the winner's bid; and sending a communication to the seller of the item with instructions to send the item to the recipient that paid the first amount. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143713 | ELECTRONIC AND NETWORK-BASED FRANKING - Systems and methods for facilitating and targeting of online official messages, such as franking messages, to voters within a selected political demographic are presented. In one embodiment, an online franking message system provides targeting of segment of voters based on voter registration records, third party behavioral information, and geographic information. Audience targeting may be accomplished in several ways including: geo-targeting; contextual targeting; behavioral targeting; and site placement. A candidate may deliver an ad in order to influence a select group of people in a particular location. In some embodiments, the ad is delivered by dropping and later reading a tracking cookie that associates the voter's browser with political demographic information without including personal identifiable information. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143714 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT SELLER AUTHORIZED BUYING PRIVILEGES WITHIN A NETWORK-BASED SHOPPING FACILITY - A method that commences by receiving an item identifier, over a network, from a seller on a network-based commerce facility, the item identifier identifying a particular sales listing that describes an item that is listed for sale by the seller on the network-based commerce facility as requiring bidders to be pre-approved to bid on the item. The method continues by automatically recording the item identifier in a database. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143715 | SPARSE INDEX BIDDING AND AUCTION BASED STORAGE - Illustrated is a system and method that includes a receiving module, which resides on a back end node, to receive a set of hashes that is generated from a set of chunks associated with a segment of data. Additionally, the system and method further includes a lookup module, which resides on the back end node, to search for at least one hash in the set of hashes as a key value in a sparse index. The system and method also includes a bid module, which reside on the back end node, to generate a bid, based upon a result of the search. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143716 | NETWORK-BASED COMMERCE FACILITY OFFER MANAGEMENT METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Various embodiments include systems, methods, and software to manage offers in a network-based commerce system. One embodiment includes providing sellers an option when listing an item for sale to receive best offers for the item from buyers. This embodiment further includes receiving best offers submitted by offerees via the network-based commerce system and notifying sellers of received best offers. Some embodiments further include providing sellers an option to accept, reject, or ignore the individual best offers received. In some such embodiments, ignored best offers expire after a period, such as 48 hours. Yet further embodiments include notifying offerees of acceptance or rejection of their submitted best offers. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143717 | Embroidery Design Transactional Systems and Methods - Embroidery design transactional systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method for conducting embroidery design transactions includes receiving an embroidery design inputted by a user of a communication device to form a user-customized embroidery design. The user is associated with a user account. The method includes saving the user-customized embroidery design on the communication device in response to receiving a save request from the user to save the user-customized embroidery design on the communication device. The method also includes initiating a monetary charge to the user account in response to saving the user-customized embroidery design on the communication device. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143718 | OPTIMIZATION OF A WEB-BASED RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM - A method for determining product recommendations to be presented to users includes forming, by a formula generation module, a plurality of different recommendation formulas, including, for each recommendation formula, assigning a weight to at least some of a plurality of recommendation characteristics, wherein each recommendation characteristic is representative of at least one of a characteristic of a product, a characteristic of a method for presenting the product recommendations to the users, and a characteristic of a user. The method further includes iteratively performing the steps of: for each of the plurality of recommendation formulas, selecting, by a product recommendation module, at least one product for presentation to the users on the basis of the corresponding recommendation formula; sending, by a communications module, instructions to a server to present the selected product to the users; receiving, by a data evaluation module, data representative of user responses to each of the products presented to the users; evaluating, by the data evaluation module, the received data; and selecting, using the data evaluation module, a subset of the recommendation formulas included in the plurality of recommendation formulas on the basis of the evaluation of the collected data. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143719 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING NETWORK BETWEEN USERS IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A method and apparatus configure a network between users in a communication system. In a server, the method includes receiving user information from a terminal for purchasing contents, storing information on a purchaser for each of a plurality of contents, and configuring the network including users who purchase identical contents. Accordingly, the network can be automatically configured between user terminals on the basis of a contents purchase history of the user terminal in the communication system. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143720 | LOCATION BASED MOBILE SHOPPING - Disclosed are methods and systems for location based mobile shopping. The methods and systems involve receiving a wish list according to a user request on a computing device, the wish list including one or more items, price associated with the one or more items, a maximum shop distance preferred by the user, identifying one or more shops within the maximum distance preferred by the user based on a geographical location of the user computing device, retrieving item lists from one or more identified shops, matching the one or more items on the received item list with the one or more items in the wish list of the user and generating an alert to the user upon matching the items in the wish list of the user. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143721 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN, CHECK, REPORT, AND AUDIT CONTRACT AND HISTORICAL PRICING IN ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT - Disclosed embodiments provide an electronic procurement system and process that enables a buyer or purchasing organization to maintain explicitly or implicitly, a contract price between the buyer/purchasing organization and the supplier whose catalog is integrated with an electronic marketplace. In one embodiment, a process is executed that compares the listed/purchase price of catalog items against the contract price or against a ‘normal’ purchase price. A user (e.g. the buyer) may configure and receive specific alerts regarding items that are purchased in deviation of contracted price and items that have been added to the catalog since the last contract. Disclosed embodiments may also maintain, automatically, the historical price and purchase information of supplier catalog items that are enabled through the electronic marketplace. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143722 | Fraud Deterrence for Electronic Transactions - Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents during e-commerce, e-transactions, and digital rights management and access. One or more fraud deterrents may be automatically selected by a client, seller, bank, or other third-party and may be implemented or presented to the client as a potential fraud deterrent option that may be chosen. Fraud deterrent options may be provided which are associated with particular aspects of the transaction including a client's profile, the value of an item, or the preferences of the seller. The fraud deterrent features can be provided as part of a digital shopping cart and may be highly customized by the client including allowing the client to customize conceptual passwords which are presented during subsequent transactions. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143723 | COMPUTER-BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AIDING TRANSACTIONS - A method for providing a warranty relating to a transaction between two parties, each party being a client of at least one respective institution which provides services to the respective party, the method including:
| 2012-06-07 |
20120143724 | METHOD FOR SELLING CONTENT OVER A NETWORK - A method to generate revenue from supplied content is provided. Content is provided to a consumer via a network by providing a content service that allows the consumer to select and retrieve content as a package together with a clearing of the selectable content to an operator used by the consumer to select and retrieve the content via the network. Any content selected by the consumer is supplied directly to the consumer via the operator. The operator is charged for the supplied content. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143725 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INFLUENCING SEARCH AND SHOPPING DECISIONS IN ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT - Disclosed embodiments relate to an electronic procurement tool that enables the buyer, or purchasing organization, on a near real-time basis, to review or influence the search and purchasing patterns from the supplier(s) catalogs that are enabled through an electronic marketplace using priorities, specified ranks, and promotions. In one aspect, the disclosed systems and methods may allow users to view supplier catalog items that are more relevant to their search criteria and/or that comply with an organization's contract with a supplier. It may also allow users to view popular items in terms of purchase frequency and the average/relevant purchase price or transparently in terms of the preference of the purchasing organization. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143726 | Automated Storage and Distribution System - An automated storage ( | 2012-06-07 |
20120143727 | PRODUCTS FOR ANIMAL USE INCLUDING HUMANS HAVING A CERTIFICATE VERIFYING AT LEAST ONE OF EFFICACY OR SAFETY, AND METHODS OF PROVIDING SUCH CERTIFICATES - Provided are products for animal use including humans having a certificate verifying at least one of efficacy or safety and methods of providing such certificates. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143728 | Managing Transmission of Information - A method, a computer program product, and an apparatus for managing transmission of information are provided. A determination is made as to whether a pattern in a set of patterns is present in the information to be transmitted by a first user. Responsive to a determination that the pattern in the set of patterns is present in the information to be transmitted, the information is inhibited from being transmitted by the first user. A request is sent to a mobile device of a second user for an approval of the information to be transmitted. Responsive to receiving the approval of the information to be transmitted from the second user, the information is transmitted. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143729 | Method and device for obtaining playlist content over a network - A network-enabled audio device that provides a display device that allows the user to select playlists of music much like a jukebox is disclosed. The user can compose playlists from disk files, CD's, Internet streaming audio broadcasts, online music sites, and other audio sources. The user can also select a desired Web broadcast from a list of available Web broadcasts. In addition, the user can play standard audio CD's and MP3 encoded CD's and have access to local AM/FM stations. Further, the software, the user controls, and the display in the network-enabled audio device are operably configured and connected such that the user can listen to playlists that include CD's and other audio sources just as the user would choose a playlist in a jukebox. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143730 | Device and a Method for Ordering Product at a Premises Via an Integrated Multimedia Service System - A product ordering device provided at a digital home system at a user premises. The digital home system comprises a user terminal and a gateway device. The gateway device is coupled for communication with the user terminal and operable for communication with a wide area network outside the premises. The gateway device is configured for obtaining product data via the wide area network and providing the product data to the terminal for display on the display device. Upon placement of a product order by a user input through the terminal, the gateway device sends an order message outside of the integrated multimedia service system to request a corresponding vendor for the ordered product to deliver the ordered product at the premises. The product ordering service and the product data are provided and updated by a management server located outside of the premises. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143731 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRADING DIGITAL CONTENTS IN DIGITAL CONTENTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - An apparatus and a method transact digital contents. More particularly, an apparatus and a method for inserting a purchaser's signature into digital contents and providing the same in a digital contents management system are provided. The apparatus includes a purchaser terminal, a contents server, and a receiver terminal. The purchaser terminal detects a user's input, writes a signature to be inserted into contents, and transmits the written signature to a contents server when purchasing contents. The contents server inserts the signature received from the purchaser terminal into original digital contents. The receiver terminal receives and reproduces the original digital contents to which the signature has been added. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143732 | COMMUNICATIONS TECHNIQUES FOR AN INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM - Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143733 | INVOICING FOR ITEM HANDLING EVENTS - According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, result in a computing system receiving an event stream. The event stream may include event messages that document events occurring in relation to items being handled by an item handling service provider, and each of the event messages may be associated with instructions from a customer of the item handling service provider. The execution of the instructions may also result in the computing system classifying the event messages as events based on classification rules associated with the respective customers of the service provider. The execution of the instructions may also result in the computing system determining an aggregated fee associated with a subset of the events based on pricing rules associated with the respective customers of the service provider. The execution of the instructions may also result in the computing system generating an invoice for the customers of the service provider based on the aggregated fees determined for the subset of events. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143734 | MOBILE DEVICE TIME TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods for the automated recording of time entries by a mobile device of interactions between a professional and other parties occurring on that device on behalf of a client of the professional are described. File information is automatically retrieved from a first server based on identifying information associated with an interaction, and the recording of the file number, as selected from candidates presented to the professional, along with the duration of the interaction, a description of the interaction and identifiers for the professional and the other party in a time entry that may then be buffered on the first server prior to transmission to a billing server. Encrypted sensitive information may be stored on the first server, which may thereby be operated by a third party and shared with other professionals. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143735 | METHOD FOR PREPARING AN OPTIMAL ALTERNATIVE BILLING PLAN FOR MOBILE TELEPHONY USERS MANAGED THROUGH A CALL CENTER - The invention relates to a method for preparing an optimal alternative billing plan for mobile telephony users managed through a call center, which is applicable to the recommendation of an optimal telephony plan to the customers of an operator, considering the consumption of the customer, the risk of the customer migrating to another and the market strategy of the operator. It comprises the estimation of the real bill of a customer during a time period covering the last M months, a simulated estimation of the bill of the customer using any generic plan based on the mean traffic of the last M months, applying a simulation algorithm and the estimation of the churn risk of a customer according to the value of the said customer, the value of the operators on the market, number of better offers, number of the customers which he calls per operator and the simulations performed with the generic plans, applying an estimation algorithm. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143736 | COLOR DETECTION FOR TIERED BILLING IN COPY AND PRINT JOBS - Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for determining a billing structure for outputting documents. The method determines if pixels of image data of a document in device independent space are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (e.g., color), and, based on at least the determined neutral pixels in device independent space, determines a billable pixel count of color pixels in the image data. In one example, the determined billable pixel count of color pixels is based on at least both an estimated color count in device independent space and a determined pixel count in device dependent space. In another, pixels are tagged based on the neutral and/or non-neutral determination in device independent space, and, if the tag indicates that a selected pixel is color in device dependent space, the selected pixel is counted for the billable pixel count. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143737 | BILLING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MICRO-TRANSACTIONS - Billing a customer through an intermediary billing system for a transaction by receiving, at the intermediary billing system, a transaction request associated with a transaction amount and a customer identification code, validating, in the intermediary billing system, the transaction request by determining whether the customer identification code corresponds to a customer that is registered with the intermediary billing system, and sending, in the case that the transaction request is valid, a billing event trigger associated with the customer identification code to an external billing mechanism, the billing event trigger representing the transaction amount. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143738 | PUBLIC MARKETS FOR ECONOMIC INDICATORS - The present invention relates to a financial instrument, system and method that enables public trading in spot and forward markets of any Index, and in particular to spot and forward markets for the trading of a Price Index on a Recognized Exchange or Exchanges, using the financial instrument as “good delivery”, without having to create and list managed index funds that invest in the underlying security comprising the subject Index. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a means for creating spot and forward markets for trading of a Price Index on a Recognized Exchange and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to this particular field of use. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143739 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CALCULATING AN INFORMED TRADING METRIC AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - Systems and computerized methods for calculating and using an informed trading metric are disclosed. The process of calculating the informed trading metric, executed by a processor, includes analyzing sets of trades of the security. The processor determines a magnitude of a difference between a volume of buy transactions and the volume of sell transactions in the plurality of trades. The processor then derives the informed trading metric based on the ratio of the determined difference magnitude to the total volume of analyzed trades. The derived informed trading metric may be employed by various systems to, among other things, hedge against market volatility, control securities exchange behavior, evaluate trader performance, and control the timing of trade execution by a broker dealer. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143740 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRADING INFORMED TRADING METRIC-BASED DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS - A system and related method for hedging risks associated with a market level of informed trading are disclosed. The system includes a network interface for receiving a data feed that includes informed trading metric data. The system also has a server for electronically publishing the informed trading metric data. A second network interface receives requests to purchase informed trading metric-based derivative contracts at a first price and offers to sell informed trading metric-based derivative contracts at a second price. A matching server matches the received requests with the received offers. A settlement processor settles the derivative contracts based on informed trading metric data received by the network interface. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143741 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE BEHAVIOR BASED ON AN INFORMED TRADING METRIC - A computerized exchange system and a method of operating a computerized exchange system are disclosed. The exchange system variably favors execution of buy trades or sell trades based on the value of an informed trading metric, thereby attempting to forestall predatory increases in order toxicity. The system includes a first network interface for receiving a plurality of securities trades, including a plurality of buy transactions and a plurality of sale transactions. A matching processor matches the securities trades to market makers. The matching processor is configured to obtain a value of the informed trading metric and to determine a buy transaction bias or a sell transaction bias based on the value of the informed trading metric. The matching processor then matches trades to market makers favoring buy transactions or sell transactions based on the determined bias. A settlement processor then settles the matched trades. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143742 | ALTERNATIVE TRADING SCORECARD APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - A processor-implemented method for transforming transaction data and market feed data into trade metrics. The method includes executing a transaction for a financial instrument on a trading network using a server having a processor and interfacing with a database, receiving market data, regarding the financial instrument from a public exchange data source, determining a mark price for the financial instrument, calculating a trade metric for the executed transaction using an executed price for the transaction and the mark price, and storing the trade metric in the database. Trade metric data for a client may then be aggregated and used to categorize the client into one of a plurality of trading pools and to limit access to certain trading pools based on the categorization of the client. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143743 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING POST-MATCHING TRADING - Systems and methods for implementing post-matching trading are provided. A financial instrument transaction system may include a database configured to store financial instrument information for reference entities; a memory for storing execution instructions; and a processor. The processor may execute the instructions. The processor may initiate a trading session for a predetermined duration. Prior to and during the trading session, the processor may receive from a plurality of trader clients trading instructions associated with the reference entity. The instructions may include either a buy or sell position and a price. At the end of the trading session, the processor may determine, based on predefined criteria, whether the trading session qualifies for a post-matching session. If the trading session qualifies for a post-matching session, the processor may provide a graphical user interface to a selected group of traders for trading in the post-matching session. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143744 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR MANAGING SECURITIES FUNDED BY A MUNICIPAL ARBITRAGE PORTFOLIO (MAP) - A system, method, and computer program product for managing securities funded by a municipal arbitrage portfolio (MAP) are set forth herein. A computer receives a daily valuation of a portfolio of securities from an administrator of a special purpose trust (SPT) the portfolio having been issued by the SPT. The portfolio being funded in part by equity from the MAP fund, the MAP fund being an entity subject to securities regulation oversight, the assets of the MAP fund being managed by a fund manager, and the portfolio provides a first series of payments to the MAP fund, the MAP fund having entered into a security agreement with a liquidity provider (LP). A computer verifies the daily valuation of the portfolio. A computer calculates a daily ending net asset value (NAV) of the MAP fund, where the MAP fund holdings include at least the portfolio. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143745 | Method and Apparatus for Processing and Routing Transactions - Option orders are processed by receiving an option order, the option order including information identifying a customer, and information identifying a desired option. One of a plurality of option exchanges is selected to complete the option order, the selecting based on information identifying the customer and the desired option. In some embodiments, a routing rule is selected based on the information identifying a customer. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143746 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRICING AND ALLOCATING SECURITIES - A method and system for pricing and allocating identified securities of a company on a registered securities exchange, as opposed to an off-market offer. A host computer system receives bid data indicative of one or more bids for the identified securities from one or more eligible investors. Novel methods and algorithms are applied in a determination of at least one price of the identified securities and an allocation of the identified securities to the one or more eligible investors. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143747 | RETAILER DEBIT CARD SYSTEM - Methods for soliciting and enrolling customers for a retailer payment instrument are disclosed. For example, a method is disclosed for enrolling a customer for a retailer debit card which includes receiving enrollment data from the customer, establishing a check writer rating for the customer based on a history of checks associated with the customer and stored by the retailer, adjusting a validation threshold score based on the check writer rating, and denying enrollment of the customer if the validation score is less than the adjusted validation threshold score. Other associated methods and systems are also disclosed. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143748 | Loan Origination System Interface for Online Loan Application Processing - A loan origination system interface module, methods and computer program products. One computer program product for processing loan application data including instructions to extract loan application data including retrieving identification information for a loan application associated the loan application data from a broker device and displaying on the broker device a list of loan applications available to process in an interface that is consistent with a loan origination computer program associated with the broker device. In response to command input from the broker device selecting a loan application from the list of loan applications, the computer program product includes instructions to reformat loan application data for the selected loan application to a format compatible with that required by a lender device and transmit reformatted loan application data to a lender device. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143749 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSIGNING INTERCHANGE RATES TO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS USING AN INTERCHANGE NETWORK - A method for assigning an interchange rate to a financial transaction is provided. The method uses at least one input device in communication with an interchange database. The financial transaction is initiated by a cardholder using a card over a card interchange, the card having been issued by an issuer bank. The method includes the steps of storing issuer data within the interchange database, the issuer data including whether the issuer bank has entered into a special relationship with the interchange. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143750 | Vending Modified Climate Control Device - A user input comprising a climate control parameter is received. A climate control subsystem that is configured to modify an environment based on the climate control parameter is activated. A payment message that is based on a usage parameter is transmitted to a billing system. The payment message results in a charge being made to an account of the user. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143751 | GIFT CARD SYSTEM INCLUDING VIRTUAL GIFT CARD AND CARD AGGREGATOR - A method for execution on a computing device includes the steps of receiving information from a user to be included in a user profile, and establishing a user account associated with the user profile. The account has an identifier and an account balance; the balance is in accordance with funds expended by the user or received by transfer from another user. A user device is caused to display an image representing the account identifier; an external system (e.g. at a retailer) is permitted access to the account by recording the image. A user-initiated transaction (e.g. a retail purchase) is processed in accordance with information transmitted by the external system (e.g. over a network); this processing includes updating the account balance in accordance with the transaction. The displayed image may be a bar code scannable by the external system. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143752 | MULTI-COMMERCE CHANNEL WALLET FOR AUTHENTICATED TRANSACTIONS - A phone-based electronic wallet providing authenticated transactions across multiple channels of commerce. The electronic wallet may be used for point-of-sale payments, remote mobile payments and/or web-based payments, and may use authentication tools such as offline PINs, SecureCode PINs and/or online PINs. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143753 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE BUYING TO AGGREGATE PAYMENTS FROM TWO OR MORE PEOPLE - A system and method for implementing a group payment transaction. A group payment transaction is initiated by a group leader. Payment information for a plurality of group members are received. Each group member's credit card is pre-authorized for an agreed to amount, but not finalized until a later time. Upon one or more triggers being satisfied, all of the pre-authorized credit card transactions are captured and finalized. The group may remain open or be closed at this point. If it remains open, additional group members may join the group until a maximum trigger value is satisfied. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143754 | ENHANCED CREDIT CARD SECURITY APPARATUS AND METHOD - A credit card, debit card, or other similar financial instrument is disclosed with the temporary assignment of a dynamic CVV for increased card security. The dynamic CVV is read, changed, and rewritten to the card with each transaction. To facilitate online purchases, a static CVV may also be provided for manual entry. Alternatively, the static CVV may be a reminder enabling a user to remember an unmarked static CVV, such as reading the digits in an order selected by a user, much like a PIN number. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143755 | Collection and Distribution of Customer Service Metric Information - Aspects described herein provide techniques for monitoring, predicting, and providing customer service metrics and wait time information to customers prior to when a customer requests a customer service event that may require a waiting period of otherwise unknown duration. A customer may obtain information regarding a current and/or future predicted wait time for a desired branch of a financial institution. Current wait time information may be provided to help a user determine a branch that is available for immediate service with as short a wait as possible, or that is most time-efficient from the customer's perspective. Wait time information for nearby bank branches may be automatically provided, e.g., when an ATM is out of order. Future and/or predicted wait time information may be provided (e.g., via the Internet) so the customer can plan a convenient time in the future to visit a branch of the financial institution. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143756 | Personalized Bank Teller Machine - A system and method is provided for an ATM having a display, a logic server coupled to the display, and a memory coupled to the logic server. The logic server dynamically controls the functions available to the users including messages and coupons. A host contains a profile of a user. The memory, which is accessible to the logic server, may contain a profile of at least one user. A user card may contain a profile of the user. In operation, the ATM detects the a user's card and requests the profile of the user whose card was detected from a host. The ATM then receives the user's profile and stores the user's profile in the ATM. The system and method also provides a cardless ATM in which a user logs on without a card. Additionally, system and method also provides ATM services via a personal device. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143757 | Designation of Electronic Financial Transactions - An electronic financial transaction system has an identifier designation determining means for determining a designation of an identifier supplied by a prospective transactor in accordance with his circumstances; and a response means for implementing a predetermined response according to the designation of the identifier. The designation can be either “normal” or “duress”. If a “normal” identifier is given then the transactor is allowed a normal suite of transactions. If a “duress” identifier is given then no transactions are permitted, the transactor's account is frozen, and personnel are alerted to assist the transactor. Alternatively, limited transactions are permitted and the personnel alerted. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143758 | Account Transfer Techniques - Account transfer techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a user interface is output by a mobile communication device that describes funds in an account. The account is usable by the mobile communication device to purchase goods or service and the purchase performable at least in part using credentials stored in a secure element implemented in hardware of the mobile communication device. An input is received via interaction with the user interface to authorize a transfer of funds from the account associated with the mobile communication device to another account usable by another mobile communication device to purchase goods or services. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143759 | PROCESSING A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION USING SINGLE-USE FINANCIAL ACCOUNT CARD NUMBER VIA PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - System(s), method(s), and device(s) that generate and use single-use financial account card numbers (SUFACNs) to facilitate secure processing of financial transactions are presented. A user registers a financial account(s) with a financial transaction platform (FTP), a user profile comprising user-related information is created, and a personal identification number (PIN) is associated with the user. When making a purchase locally or online, the user's portable communication device (PCD) accesses the FTP via an application or web site, the PCD synchronizes with the FTP, and the PCD and FTP each respectively generate the same SUFACN(s) based in part on time of generation and PIN. The SUFACN is presented to the seller's register component via scanning (e.g., when SUFACN is a barcode) or entering the SUFACN. The register component sends the SUFACN to the FTP, which interacts with the user's financial account(s) to facilitate payment. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143760 | Internet Payment System Using Credit Card Imaging - A system and a method for conducting credit card transactions through a mobile device of a user. The mobile device comprises an image acquisition unit and a mobile application operated by the mobile device. The system enables acquiring an image of a client's credit card, using the image acquisition unit; analyzing data of the image; outputting details of the credit card from the analysis; verifying the output details, wherein the verification is further carried out through the mobile application; verifying authorization of inputted monetary transaction, wherein the mobile application enables verifying the authorization by communicating with the billing center, associated with at least one credit company associated with the credit card over at least one communication network, wherein the communication is carried out by the mobile application using the mobile device; and conducting monetary transactions using the verified credit card details. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143761 | SOCIAL NETWORK PAYMENT SYSTEM - A method for providing social network payments includes receiving a request to make a payment. The request is associated with a social network payer and a social network payee. It is determined that the social network payer is associated with a first payment provider identifier and an authorization token, and a second payment provider identifier for the social network payee is then retrieved using the authorization token. An instruction to make a payment from the social network payer to the social network payee is then transmitted to a payment service provider. The instruction includes a payment amount, the first payment provider identifier, and the second payment provider identifier. A payment alert is also adapted for a payee social network associated with the social network payee, and the payment alert is send to a social network provider device associated with the payee social network. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143762 | METHOD OF MANAGING FRANCHISES USING CREDIT-CARD PAYMENT SYSTEM - A franchises managing credit-card payment system method includes inputting franchise customer goods selection or service use statement to a franchise client to calculate estimated payment amount, inputting customer member information to franchise client, and transmitting member information to a head office customer information server to request member authentication; receiving a customer member authentication request signal, authentication processing the information, and transmitting the authentication result to the franchise client; inputting estimated payment amount credit-card payment information to the franchise client, requesting a card company for payment approval, and receiving approval information; outputting satisfaction survey selection items for franchise service provided through a sign pad connected to the franchise client; analyzing customer satisfaction evaluation information for the franchise according to the selection items, and storing the resultant satisfaction evaluation information in a customer information server database; and switching the sign pad to a digital signature screen. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143763 | USING A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BASED ACCOUNT FOR ULTRA-LOW LATENCY TRANSACTIONS - A system and method is illustrated for a reader to receive account data associated with an account managed by a financial institution, the account to be accessed to pay an amount associated with an ultra-low latency transaction. The system and method may also include a receiver to receive an instruction authorizing completion of the ultra-low latency transaction, the instruction generated based upon a comparison of the account data to an entry in a list that includes a plurality of account data. Additionally, the system and method may include a mechanism to allow completion of the ultra-low latency transaction. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143764 | INFORMATION PROVIDING SYSTEM AND DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDING SERVER - A design information providing system, which does not allow continuation of manufacturing of products unless a patent license contract is concluded, includes a terminal apparatus ( | 2012-06-07 |
20120143765 | CONTENT COPY SYSTEM, CONTENT USAGE APPARATUS, MANAGEMENT SERVER, CONTENT USAGE METHOD, CONTENT USAGE PROGRAM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - Provided is a content copy system that distributes main content (e.g., movie) and sub-content using a rental optical medium and properly recovers the usage fee for sub-content separately from the usage fee for main content. The content copy system includes: a content usage apparatus comprising an acquisition unit that acquires usage ID provided thereto in exchange for the usage fee for content, a transmission unit that transmits the acquired usage ID to the management server, and a usage unit that receives a decryption key from the management server and records the decryption key and encrypted content on a recording medium; and a management server comprising a storage unit storing usage IDs and decryption keys in one-to-one correspondence, and a control unit that, when receiving usage ID from the content usage apparatus, transmits a decryption key for content corresponding to the usage ID and performs settlement processing for the usage ID. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143766 | Secure Large Volume Feature License Provisioning System - Disclosed is a manufacturing process and feature licensing system for provisioning personalized (device-unique) licenses to devices. The secure system uses a secure key wrapping mechanism to deliver the LSK to LPS. Another feature is that various network communication links are secured using standard security protocol. Application messages, license templates, licenses are digitally signed. The system is flexible, configured to allow multiple manufacturers and to allow various feature configurations via the use of License Template; scalable, as it is possible to use multiple LPS hosts to serve multiple programming stations; and available in that the delegation of license signing capability from CLS to LPS eliminates the dependency on unreliable Internet connections. Redundant LPS hosts provide high level of availability required for high volume license provisioning. The system is traceable: license and device association are replicated back to the CLS to provide full license request and generation traceability. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143767 | Secure Distributed Single Action Payment System - Methods and systems for enabling and performing secured, single action payments from a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes receiving user credentials at an application installed on a mobile device, and transmitting the user credentials from the mobile device to a server alongside a device identifier. The method includes receiving data at least partially defining encrypted personal payment information and saving the encrypted personal payment information in a memory of the mobile device in association with the application. At least prior to receiving a user request to make a payment via the application, the mobile device lacks a decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted personal payment information. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143768 | Device Enrollment System and Method - Embodiments related to systems and methods comprising receiving payment data at an access device; receiving an identifier for a phone at the access device; and generating and sending an authorization request message to a payment processing network, wherein the payment processing network generates a verification token, which is then sent to the phone whereby the phone is thereafter used to conduct payment transactions. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143769 | COMMERCE CARD - Commerce card techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more credentials are received at a commerce card, the credentials encrypted using a public key. The one or more credentials are decrypted using a private key that corresponds to the public key, the decrypting performed by a secure element implemented in tamper-resistant hardware of the commerce card without exposing the private key outside of the secure element. The decrypted one or more credentials are stored within the secure element of the commerce card such that the decrypted one or more credentials are not exposed outside of the secure element, the one or more credentials usable by the commerce card as part of a transaction to purchase a good or service. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143770 | PURCHASE TRANSACTION SYSTEM WITH ENCRYPTED PAYMENT CARD DATA - Online ordering systems allow a user to submit sensitive information such as payment card information to a merchant in encrypted form. A payment card processor server may be used to provide the user's web browser with code for an encryption function, a cryptographic key, and a key identifier. The web browser may encrypt the payment card information by executing the encryption function and using the key. The encrypted payment card information may be supplied to the merchant over the internet. A key identifier that identifies which cryptographic key was used in encrypting the payment card information may be provided to the merchant without providing the merchant with access to the key. The merchant can forward the encrypted payment card information to the credit card processor server with the key identifier. The processor server can use the key identifier to obtain the key and decrypt the payment card information for authorization. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143771 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURING PIN ENTRY ON A MOBILE PAYMENT DEVICE BY DISABLING TONE EMISSIONS - A mobile communication device | 2012-06-07 |
20120143772 | Secure Distributed Single Action Payment Authorization System - Methods and systems for enabling and performing secured, single action payments from a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes transmitting user credentials from an application installed on a mobile device to a server alongside a device identifier. The method includes receiving data at least partially defining encrypted personal payment information and saving the encrypted personal payment information in a memory of the mobile device in association with the application. At least prior to receiving a user request to make a payment via the application, the mobile device lacks a decryption key capable of decrypting the encrypted personal payment information. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143773 | NOTIFICATION METHOD FOR WARRANTY MAINTENANCE SERVICE - The present invention relates to a method for recording and reminding of warranty and maintenance service relating to items purchased by a customer. More specifically the method relates to a method where data about the warranty and the maintenance service is entered and stored in a data storage system comprising a data processing program which is able to process the data in several steps and notify a service provider when maintenance service is required. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143774 | Techniques for Creating Service Status Abstraction Layers Based on Client Roles in a Business Process Management Scenario - Techniques for role-based service operation status reporting to clients are provided. In one aspect, a method for reporting a status of a service operation to a client is provided. The method includes the following steps. A sequence of business process steps involved in performing the service operation is identified. One or more abstractions of the business process steps are made, each abstraction containing a sequence of a fewer number of steps than the business process, wherein the number of steps in each of the abstractions correlates with a level of detail about the service operation. The status of the service operation is reported to the client based on a given one of the abstractions having the level of detail best suited to a role of the client. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143775 | METHOD FOR FACILITATING THE ORDERING, COMPLETION AND DELIVERY OF REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS - The instant application provides a server that facilitates property valuations. The server is capable of networked communications with a plurality of users and includes program code to perform various steps. The server also includes a plurality of products, each having a respective predefined report format. The steps include accepting order-related data from a client. The order-related data is used in combination with a decision matrix to generate an order. The order a first product. The order is then submitted to the client, and in response to the client accepting the order, the order is assigned to at least one valuation expert from a database of valuation experts. The program code provides the valuation expert a user interface to populate data into a plurality of fields within a first report format that corresponds to the first product. Data from the valuation expert is accepted in accordance with the first report format to generate a first report, and the first report is submitted to the client. The data relating to the first report is stored in a portfolio database that is accessible to the client and searchable by the client. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143776 | PHARMACOVIGILANCE ALERT TOOL - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with providing an alert when alert criteria is met by monitored AE data analysis output. An alert criteria is specified that corresponds to desired results of at least two different instances of AE data analysis. The alert criteria is assessed on at least one data source. A case series that meets the alert criteria is output. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143777 | USING DOCUMENTATION PLANS FOR SOA GOVERNANCE - A method, system, and computer program product for using documentation plans for service oriented architecture governance. In an example embodiment, the method includes implementing a structured documentation plan in a SOA governance tool using a computer processor. The structured documentation plan includes a set of documentation types and a set of governance policies for at least one documentation type from the set of documentation types. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143778 | Method and System for Representing Laws and Rules - The complexity of regulations in healthcare, financial services, and other industries makes it difficult for enterprises to design and deploy effective compliance systems. The present invention supports compliance by using formalized portions of applicable laws to regulate business processes that use information systems. An embodiment of the present invention uses a stratified fragment of Prolog with limited use of negation to formalize a portion of the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). An embodiment of the invention provides for deployment in a prototypical hospital that implements a Web portal messaging system. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143779 | ONLINE MATCHMAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An online matchmaking management system includes a member database for storing a plurality of member data files, an account management module configured to process login data of a user, and a matching module configured to receive a matching condition and to select at least one candidate member. The online matchmaking management system also includes an interaction module configured to provide an interaction interface for the user to generate a marriage suitability questionnaire, to provide the marriage suitability questionnaire to a target member selected by the user from the at least one candidate member, to relay to the user response of the target member to the marriage suitability questionnaire, and based on a number of interactions between the user and the target member, to provide the user with conditional authorization for further interaction with the target member. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143780 | PROVIDING ASSISTED BUSINESS ANALYSIS TO USERS - A method for providing assisted business analysis to users is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a list of one or more predefined managed reports to a user. Each predefined managed report has specific metadata associated therewith. The method further provides functionality to enable the user to select a specific managed report from the list. Once a managed report is selected from the list, the method enables the user to generate a new ad hoc report from the selected managed report. Generating this new ad hoc report includes automatically extracting all or part of the metadata from the selected managed report to build the new ad hoc report. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed and claimed herein. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143781 | OPERATIONALIZING SERVICE METHODOLOGIES FOR A COMPUTERIZED CONSULTANT ENVIRONMENT - A method of operationalizing service methodologies useable for a computerized environment is provided. The method includes the following stages: capturing a method to yield a workflow, work products and template structure; extracting structure and relations from at least one of: the templates, actual work products, workflow, and human experts; modeling the captured structure to yield a method model; augmenting the method-model using the extracted structure and relations, to yield an augmented method-model, such that the augmented method-model provides sufficient data for automatically generating a software application implementing a runtime environment that supports the method. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143782 | Private Company Valuation - Systems and techniques are disclosed to value privately-held companies, at least in part, on publicly traded companies. A value is computed for a primary private company using a weighted average valuation multiple and a weighted average total return value associated with publicly traded companies. A confidence rating of the computed valuation is also provided. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143783 | Object Oriented System for Managing Complex Financial Instruments - Object oriented design strategies and patterns are applied to financial data processing systems for processing and modeling of financial products (also referred to as financial instruments) with an emphasis being on derivative products. The system employs valuation independent, well-defined financial components (also referred to as financial events) that can be combined to build new financial structures. A general purpose software model is provided for representing the structure and characteristics of these products. A declarative specification language is provided to describe financial instruments in a consistent manner that lends itself to processing in such an object oriented system. A general traversal process is provided that can be applied to the macro structure of a financial instrument to implement various functions that produce results based on such information, such as the stream of financial events associated with the instrument, or the pricing or valuation of the instrument. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143784 | INTEGRATED TRADING INFORMATION PROCESSING AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR EXEMPT SECURITIES - A system is provided for processing and transmitting trading information for exempt securities or assets not otherwise listed, traded, valuated or bought/sold in any conventional exchange or system for the regulation of securities or commodities. The system may include: (a) a risk analytic module using the latest market prices and data provided by other modules, (b) an auction module including asset auction functionality and a multi-lateral counterparty trade workstation capability, with bid-offer and unique asset price sourcing capabilities, (c) an asset or portfolio tracking module providing browser based, realtime consolidated reporting of multi-firm asset positions (public or private), and (d) an out-of-band communications module alerting users/subscribers who may or may not be logged on the system via fax, e-mail, text messages, or other out-of-band communications of a pending transaction being consummated or achieved. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143785 | Proxies for Actively Managed Funds - Among other things, receiving public information about an actively managed fund, selecting a group of financial assets, determining a group of weights corresponding to the group of financial assets thereby determining a weighted group of financial assets, the weights being determined based only on the public information, and publishing the contents of the weighted group of financial assets, wherein an expected valuation of the weighted group of financial assets is within a threshold percentage of an expected valuation of the actively managed fund. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143786 | Onboard Unit and Method for Charging Occupant Number-Dependent Tolls for Vehicles - Onboard unit for charging occupant number-dependent tolls for a vehicle in the context of a road toll system, comprising a Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar that can be directed onto the vehicle interior for measuring movements and generating at least one measurement signal representing these; and an evaluation device, which is configured to detect signal patterns in the measurement signal that are typical for heart or respiratory activity of an occupant, to count those signal patterns which occur simultaneously at an observation time, and to calculate toll data as a function of that count value. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143787 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING ENERGY CREDITS DERIVED FROM THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY WHILE MAINTAINING GREEN CERTIFICATION - A system and method for creating and using energy credits derived from the construction or transportation sectors while maintaining green certification. The system and method uses buildings or vehicles. The energy consumption of a building or vehicle is first reduced by identifying and placing predetermined components in the building or vehicle. That energy reduction is then designated as an energy credit derived from and associated with the construction sector or transportation sector. The credit is then marketed and sold. The remaining or residual energy consumption associated with use of the building or vehicle is then offset through the purchase of outside energy credits. The buildings or vehicles are then certified as green. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143788 | TOXIN DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method of generating a generic binary classifier for the presence of one or more toxins in water is provided. Features are extracted from a plurality of normalized a priori data sets that include one or more control data sets that are representative of an electric cell-substrate impedance sensor (ECIS) response to water with no toxins therein, and a plurality of treatment data sets that are representative of an ECIS response to water with a toxin therein. A plurality of classifier algorithms are trained using the extracted features, and a plurality of classification models are generated from each of the trained classifier algorithms. Each of the classification models is evaluated and, based on the evaluation of each classification model, a subset thereof is selected. The selected subset of the classification models is supplied as the generic binary classifier. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143789 | CLICK MODEL THAT ACCOUNTS FOR A USER'S INTENT WHEN PLACING A QUIERY IN A SEARCH ENGINE - A method of generating training data for a search engine begins by retrieving log data pertaining to user click behavior. The log data is analyzed based on a click model that includes a parameter pertaining to a user intent bias representing the intent of a user in performing a search in order to determine a relevance of each of a plurality of pages to a query. The relevance of the pages is then converted into training data. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143790 | RELEVANCE OF SEARCH RESULTS DETERMINED FROM USER CLICKS AND POST-CLICK USER BEHAVIOR OBTAINED FROM CLICK LOGS - Data from a click log may be used to generate training data for a search engine. User click behavior and user post-click behavior may be used to assess the relevance of a page to a query. Labels for training data may be generated based on data from the click log. The labels may pertain to the relevance of a page to a query. For example, user post-click behavior that may be examined includes the amount of time that a user remains on a target page when a user clicks one of the search results. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143791 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAUSING AN APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION TO ISSUE - An apparatus may include a monitoring module configured to monitor user interactions by a user with applications. A contextual characteristics determiner may determine one or more contextual characteristics relating to the user interactions. Thereby, a data model builder may build a user behavior model for the user based at least in part on the user interactions and the contextual characteristics. The apparatus may provide for private storage of the user behavior module. A recommendation module may issue a recommendation, which may be mapped to one of the applications, based at least in part on the user behavior model. The recommendation may be issued in response to a query directed to a query module. The query may include current contextual characteristics of the user and/or the apparatus. The application recommendation may include one or more applications selected from one or more content providers, as controlled by a registrar module. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143792 | PAGE SELECTION FOR INDEXING - Some implementations provide techniques for selecting web pages for inclusion in an index. For example, some implementations apply regularization to select a subset of the crawled web pages for indexing based on link relationships between the crawled web pages, features extracted from the crawled web pages, and user behavior information determined for at least some of the crawled web pages. Further, in some implementations, the user behavior information may be used to sort a training set of crawled web pages into a plurality of labeled groups. The labeled groups may be represented in a directed graph that indicates relative priorities for being selected for indexing. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143793 | FEATURE SPECIFICATION VIA SEMANTIC QUERIES - Technology is described that includes a method of feature specification via semantic queries. The method can include the operation of obtaining a data set having an identifier for each data row and a plurality of data features for each data row. A semantic query can be received that can be applied to the dataset that is usable by a machine learning tool. A entity feature map can be supplied that has entities and associated features for use by the machine learning tool. Further, a query structure can be analyzed using the entity feature map to identify input from the dataset for the machine learning tool. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143794 | ANSWER MODEL COMPARISON - This patent application pertains to answer model comparison. One implementation can determine a first frequency at which an individual answer category appears in an individual slot on a query results page when utilizing a first model. The method can ascertain a second frequency at which the individual answer category appears in the individual slot on the query results page when utilizing a second model. The method can calibrate the second model so that the second frequency approaches the first frequency. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143795 | CROSS-TRACE SCALABLE ISSUE DETECTION AND CLUSTERING - Techniques and systems for cross-trace scalable issue detection and clustering that scale-up trace analysis for issue detection and root-cause clustering using a machine learning based approach are described herein. These techniques enable a scalable performance analysis framework for computing devices addressing issue detection, which is designed as a multiple scale feature for learning based issue detection, and root cause clustering. In various embodiments the techniques employ a cross-trace similarity model, which is defined to hierarchically cluster problems detected in the learning based issue detection via butterflies of trigram stacks. The performance analysis framework is scalable to manage millions of traces, which include high problem complexity. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143796 | GROUP VARIABLE SELECTION IN SPATIOTEMPORAL MODELING - In response to issues of high dimensionality and sparsity in machine learning, it is proposed to use a multiple output regression modeling module that takes into account information on groups of related predictor features and groups of related regressions, both given as input, and outputs a regression model with selected feature groups. Optionally, the method can be employed as a component in methods of causal influence detection, which are applied on a time series training data set representing the time-evolving content generated by community members, output a model of causal relationships and a ranking of the members according to their influence. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143797 | Metric-Label Co-Learning - Labels for unlabeled media samples may be determined automatically. Characteristics and/or features of an unlabeled media sample are detected and used to iteratively optimize a distance metric and one or more labels for the unlabeled media sample according to an algorithm. The labels may be used to produce training data for a machine learning process. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143798 | Electronic Communications Triage - Triaging electronic communications in a computing system environment can mitigate issues related to large volumes of incoming electronic communications. This can include an analysis of user-specific electronic communication data and associated behaviors to predict which communications a user is likely to deem important or unimportant. Client-side application features are exposed based on the evaluation of communication importance to enable the user to process arbitrarily large volumes of incoming communications. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143799 | Method for Selecting Features Used in Continuous-Valued Regression Analysis - A method selects features used in continuous-valued regression analysis. Training data input to the method includes features and corresponding target values, wherein the target values are continuous, and there is one target value for each feature. Each threshold value is thresholded and discretized with respect to a threshold value to produce a discretized target value. Then, categorical feature selection is applied to the features, using the discrete target values, to produces selected features. The selected values can be used in any regression analysis. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143800 | Method and System for Knowledge Pattern Search and Analysis for Selecting Microorganisms Based on Desired Metabolic Property or Biological Behavior - Methods and systems for knowledge pattern search and analysis for selecting microorganisms based on desired metabolic properties or biological behaviors are disclosed in various embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for selecting a purpose-specific microorganism first compiles microorganisms' profiles by linking each microorganism's methanogenic, hydrogenic, electrogenic, another metabolic property, and/or another biological behavior to genetic and chemical fingerprints of metabolic and energy-generating biological pathways. Then, based on the compiled profiles of the microorganisms, the computer-implemented method groups the microorganisms into pathway characteristics using machine-learning and pattern recognition performed on a computer system, and subsequently generates a prediction called “discovered characteristics” for a desired metabolic property or a desired biological behavior of at least one microorganism. Furthermore, a profile match score may be calculated to indicate usefulness of one or more microorganisms for renewable energy generation from biological waste materials or wastewater. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143801 | INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION DEVICE, INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An information classification device ( | 2012-06-07 |
20120143802 | Adaptive Pairwise Preferences in Recommenders - Methods, systems, and products adapt recommender systems with pairwise feedback. A pairwise question is posed to a user. A response is received that selects a preference for a pair of items in the pairwise question. A latent factor model is adapted to incorporate the response, and an item is recommended to the user based on the response. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143803 | BOTTOM SEDIMENT DETERMINATION DEVICE, ULTRASONIC FINDER, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR SETTING PARAMETERS - This disclosure provide a bottom sediment determining device, which is inputted with an echo signal corresponding to an ultrasonic wave outputted underwater, and determines water bottom sediment using a neural network. The device includes a memory for storing two or more parameters to be used in the neural network so as to be associated with positional information, a receiver for receiving the positional information, an acquisition module for acquiring the parameters corresponding to the positional information, and a setting module for setting the parameters to the neural network. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143804 | PREDICTING ODOR PLEASANTNESS WITH AN ELECTRONIC NOSE - Apparatus and method for assessing odors, comprises an electronic nose, to be applied to an odor and to output a structure identifying the odor; a neural network which maps an extracted structure to a first location on a pre-learned axis of odor pleasantness; and an output for outputting an assessment of an applied odor based on said first location. The assessment may be a prediction of how pleasant a user will consider the odor. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143805 | Cancer Biomarkers and Uses Thereof - The present disclosure includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of cancer. In one aspect, the disclosure provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to diagnose cancer. In another aspect, methods are provided for diagnosing cancer in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 47, wherein the individual is classified as having cancer, or the likelihood of the individual having cancer is determined, based on the at least one biomarker value. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143806 | Electronic Communications Triage - Triaging electronic communications in a computing system environment can mitigate issues related to large volumes of incoming electronic communications. This can include an analysis of user-specific electronic communication data and associated behaviors to predict which communications a user is likely to deem important or unimportant. Client-side application features are exposed based on the evaluation of communication importance to enable the user to process arbitrarily large volumes of incoming communications. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143807 | Facts Screening and Transforming Processor - Be TT.p the “technique teaching” of a patent or venture and RS a “reference set” of prior art technique teachings TT.i, any element of any TT described by attributes. Then the FSTP (semi)automatically determines their “technical secondary structured fact, ”,
| 2012-06-07 |
20120143808 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OBJECT DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying a target object. An object detection module detects objects by matching data from one or more sensors to known data of a target object and determining one or more correlation metrics for each object. An object tracking module tracks geographic locations for detected objects over time using subsequent data from the one or more sensors. A contextual data module determines one or more contextual indicators for detected objects based on the data from the one or more sensors. An artificial intelligence module estimates probabilities that detected objects comprise the target object based on the correlation metrics, the geographic locations, the contextual indicators, and one or more target contextual indicators associated with the target object. The artificial intelligence module estimates the probabilities using an artificial intelligence model, such as a Bayesian network. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143809 | LAZILY ENABLED TRUTH MAINTENANCE IN RULE ENGINES - Some embodiments of a method to lazily enable truth maintenance in a rule engine have been presented. A rule engine can enable truth maintenance on an object type basis. In response to a working memory action involving a particular object type, the rule engine may check a truth maintenance parameter of the object type involved to determine if truth maintenance for the object type has to be enabled. If so, the rule engine may enable truth maintenance for the object type. | 2012-06-07 |
20120143810 | RULES ENGINE WITH DATABASE TRIGGERING - An automated facilities management system has the ability to predict occupant behavior by identifying recurring patterns in the way that people use buildings and comparing them with environmental characteristics. This technology is not limited to human behavior patterns, but extends to any mechanical systems or data points that tend to vary in recurring patterns. The data processing is carried out by rules engines triggered by relational database modifications. | 2012-06-07 |