41st week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090254441 | System, Program Product, And Method For Debit Card And Checking Account Autodraw - A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254442 | System, Program Product, And Associated Methods To Autodraw For Micro-Credit Attached To A Prepaid Card - A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a prepaid card by a lending institution. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase using the prepaid card as payment. When the line of credit is accessed, the prepaid card is loaded with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the prepaid card then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed purchase. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value loaded onto the prepaid card and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment loaded onto the prepaid card. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254443 | System, Program Product, And Associated Methods To Autodraw For Micro-Credit Attached To A Prepaid Card - A prepaid card processor receives data for a line of credit for a prepaid card from a lending institution computer. The prepaid card processor makes available draws to the line of credit line on behalf of the lending institution computer in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase using the prepaid card as payment. When the line of credit is accessed, the processor loads the prepaid card with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the prepaid card then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed purchase. Then the processor notifies the lending institution so that the line of credit balances on the lending institution computer and the prepaid card processor are kept in sync. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254444 | COMMODITY SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A controller of a commodity sales data processing apparatus outputs, in response to closing operation for one transaction or bill exchange operation for instructing bill exchange, an opening command to a cash storing unit, which can be freely opened and closed to store cash and opens according to the opening command, to open the cash storing unit. The controller prohibits the opening of the cash storing unit when the bill exchange operation in the operation input unit is performed regardless of a state in which the one transaction is suspended. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254445 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AGGREGATING PACKAGES IN A SHIPPING ENVIRONMENT - Various embodiments for aggregating packages into a pouch in a shipping environment are disclosed. For example, package details associated with a package are compared to one or more incompatibility factors, and if the package details do not match the one or more incompatibility factors, a package identifier uniquely identifying the package is added to a pouch manifest. If the package is not compatible with the pouch, an error message may be displayed to a user indicating that the package is incompatible. In addition, package details may be compared with compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that are compatible with the pouch and questionable compatibility factors identifying criteria for packages that may be compatible with the pouch. Compatibility factors and questionable compatibility factors may include, for example, service options, delivery notification options, or destination zip code(s). | 2009-10-08 |
20090254446 | Household shopping programming assistant system and methods - Household shopping assistant system that stores the individual household purchasing requests and preferences in a centralized server with a data base and allows for shopping list retrieval via mobile phone web access and/or via SMS messaging. A method of storing individual purchasing requests and preferences and selective delivery to the shopper's mobile phone(s) and PDA(s). A method for optimizing the shopping list based on product attributes, availability of said products in stores, location of said products within said stores and driving distance between said stores. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254447 | METHODS FOR SELECTION, PURCHASE AND SHIPPING OF ITEMS FOR SALE - Methods for the selection, purchase and shipping of items offered for sale. Said methods are enabled by computer software modules that allow a consumer to: (1) pay for items sold through an e-commerce website by using check and cash payment methods; (2) specify a future payment date and a future shipping date for a designated transaction with an e-commerce vendor; (3) specify a price at which the consumer is willing to purchase a particular item offered through an e-commerce website, after which the website crawls the Internet and automatically purchases the item and/or notifies the consumer if the item is found at or below the specified price; (4) arrange a customized installment payment schedule for purchasing items through an e-commerce website; and (5) create and manage a gift registry with an e-commerce vendor with a great degree of flexibility. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254448 | Automated Service-Based Order Processing - A system and method provide efficient, secure and fast automation of order processing. The method includes initiating an order by wirelessly receiving data from a personal digital key (PDK). The method also includes receiving a biometric input and confirming the initiation of the order by authenticating the biometric input. In response to authenticating the biometric input, the order is processed. In another embodiment, the method of further includes automatically initiating an order completion by wirelessly receiving data from a PDK. The method further includes receiving a biometric input and confirming the order completion by authenticating the biometric input. In response to authenticating the biometric input, the order is completed. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes processing rewards based on the order | 2009-10-08 |
20090254449 | ACCESS METHOD OF REGULATORY APPROVING DATA FOR NETWORKED MULTILATERAL ALLIANCE - The invention achieves certain advantages in pharmaceutical development over large multinational companies by forming a multilateral alliance of independent entities, each with their own geographical focus. In accordance with the invention, a method is provided whereby multiple entities, within the coverage of a common patent portfolio, undertake their own research and development in their own territory. Under a second feature of the invention, the entities may each utilize the information obtained by the others in order to advance their own development program. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254450 | METHOD OF EXECUTING AN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SALE FROM AFFILIATE WEB SITES - A method of processing multiple electronic transactions at a hub server may be provided. The method may include receiving a first-time purchase request at a hub server from a first buyer, the first-time purchase request originating at a first affiliate web site and includes a first affiliate web site identifier and at least one of a product identifier and a category identifier; sending from the hub server to the first affiliate web site a buyer information form; receiving at the hub server from the first affiliate web site the buyer information form of the first buyer; and storing the buyer information form for the first buyer in a buyer profile database. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254451 | Transaction system and method - A method for electronic transaction method comprising: selling by a Credit Provider to a Service Provider credit vouchers, each voucher associated with a predetermined value and all the credit cards parameters; electronically distributing by the Service Provider of the vouchers to Merchants, who sell vouchers to End Users, for the End Users to use the vouchers in commercial transactions. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254452 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING AN ACTION BASED ON USER INTERACTION WITH A GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION - A method for performing an action based on user interaction with a graphical presentation, according to one embodiment. In use, output data is generated corresponding to a multidimensional presentation of graphical representations of two or more consumer products in relation to each other. Additionally, positions of the graphical representations of the consumer products relative to each other are based on multiple attributes of the products. Further, none of the dimensions correlates to a side by side ordering of the consumer products. Further still, a user selection of one or more of the consumer products is received. Also, a transaction is performed based on additional input received from the user. Additional embodiments are also presented. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254453 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONVEYANCE OF GIFT AT SELECTED DATE AND TIME USING COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method and system enables a conveying user to select one or more gift items and to deliver the selected gift items to a receiving user at the receiving user's location at a selected date and time. The method includes creating a database having identifying information and a conveyance permission profile for the receiving user. The method includes selecting, by the conveying user, one or more gift items from an online gift catalog, the selected gift items being qualified by the conveyance permission profile. The method includes selecting, by the conveying user, a delivery date and time of the selected gift items and purchasing the selected gift items. The method includes notifying a fulfillment system of the selection of the gift items and commencing delivery of the selected gift items in response to the notification, the selected gift items being delivered to the receiving user's location at the selected date and time. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254454 | Method and system for providing online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expenses comparison, price matching and purchasing the desired services. Based on provisional application 60912189 filed on April 17, 2007 and ID 1688557 - A method and system for providing online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expense comparisons and online price matching are disclosed. The system provides online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expenses comparison and online price matching through a designated website accessible by a user via a communication network such as the Internet and/or intranet. The method includes the steps of providing optimized information by the system regarding available automobile service stations in a specific area, automobile services offered, customer feedback rankings, cost of desired services, displaying the required information to the user. The method also includes the steps to purchase the desired automobile services. The method also include a system through which service stations can online match their competitor prices based on a pre-defined value/percent for a specific service or plural of services to gain additional business. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254455 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL CANVAS GENERATION, PRODUCT CATALOG SEARCHING, AND RESULT PRESENTATION - A system and method for virtual canvas generation, product catalog searching, and result presentation. A user that searches multiple virtual catalogs can be provided with search results in a highly useful format. The search results can include a ranked list of product catalogs along with a further display of a non-sequential set of catalog page images that include product information. Virtual canvases can also be created that are customized based on various criteria, such as the characteristics of the user device. The virtual canvas can also include supplemental data that is associated with the search result set. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254456 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN A FIRST PARTICIPANT AND A SECOND PARTICIPANT IN A SOCIAL NETWORK - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for associating a first participant and a second participant in a social network. In one embodiment, payment is received from a first participant. Additionally, an association between the first participant and a second participant in a social network is provided, in exchange for the payment. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254457 | Video based product setup instructions via web services applications - A system that provides video based assembly or setup instructions for a product. A link to the instructions from another website that allows purchasing the products, can be made | 2009-10-08 |
20090254458 | System and Method for Creating a Shared Electronic Shopping Environment - A shared shopping environment comprises common inventory that serves one or more web stores. The web stores share a common domain and sell items identified in the common inventory. Each web-based store may provide information about the items offered for sale at that store site. The information offered by the web-based stores is available to a shopper through a common search engine. A shopper may purchase items from any of the stores using a single shopping cart. Orders for each of the stores are fulfilled from the common inventory. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254459 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A WIDGET USABLE IN AFFILIATE MARKETING - A system and computer implemented method for providing a widget are described. The method and system include rendering the widget on a site. The widget dynamically displays multimedia content associated with a campaign. The widget is also embeddable, copyable, and allows for at least one user action. The method and system also include receiving at least one input related to the at least one action and updating the widget based on a goal corresponding to the at least one action. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254460 | Methods and Systems for Accessing Information Related to an Order of a Commodity - A commodity inspection method, including gathering inspection information from a commodity lot; collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot; recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot; assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders; entering the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes into a central database; updating a content of a web-based application with the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes within the central database; and allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application; wherein each of the purchase orders associated with the commodity lot is linked within the web-based application; and wherein the method incorporates Global Standards One (GS1) standards. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254461 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ACCOUNT-BASED TRANSACTIONS - Systems, methods and apparatus are presented for facilitating account-based transactions. In an embodiment, the method includes associating a first person with an account, associating a second person with the account, receiving a request from a third party to authorize a transaction between the second person and the third party, determining a first communication address of the first party, and contacting the first party. The process also includes determining that the first person desires to communicate with the second person, determining a second communication address of the second person, initiating a communication between the first person and the second person, and receiving a signal from the first person that authorizes the transaction or declines the transaction. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254462 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING CO-BRAND PROPRIETARY FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING - A method and system for processing a financial transaction using a co-brand proprietary payment card through a multi-party payment card interchange network is provided. The method includes storing within a database a list of merchants participating in a co-brand program with the interchange network, receiving an authorization request for the transaction involving the co-brand payment card wherein the authorization request includes a merchant identifier, determining whether the transaction originated at one of the participating merchants by comparing the received merchant identifier to the list of participating merchants stored within the database, manipulating the authorization request to include a private label identifier when the transaction is determined to have originated at one of the participating merchants, and transmitting an authorization response from the interchange network to the acquirer. The authorization response includes the private label identifier and designates the transaction for processing as a private label transaction. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254463 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING MERCHANT SCREENING - A method and system for processing a financial transaction using a payment card through a third-party interchange network is provided. The financial transaction is initiated by a cardholder at a merchant location. The method includes storing a list of private label participating merchants, receiving an authorization request for the transaction involving the payment card wherein the authorization request includes a merchant location identifier for the merchant location where the transaction occurred, performing a merchant screening process on the transaction including validating the transaction as originating at a private label participating merchant location, manipulating at the interchange network the authorization request to include a private label identifier when the transaction is determined to have originated at one of the participating merchants, and transmitting the manipulated authorization request with the private label identifier to an issuer of the payment card for processing as a private label transaction. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254464 | TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A time and attendance system includes a biometric reader, a data collection terminal in communication with the biometric reader for collecting a biometric signature of a presented individual, a processor programmed to validate the collected biometric signature against one or more stored biometric signatures, and a camera for capturing an image of the presented individual. The image is included as part of a time and attendance transaction associated with the presented individual in response to a failed validation of the collected biometric signature. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254465 | Recording Resource Usage - A security module with a processor, on which applications from various providers are installed, includes a recording device for recording the access of the applications to resources of the security module, recording the total resource usage caused by an application and allocates the relevant applications to a charging station for subsequent charging. The recorded usage data are allocated to usage data sets and/or data sets on the security module directly connected to the relevant application and/or the provider thereof and thus permits billing of total resource use of each application or all the applications of a provider. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254466 | SMART SECURE STORAGE - A healthcare smart card management system stores a large amount of healthcare information to overcome shortcomings of separate and largely paper medical and insurance files. Embedded security technology supports partial or separated identity proofing as well as hardware time limited storage. Dynamic contextual privacy consent enhances user, healthcare provider, and insurer privacy and proprietary information to encourage and enable universal adoption. Data is structured in self-executing (“print to device”) for legacy systems as well as in rolled-access format and archival format to balance usage and data integrity purposes. A plurality of network interfaces are incorporated as well as financial transaction codes. Card integrity is enhanced by remote usage oversight, self-destruct monitoring (e.g., time, location, hacking, malfunction, etc.), and integral write-only audit logs. Levering excess storage capacity, a user can store related healthcare information such as exercise regimen, diet journal, emergency contact information, urgent medical conditions for first providers, etc. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254467 | PERSONAL FINANCE PLANNER FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - Disclosed is a method, system, and computer readable medium for managing and tracking personal financial information on a mobile communications device. The cost of an item to be purchased is input into the mobile communications device. The cost is then applied to one or more current financial metrics associated with a user of the mobile communications device. A change in the one or more financial metrics is calculated. The changes in the one or more financial metrics are then presented using a display and/or a speaker. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254468 | ON-DEMAND VIRTUAL STORAGE CAPACITY - A system, method, and computer program product for providing on-demand storage capacity on a remote storage server to a customer is provided. A virtual array site code is received. The remote storage server is virtually connected to a local storage server of the customer in response to receiving the virtual array site code. A virtual array site object is created on the local storage server corresponding to an array site object on the remote storage server. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254469 | System for Cash, Expense And Withdrawal Allocation Across Assets and Liabilities to Maximize Net Worth Over a Specified Period - This invention constitutes a method for taking a set of input parameters specifying a person or family's assets, liabilities, income and expenses and computing the optimal amount of cash to withdrawal from each credit source or asset (including liquidation of physical assets, credit card balance transfers, and use of loan sources) and the allocation of expenses and cash flow across assets and liabilities so as to maximize net worth by a particular date. The method consists of computing marginal and average expense and return functions for each asset and liability to do a no-withdrawal monthly optimization from the start month to the target month on which to maximize net worth, then recursively computing optimal withdrawal amounts for each source of capital on specific months, ultimately finding the optimal withdrawal amount for each source on each of these months and returning the optimal allocation of expenses and the resulting income and cash-flow across assets and liabilities. This invention is being applied to an online environment, where the user inputs the necessary details and optimization takes place on the server. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254470 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SHARING SEARCHES - Methods and system for sharing searches are described. In one embodiment, one or more search terms of a search request may be stored. The storage of the one or more search terms may be associated with an originating user. A sharing request may be received for the search request. The sharing request may be associated with a requesting user. The search request may be associated with the requesting user. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254471 | SETTLEMENT OF FUTURES CONTRACTS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES - A method and system are provided for executing a transaction relating to a first futures contract. The first futures contract involves a tradable asset, such as crude oil or another commodity, and a first contract price and a first settlement price expressed in a first currency, such as U.S. dollars. The first settlement price is updated on a periodic basis, typically daily. The method involves providing a second futures contract having an underlying instrument that includes the first futures contract. The second futures contract includes a second latest possible delivery date and a second contract price and a second settlement price that are denominated in a second currency. The second settlement price is updated periodically. A periodic mark-to-market operation credits or debits a buyer of the second futures contract based on the periodic update to the second settlement price. Delivery of the second contract occurs when the buyer pays the current second settlement price in the second currency and receives the first futures contract. Then, delivery of the first futures contract is completed by delivering either the tradable entity or a financial equivalent of the tradable entity based on the current first settlement price. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254472 | Cheapest unique bid - The invention differs from traditional auction methodology, wherein the highest bidder is the successful bidder, to the lowest unique bidder is the successful bidder. The invention also differs from traditional and internet auctions, in that, no bidder is aware of any other bidder's bid(s). The invention differs from all other auction methodologies in that it compensates multiple lowest unique bidders as defined in claim number | 2009-10-08 |
20090254473 | Coordination of algorithms in algorithmic trading engine with fast switching and safe mode - A graphical user interface is used along with an automated algorithm selection function to enable market participants to initiate automated, multi-algorithm trading strategies through a single drag and drop motion. A symbol representing a security can be dragged and dropped onto an icon representing a tactical or strategic algorithm. Other features of the graphical user interface show information such as the progress of the algorithms. Fast switching and safe mode are used to minimize a cost associated with algorithm switching. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254474 | System and Method for Liquefying and Extracting Liquidity fromn Illiquid Assets without Debt or Divestiture. - One embodiment of the present invention includes a system and method of liquefying an illiquid asset for the purpose of extracting liquidity. The asset owner retains ownership, control, possession, and use of the asset for the duration of a contractual period. The extracted liquidity is a portion of the value of the asset and is provided to the asset owner from an asset buyer as an earnest money purchase deposit. During the contract period the asset owner may avoid the completion of the sale of the asset to the asset buyer by various means. According to the present invention, an asset owner incurs no debt burdens, yet obtains liquidity and maintains control of the asset. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254475 | PREDICTION MARKET MAKING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Generally, a method and apparatus for making a prediction-based market including unconventional prediction options to market participants includes determining a prediction framework that includes a plurality of conditional scenarios. The method and apparatus includes calculating realization odds for each of the conditional scenarios using an approximation calculation technique and via an interface, receiving a plurality of predictions associated with selected conditional scenarios, each prediction having an associated value and building the prediction-based market using the predictor. The method and apparatus further includes updating realization odds for each of the conditional scenarios in the prediction framework using the approximation calculation technique and settling the predictions based at least on the updated realization odds. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254476 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION - A system and method for managing personal and financial information is provided. The method involves: receiving financial transaction information for a purchase of the user, together with at least one attribute associated with the financial transaction information; storing the financial transaction information in association with the at least one attribute; and making the financial transaction information available for use under the control of the user. The attribute may be a financial account identifier, a financial account type, a purchase type or a purchase identifier. The method may also involve receiving a purchase location attribute defining a location for the purchase; determining a current location associated with a user mobile device using a global positioning system; and transmitting, if the purchase location attribute does not match the current location, a message to the mobile device for fraud detection purposes. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254477 | REVERSE FACTORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The reverse factoring method and system provides an efficient and convenient way to process invoice payments from the buyer to its vendor via the factor. Since a single factor pays the vendor on behalf of the buyer at a nominal fee, both the buyer and the vendor benefit from the transactions. Both the vendor and the buyer enjoy better cash flow since the vendor receives expedited payments while the buyer stretches the payments. In addition, the factor substantially reduces the credit risks in reverse factoring since the factor pays only the invoices that the buyer approves for payment. The improved reverse factoring is achieved by efficient data flows and interfaces among the vendor, the buyer and the factor. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254478 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLEXIBLE DEFERRED PAYMENT TERMS - A method is disclosed for offering transaction account consumers with payment term options to pay a minimum amount due early, defer payment into the following payment cycle, and pay a standard amount when due. When generating a periodic billing statement, the invention determines a consumer's eligibility to elect early payment, deferred payment, and regular payment. When a consumer is eligible for early payment, a received payment is compared to a discount rate tier, then a discount amount is calculated and credited to the consumer's account. When the consumer is eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum payment due by multiplying the current non-deferred balance by a predetermined percentage amount and adding the result to the deferred balance. When the consumer is not eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum due by summing the current non-deferred balance with the deferred balance. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254479 | TRANSACTION SERVER CONFIGURED TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TRANSACTIONS USING MOBILE TELEPHONE DEVICES - Techniques are disclosed for a mobile telephone, in conjunction with a payment transaction server, to be used directly as a payment device for a variety of financial transactions. Further, the transaction systems and methods for mobile telephone devices described herein allow a mobile telephone to participate in payment transactions in a manner that helps prevent identify theft and without relying on transferring amounts to/from one stored value account to another. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254480 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING GIFT FRAUD - A gift card uses a fraud code stored on a magnetic stripe of the card to prevent fraudulent transactions. When the gift card is purchased at a POS terminal at a merchant location, a gift card account number stored on the magnetic stripe is read, and sent to a gift card system. The gift card system activates the card and generates the fraud code and returns it to the POS terminal, where a card encoder writes the fraud code onto the magnetic stripe. When the gift card is used to conduct a transaction, the transaction is permitted only if a valid fraud code is stored on the magnetic stripe. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254481 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SERVICE IN BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM THEREOF - A method and apparatus for providing a personalized service in a broadcasting system, and a system thereof. A BCAST Subscription Management (BSM) sends a service creation request message to a BCAST Service Distribution/Adaptation (BSDA), the service creation request message including at least one purchase data fragment to which maximum allowed content and maximum allowed service elements are added. The BSDA creates a service guide using the purchase data fragments, and delivers it to a terminal. The terminal checks a service type in the service guide, sends a subscription request for the personalized service to the BSM, receives an encryption key associated with the personalized service, and receives the personalized service with the encryption key. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254482 | TIME-BASED LICENSES - A method and a system are provided for issuing a number of different types of time-based licenses associated with software products. The system may include an activation server, which may maintain licensing information in a licensing database, and a licensing platform, which may request issuance and renewal of time-based licenses. Each of the time-based licenses may be associated with respective product keys and may have a number of configurable parameters, which may make the time-based licenses suitable for a number of different licensing business models. The licensing business models may include, but not be limited to, a non-renewable evaluation license, a renewable trial license, a one-time promotion license, and a subscription license. In some embodiments, a configurable parameter may indicate an amount of time for a grace period after a time-based license would have normally expired. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254483 | Payment system and method using tokens - A method of payment using tokens issued by a third party comprising the steps of: a. A transaction management unit receives a request to perform a service for which payment with tokens is required; b. The management unit checks whether there are yet unused tokens available; If an unused token was found, go to step (c); If there are no available tokens, then indicate that, then END; c. The management unit requests information on an available token from a database. The status of the used token is changed to “used”; d. During the subsequent transaction, the management unit sends information relating to the token now used. A system for managing and monitoring the use of tokens, comprising: a. a transactions management unit using tokens, wherein the unit is activated when a local user requires to perform a service for which payment using tokens is required; b. a tokens database which includes information on tokens acquired from the third party; c. a tokens use monitoring unit, to verify the correct use of tokens; d. a database of tokens reports; e. a communication channel to other users. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254484 | Anon virtual prepaid internet shopping card - The invention is a new generation of system of payments, designed for the millions of customers around the world who are victims of identity theft and fraud with credit card; because it is anonymous, prepaid, disposable, non-reloadable, non-refundable, and easy to doing any purchase online, telephone, mail or retailer. The invention has both features such as 1) is a prepaid debit card (expiration date & security code) and 2) is a prepaid phone card (PIN), with an amount assigned on every account/card, which is exhausted when the cash amount is expended and works with the same physical characteristics, electronic and financial mechanisms of a debit card as they do major credit cards, are an open loop. It is distributed by retailers (plastic card) or Internet (virtual account) and must be pre-activated for use after purchased. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254485 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANONYMOUS ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS USING A MOBILE DEVICE - A method for conducting transactions, includes: encoding concatenated transaction information at a cash point; sending the encoded concatenated transaction information from the cash point to a mobile device; receiving verification information from the mobile device formed in response to the encoded concatenated transaction information; confirming the received verification information; completing a transaction in the event of successfully confirming the received verification information. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254486 | METHOD FOR VERIFYING VIRTUAL PHYSICAL SPACE REPRESENTING A TRANSACTION CONTEXT IN A VIRTUAL WORLD - The ‘rollback room’ is a demarked area of 3D space in the virtual world—it may be branded by its (trusted) provider. Participants who enter the space take a ‘state checkpoint’ of their virtual world state on entering the area and then become participants in a transaction that is taking place in the rollback room. They can buy, sell, or transfer goods with other parties in the room. They may trust these parties to various degrees but can interact with or try out the new ‘goods’ they have received in the rollback room within the confines of the rollback room as normal. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254487 | AUTOMATED LOAN PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A browser based automated loan system includes a loan engine offered individually to financial institutions to set up, operate and manage loan product offerings, a consumer website interface having a loan application form with data fields relevant to the loan product offerings, a designer component that establishes tasks in the form of a loan process checklist associated with each loan product offering, and a workflow engine for automatically evaluating the loan application form using the applicable loan process checklist in conjunction with rules, logical mathematical computational components, and risk based offer configurations for generating an instant loan offer when a borrower qualifies. Each task has attributes available for establishing entry conditions to provide workflow automation, and each task is performed when the entry conditions associated therewith are satisfied. The consumer website interface enables selecting a category of loan product offerings, and each checklist is associated with the selected category. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254488 | Tax hedging financial instrument and trading platform - In accordance with the principles of the present invention, financial instruments to hedge in future tax rates are provided. The financial instrument comprises a financial contract that obligates a buyer and a seller to settle the financial contract at a price determined for an effective time period such as an effective date. The price of the financial contract is determined based on a tax rate. In a further aspect of the present invention, methods of trading such financial instruments are provided. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254489 | APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A PERIODIC AUCTION RESET SECURITIES OPTIMIZATION ENGINE - The disclosure details of the implementation of an APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A PERIODIC AUCTION RESET SECURITIES OPTIMIZATION ENGINE (hereinafter “OPTIMIZER”). The disclosure teaches an OPTIMIZER, which provides dynamic management of one or more portfolios of securities, in particular, portfolios of Periodic Auction Reset Securities (PARS). The OPTIMIZER allows for the specification of rules for investor accounts by which optimization of this type of portfolio may occur. The OPTIMIZER allows financial institutions or other wealth management entities to easily maintain and invest in PARS holdings for multiple accounts. In one implementation, the OPTIMIZER provides for the maintenance of a large number of separate accounts that contain only PARS. In one embodiment, the OPTIMIZER centralizes the maintenance of PARS positions. In another embodiment, the OPTIMIZER allows management of central PARS accounts in line with guidelines specified in one or more account profiles. In a further embodiment, the OPTIMIZER may allow sales traders and/or the like to specify additional guidelines. In some embodiments, the OPTIMIZER automates account analysis, trade generation and/or participation in the auction process. As such, the OPTIMIZER may create additional bandwidth for sales traders and increase management efficiency. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254490 | Method and apparatus for rebalancing an investment portfolio using a portfolio investment system - A computer based portfolio manager system enables a user to create and manage a portfolio of investments. Users can create multiple sub-portfolios, termed folios, within their overall investment portfolio. Each of these folios can be created by the user or selected from multiple preset folios. One of the possible preset folios includes a manager's recommended folio. This folio is regularly updated, thereby indicating buy and sell recommendations of the manager. A user can balance his or her folio in accordance with the manager's revisions by investing additional capital in some securities and selling others. To prevent undesirable tax effects, a user can move securities from the manager's folio to a holding folio established by the user rather than selling the securities. This enables a user to maintain a folio in the proportions recommended by the manager. The system also enables the folio to be continually rebalanced, while avoiding undesirable tax effects. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254491 | STOCHASTIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-PERIOD CONSUMPTION - The present invention relates to dynamic optimization of system control over time. The need for dynamic optimization arises in many settings, as diverse as solar car power consumption during a multi-day race and retirement portfolio management. We disclose a reformulation of the control problem that overcomes the so-called “curse of dimensionality” and allows formulation of optimal control policies multiple period planning horizons. One optimal control policy is for power consumption by a solar car during a race, which involves many course segments, as course conditions vary through a day. Another is for risk in and consumption from a portfolio intended to support retirement. Both multi-period control policies take into account future uncertainty. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254492 | Method and Apparatus for Estimating Value of Information Technology Service Management Based on Process Complexity Analysis - Techniques are disclosed for quantitatively estimating a value of a given process, such as an IT service management process. For example, a computer-implemented method for estimating a value based on a complexity analysis of a given process comprises a computer performing the following steps. A context for the given process is identified. A baseline for the given process is quantified. The process baseline comprises a key performance indicator and an underlying complexity measure. An improvement measure for the given process is determined. The improvement measure is achieved by at least one of a tooling deployment or a process transformation. A value derived for the given process is estimated based on the context identifying, baseline quantifying, and improvement determining steps. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254493 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRICING REPAIR SERVICES - A list of pricing information for repair services includes a potentially large number of repair services grouped into a limited number of price categories such that the price of any given pricing category represents the price of each different service included in that category. A method of using this price list to determine the price of a particular repair service desired by a customer includes the steps of identifying in the price list the pricing category which includes the particular service desired, and determining the unique price assigned to that pricing category. Preferably, the price list is initially displayed to a customer before the customer's equipment is diagnosed, and the customer is informed that the cost of the repair service will be one of the prices associated with a listed pricing category. Upon diagnosing the customer's equipment to determine the particular repair service needed, and advising the customer of such, the service technician as well as the customer can each reference the price list independently to readily determine the price of the desired service. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254494 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING POLICY AND CHARGING CONTROL - A method for implementing a policy and charging control (PCC) is provided. The method includes: acquiring user location information; and determining a PCC rule of a user according to the acquired user location information. The PCC rule is for a policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) to perform the corresponding PCC. Corresponding PCEF, policy control and charging rules function (PCRF), gateway, and system for implementing a PCC are also provided. Thus, the PCC based on fine-granularity location information is implemented. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254495 | SERVICE LEAP - The Service Leap comprises of a system and method that provides a systematic process and tools for branding of existing and potential services with a view to increase their appeal to customers and their market value. The invention provides for creating branded services through a bottom up approach starting from every ‘touch point’ at which the service interacts with consumers and accomplishes the same through several process steps viz. customer journey map, brand star, brand house and communication house. It is specially developed to deal with the unique nature of service businesses unlike existing positioning models that are suited only for products. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254496 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING PATTERN RECOGNITION OF NON-GAUSSIAN PARAMETERS - A method of optimizing a function of a parameter includes associating, with an objective function for initial value of parameters, an auxiliary function of parameters that could be optimized computationally more efficiently than an original objective function, obtaining parameters that are optimum for the auxiliary function, obtaining updated parameters by taking a weighted sum of the optimum of the auxiliary function and initial model parameters. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254497 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE MODELING OF COMPUTER APPLICATION SERVICES - A generic queueing network model of a Web services environment is introduced. The behavior of a service is abstracted in three phases: serial, parallel and dormant, thus yielding a Serial Parallel Queueing Network (SPQN) model with a small number of parameters. A method is provided for estimated the parameters of the model that is based on stochastic approximation techniques for solving stochastic optimization problems. The parameter estimation method is shown to perform well in a noisy environment, where performance data is obtained through measurements or using approximate model simulations. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254498 | System and method for identifying critical emails - Disclosed is a method and system for identifying critical emails. To identify critical emails, a critical email classifier is trained from training data comprising labeled emails. The classifier extracts N-grams from the training data and identifies N-gram features from the extracted N-grams. The classifier also extracts salient features from the training data. The classifier is trained based on the identified N-gram features and the salient features so that the classifier can classify unlabeled emails as critical emails or non-critical emails. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254499 | TECHNIQUES TO FILTER MEDIA CONTENT BASED ON ENTITY REPUTATION - Techniques to filter media content based on entity reputation are described. An apparatus may comprise a reputation subsystem operative to manage an entity reputation score for an entity. The reputation subsystem comprising a reputation manager component and a reputation input/output (I/O) component. The reputation manager component may comprise, among other elements, a data collection module operative to collect reputation information for an entity from a selected set of multiple reputation sources. The reputation manager component may also comprise a feature manager module communicatively coupled to the data collection module, the feature manager module operative to extract a selected set of reputation features from the reputation information. The reputation manager component may further comprise a reputation scoring module communicatively coupled to the feature manager module, the reputation scoring module operative to generate an entity reputation score based on the reputation features using a supervised or unsupervised machine learning algorithm. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254500 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR NETWORK OF INPUT DEVICES WITH AUTOMATIC AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER DETECTION AND CONTROL CONFIGURATION - Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a one embodiment, the control system will detect the change of state of an audio output sensor coupled to the audio output port. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254501 | WORD-SPACING CORRECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A word-spacing correction system and method are provided to automatically recognize and correct errors in the spacing of word inputs in an electronic device with relatively low computing power. In a learning process, probability information about each feature is created from a corpus of correct words, and then error correction rules are created by applying the probability information to a corpus of incorrect words from which all spaces between words of the corpus of correct words are removed. In an applying process, word-spacing in a user's input sentence is corrected by applying the probability information and the error correction rules to the user's input sentence. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254502 | FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOGNIZING PATTERNS - Pattern classification systems and methods are disclosed. The pattern classification systems and methods employ one or more classification networks that can parse multiple patterns simultaneously while providing a continuous feedback about its progress. Pre-synaptic inhibition is employed to inhibit feedback connections to permit more flexible processing. Various additional improvements result in highly robust pattern recognition systems and methods that are suitable for use in research, development, and production. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254503 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED EXPERTISE EXTRACTION - A method and system for expertise extraction for an expert system, is provided. One implementation involves modeling active learning for interrogating an expert for knowledge as attributes of an n-dimensional hyper-cube where each attribute represents a possible output and every dimension represents a feature in a feature space; dividing the n-dimensional hyper-cube into m different attributes, each attribute representing a union of at most p cubes, wherein the n dimensions represent n boolean inputs and the m attributes represent m possible outputs; and discovering all possible outputs by querying a portion of the feature space for generating queries to an expert for all possible outputs, including obtaining at least one representative input for each of the m possible outputs, while using a limited number of queries to the hyper-cube. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254504 | ADAPTIVE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION DESIGN AND DEPLOYMENT - A set of information technology solution alternatives is generated for an enterprise organization. The information technology solution alternatives are evaluated within an automated architectural framework based upon one or more information technology evaluation metrics. An automated incremental solution deployment strategy is created based upon the evaluated plurality of information technology solution alternatives. An information technology solution is selected from the set of information technology solution alternatives for deployment based upon the automated incremental solution deployment strategy. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254505 | RECONFIGURABLE HARDWARE ACCELERATOR FOR BOOLEAN SATISFIABILITY SOLVER - A hardware accelerator is provided for Boolean constraint propagation (BCP) using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for use in solving the Boolean satisfiability problem (SAT). An inference engine may perform implications. Block RAM (BRAM) may be used to store SAT instance information. Computation may be co-located with the BRAM memory, taking advantage of the high on-chip bandwidth and low latency of an FPGA. SAT instances may be partitioned into multiple groups that can be processed by multiple inference engines in parallel. New SAT instances can be inserted into FPGA without invoking the time-consuming FPGA re-synthesizing process. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254506 | DYNAMIC SERVICE SELECTIONS USING ENHANCED ONTOLOGIES - Embodiments may include a system for generating an enhancement of an ontology. The system may have a memory unit and a processing unit. The memory unit may be configured to provide the ontology and to store the ontology with the enhancement. The processing unit may be configured to identify a service specification, such as a service product or a contract, that may be represented by a class of the ontology. The service specification may describe a capability of a service. The processing unit may be further configured to compute a set of instances that are specified by the service specification and by a requirement specification and to enhance the ontology with a generated class representing the set of instances in case that the set of instances has one or more instances. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254507 | Storage Controller and Duplicated Data Detection Method Using Storage Controller - A storage controller of the present invention narrows down the target for data comparison by comparing hash codes beforehand and rapidly detects duplicated data. A hash value setting unit sets a hash code in data received from a host. Hash code-attached data is stored in a logical volume. A microprocessor unit compares the hash codes for each comparison-targeted data. When hash codes match with one another, a data comparator compares the target data, and determines whether or not the data is duplicated data. When duplicated data is detected, the microprocessor unit removes the duplicated data. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254508 | QUANTUM STATE ESTIMATION METHOD, QUANTUM STATE ESTIMATION DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - A control section virtually divides a surface of an adsorbing material into a plurality of regions (cells) in accordance with a computer program. Further, the control section-allocates a normal distribution function to each of the divided cells, and sets a linear combination of the normal distribution functions allocated to all cells to a trial function. Moreover, the control section solves a Schrödinger equation based upon a potential on the surface of the adsorbing material by a numerical variational method, to calculate a wave function. Then, based upon the calculated wave function, the quantum state of the atom or the molecule adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbing material is estimated. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254509 | System and Method for Optimizing Development, Implementation and Management of Orders - A system and method is provided for developing, implementing and managing orders whereby a raw order set can be resolved into a canonical order set to identify at least one order within the one raw order set. A commonality analysis can be performed by comparing one canonical order set with another canonical order set to determine at least one common order subset. The canonical order sets sharing at least one common order subset can then be restructured into a hierarchical structure, and prioritized to minimize downstream processing. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254510 | INFORMATION NERVOUS SYSTEM - A semantically integrated knowledge retrieval, management, delivery and presentation system. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254511 | Privacy Management Policy Hub - A system architecture is disclosed that includes a privacy management system. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254512 | AD MATCHING BY AUGMENTING A SEARCH QUERY WITH KNOWLEDGE OBTAINED THROUGH SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS - A method is provided to match an advertisement to a search query comprising: receiving search results produced by a search engine in response to a search query; producing an ad query that includes, unigram features, classification features with respect to an external classification system, and phrase features; producing a plurality of representations of corresponding advertisements in terms of the same types of features; and selecting one or more advertisements based upon a measure of similarity of ad query features to advertisements represented in terms of the same features. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254513 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PERFORMING A QUERY USING A DECISION DIAGRAM - A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for performing a query using a decision diagram. In this regard, in response to receiving a query instruction a compression value for a query result decision diagram can be determined. A compression value for a compressed query result set may also be determined. A compression ratio can be determined between the compression value for the query result decision diagram and the compression value for a compressed query result set. A query result decision diagram may be generated based on the query instruction and a relationship between the compression ratio and a threshold ratio. The query result decision diagram may also be transmitted based upon a relationship between the compression ratio and a threshold ratio. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254514 | HANDLING REQUESTS FOR DATA STORED IN DATABASE TABLES - Method for handling requests for data stored in database tables is provided. The method includes receiving a request for data stored in a database table, the database table including non-hash and hash columns, a hash column including hash values computed based on non-hash values in at least one non-hash column, generating database queries that are executable to retrieve data stored in the database table satisfying the request, each database query using a different combination of columns in the database table, ranking the database queries based on desirability, determining whether any of the database queries only uses indexed columns, responsive to one or more of the database queries only using indexed columns, selecting a highest ranked of the one or more database queries that only uses indexed columns for execution. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254515 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING GALLERY RENDITIONS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED FROM A NETWORK - A presentation system provided for use on a network. The presentation system includes an index and one or more modules. The index that stores gallery information, the gallery including (i) information that identifies a plurality of galleries, and (ii) data corresponding to renditions of individual media objects that comprise at least a portion of each of the plurality of galleries. The one or more modules may be configured to (i) receive a selection criteria, (ii) use the selection criteria to identify, from the index, one or more galleries from the index, and (iii) generate a presentation that includes renditions of at least some of the plurality of media objects that comprise the identified one or more galleries. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254516 | ACCESSING DATA IN A COLUMN STORE DATABASE BASED ON HARDWARE COMPATIBLE INDEXING AND REPLICATED REORDERED COLUMNS - Embodiments of the present invention provide hardware-friendly indexing of databases. In particular, forward and reverse indexing are utilized to allow for easy traversal of primary key to foreign key relationships. A novel structure known as a hit list also allows for easy scanning of various indexes in hardware. Group indexing is provided for flexible support of complex group key definition, such as for date range indexing and text indexing. A Replicated Reordered Column (RRC) may also be added to the group index to convert random I/O pattern into sequential I/O of only needed column elements. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254517 | System And Method For Generating Messages - A method and system for generating messages are described. The method and system include retrieving information regarding a plurality of tasks from a database and based on the information retrieved, determining whether notifications for the tasks need to be generated. The method and system further include determining a recipient for each notification, grouping the tasks based on the recipient of each notification and generating a message for each group of tasks. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254518 | Methods and systems for joining database tables using indexing data structures - A method for identifying joined rows in a database comprising a plurality of tables. The method comprises selecting a group of tables directly or indirectly joined with each other, selecting an order of the group based on relationships among the tables, generating an intermediate data structure which identifies the group of tables, a number of virtual tables equal to one less than the number of tables in the group, and an indication of an adjacent table, and a common table and key for at least some of the group of tables and the virtual tables, generating indexing data structures for the group of tables and virtual tables, and, inserting information from rows of the group of tables into the indexing data structures using the intermediate data structure. The indexing data structure for one virtual table indicates which of the rows of the tables have common data elements. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254519 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BUILDING A SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE BINARY TREE FOR FAST OBJECT SEARCH - Method and system for building a support vector machine binary tree for fast object search. An appearance model can be generated for objects in a database and computed on regions detected in an image frame. A covariance matrix can be utilized for representing the appearance model of the detected regions. The covariance matrix appearance model can be preprocessed and/or transferred into a vector-based format. The data in the vector-based format can be added with a class label to form labeled data. A support vector machine (SVM) can be utilized on the labeled data to generate a classifier with an optimal hyperplane and a margin area in order to hierarchically build a balanced SVM binary tree. A query appearance model can be searched rapidly utilizing the SVM binary tree during a search phase. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254520 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING DATA RECORD WITH WEB DOCUMENT IN A CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system and associated method for synchronizing a record with a web document. A synchronizer selects a web document that is stored in a published web document repository of a content management system. The oldest web document since the latest update is selected and checked for availability. The synchronizer locates a record that corresponds to the selected web document. The synchronizer then checks respective version of the web document and the record to determine whether the record correctly represents the web document. The synchronizer then verifies whether the selected web document is available to users to avoid synchronizing latent web document that is not available to users. The synchronizer updates the located record. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254521 | FREQUENCY PARTITIONING: ENTROPY COMPRESSION WITH FIXED SIZE FIELDS - A frequency partitioning technique is introduced that amortizes the work of computing codeword lengths within a tuplecode by grouping together tuples that have the same pattern of codeword lengths. Specifically, the technique entropy codes and partitions column values in each column into disjoint sets called column partitions, assigns a codeword length to each of the column partitions, identifies cells (a combination of codeword lengths), and collectively storing tuples associated with each of the cells. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254522 | DETECTING ESTIMATION ERRORS IN DICTINCT PAGE COUNTS - A database server may be configured to compute distinct page counts of pages accessed to execute operands of respective queries. The queries may be executed against a table comprised of the pages and having an index managed by the database server. The distinct page counts may be obtained by counting, as a part of the executing of the queries, distinct pages accessed during the execution of the queries. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254523 | HYBRID TERM AND DOCUMENT-BASED INDEXING FOR SEARCH QUERY RESOLUTION - Methods and apparatuses relate to hosting an inverted index for term-based document searching. According to disclosed aspects, each bank of a plurality of banks receives a plurality of Document IDentifiers (DocIDs) in the inverted index, and within each bank, posting lists for each term are determined large or small. DocIDs for large posting lists are distributed among computers in a bank while responsibility for producing DocIDs identifiers in a small posting list are distributed by term to one or fewer computers in the bank. During operation, each term of a query is distributed to each bank, and then for small terms, only those computers assigned responsibility for a given term need to search for responsive DocIDs. DocIDs can be redistributed among computers in a bank such that results are presented from the computers that would have produced those results in a cluster having a pure DocIDs distribution scheme. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254524 | PROVIDING DATA BASED ON LANGUAGE CHOICE - Data may be provided in a language chosen by a user. A data record may be stored in a database using symbols to represent data. These symbols may be converted into various languages. A resource file for a given language defines a correspondence between the symbols in the record and the words in that language. A user indicates a choice of language in which to receive data. The user's choice is stored in the database, and conversion information from the resource file for the user's chosen language is copied to the database. When a program connects to a database and requests data records, the user's language choice is retrieved from the data, and the conversion information stored in the database is used to convert the data records into the chosen language. The requested data is then provided to the application in the user's chosen language. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254525 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A DATABASE TO MONITOR AND ANALYZE PERFORMANCE OF AN ELECTRONIC DESIGN - Various methods and apparatuses are described that provide instrumentation and analysis of an electronic design having one or more bus interconnects. A relational database may have defined tables designed for interconnect analysis of transactions occurring between initiator intellectual property (IP) cores and target IP cores of the electronic design. A query tool may be configured to format input data to be stored in the defined tables, and have application programming interfaces to retrieve data from the defined tables based on performing a query. The query tool executes an algorithm based on the query to provide the interconnect analysis. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254526 | NETWORK MANAGEMENT INFORMATION (NMI) DISTRIBUTION - A device associated with a network provides a query for specific network management information (NMI) to a registry, and receives, based on the query, metadata associated with the specific network management information (NMI). The device also provides a request for the specific network management information (NMI) to a plurality of producer devices identified from the metadata associated with the specific network management information (NMI), and receives one or more portions of the specific network management information (NMI) from each of the plurality of producer devices. The device further combines the one or more portions of the specific network management information (NMI) to create the specific network management information (NMI). | 2009-10-08 |
20090254527 | Multi-Entity-Centric Integrated Search System and Method - Disclosed herein is a multi-entity-centric integrated search system and method. The multi-entity-centric integrated search system includes an entity information acquisition server for receiving and analyzing a query term and determining entities and types of entities, and an integrated search result provision server for configuring an integrated search results page using results acquired from unit service calling units, such as an external API calling unit, a search engine calling unit, and an inference engine calling unit, and presenting integrated search results. The present invention is advantageous in that precise search results can be shown more rapidly, satisfaction with search results for a query term in which multiple entities coexist can be improved, the ambiguity of query terms is overcome, and an open platform capable of operating in conjunction with various types of web services is provided. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254528 | DATA INQUIRY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCATION-BASED IMAGE, VIDEO, AND INFORMATION - This invention discloses a data inquiry system for three-dimensional location-based image, video, and information, which comprises a client device and a remote server. The client device provides space parameters and lens parameters to the remote server through a transmission module. The remote server determines a space inquiry range by the space parameter and lens parameter, inquires an object data of an object space position parameter at the space inquiry range, shows the object data in an image data displayed by the client device to facilitate users to identify the desired viewing object, and further inquires the object data and related image and/or video data. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254529 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR CONTENT MANAGEMENT - A system for managing content, the system including: (a) a memory for storing a source internet document that has been acquired over an internet connection; (b) a processor, configured to divide the source internet document into multiple granular elements, and to provide a group of interrelated granular elements; and to add metadata fields to the granular elements; wherein the processor is further configured to process granular element associated information that has been received from a web user, wherein the granular element associated information is associated with a referenced granular element that is selected in response to user selection, for generating, in response to metadata of at least one granular element, a second internet document that includes the referenced granular element, other granular elements, and the granular element associated information; and (c) an interface for providing the second internet document over an internet connection. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254530 | INDIGENOUS AUTHENTICATION AND SEARCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An apparatus and system for authenticating and searching data is provided. The apparatus includes a tightly coupled housing, an authenticator in the tightly coupled housing, a first archival storage in the tightly coupled housing, an indexer in the tightly coupled housing, and an index storage in the tightly coupled housing. The authenticator receives a file from an external email system, the authenticator creates first and second self-authenticating copies of the file, the first archival storage stores the first self-authenticating file, the indexer dissembles the second self-authenticating copy into components of the second self-authenticating copy, and the index storage stores the components of the second self-authenticating in a searchable format. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254531 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND CATEGORIZING DATA AT A TERMINAL - A method and system for collecting and categorizing survey data includes receiving customer information from a customer. A query is identified based at least in part on the customer information. The query is output for presentation to the customer. In one embodiment, the query is presented to the customer by prompting an employee, such as a clerk at a point-of-sale terminal, to verbally present the question to the customer. A customer response to the query is then received. The request from the customer may be, for example, a request to purchase one or more products or it may be a request for assistance or information. The customer response is then captured and analyzed. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254532 | ACCESSING DATA IN A COLUMN STORE DATABASE BASED ON HARDWARE COMPATIBLE DATA STRUCTURES - Embodiments of the present invention provide one or more hardware-friendly data structures that enable efficient hardware acceleration of database operations. In particular, the present invention employs a column-store format for the database. In the database, column-groups are stored with implicit row ids (RIDs) and a RID-to-primary key column having both column-store and row-store benefits via column hopping and a heap structure for adding new data. Fixed-width column compression allow for easy hardware database processing directly on the compressed data. A global database virtual address space is utilized that allows for arithmetic derivation of any physical address of the data regardless of its location. A word compression dictionary with token compare and sort index is also provided to allow for efficient hardware-based searching of text. A tuple reconstruction process is provided as well that allows hardware to reconstruct a row by stitching together data from multiple column groups. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254533 | Methods, Systems, and Articles of Manufacture for Distribution of Search Metadata - Embodiments of the invention are generally related to metadata describing users accessing a network and network content. Each user may have a user profile comprising a list of user tags describing the user. Each item of network content may include a list of content tags describing the item. When a user selects an item of network content, one or more tags from the user profile may be added to the list of content tags for the item. In some embodiments, one or more tags from the list of content tags may be added to the user profile. Therefore, over time and access by multiple users, a comprehensive list of tags describing user profiles and network content may be developed. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254534 | Methods, Systems, and Articles of Manufacture for Managing Search Metadata - Embodiments of the invention are generally related to metadata describing users accessing a network and network content. Each user may have a user profile comprising a list of user tags describing the user. Each item of network content may include a list of content tags describing the item. Each user tag and content tag may have an associated weight value. When a user selects an item of network content, weights of one or more user tags of the user profile and one or more content tags may be adjusted based on the selection. In some embodiments, the tags may be removed based on the weight values so that only tags relevant to the user profile and network content remain. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254535 | SEARCH ENGINE TO IMPROVE PRODUCT RECALL TRACEABILITY ACTIVITIES - The present invention provides an improved method of handling product recall activities through traceability. One embodiment of the present invention involves gathering data in a multi-layered database architecture containing supply, process, test, and customer layers. The data is supplied to a traceability module which contains a search engine to link and access the data. The search engine enables a search by part number, lot number, serial number, time stamp, and date/time frame. A traceability analysis is generated from the search, allowing failure analysis of the data. This analysis is performed through an event list over the entire supply, manufacturing, and customer data, facilitating backward and forward traceability of parts and components of the parts. This failure analysis further facilitates automatic response such as automatic warning and automatic recall to manufacturers and customers. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254536 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING SEARCH REQUESTS - Methods and system for processing search requests are described. In one embodiment, a term of a search request may be received. A determination of whether the term is a meta-keyword may be made. One or more linguistically transformed keywords associated with the meta-keyword may be obtained. A search may be run on at least one of the one or more linguistically transformed keywords to obtain a result of the search. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254537 | IMAGE SEARCH APPARATUS AND IMAGE SEARCH METHOD - An image search apparatus has: | 2009-10-08 |
20090254538 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR SOCIAL BASED ASSISTANCE IN A SOURCE CODE CONTROL SYSTEM - A method, system, and computer program product for social based assistance in a source code control system are provided. The method includes selecting a segment of source code and parsing the selected segment of source code to identify one or more syntax terms. The method also includes searching source files for the one or more syntax terms to locate matching results, where the source files are managed by the source code control system. The method further includes scoring the matching results of the searching as a function of developer activity associated with the matching results. The method additionally includes identifying one or more developers with the highest degree of matching based on the scoring. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254539 | User Intention Modeling For Interactive Image Retrieval - A system performs user intention modeling for interactive image retrieval. In one implementation, the system uses a three stage iterative technique to retrieve images from a database without using any image tags or text descriptors. First, the user submits a query image and the system models the user's search intention and configures a customized search to retrieve relevant images. Then, the system extends a user interface for the user to designate visual features across the retrieved images. The designated visual features refine the intention model and reconfigure the search to retrieve images that match the remodeled intention. Third, the system extends another user interface through which the user can give natural feedback about the retrieved images. The three stages can be iterated to quickly assemble a set of images that accurately fulfills the user's search intention. They system can be used for image searching without text tags, can be used for initial text tag generation, or can be used to complement a conventional tagged-image platform. | 2009-10-08 |
20090254540 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED TAG GENERATION FOR DIGITAL CONTENT - A method and apparatus for automatically generating tags for digital content are provided. The method is adapted to be run on a computer, which is an example of the type of apparatus which may generate the tags. The generated tags describe the digital content, and may be used as topics for the content to organize, retrieve, and process the content. The tag generation begins by accessing content from a content collection unit and a tags candidate tag database unit, which are then processed using techniques from computational linguistics in a multi-pass process that generates sets of tags, then refines and normalizes them. Finally, scores are generated and stored along with the tags. | 2009-10-08 |