| 31st week of 2009 patent applcation highlights (07-30-09/07-30-09_49) part 49 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20090192815 | Initiating A Service Call For A Hardware Malfunction In A Point Of Sale System - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for initiating a service call for a hardware malfunction in a POS system, the POS system having a POS controller domains, the POS controller domain composed of a POS controller and one or more POS terminals, the POS controller operatively coupled to a service dispatcher for a hardware service provider, that include: detecting, by a POS operating system installed on the POS controller, a hardware error within the POS controller domain, the hardware error described by hardware error data; notifying, by the POS operating system, a system administrator of the detected hardware error in dependence upon the hardware error data; generating, by the POS operating system, a service request message in dependence upon the hardware error data; and transferring, by the POS operating system, the service request message to the service dispatcher, the service dispatcher initiating a service call by the hardware service provider. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192816 | System and method for assisting contributors - A management system for managing, streamlining and automating the process of obtaining contributions for philanthropic entities (e.g., charities and other non-profit organizations), wherein user friendly Internet based processes are provided to (potential and actual) contributors that substantially eases the burden on such contributors in, e.g., contributing to such entities via planned giving or estate planning. For each of the philanthropic entities, the management system automates and facilitates the marketing and estate planning aspects for obtaining contributions in a manner that is consistent with the avowed beliefs and/or values of the entity, and that provides potential and actual contributors with contacts to professionals that also share the beliefs and/or values of the entity. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192817 | Method and Portable Device for Management of Electronic Receipts - A system for managing electronic receipts is provided. According to one aspect, the system includes a portable device, a base device, a user device and an electronic receipts administration system. The electronic receipts administration system provides the base device with the appropriate data to allow the base device to generate, store and manage electronic receipts accordingly. A user uses the portable device to conduct a transaction with the base device. The base device uses a variety of information to generate an electronic receipt for the transaction. Such information includes, for example, information stored on the portable device, information stored locally on the base device and information stored on another device such as an electronic cash register. The electronic receipt is then stored on the portable device. The user device allows the user to subsequently retrieve the electronic receipt for management purposes. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192818 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS HEALTH MONITORING - A system for continuous health monitoring includes a computer system including a locking mechanism configured to allow multiple health point checks to be accessed simultaneously, a plurality of component health point checks configured to monitor at least one component of the system and configured to store health monitoring statistics in the computer system, and a scheduler configured to periodically enable the plurality of component health point checks based on one of a user request and a predefined amount of time. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192819 | PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method of distributing pharmaceutical items from a primary distributor to a secondary seller. A request for pharmaceutical items is received by the primary distributor from the secondary seller. Shelving information indicative of a sequential arrangement of pharmaceutical items along the secondary seller's shelving system is reviewed. A mobile cart having a plurality of compartments is provided, and a sequential order to the plurality of compartments is designated. Based upon the request, the shelving information, and the compartment order, a compartment assignment plan is generated that assigns the requested pharmaceutical items to respective compartments in an order corresponding with the sequential arrangement of the shelving system. The compartments are then loaded in accordance with the compartment assignment plan, and delivered to the secondary seller. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192820 | ASSAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - Assay system, comprising: at least one first assay device (IA) that is configured to assay one or more samples and to provide at least one assay result; and at least one distribution system ( | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192821 | Medical image annotation - Incorporating new technology into an existing medical practice is often difficult. Documents associated with a patient, for example, a patient's medical charts, are typically provided physically, i.e., as “hard copies,” when a patient is being serviced by multiple health care providers Disclosed are means for electronically annotating an image associated with a patient workflow. In one implementation, there is a method that includes receiving an image via a communications network, presenting the image to a user, and capturing an annotation made to the image by the user. The annotations and the image to a medical practice management server via the communications network and the annotated image is stored as part of a patient medical record. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192822 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING FRAMEWORK TO ASSIST IN THE EVALUATION OF MEDICAL CARE - A computerized method for evaluating medical reports includes identifying at least one or more medical reports stored in a database related to the medical condition, validating the identified medical reports by determining if key words associated with the medical condition found in the at least one or more reports are surrounded by a negative context and extracting relevant data from the medical reports. The exemplary method also includes evaluating the relevant data from the medical reports with provisions set forth in clinical guidelines corresponding to a medical condition, storing a flag identifying one or more of the medical reports as noncompliant when its corresponding relevant data does not comply with the provisions set forth in the clinical guideline unless a valid contraindication applies and displaying the medical reports identified as noncompliant. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192823 | ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD TIMELINE AND THE HUMAN FIGURE - A patient information interface system presents an aggregated, graphical view of patient anatomy and history. The system includes a graphical representation of at least a portion of a human anatomy including one or more indicators, aggregated from a plurality of clinical information sources and located at anatomical locations on the representation, that correspond to clinical events that have occurred in connection with a patient. The system also includes an electronic health record timeline of clinical events for the patient. The timeline includes the same one or more indicators that are displayed on the graphical representation corresponding to clinical events that have occurred in connection with a patient. A selection or change of an indicator on one of the graphical representation or the electronic health record timeline triggers a corresponding selection or change of the indicator on the other of the graphical representation or the electronic health record timeline. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192824 | MEDICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM AND MEDICAL IMAGE STORAGE APPARATUS - When a medical image diagnostic apparatus captures a medical image, a medical image storage apparatus retrieves a medical image similar to the captured medical image from among medical images stored in a data storage unit. The medical image storage apparatus collects a past diagnostic reading report that uses the retrieved medical image as a key image or information related to a case, and displays the collected diagnostic reading report or information related to the case. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192825 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING MEDICAL PATIENT CARE - A process and/or system that extracts selected information from e.g. traditional electronics medical records to enable analysis of a determined medical condition shared by multiple patients. A data warehouse receives the extracted information and reformats that information to enable rapid analysis by a health care provider of that provider's patient population having that medical condition. It further collects the selective data of the selected patients for multiple health care providers and enables comparisons of health care providers' success for such patients to promote upgrading of the treatment by less successful providers. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192826 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING PATIENT-SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND PROVIDING PATIENT MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS - The present invention relates to the use of computerized systems for evaluating patient-specific data for the purpose of providing healthcare providers with recommendations for adhering to best medical practices. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192827 | System for health benefits planning in retirement - A rules-based expert system is described in which the information relating to health or retirement benefits are stored in the form of statements or clauses relating to financial, medical, or personal characteristics relevant to statue or regulation at issue. The statements, or rules, are stored in a rules engine, or knowledge base in the form of “If X, then Y.” The specific construction of the data declarations relating to retirement and health benefit planning relies on parsing federal, state, and local regulations and statutes regarding Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, as well as general health insurance and long-term care insurance. The rules are applied to the user characteristics and to data about available policies to identify the policies most likely to be of greatest benefit and least cost to the user. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192828 | METHOD OF MANAGING INSURANCE DATA - A method for insurance data management including accessing employee insurance enrollment data. Claims cost data may be accessed for employee claims. The claims cost data for employee claims may be reconciled with the employee insurance enrollment data. At least one insurance data report may be generated. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192829 | Variable product reinsurance - A Variable Product reinsurance structure including: (i) a reinsurance Agreement between a Variable Product issuer (Ceding Company), and a separate account or Cell of a reinsurer, qualifying for (re)insurance accounting under FAS 133; and (ii) a plurality of derivative instruments qualifying for mark-to-market accounting under FAS 133, designed to hedge exposure to an index of securities that correlates to the specific market risks assumed by the Cell under the Agreement (hedges), purchased for the account of the Cell from multiple dealers, wherein none of the hedge dealers retains more than 50% of the risk of loss. The structure may also include (A) a basis hedge purchased from a third party dealer to hedge other risks assumed by the Cell or (B)(1) a note issued by the Cell, (2) an assumption by the Ceding Company of the risk of non-payment by the hedge dealers and, (3) a contract with an intermediary. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192830 | Method and system for determining and selecting a longevity benefit payout - A computer-implemented longevity benefit plan provides that a processor of a computer can determine longevity benefit payouts at respective benefit payment dates that participants of the plan can obtain by use of funds accumulated on behalf of the participants. The accumulated funds are based, in part, from contributions by employers who are sponsors of the plan and where the participants are employed by the employers, or by participants who are members of non-profit organizations which are sponsors of the plan. Based on the amount of funds accumulated as of a predetermined date, such as upon the participant's retirement or attaining a certain age, longevity insurance policies available for purchase for the benefit of the participant having desired longevity benefit payouts payable at respective benefit payment dates can be determined. Alternatively, after the predetermined date, the accumulated funds for the participant can be allocated for investment in a trust to provide for longevity benefit payouts payable directly from the trust at respective benefit payment dates. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192831 | SECURITIZATION OF HEALTH CARE RECEIVABLES - A method, system, and control program for expediting payment of claims to service providers and to reduce institutional capital reserves. The method includes evaluating a risk of full payment of each claim; grouping claims from a service provider(s) based on a commonality of risk; generating a security representative of the risk of the grouped claims and an investment value of the security; and exchanging a pre-payment amount to medical service providers for the security. More specifically, evaluating the risk of full payment includes comparing each individual claim to a database of historical performance of the service provider and of similar claims and, moreover, evaluating for each claim an expected payment amount and an expected time (or delay) of payment by an obligor. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192832 | Method of enhancing value of pension system assets - A program product, a system, and method for a trustee and a pension system, one embodiment of a program product consistent with the invention comprises program code for generating or receiving a plurality of files or a reference or references to a plurality of files that form an life insurance settlement pool, wherein the insureds in the pool are not beneficiaries of that pension system; program code for issuing payment instructions and/or payment instruments to maintain each of a plurality of the life insurance settlement contracts; program code for registering in an electronic database an ownership interest for the pension system in the life insurance settlement pool and/or in each insurance settlement contract in the life insurance settlement pool; program code for electronically determining or having determined a proportionate share of the life insurance settlement pool; program code for paying out or having paid out proceeds from the insurance policies in accordance with a predetermined priority of distribution; program code for electronically generating or having generated an actuarial value of the life insurance settlement pool or an undivided interest therefore or an undivided interest in each of the life insurance settlement contracts in the pool on a periodic or other basis; and program code for communicating the actuarial value to at least one pension system that owns an undivided interest in the life insurance settlement pool. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192833 | TICKET REFUNDING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method refund a current value of an event ticket to a user. The ticket is purchased from a ticket issuer and out of a pool of tickets. Information associated with the event ticket is obtained from a physical event ticket provided by a user to a kiosk. Ticket information is provided to at least one of: the ticket issuer, an event coordinator, venue owner, a third party or to the Internet via a query. In response, these sources return information associated with the event for which the event ticket was purchased. Subsequently, the kiosk calculates a current value for the event ticket based on at least one of the ticket information and event information. The current value is refunded to the user of the kiosk and the ticket issuer returns the ticket to the pool of available tickets. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192834 | Revenue generation method for monitoring of fluid dispensing system - A method of generating revenue for monitoring of a fluid dispensing system is provided. The method comprises providing a manually initiated cleaning system that cleans the fluid dispensing system. The cleaning system is manually initiated by a user of the cleaning system in response to the user of the cleaning system or a user of a monitoring system receiving a notification transmitted by the monitoring system. The method also comprises receiving fees on a periodic basis from the user of the monitoring system thereby generating revenue. The generated revenue is dependent on detected various conditions within the fluid dispensing system thereby providing sufficient and ongoing incentive for users to maintain cleaner lines in order to avoid higher monitoring costs resulting in safer fluid consumption. Alternatively, the manually initiated cleaning system may be replaced with an automated cleaning system. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192835 | System for Managing a License Associated with a Molding Structure - Disclosed, amongst other things, is a method executable in an asset management entity associated with a proprietor of the molding structure, a method executable in a supervisory entity associated with the molding structure, the asset management entity, and the supervisory entity, amongst other things. The asset management entity includes a computing apparatus. A license management module is associated with the computing apparatus. The supervisory entity includes a computing device. The computing apparatus is configured to execute, in use, a receiving operation, over a communication network, to receive an indication of a parameter of a license associated with the molding structure from the supervisory entity. The license management module is configured to execute, in use, a generating operation, to generate a command signal in accordance with the indication. The command signal is for causing the supervisory entity to execute an operation in accordance with the license. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192836 | AUTOMATED TEST SYSTEM PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Test system project management processes, algorithms and software are described. The combination of the processes, algorithms and software provides a means to effectively management new the testing procedures for new product introductions from initial specification of the testing requirements all the way through implementation. The automated system allows the work to be broken down into defined sub-projects such that individual experts will have defined and documented tasks contributing to the completion of the testing regime. Tracking and evaluation algorithms are also presented. The system has been found to reduce the risk of new product introductions through thorough documentation and monitored implementation. The system also includes negotiation schema that provide optimized supplier selection to design and complete the testing system at an effective cost. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192837 | Dispensing Consumer Products - A system for dispensing consumer products includes a product bin unit; a product ejector; a product trigger; and a controller. The product bin unit includes a product bin; an ejector aperture; and a trigger aperture. The product ejector is coupled to the product bin unit through the ejector aperture and adapted to drive the product package from the product bin upon receipt of a dispensing signal. The product trigger is coupled to the product bin unit through the trigger aperture. The controller is in communication with the product ejector and the product trigger and includes at least one memory and a processor. The memory stores a dispensing module. The processor is adapted to execute the dispensing module, and the dispensing module is operable when executed to receive a dispensing instruction and transmit the dispensing signal to the product ejector based, at least in part, on the dispensing instruction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192838 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING RESPONSE HANDLING TIME AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SCORES - A system and method disclosed for using and updating a database of template responses for a live agent in response to user communications. The method includes computing an average string distance between each response from a live agent and a template, use to generate the response, modifying the computed average string distance based on a customer satisfaction score associated with each response and selecting a response that minimizes the computed average string distance and maximizes customer satisfaction. Upon receiving a further communication on a certain issue, the system presents a prototype response that has been added to the template database to the live agent for use in generating a response to the further communication that reduces handling time and increases customer satisfaction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192839 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED PROCESS EXECUTION - Systems and methods are disclosed to provide a controlled process execution in enterprise software by receiving one or more rules specifying the controlled process execution; capturing one or more activities performed by the enterprise software; determining whether the activities performed violates the one or more rules; and notifying the user of violations or exceptions caused by the activities. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192840 | RECYCLING PROGRAM AND METHOD OF ENCOURAGING RECYCLING OF TARGET WASTE MATERIALS BY USE OF PRECIOUS METALS - A recycling program provides a monetary incentive to encourage recycling of target waste materials, such as paper, glass and plastic products. A precious metal, such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium, is incorporated into the target waste material during manufacturing to provide an incentive for recycling the target material. A visual marking is placed on the target material to distinguish from other waste items that do not contain a precious metal. A deposit is collected from consumers when purchasing the target material, and the deposit is paid back when the target material is delivered to a recycling collection point. Recycling of the target material is encouraged by efforts to reclaim the precious metal. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192841 | Managing Operational Activities When Contingent Performance Deliverables Are In Place - When uncertainty is present, operational activities and counterparty relationships related to such operational activities are evaluated and appropriate management actions determined by utilizing data records comprising Contingent Performance Deliverables (CPDs), where a CPD specifies a set of rights and obligations for two or more counterparties to the CPD with respect to operational activities of the counterparties, wherein the rights and obligations are defined over a set of uncertain potential future events (SPFE). Analysis is conducted to assess relevant sources of uncertainty, and to determine appropriate actions under the operational activities, counterparty relationships, and CPD rights and obligations across such sources of uncertainty. After the actions are determined, their impact on the operational activities and counterparty relationships, and on associated performance measures, is determined across the sources of uncertainty. Management of the operational activities and counterparty relationships is improved by utilizing the actions determined and the data generated on the future impact of such actions on operational activities and counterparty relationships subject to uncertainty. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192842 | Computer Programs, Methods, Apparatus and Systems Providing Improved Evaluation of Business Processes - The exemplary embodiments of the invention provide computer programs, methods, apparatus and systems that describe techniques providing improved evaluation of business processes based on considerations such as throughput and/or parallelization. As a non-limiting example, such techniques may be useful for evaluating agreements between entities, such as SLAs between a service provider and another entity (e.g., a supplier or customer of the service provider), for example. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method includes: obtaining a workflow model having a plurality of atomic processes, each atomic process having a distribution of throughput; determining an overall distribution of throughput for the workflow model using the distributions of throughput of the atomic processes; and outputting a determination of whether an agreement relating to the workflow model is fit based on the determined overall distribution of throughput. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192843 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TIME-STANDARD DEVELOPMENT - A performance-standard-computation method. The method includes selecting a task including a series of component steps, filming a worker performing each of the component steps of the task, reviewing the output of the filming step, using a data-acquisition device to record a plurality of process data wherein the step of using the data-acquisition device overlaps, at least in part, with the reviewing step, transferring the process data to a data-assessment tool, and using the data-assessment tool to calculate a plurality of performance standards relating to the task. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192844 | AUTONOMIC BUSINESS PROCESS PLATFORM AND METHOD - An automatic business process platform and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring systems, resources, persons, and/or processes, and controlling the systems, the resources, the persons, and/or the processes. The method may include diagnosing, an issue associated with the systems, the resources, the persons, and/or the processes, and providing advice to change at least one state of the systems, the resources, the persons, and/or the processes. The method may also include predicting at least one future state of the systems, the resources, the persons, and/or the processes. The method may further include learning to determine an association of at least one state of the systems, the resources, the persons, and the processes with at least one state of the systems, the resources, the persons, and the processes. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192845 | INTEGRATED REAL TIME COLLABORATION EXPERIENCES WITH ONLINE WORKSPACE - Online meeting experience is integrated with online and/or offline collaborative workspace(s). Documents and other content generated through team collaboration and managed by a content management system are automatically made available during the meeting, updated, and stored in collaborative workspace linked to a particular meeting. Newly generated content during the meeting is also added to the workspace. As a result, online meetings become part of the collaborative workspace rendering reusable and searchable data through meeting content and updates to associated documents. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192846 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WEIGHT AND BALANCE MANAGEMENT IN AIRCRAFT - A method and apparatus for weight and balance management for aircraft is disclosed. The method may include receiving specific aircraft weight and balance data, the specific aircraft weight and balance data including aircraft identification information, passenger and crew information, aircraft destination information, container and cargo destination information, cargo and container origin information, fuel information, container identification information, container weight information, cargo weight information, cargo storage area identification information, cargo storage area configuration information, and container storage area configuration information, computing weight and balance information based on the received specific aircraft weight and balance data, wherein if the computed weight and balance information does not meet predetermined parameters, sending a signal to alert a user that the computed weight and balance information does not meet predetermined parameters, and sending computed weight and balance information and specific aircraft weight and balance data to a weight and balance management server for at least one of processing and storage. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192847 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN IMPROVED SECURITY SYSTEM MECHANISM IN A BUSINESS APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PLATFORM - The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through an improved method and apparatus for an improved security system mechanism in a business applications management system platform. The security management system partitions a number of business objects into a number of hierarchical domains. A security list is then created and configured to grant a member the right to perform a security operation on the business object located within the hierarchical domain. The security list is created by adding the security operation to the security list, applying the security operation to one of the multiple domains, and adding members to the security list. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192848 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT - A method and system is disclosed to assess the potential workforce for a region. The potential workforce may include an actual workforce of the region and/or a reserve workforce of the region. Members of the reserve workforce may by individuals that are spaced apart from a region and have expressed a willingness to relocate to the region. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192849 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - In general, in one aspect, a method for developing software by contest includes hosting a series of contests for the agile development of a software application by contest. In one embodiment, the method includes holding a contest for the development of a wireframe, holding a contest for the development of a static prototype, and holding a contest for the development of a working prototype. In some embodiments, the contests are repeated so as to iteratively modify the software application to better meet the customer's needs. In some embodiments, the working prototype is the final implementation of the software application. In some embodiments, a competition is held for the development of an application specification based on the working prototype. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192850 | METHOD FOR SELECTING POSTAL PRODUCTS USING FORMAL POSTAL PRODUCT DEFINITIONS - A computerized method that allows the posts to determine what new products and services their customers want. The foregoing is accomplished by creating an automated process that: collects from mailers a description of new products and services the mailers would like to have and summarizes the description of new products and services in terms of postal products and services that would have a broad appeal. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192851 | Location-Based Transportation Management - Various implementations of a location based transportation management system and methods are disclosed, including a device for visually communicating with drivers in a variety of environments. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192852 | METHOD OF TRACKING THE LIFECYCLE OF A PRODUCT - A method of tracking a lifecycle of a product includes creating a template of a lifecycle of a product. The template includes steps in the lifecycle of the product between a supplier and a customer. The steps include steps of a manufacturing and delivery process. The template and the status of each step is stored in an electronic device that is accessible to the supplier and to the customer. The supplier accesses the template and modifies the status of each step in the manufacturing and delivery process as completed as the lifecycle progresses. The customer accesses the template to monitor the progress of the lifecycle. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192853 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION SERVICES - Online communities often do not include the same level of trust or accountability as face-to-face communities. A system is disclosed wherein a member of an online community is able to increase their contact ration. A system is disclosed wherein a member of an online community is held accountable to the actions of other community members with which the member is associated. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192854 | Method and apparatus for facilitating electronic acquisition and maintenence of goods and services via the internet - Internet acquisition of goods and services from multiple service providers is facilitated in a uniform, automated manner. Online service account facilitation systems and methods are contemplated that allow for intuitive, uniformly-structured representations of service offerings; straightforward, yet flexible, definition of service product markets; advantageous status designations for market offerings; flexible start date restriction rules; context sensitive information request forms, dynamic price determination on interactive comparison forms; flexible restriction rules for selection combinations of plans, packages, and features; creation of customized data elements; a powerfully advantageous ordering process; a discontinuation process; an inter-dependent order resolution feature; a hierarchical customization scheme; and/or centralized two-way communication between customers and service providers. In one embodiment, tenants of business or residential properties, may connect and disconnect utilities and/or purchase other goods and services electronically via the Internet from various service providers when moving into the property. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192855 | Computer-Implemented Data Storage Systems And Methods For Use With Predictive Model Systems - Systems and methods for performing fraud detection. As an example, a system and method can be configured to contain a raw data repository for storing raw data related to financial transactions. A data store contains rules to indicate how many generations or to indicate a time period within which data items are to be stored in the raw data repository. Data items stored in the raw data repository are then accessed by a predictive model in order to perform fraud detection. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192856 | Business method for originating mortgages - A method and model for originating mortgages is provided that includes a team of members for originating a mortgage having a first team member who supervises a second and third team member and provides home buying consulting services preferably as a licensed real estate agent and mortgage consulting services to a home buyer. The second team member is primarily responsible for the mortgage loan coordination. The third team member is primarily responsible for the mortgage loan processing. The first team member is compensated for providing the mortgage consulting services. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192857 | Product Lifecycle Management Method and Apparatus - A method for synchronizing activities during design of an industrial automated system wherein the automated system includes a plurality of different features and the design of the automated system requires at least first and second different information types, the method comprising the steps of using a first software program to specify a first type system definition including a set of first information type instances corresponding to the automated system, after the first type system definition has been specified, using a second software program to specify a second type system definition including a set of second information type instances corresponding to the automated system, after the second type system definition has been specified, comparing the first and second system definitions to identify system features supported by only one of the first and second type system definitions and where only one of the first and second type system definitions supports a system feature, the second software program providing notice to the first software program indicating that the first and second type system definitions are imperfectly correlated. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192858 | Coordination And Management Of Operational Activities Subject to Uncertainty - Operational activities of an enterprise are managed by producing a data record comprising a contingent performance deliverable (CPD) that specifies a set of rights and obligations for two or more parties to the CPD with respect to operational activities of the parties to the CPD, wherein the rights and obligations are defined over a set of uncertain potential future events (SPFE). The CPD is processed to provide an evaluation of likely result of the specified rights and obligations of the parties to the CPD with respect to operational activities of at least one organizational entity comprising an analysis entity, and with respect to sources of uncertainty related to the operational activities of the analysis entity over the SPFE. An output report is generated in accordance with the evaluation. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192859 | SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT, SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT METHOD AND PROGRAM - A system includes a structure information obtaining unit which obtains structure information containing information on components of a development target in a project and on dependency relationships between the components, the structure information described, e.g., in SysML, a work item determining unit which determines work items and a work execution order based on the structure information obtained by the structure information obtaining unit; a detailed item determining unit; a date scheduling unit and a WBS storage which manages the determined work items and work execution order as work schedule definition information. The work item determining unit determines a work item related to a leaf component, which is a component not including any other component, and determines, in a case where all of the multiple components included in a single predetermined component are leaf components, a work item related to a coupling relationship between the leaf components. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192860 | System and Method for Managing Business Partnerships as they Evolve Across all Aspects of the Content Creation and Advertising Value Chain - The present invention relates to managing a multi-directional advertising value chain and effectively managing a very large number of partnerships where each partner can, over time, fulfill any and all of the piece of that value chain simultaneously. According to the present invention, tracking, accounting, controlling and netting out of compensation for the various pieces of the is flexible enough to dynamically adjust any piece of the advertising value chain as business relationships evolve. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192861 | Client Apparatus, Server Apparatus, Meeting Arrangement System, and Meeting Arrangement Method - Disclosed is a client apparatus including a communication unit, a first generator to generate friendship information indicating a friendship between a first user of the client apparatus and each of second users of the plurality of other client apparatuses, a storage unit to store schedule information and meeting history information, a second generator to generate desired meeting date/time information of the first user, a third generator to generate desired meeting place information of the first user, a fourth generator to generate meeting member candidate information, and a controller to control the communication unit to transmit, to the server apparatus, the desired meeting date/time information, the desired meeting place information, and the meeting member candidate information. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192862 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATING THE LISTING AND SALE OF REAL PROPERTY - A system and method for allowing a plurality of Sellers of real estate to either list their real estate “By Owner” or “By Agent.” Those Sellers that list “By Owner” may select a time period after which their property may be converted to a “By Agent” listing. “By Owner” Sellers may choose to “push” their listing to only Agents that specialize in selling a particular type of property within the geographic region of the property. Agents may also offer their services to “By Owner” Sellers that have listed properties matching the Agent's specialty. Real estate Buyers may, through a single interface, access all properties that meet the Buyers' criteria, whether listed “By Owner” or “By Agent.” | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192863 | Incentive card program for attracting persons to product or service displays - Methods, systems, and techniques for marketing products are provided. Example embodiments provide an Incentive Card Program System (“ICPS”), which enables vendors to attract potential customers to product displays. In one embodiment, the ICPS comprises an incentive card program along with services in the form of hardware, software, or firmware to implement the functions of the program running for example on a computing system associated with product displays, such as a kiosk. In some embodiments, the ICPS optionally includes a portal, accessible over a network such as the Internet, for incentive card holders to obtain information related to their incentive cards. These components cooperate to provide services relating to incentive card programs. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192864 | System for optimizing bulk product allocation, transportation and blending - A computer application loaded on a computer readable medium, a computer apparatus comprising the same, and process employing the same, is described herein. The computer application, when executed, causes a computer to optimize, for maximum net profit margin, the product allocation, transportation routing, transportation vehicle/route scheduling and, optionally, blending, of bulk products that are produced by and loaded from supply locations and delivered to and consumed by demand locations, using a heterogeneous fleet of transportation vehicles over a pre-defined period of time. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192865 | Group profiling with electronic offers - Group profiling with offers distributed through affinity groups is provided. Each affinity group has members who have pre-existing relationships with the affinity group. Savings offers from sponsors are distributed to affinity group members. A member of an affinity group accesses and receives one or more offers through a forum, such as a website, established by the same affinity group. Each distributed offer includes an identifier that is associated with a product and is associated with the affinity group of the member receiving the offer. Upon redemption of an offer at a store, redemption data is recorded and used for profiling the affinity group associated with the identifier of the redeemed offer. The group profiling enables sponsors to find the reach, relevance, and influence of the affinity groups and enables affinity groups to find the most valued offers for their members. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192866 | System and method for using key-value pairing to identify uniquely a communication device on a mobile network - The present invention provides a system and method for using key-value pairing to identify uniquely a communication device on a mobile network. In some embodiments a user of the device visits the mobile network site of a publisher. The publisher sends header information received from the device to an inventoried content delivery service (ICDS). The ICDS analyzes the header information associated with the device and forwarded by the publisher. The ICDS locates a key-value pair in the header data that can be uniquely associated with the device, and stores the exact value of the key-value pair in a database. The ICDS then may use that value as an index for accumulating information accompanying the value. Thus, the ICDS learns about the actions taken on the mobile network using the device, and can use this information in a variety of ways. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192867 | DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, TRANSFORMING AND GOVERNING A BUSINESS MODEL OF AN ENTERPRISE - The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for developing, implementing, transforming, and governing a business model of an enterprise. In some embodiments, a method of implementing and managing a business model of an enterprise includes defining a business model using a business model tool that is executed by a computer, wherein the business model is based on interrelated business strategy, business goal and business constraint data, and includes a business service, inputting into the computer a first set of data representing a benchmark performance value of the business service, and operating the enterprise in accordance with the business model. The enterprise is monitored to determine an actual performance value of the business service, and the actual performance value and the benchmark performance value are processed in the computer to affect a comparison therebetween. The business model is modified based on the comparison. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192868 | Method and System for Analyzing Performance of a Wind Farm - In one aspect, a method is provided to track performance of a strategy to perform an analysis on a product using a global portal system. The method includes providing the strategy to customers and obtaining, from the customers, customer input relating to the performance of at least some products and corresponding components. For each customer who provides customer input, the method further includes providing the customer input to the system to perform a relative analysis on the components of the corresponding product and using the results of the relative analysis to determine whether a specific analysis is to be performed and on which of the components. If a specific analysis is to be performed, the specific analysis is performed on the determined components using the system and using results of the specific analysis to provide service and/or operational recommendations for the corresponding product to the customer. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192869 | Marketing Control Center - A computer system is configured to implement efficient marketing campaigns across a plurality of platforms to a plurality of consumers. The computer comprising memory and a processor for storing an executing instructions for implementing the marketing campaign. The memory includes a community manager, campaign manager, content management system and rules engine. The community manager is configured to allow a user to manage and dynamically segment the plurality consumers. The campaign manager is configured to allow the user to establish a plurality of marketing campaigns for targeting at least a predefined segment of the plurality of consumers, each of the marketing campaigns including a plurality of different tactics. The content management system is configured to allow the user to create, host and manage content in real-time for the marketing campaign. The rules engine is configured to implement one or both of different tactics or different campaigns in accordance a predefined set of rules, each rule defining a trigger event and corresponding rule criteria. The processor is further configured to implement the rules when the trigger event is detected and the rules criteria are met, thereby facilitating cross-platform integration. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192870 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CONSUMPTION OF MARKETING CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a monitoring system having a controller to receive a consumption notice indicating whether marketing content supplied by a media communication system to a media processor has been properly consumed by the media processor according to a presentation time indicator associated with the marketing content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192871 | Business Social Network Advertising - Tools for enhancing participation in an web-based social network of businesses. For instance, such tools may encourage members of such networks to invite other members, providing viral growth of the network. As another example, the tools may encourage members of such networks to improve their web sites, which effectively will produce more traffic at such web sites. Because, in an aspect, some embodiments also include serving advertisements on web pages at members' web sites, increased traffic at such web sites results in additional “hits” on the served advertisements, producing additional revenue for the member and for the provider that maintains the business social network and/or serves the advertisements. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192872 | INFERRING ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND DATA MINING - A method, performed by a mobile device, may include receiving transponder information relating to a consumer product, and verifying whether user consent exists to forward the transponder information to a network device for data mining processing. The method may further include transmitting the transponder information to the network device, when user consent exists. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192873 | APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A DONATION-COORDINATING ELECTRONIC MARKET PLATFORM - The present disclosure details apparatuses, methods, and systems for a donation-coordinating electronic market platform that coordinates interactions and transactions between platform participants to facilitate the allocation of charitable donations based on consumer purchases. The platform sits at the intersection between charitable giving and retail transacting that is enabled by web-tools, search technology and electronic transaction processing. As such many new relationships are formed by the creation of a new set of technology links and functionality. The platform is configurable to collect, maintain, and update profile information for all participating entities; to link sales, marketing, advertising, and financial settlement; to track and report on consumer purchases, charitable donations, and advertising efficacy; and to build consumer loyalty while fostering a donation momentum that streamlines and maximizes the impact of charitable giving across market sectors. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192874 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TARGETED ADVERTISING - A system and method for providing advertising media to consumers is described. The system comprising image capture means, an image processing unit connected to the image capture means. In use, the image processing unit executing one or more pattern recognition algorithms on an image received from the image capture means to extract information from the image relating to consumers in the image. The system compiling a list of attributes associated with an individual consumer based on the extracted information. The system including an advertising media database, an advertising selection unit connected to the image processing unit and the advertising media database. In use the advertising selection unit selecting advertising media from the advertising media database based on the list of attributes. The system also including an advertising delivery unit connected to the advertising selection unit for delivering advertising media selected by the advertising selection unit. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192875 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LIFE STAGE MODELING - A method for associating transaction card accounts with life stage segments is described. The method includes analyzing survey results to define the plurality of life stage segments based on at least one of demographics, transaction categories, and card usage. The method further includes creating at least one spending profile for a life stage target group that includes transaction card holders within at least one of the defined life stages for which a marketing campaign is targeted, developing a survey-based life stage model based on the target group and the profiles, creating a transaction data-based life stage model by applying the survey-based life stage model to a portion of the transaction data, applying the transaction-based life stage model to the transaction data to identifies cardholder accounts included within the life stage target group, and ranking the transaction card accounts stored within the database based on a likelihood the accounts are included within the target group. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192876 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING A PAYMENT CARD PROGRAM DIRECTED TO EMPTY NESTERS - A computer-based method for enrolling financial transaction cardholders into a payment card program that includes features that are directed to an empty nester segment of society is described. The method includes creating at least one spending profile representing an empty nester target group. The empty nester target group includes transaction cardholders within the empty nester segment of society targeted for receiving a marketing campaign. The method also includes storing in the database transaction data for transaction card accounts, identifying cardholders included within the empty nester target group by comparing the transaction data to the at least one empty nester spending profile, and offering a payment card program having at least one rewards feature directed to the empty nester segment of society to the cardholders identified as being within the empty nester target group. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192877 | Chapman Icon Charting - A method for using a computer to execute the electronic transformation of data into a visual depiction, the method comprising the steps of recording the values of a plurality of data points during a data period; recording the creation sequence of the data points; executing the electronic transformation of the plurality of data points into a visual depiction by using a computer; displaying the extreme values of the data points by using a first substantially straight line having two tips such that a first tip of the first substantially straight line represents the upper extreme and the second tip of the substantially straight line represents the lower extreme; displaying the first data point of the data period by using a second substantially straight line that is substantially perpendicular to the first substantially straight line; displaying the last data point of the data period by using a third substantially straight line that is substantially perpendicular to the first substantially straight line; indicating the first extreme value by using a fourth substantially straight line that connects a first tip of the second substantially straight line to the tip of the first substantially straight line that designates the first extreme value; indicating the first data point of a closing timeframe and the last data point of the closing timeframe by using a fifth substantially straight line that connects a first tip of the third substantially straight line to a point on the first substantially straight line; displaying a value scale at the same time and in combination with displaying the first substantially straight line. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192878 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING SHOPPING SURVEY DATA - In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, mystery shopping data may now be used in conjunction with customer satisfaction data to determine customer loyalty results. For example, two different surveys can be conducted: 1) a customer satisfaction survey of actual customers; and 2) a mystery shopper survey of store operational performance, assessing specific behaviors. The information can then be used to determine how a change in operations can affect the customer loyalty. Furthermore, other financial determinations that depend on customer loyalty can be determined as well in accordance with other embodiments. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192879 | Lead Rating Systems - Systems for rating leads are presented. A lead providing service preferably provides a tagging interface that allows users interested in leads to assign the leads one or more tags. The tags represent metrics by which one or more leads can be rated by other users. A rating interface is also provided to allow users to rate the leads with respect to the tags by setting a rating value according to a rating scale. Leads are presented to users along with the tags and tag ratings that calculated from the rating values submitted by users. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192880 | Method of Providing Leads From a Trustworthy - Methods of providing leads are presented. A lead database storing leads is made available, possibly via a lead mining service, where leads comprise closing values and attributes that have attributes values or attribute metadata describing the attributes. Lead purchasers can modify the closing values or attributes of the leads as they work the leads. An analytics engine can derive one or more value drivers for a lead purchaser based on a multi-varitate analysis of the closing values and attributes of the leads. Sources of leads can be assigned trust scores that indicate a measure of confidence that the source can provide leads according to the purchaser's value drivers. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192881 | METHODS OF ADVERTISING USING DIGITAL STAMPS - Provided are methods that include using a computer to insert digital stamp advertisements from corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations and the like, into a user's email, social networking website or web communication. The digital stamp may be an intelligent file having computer code embedded thereon, such that the digital stamp is capable of gathering and/or reporting data regarding use of the digital stamp. Example methods include logging use of the digital stamp and compensating a user for such use. Also provided are computer-readable media having computer readable instructions embodied thereon, that when read by a machine, cause the machine to perform the present methods. Further provided are computer systems that include a database having information regarding digital stamps available for a user to include in computer-implemented communications. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192882 | CUSTOMER BEHAVIOR MONITORING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A flow line storage stores flow line data of each customer obtained by tracking a behavior of each customer in a store, by adding time data on an estimated time of payment made by each customer. A transaction data storage stores transaction data for each customer including records of items purchased by each customer, by adding time data on an estimated time of payment made by each customer. A combination unit determines a combination in which a difference between time data is minimum, for each piece of flow line data stored in the flow line storage and each piece of transaction data stored in the transaction data storage. A correlating unit correlates the flow line data and transaction data combined by the combination unit. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192883 | PROCESS FOR DETERMINING OBJECT LEVEL PROFITABILITY - A process for determining object level profitability includes the steps of (1) preparing information to be accessed electronically, (2) establishing rules for processing the prepared information, (3) calculating at least one marginal value of profit using established rules as applied to a selected set of prepared information, (4) calculating a fully absorbed value of profit adjustment using established rules as applied to the selected set of prepared information, and (5) combining the at least one marginal value of profit and fully absorbed value of profit adjustment to create a measure for object level profitability. The inventive process gives management profit measures tailored to its need for accurate decision oriented profit information required to manage a large organization based on profit measurement. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192884 | Method and system for incentive-based knowledge-integrated collaborative change management - A change management system and method is disclosed. The change management system maintains an integrated database. The integrated database includes a change management database that stores a collaborative project and information related to changes to the collaborative project, a knowledge database that stores information sources to help a user resolve a change request, and an incentive accounts database that stores incentive accounts associated with users of the change management system. The change management system also includes a search engine to search the integrated database for information related to a change request, and an interactive social network interface for accessing experts over an interactive social network. This change management system provides an integrated knowledge management system, support and management of peer interactions over a social network, and an incentive component to encourage productive collaborations. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192885 | POP method and apparatus for customer engagement - A method is presented for increasing sales by inducing the customer to interact with a product that attracts their interest, even if that interest is minimal or transient. The method utilizes a display monitor placed close to a product that shows an informational presentation on the product, but only when activated by a customer. The presentation is activated when a customer touches the display. The monitor and activation means are placed close to the product, rather than elsewhere in the store, sufficiently close that a customer located within viewing distance and within touching distance of the product can also reach out and activate the presentation without taking a step. The display is placed at a convenient height for easy viewing, and so that the customer may touch and examine the product while viewing and listening to the presentation. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192886 | Automatic online mail printing and package system at post office or place of receiver for mails which are sent from home or office via internet - The automatic online printing and enveloping system at recipient's post office or home for receiving mail or advertisements via internet is system provides a service which requires the sender to create an email account in order to sign in the email webpage. Then this online system forward email to the recipient or to the nearest post office where it is printed, enveloped, and delivered by postman like other mail. This “ePostal service” is also suitable for email recipients who live in remote location where Internet is not available or for those people who still want to correspond in mail, but hate walking to the post office. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192887 | Guide based content services - Systems are described for a guide of audio, video, multimedia transmission, receiving and playback with advertising and bi-directional fulfillment of goods and services over the Internet. A method of streaming content distribution includes streaming content from a plurality of streaming content sources; streaming advertisement from a plurality of streaming advertisement sources before, during, and after playback of streamed content; requesting streaming content by a user; locating streaming content with a guide; and communicating bi-directionally with users. A streaming content distribution system includes a streaming content guide through which a user locates a source of streaming content and starts playback of streaming content; data on streaming content; data on network locations of streaming content; and data on access characteristics. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192888 | Targeted Ads Based On User Purchases - The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing advertisements on websites. In an embodiment, a method for providing an advertisement on a website includes obtaining purchase information submitted by a user making a purchase on the website, determining at least one advertisement for a product or service related to the purchase but of a different type than the purchase, and displaying the at least one advertisement on the website when the purchase is completed. In another embodiment, a system for providing an advertisement on a website includes a purchase server, an advertisement source, an analyzer, and an advertisement server. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192889 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED CONTACT OF APPLICANTS - A system and method for preventing unauthorized use of sales leads. Application information is gathered from an applicant after the applicant views an Internet ad or other advertisement. The application information may include the applicant's e-mail address and phone number. At least one pseudo e-mail address or phone number is then created that identifies at least some of the application information and a potential purchaser of the application information. A unique pseudo e-mail address or phone number is created for each potential purchaser of the application information. The pseudo e-mail addresses or phone numbers and at least some of the application information are then provided to potential purchasers of the application information. Any communications sent using the pseudo e-mail addresses or phone numbers are initially directed to a mail server or phone system operated by or under the control of the entity that placed the advertisement. If a potential purchaser attempts to contact an applicant with the pseudo e-mail address or phone number without first paying for the application information, the e-mail or phone call is sent to the entity which generated the lead, not the applicant. Once a potential purchaser purchases the application information, communications made by the potential purchaser using the pseudo e-mail address are forwarded to the applicant's actual e-mail address. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192890 | INTERFACE BETWEEN TWO REWARD PROGRAMS FOR CONSOLIDATING CURRENCY FOR REDEMPTION - A system and method, such as an interface, for real time consolidation of currency between two or more reward programs. The interface allows a participant to consolidate in real time currency of one program in which a participant has an account with currency of one or more other programs in which the participant also has an account. Thus, the participant can selectively combine the currencies from two or more programs for redemption via one of the programs. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192891 | REAL WORLD AND VIRTUAL WORLD CROSS-PROMOTION - Technologies are described herein for cross promoting real objects in a real world and virtual objects in a virtual world. A redemption code is received from a first participant in the virtual world. A virtual object corresponding to the redemption code is provided to the first participant. A request for information regarding the real object is received from a second participant of the virtual world and via the virtual object. Upon receiving the request via the virtual object, information regarding the real object is provided to the second participant and via the virtual object. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192892 | SHOPPING USING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - This is a system to assist shoppers through a handheld wireless communications device which is Bluetooth-enabled (as an example) (a registered trademark), connected to a barcode reader to scan Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes on items in the store. The shopper is required to login to the store's shopping system using this device once a personal account has created. While shopping, scan the items, view their prices and running total and finally complete the purchase. This system is also capable of (as an example) consolidating a personal shopping list created remotely through vendor's web site or stored on the personal communication device and the shopping cart to help and enhance the shopping experience. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192893 | Action on a Rate of Distribution of Goods With the Aid of a Bonus Method and System - The invention relates to discount and prize distribution methods and to a system for carrying out said method. The aim of said invention is to increase the interest of clients in buying at points of sale and in using services where they are provided by using the inventive system and method. The clients are attracted by that, while paying a good or service, a client could receive, with a certain probability, a product discount or a prize. For this purpose, the inventive system combines a price fixing means with means for generating a lottery sample in such a way that, while paying a good, a random sampling of elements is carried out and, when said sample coincides with a predetermined sample, the client takes the opportunity of discount. The probability of the occurrence of the predetermined combination can be modified in a manner which is external with respect to the system and according to different conditions by activating an input incorporated into the means for generating a lottery sample. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192894 | Methods and apparatus for creating and managing green micro credits - Methods and apparatus (systems) for effectively and efficiently creating green credit backed “micro” green credits utilizing the same regulatory agencies that certify green credits. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192895 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR MANAGING NETWORK MARKETING USING HIERARCHICAL SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITE - A computerized method of the establishing and managing of a hierarchical social network directed at the distributing of services using a network marketing module through a web based application. The computerized method may include: a) registering as an expert, mediator, customer and the like; b) upgrading user capabilities by becoming a community manager; c) distributing services to community members directly, or through a mediator; and d) managing a commission archives | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192896 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TARGETED ADVERTISING BASED ON TOPICAL MEMES - A targeted advertising system and method based on memes contained in content sources are disclosed. Content matching keywords-defining topics are identified from content sources and are further processed to extract the memes. Ad networks servicing the content are also identified and their reach for each meme determined. The system and method extract also viral dynamics of the content associated to a meme and use the aggregation of the viral dynamics as a measure of engagement level for the meme. The system and method allow a Marketer to select a meme based on the engagement level and to run an ad campaign against the meme. The advertisements are delivered through an Ad network and inserted at the meme page level when the content hosting the meme is accessed, the Ad network being selected based on its reach. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192897 | PROACTIVE IDENTIFICATION OF TARGETS FOR ADVERTISEMENTS - Methods and systems are provided that allow advertisers to custom define questions that are delivered to people through a digital media experience. Subsequent to answering the questions, consumers are shown advertisements based on their answers to one or more of the questions. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192898 | Remote Ordering System - A remote ordering system is provided using an electronic menu having a series of input devices associated with various menu items, and a wireless transmitter to send selected menu items to a receiving device for processing. A display to show selected menu items, an alpha-numeric keyboard, a non-cash payment device, and a printer for receipts are also contemplated for increased functionality. The menu may be remotely updated to reflect the customer's preferences or a change to the menu choices. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192899 | ASSOCIATIVE SEARCH ENGINE - This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from the user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192900 | FACILITATING MANUAL USER SELECTION OF ONE OR MORE ADS FOR INSERTION INTO A DOCUMENT TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANOTHER USER OR USERS - User distributed advertisements (UDA ads) facilitates insertion of manually selected ads into a document that is to be distributed (e.g., transmitted, published, and/or posted) such that the document is to be made available to other users. For example, manually selected ads can be inserted into an email to be sent to another user, a blog to be posted for viewing by other users, a message to be sent to another user, a message board entry to be posted for viewing by other users, a document published and made available to other users, etc. Hence, UDA ads provide a scaleable advertising platform that achieves at least some of the benefits of manual targeting. Charges might be assessed to the advertiser, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Rewards might be provided to the user that inserts and/or distributes the UDA ad, perhaps subject to one or more conditions being met. Performance metrics of UDA ads might be determined and used for various purposes, such as later ad serving arbitrations. A user interface for advertisers to allow their ads to be UDA ad-enabled might be provided. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192901 | Calorie counting POS system - The Calorie Counting POS System is a software value addition to current POS systems with price look-ups. Food item entry generates a parallel look up into the Calorie Data Register (Calorie Data Table), subroutine ads all calorie entries, ads total calorie count of the order, displays it and prints it with regular information such as total price, taxes, method of payment. This printed information gives a valuable record to the customer of total consumed calories. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192902 | VERTICALLY MOUNTED PRODUCT LOAD SENSOR FOR A RETAIL CHECKOUT STATION - A retail checkout station includes a housing having at least a front wall that defines a first substantially vertical surface, a first side wall that defines a second substantially vertical surface, and a second side wall that defines a third substantially vertical surface. A product scanning portion is provided at the housing. The product scanning portion includes a scanning device for scanning products purchased by a consumer. A user interface portion having a display is also provided at the housing. The retail checkout station further includes a product load sensor mounted to one of the first, second and third substantially vertical surfaces of the housing. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192903 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHORIZING A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION - A system that authorizes a financial transaction is presented. During operation, the system receives a request to authorize accounts associated with one or more financial instruments to be used to fulfill the financial transaction. Next, the system determines a transaction location at which the financial transaction is being performed. The system then determines whether the accounts are authorized to be used at the transaction location. If so, the system authorizes the accounts to be used to fulfill the financial transaction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192904 | System and Method for Conducting Transactions with a Financial Presentation Device Linked to Multiple Accounts - System for conducting a financial transaction with a single financial presentation device linked to multiple financial accounts stores financial account information of multiple financial accounts associated with the presentation device, and a set of predetermined rules for determining which of the financial accounts is to be used to conduct a financial transaction. A linked-account processing program receives an authorization request for the financial transaction which has been initiated at a merchant's computer using the presentation device. The program determines whether the presentation device is associated with multiple financial accounts, and if so, selects one account among the multiple linked financial accounts based on the predetermined set of rules, and routes the authorization request to an issuer of the selected financial account. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192905 | SELF SERVICE ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A REMOTE RECEIPT PRINTER - The present invention provides a system of order fulfillment that utilizes an order station, a separate fulfillment station, and a separate payment station. The order station presents the consumer with options for placing an order and upon the consumer's completion of the order issues a fulfillment receipt for the order. The consumer pays for the order at the order station, the separate payment station, or the fulfillment station. The consumer then presents the fulfillment receipt at a fulfillment station where the order is fulfilled and provided to the consumer. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192906 | System and Method for Transponder-Enabled Account Transactions - A transponder-initiated transaction system is electromagnetically coupled to an account transponder device at the point of sale. The account transponder device may be embedded within a watch, key chain or other personal article for convenience or affinity. The transponder device may communicate account information to an RF-enabled point of sale device, enabling transactions to take place without resort to remote data processing facilities. In other embodiments partial or complete account information may be accessed or stored at co-located or remote sources. New account registrants may access a Web site to enter a transponder ID and activate a new account, which may be a credit account, debit account, cash account, special purpose vending account, or other types of accounts. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192907 | Smart Card Application System and Method - A smart card application system and method are disclosed. A method includes controlling access to first restricted data stored at a database server of a transaction processing system. The first restricted data is associated with a commercial transaction. Access to the first restricted data is granted upon receipt of a first merchant code associated with a first merchant and a first user identification code associated with a smart card. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192908 | COMMODITY SALES DATA PROCESSOR - Connection of a USB memory (storage device) to a USB port (data transmitting and receiving unit) is detected and the date and time of detection of this connection is stored. Using this detection of connection as trigger, a camera is caused to pick up an image of an area embracing a user positioned in a position where the user can operate a user interface. Picked-up image data outputted from the camera is stored together with shooting date and time. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192909 | DATACODE READING APPARATUS - When decoding a datacode based on moving image data output from an image sensing device, moving image data output from the image sensing device is input. An image display output unit processes the moving image data and displays it on the display screen of a display as a real-time moving image. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192910 | Systems and methods for supplying ink and toner cartridges - Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for supplying ink or toner cartridges to a customer as part of a cartridge purchase program. One embodiment is directed to a method that involves receiving, in a receptacle, a used ink or toner cartridge from a customer, identifying the customer from customer identification information associated with the receptacle, and identifying the model of the used cartridge. The method further involves sending a replacement ink or toner cartridge to the customer of the same model as the used cartridge, and billing the customer for the replacement ink or toner cartridge. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192911 | PAYMENT REDIRECTION FOR ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - Methods and systems for facilitating an online value exchange transaction are disclosed. One method includes delivering a link for display by a service provider, the link affiliated with an exchange facilitator and unaffiliated with the service provider. The method further includes, upon selection of the link, redirecting a user of the service provider to the exchange facilitator. The method further includes receiving information regarding a value exchange between the user and a subscriber of the exchange facilitator. The method also includes requesting that the user accept one or more terms of the value exchange. The method includes performing an electronic transfer according to the one or more terms of the value exchange accepted by the user. Methods and systems for providing and obtaining payment are disclosed as well. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192912 | CHARGE-FOR-SERVICE NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION TRANSACTIONS - A method for purchasing a value item using near field communication (NFC) includes placing a NFC enabled data communication device of a buyer of the item in close proximity to a NFC enabled data communication device of a seller of the item, the devices being interoperable to establish a NFC communication link between the devices when placed in close proximity to each other, transferring a request for payment for the item from the seller's device to the buyer's device via the NFC link, and transmitting the payment request, together a buyer's authorization therefor, to a third party service provider via a network. In response to receipt of the transmission, the service provider transfers money in an amount equal to the purchase price of the item from a funding account of the buyer to a receiving account of the seller and sends the parties a message confirming the transfer. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192913 | ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM - An electronic payment system includes a mobile apparatus, such as a mobile phone, with a memory for storing a list of electronic payment accounts that may be used to complete an electronic payment transaction. The electronic payment system further includes a merchant terminal that can receive the account list from the mobile apparatus. The merchant terminal retrieves account-related information for the accounts on the received account list and returns the account-related information to the mobile apparatus. The mobile apparatus uses the information from the merchant terminal to generate a set of payment method candidates. The set of candidates are presented to the user for selecting a payment method to be used. The payment method is sent to the merchant terminal for use in completing the pending transaction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090192914 | Adaptive Lead Pricing - Adaptive lead pricing systems are presented. Users of a lead mining service can use a lead attribute interface to modify a lead's attributes where the attributes can include an attribute value of the lead attribute or attribute metadata bound to the lead attribute. As leads are worked, an analytic engine tracks attribute values and attribute metadata as they vary with time with respect to closing values of the leads. The analytic engine derives correlations among the closing values of the leads, the attribute values, and the attribute metadata by using multi-variate testing techniques. The correlations can be used to adapt a sales price of the lead to form a current price at which the lead is offered to a lead purchaser through a purchasing interface. | 07-30-2009 |
