41st week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 51 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080249805 | SMART CLINICAL DATA CLIPBOARD - A method for quickly providing accurate data to a user includes creating a list of at least one subject characteristic, collecting subject data corresponding to the at least one subject characteristic in a clipboard application and accessing an integrated application interface requiring selected data from the subject data and entering the selected data in the integrated application. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249806 | Data Analysis for an Implantable Restriction Device and a Data Logger - An implantable restriction device can be configured to provide a restriction in a patient, for example as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device can include one or more sensors configured to sense a variety of parameters, such as pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device, pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse count, pulse duration, or frequency, electrical characteristics, or other parameters. Data obtained by the one or more sensors (for example, the data representing pressure, pulse characteristics, and so on) may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, such as a data logger, using telemetry coils or other communicators. The data logger may store the data, and may communicate the data to a remote location via a network such as the Internet. A docking station may be provided to couple the data logger to a network and/or to recharge a cell in the data logger. The logged data may be analyzed and/or displayed using a variety of techniques to assess and/or track the condition of the restriction device or of the patient, to monitor patient physiology, or for other purposes. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249807 | INTERPRETATION SUPPORT SYSTEM - A medical image storage unit stores medical image. A medical image observation terminal adds interpretation information for medical image and the creator name for interpretation information to the supplementary information of medical image. A reference terminal obtains medical image from the medical image storage unit in order to display medical image. An evaluation management unit instructs the reference terminal to display an evaluation input screen for medical image to allow an evaluation to be entered if the interpretation information has been added to the supplementary information of medical image obtained in the reference terminal, and it then adds evaluation to the supplementary information of medical image stored in the medical image storage unit after receiving an input from the reference terminal and transmits evaluation to the destination for the evaluation that corresponds to the creator name added to the supplementary information of medical image. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249808 | Generating output data based on patient monitoring - Exemplary system and method embodiments may include real-time monitoring data regarding administration of a health-related procedure to a recipient patient which is posted to a patient data record that has restricted read/write access. In some instances the monitoring data is processed to determine compliance or non-compliance based on comparison of the health-related procedure with a predetermined benchmark standard. Exemplary aspects of the monitoring data transmitted and/or received via one or more communication links may include updated confirmation of a patient identifier and verification of an updated parameter regarding administration of the health-related procedure. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249809 | Computer System for Actively Monitoring and Enhancing the Collateral Security for a Portfolio of Loans to Facilitating Financing and Securitization - A computer system for monitoring and enhancing the collateral security underlying a set of loans is provided, including a system for calculating the unsecured value of the set at any time and for initialing additional collateral enhancement instruments when the unsecured value exceeds a certain limit. The system may include a variety of modules in communication with a relational database for storing data about the loans and system elements. The computer system may also be configured to allocate, manage, and execute the waterfall or cascade of funds between and among the various participants in a financial plan. The invention also includes a structured finance plan and related methods for enhancing the collateral security of a loan obtained for a life insurance or annuity product, and a system and method for managing a portfolio of such loans in order to obtain favorable financing and to facilitate securitization. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249810 | Method and System For Administering A Variable Universal Life Insurance Product Having A Volatility Reduction Feature - A method and system of administering a financial product having a volatility reduction feature comprises providing a life insurance policy having a cash surrender value, creating at least one subaccount associated with the policy, storing a number of accumulation units associated with the subaccount, storing a plurality of accumulation unit values, calculating an average of stored accumulation unit values and using the average to determine a target unit value. The surrender value of the subaccount is periodically determined by multiplying the number of accumulation units by the target unit value. The surrender value of the subaccount is used to periodically determine the cash surrender value of the insurance policy. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249811 | Method and System for Rough Road Indications for Misfire Detection - A method of operating an engine includes determining at least one characteristic of rough road performance based on at least one driveline characteristic and receiving crankshaft acceleration data. The method further includes comparing the received crankshaft acceleration data and determined characteristic, inhibiting the misfire counter based on the comparison, and operating the engine based on the disabled misfire detection. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249812 | Charitable Gift Program - The present invention relates to methods of implementing charitable gift programs. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249813 | System and Method for Providing Consumer Rewards - An automated consumer rewards/incentive program that accepts a registration of a consumer. The registration entitles the consumer to receive the benefits of the incentive program. To track the fulfillment of reward earning criteria established by member businesses, the registration includes information indicative of a credit card of the consumer. The system uses the credit card information to determine when member customers perform a transaction at a member business. When a member customer performs a transaction at a member business using the registered credit card, the system and method examines the credit card transactional information to determine if the consumer fulfilled the requirements of the incentive program for the member business. If the transactional information indicates that the consumer fulfilled the criteria of the rewards program of the member business, the consumer is rewarded in accordance with the benefits of the incentive program. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249814 | Web Enabled Business to Business Computer System for Rental Car Services - 3 - An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access an integrated business computer network for the rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249815 | Adaptive analytics system and method of using same - An adaptive analytics system comprises a set of analytic type templates representing analytic types, each analytic type template including predetermined report items for generating a report for a respective analysis type; and an analytic framework for defining relations among the analytic types. The relations provides analytic paths for navigating reports. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249816 | System and Method for Monitoring Workflow in a Project Management System - A system comprises a memory operable to store one or more workpapers. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to determine a completion percentage associated with a particular workstream. The particular workstream may be associated with a plurality of workpapers. A first portion of the plurality of workpapers may be in a first stage of completion, and a second portion of the plurality of workpapers may be in a second stage of completion. Determining the completion percentage may comprise determining a first percentage based at least in part on the first portion and a first weight, determining a second percentage based at least in part on the second portion and a second weight, and adding the first percentage and the second percentage. The processor is further operable to store the determined completion percentage in a memory. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249817 | Monitoring Computer-Controlled Processes - The performance of a computer-controlled system ( | 2008-10-09 |
20080249818 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ON-LINE DONATIONS - A computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing on-line donations is disclosed. An example embodiment includes elements to generate a donation badge for display on a web page; link the donation badge with an account on a payment site; receive a donation from a donor via the donation badge; and credit the donation to the account linked to the donation badge. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249819 | SUPPORT METHOD AND DESIGN SUPPORT SYSTEM - To provide a method of an a system for supporting creation of improvement structure to reduce member costs, assembly costs, and losses associated with defective assemblies of a product. Parts constituting a product are analyzed into functions, attributes, assembly operations, and assembly attributes; on the basis of the difference between the member and assembly costs due to presence or absence of these elements, elements requiring improvement are extracted; and improvement guidelines are created using similar improvement examples in the past. It is possible to present improvement guidelines in structure to reduce the member costs and the assembly costs. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249820 | CONSISTENCY MODELING OF HEALTHCARE CLAIMS TO DETECT FRAUD AND ABUSE - Transaction-based behavioral profiling, whereby the entity to be profiled is represented by a stream of transactions, is required in a variety of data mining and predictive modeling applications. An approach is described for assessing inconsistency in the activity of an entity, as a way of detecting fraud and abuse, using service-code information available on each transaction. Inconsistency is based on the concept that certain service-codes naturally co-occur more than do others. An assessment is made of activity consistency looking at the overall activity of an individual entity, as well as looking at the interaction of entities. Several approaches for measuring consistency are provided, including one inspired by latent semantic analysis as used in text analysis. While the description is in the context of fraud detection in healthcare, the techniques are relevant to application in other industries and for purposes other than fraud detection. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249821 | SYSTEM FOR COMMODITY SALES - The wishes of purchasers and sellers of particular commodity items are matched using a computer database. Hopeful purchasers submit requests during a predetermined sale time frame. The requests include a desired purchase price and a desired purchase quantity for the particular commodity item. After the predetermined period, purchaser information is used to produce a purchase wish list in a predetermined order. An optimum combination of intending purchasers, selling quantities, selling prices, commodity suppliers, supply quantities, and supply prices is created by comparing the purchase wish list with a supply list. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249822 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESS DISCOVERY - A method for discovering activities or processes within an organization, to be used in a process management and control system, the method comprising the steps of importing one or more actions associated with one or more planned or active projects within the organization, identifying one or more activities from the actions, and updating a pattern library based on the activity. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249823 | Automated sales support method & device - A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249824 | Method and System for Analysis of Financial Investment in Human Capital Resources - A method and system for analyzing an organization's investment in human capital resources is provided to assist in improving the organization's overall financial performance. The method includes receiving inputted data retrieved from common accounting records regularly maintained in connection with operation of the organization. Further, the present invention provides a novel approach particularly relevant for precise analysis of people-intensive organizations, such as service-providing organizations. The approach involves calculation of values for newly defined HCP, ROHS and PS metrics. Aggregation of the metric values into a single index value metric facilitates benchmarking of an organization against itself and others. A report is provided that identifies factors most responsible for influencing the overall index, which assists the organization's management in determining how to implement change in the organization that will improve the metrics and thus the overall profitability of the organization. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249825 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MAINTENANCE SYSTEM FRAMEWORK - A strategic framework enables improvements in IT system maintenance by taking IT system information as input and outputting useful metrics and/or proposed modifications to achieve efficiency improvements. The strategic framework also can be described as an IT maintenance system assessment and modification tool. The described framework encompasses strategies for effective IT maintenance and improvement. The framework addresses the effectiveness of IT maintenance by focusing on, for example, technology, operations, human and/or non-human resources, and governance solutions. One or more of these dimensions can be assessed and evaluated, for example, to discover and process useful metric information. From the results of a described IT maintenance system assessment, which provides metrics for evaluating efficiency and improvability of IT maintenance systems, an overall roadmap of solutions can be developed. This can be used to form an end-to-end solution for better IT maintenance and portfolio spending in an organization. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249826 | System and method for integrated asset protection - Provided is a system and method for monitoring in real time the status of assets of a resource distribution system and enacting a change in the resource utilization in order to protect the assets before they reach a failed state. The system may include sensors, a central control system, and a demand dispatch system. The system and method may protect individual or holistic resource distribution system assets by monitoring the operating conditions of those assets and governing the aggregated resource utilization within the governed service area. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249827 | System to Enable Dynamic Hubs for Improving Supply-Chain Resource Management - This invention describes a dynamic hub system in which a transportation hub is dynamically formed by tractors that carry special design trailers. The location coordinates of the hub are conveyed a-priori to individual tractors that are going to participate in hub formation. Once the subject tractors arrive at the hub coordinates, they park and align themselves according to a pre-specified orientation and order. This information is transmitted to each truck from the control center via a wireless communication system such as GPRS. The novel electro-mechanic design of trailers allows trucks to form a portable hub, when get together. Dynamic hub system spares carriers from high cost of fixed hubs, and increases operational efficiency by lowering asset consolidation and redistribution times. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249828 | Method and System for Workscope Management and Control - A system, method or program for controlling a repair and maintenance process for equipment is provided. A database of source data based on original equipment manufacturer information is maintained, and a maintenance plan based at least in part on the source data is generated, which designates a workscope, and which can be electronically approved. A maintenance instruction based at least in part on the workscope is generated and a logical order is communicated within a maintenance center for inspection of the equipment based at least in part on the maintenance instruction. A repair instruction is communicated to a repair unit based at least in part on the inspection and a repair task is performed based at least in part on the repair instruction. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249829 | System and Method for Co-Ownership and Use of a Plurality of Properties - A system and method for enabling a plurality of owners to have the right of exclusive use of a plurality of properties, such as yachts or homes, in various geographic locations throughout the world for a period of time based on a rotating usage schedule. A majority of the owners have an undivided interest in one or more properties, yet has equal rights of exclusive use of a majority of the properties in the system, subject to the rotating usage schedule. Alternatively, the owners may collectively own an undivided interest in a group of properties and have an equal right of exclusive use of a majority of the properties in the system, subject to the rotating usage schedule. One or more management entities manage the properties, rotating usage schedule, staffing, maintenance, insurance, permitting, licensing, registration, oversight of legal issues, provisioning, payment of expenses and taxes, renting, or any combination thereof. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249830 | Appointment scheduling system - The present invention relates to an online appointment scheduling system. The system is configured to register a client (e.g., doctor) and at least a first and second vendor (e.g., sales representative) with the system. The system receives from the client a set of rules for vendor appointments. A client schedule of available appointments is generated that complies with the set of rules. The client schedule is accessible by the first vendor, to allow the first vendor to book an appointment. Once booked, the appointment is designated as a pending appointment. The system then requires that the first vendor confirm the pending appointment within a confirmation window and, where upon confirmation, the appointment is designated as a confirmed appointment. Alternatively, if the first vendor fails to confirm the appointment within the confirmation window, a notification is sent to a second vendor of a now available appointment. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249831 | Business method and system for sponsoring a special event - A business method and system centered on an enabling facility for providing special events includes a central area for observation of the special event by the sponsors of the special event or by those accompanying the attendees to the special event and a plurality of special activity areas. A staff at the enabling facility will introduce and guide the attendees to the selected activities. Also included in the enabling facility is a security system for the special event. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249832 | ESTIMATING EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for estimating expected advertisement performance of advertisements are provided. An advertisement performance prediction model is developed using features extracted from a sample set. Once developed, advertisements that are not a part of the sample set are identified and features are extracted there from. The features are then input into the advertisement performance prediction model and expected performance of the corresponding advertisement is estimated. In embodiments, the estimated expected advertisement performance may be used to appropriately rank the advertisement relative to a plurality of other advertisements such that the advertisement will be displayed according to the advertisement ranking. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249833 | Method and system for targeted advertising via mobile terminals - A method and a system for targeted advertising via mobile terminals are provided. Advertisements and advertising parameters are received from an advertising network. A mobile terminal is selected based on the advertising parameters, user profile information and details of mobile terminals. The advertisement is then sent to the mobile terminal at an appropriate time. The advertisement can be an image, an audio, a video, an audio-video, text, a link to a WAP site, and the like. Further, the advertisement may be sent to the mobile terminal depending on the content of a message being sent. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249834 | Adjusting for Uncertainty in Advertisement Impression Data - Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, provide adjustments to advertisement impression estimates based on sampled data. According to one method, an estimated number of advertisement impressions is made based on the sampled data and the estimate is discounted to achieve a level of certainty that the resulting discounted estimate is less than the actual number of advertisement impressions. The amount of the discount can be determined based on a sampling error model of the sampling data. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249835 | IDENTIFYING SIGNIFICANT GROUPINGS OF CUSTOMERS FOR USE IN CUSTOMIZING DIGITAL MEDIA MARKETING CONTENT PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO A CUSTOMER - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for customizing digital media marketing messages. In one embodiment, data associated with a set of customers is received from detectors associated with a retail facility to form detection data. The detection data is processed to form grouping data for the set of customers. The grouping data is analyzed in a set of data models to identify personalized marketing message criteria for a customer in the set of customers. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer in the set of customers using the personalized marketing message criteria. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249836 | GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING MESSAGES AT A CUSTOMER LEVEL USING CURRENT EVENTS DATA - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages using current events data. In one embodiment, external marketing data is received from a set of sources to form the current events data. The current events data is processed to form dynamic data. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer using the dynamic data. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249837 | AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING AN OPTIMAL MARKETING STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING CROSS SALES AND UPSALES OF ITEMS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for generating an optimized marketing strategy for improving sales. The process parses event data to identify patterns of events associated with a selection of a selected item by each customer in a plurality of customers and selection of at least one item in a set of items related to the selected item. The process identifies events in the patterns of events that result in a purchase of at least one item in the set of related items by the customers to form optimized events. The process then generates a marketing strategy using the optimized events. The marketing strategy comprises a set of strategies for increasing purchases of items in the set of related items by the customers. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249838 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREFERRED CUSTOMER MARKETING DELIVERY BASED ON BIOMETRIC DATA FOR A CUSTOMER - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for automatically determining a marketing status for a customer. Biometric readings for the customer are received from a set of biometric devices associated with a retail facility to form biometric data describing a set of physiological responses of the customer. The biometric data is analyzed to identify a set of marketing initiation factors that indicate a degree of receptivity of the customer to marketing messages. In response to the set of marketing initiation factors indicating initiation of marketing to the customer, a customized marketing message is generated for the customer. The customized marketing message is transmitted to a display device for display to the customer in real-time as the customer is shopping. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249839 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FORECASTING WORKFORCE DEMAND USING ADVANCE REQUEST AND LEAD TIME - The present invention forecasts workforce demand by extracting a data set representing project requests that are recorded in a corporate workforce request database before work begins and using advance request data to forecast the future workforce demand. Thus, advance resource request data is accessed, and demand signals are extracted from the data. Forecast models are built for each skill category and forecasting lead time using the advance resource request data. Workforce demand forecasts are also generated. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249840 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING DEMAND FOR PERISHABLE GOODS AT A POINT-OF-SALE LOCATION UTILIZING LOCATION-BASED COMMUNICATION - In accordance with the invention, a method for increasing demand for a perishable item utilizing production capacity planning in a perishable asset production facility, such as a restaurant situation which allows for flexibility and production forecastability to determine a necessary number of new customers to balance demand with production capacity is provided. The determination is made as a function of raw material, labor availability, work in process, and food in holding cabinets (inventory) awaiting purchase. By monitoring this production capacity and the trend of sales, by utilizing probability theory, and expected sales in a given time interval necessary demand to optimize sales is predicted. It is then determined how large a geographical area containing potential customers, as function of predicted response rates, is to be notified in order for expected demand to meet expected production. The geographical area relative to the facility is determined and a message is sent to potential customers within the geographic area notifying them of the availability of the perishable items. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249841 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND PAYING FOR AD LISTINGS FOR ASSOCIATION WITH SEARCH RESULTS OR OTHER CONTENT - A system and method is disclosed for providing targeted advertising for association with retrieved content on media, such as the Internet or World Wide Web, in such a way that it is not susceptible to click fraud. This system and method are directed to a “pay for share” system that provides billing before targeted advertisements are made available for selection for display. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249842 | METHOD OF DETERMINING COST-PER-CLICK FOR KEYWORD ADVERTISEMENT - Disclosed is a method of computing a cost-per-click for a keyword advertisement. The method comprises receiving a plurality of submissions of proposed keyword advertisements for an identical keyword. Each submission comprises an advertisement content and a willing cost-per-click. The advertisement content of each submission or historical data is analyzed so as to generate a first index for each submission. A mathematical operation using the willing cost-per-click and the first index is performed so as to generate a second index for each submission. The second indexes of the submissions are ordered so as to generate rankings of the submissions. A cost-per-click for each submission is computed. A first computed cost-per-click for a first submission having a first rank is computed using the second index of a second submission having a second rank that is immediately next to the first rank. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249843 | Notification System and Method for Multiple Media Queues - A notification system method is disclosed for alerting subscribers to a status of their rental queues, which may be associated with two different delivery channels, including a physical delivery channel and a broadband delivery channel. The system includes a number of components that interoperate to improve a subscriber's experience, including an intelligent queue monitor which works on his/her behalf to ensure that an adequate and interesting list of titles are brought to the attention of subscribers. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249844 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEQUENTIAL DECISION MAKING FOR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT - A system and method for sequential decision-making for customer relationship management includes providing customer data including stimulus-response history data, and automatically generating actionable rules based on the customer data. Further, automatically generating actionable rules may include estimating a value function using reinforcement learning. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249845 | COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPUTING AND EVALUATING DEMAND INFORMATION - Computer implemented method and system for improving demand forecasting by estimating the hidden demand at an occurrence of a sellout using a single parameter probability distribution with a parameter assuming a forecasted mean demand value derived from a statistical seasonal causal time series forecasting model of count data on a new data set of sales values excluding truncated sales values at occurrences of sellouts. The present invention also provides for new more accurate performance evaluation techniques together with new performance metrics for evaluating an actual draw and for comparing a recommended draw to an actual draw. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249846 | Content Reproduction Method, Content Reproduction Terminal and Content Providing System - A content playback method that is capable of preventing diversion and outflow of users' personal information, reliably protecting privacy and detecting and playing back content in accordance with users' needs. With this method, data including content is delivered from a data transmission server ( | 2008-10-09 |
20080249847 | GUEST REGISTRATION SYSTEM - Method and arrangement for providing a registration system, preferably for simplifying the checking out procedure for a guest visiting a location, such as a hotel facility. The system includes at least one registration terminal, a communication interface for communication with the guest and a reading device, for reading an information carrier corresponding to a key-information. The system also includes a communication arrangement, for communication with a booking system a compiling arrangement, for compiling a bill with information from the booking system, and a transaction means. The system further includes an information arrangement for providing bill information to the guest and obtaining possible information from the guest for revising the bill with regard to the information from the guest. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249848 | Method of Settling Commercial Indebtedness - A method whereby vendors and purchasers settle invoices and account for sales taxes, integrated with the drawing, accepting, guaranteeing, endorsing, discounting, presenting, and cash settlement of electronic bills of exchange in all traded currencies (Ebill). Ebills are activated automatically as a direct consequence of the approval of one or more invoices for payment. Acceptance is against a guarantee with a managed credit risk limit or endorsed Ebills. Settlement is also activated by matching a purchase order to a goods received or delivery note or bill of lading. A single instance of each invoice and Ebill is held for all functions required by vendors, purchasers, risk managers, Ebill traders, discounters, guarantors and banks. Trading accounts are represented by a single ledger instance with automated updating of their back-office ledgers. Settlement reconciliation is supported by messages related to individual transactions and by quantified debit advice notes reconciled with credit notes. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249849 | PRINT DRIVER BASED MARKETING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of providing access to an online marketplace via a printer driver that is in communication with a networked printing device. The marketplace offers printer capabilities which are compatible with the networked printing device. The computing device receives a request to purchase one of the printer capabilities for the networked printing device. The printer driver associates the purchased printer capability with the computing device. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249850 | Providing Information About Content Distribution - Providing information about content distribution includes receiving a request for information regarding at least one content distribution activity that has previously been created to be performed in at least one of a plurality of media types. The method includes obtaining content distribution information regarding the at least one content distribution activity. The method includes presenting the content distribution information in a graphical user interface that is configured to display content distribution activities for each of the media types. Managing multiple media type distribution in an advertising campaign includes identifying plural distribution media types for inclusion in at least one campaign. The method includes setting distribution characteristics in each of the plural distribution media types for the campaign. The method includes presenting campaign information to a user that aggregates results over more than one of the plural distribution media types. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249851 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED DIGITAL MEDIA MARKETING CONTENT DIRECTLY TO A CUSTOMER - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for customizing digital media marketing messages. In one embodiment, external data is received from a set of detectors located externally to a retail facility to form external data. The external data is processed to form dynamic data. The set of dynamic data is analyzed using a data model to identify personalized marketing message criteria for the customer. A customized marketing message for the customer is generated using the personalized marketing message criteria. The customized marketing message is delivered to a display device associated with the customer for display. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249852 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING ADVERTISEMENTS - Methods and systems of creating online advertisements are disclosed herein. An advertisement creation request can be received from an advertiser. The advertisement creation request can be submitted by the advertiser to create an online advertisement associated with an advertisement campaign. Advertisement rules can be received from the advertiser. The advertisement rules can define how the online advertisement is to be created. A job listing can be posted on an online market. The job listing can be associated with an advertising job that entails the creation of the online advertisement according to advertisement rules. A proposal from an advertisement creator for performing the advertising job associated with the job listing can be received. The received proposal can be communicated to the advertiser. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249853 | ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TEMPLATE - A system and technique is described for generating an advertising campaign based on an advertising campaign template. Template data is received from a first entity, the template data including advertising content and targeting criteria. An advertising campaign template is generated based on the template data and provided to a second entity. Customization data is provided by the second entity. An online advertising campaign is generated for the second entity based on the advertising campaign template and the customization data. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249854 | MONETIZING LOW VALUE CLICKERS - A solution is provided wherein an identification of a user who is producing low value to a web page or service is received, wherein the identification was determined by measuring web page usage patterns for the user. Advertising is then presented on the web page or service for the user according to a retraining program, wherein the retraining program is designed to retrain the user's behavior so that the user no longer produces low value and wherein the retraining program presents advertising in a different way than would be presented without the retraining program. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249855 | System for generating advertising creatives - A system is described for generating advertising creatives. The system may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be operatively connected to the processor and may store an ad group of an advertiser, a first set of creative components relating to the ad group, a second set of creative components relating to the ad group, a set of matched groups of creative components, and a set of destination URLs relating to the ad group. The processor may identify the ad group, the first set of creative components, the second set of creative components and the set of destination URLs, match each creative component in the first set of creative components to each creative component in the second set of creative components to create a set of matched groups of creative components and match each matched group of creative components to each destination URL in the set of destination URLs thereby generating advertising creatives. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249856 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING MESSAGES AT THE CUSTOMER LEVEL BASED ON BIOMETRIC DATA - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for customizing digital media marketing messages using biometric data. In one embodiment, data is received from a set of biometric devices associated with a retail facility to form the biometric data. The biometric data is associated with a given customer. The biometric data is processed to form dynamic data. The dynamic data is analyzed using a data model to identify personalized marketing message criteria for the customer. A customized marketing message is generated using the personalized marketing message criteria. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249857 | GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING MESSAGES USING AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION DATA - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages using automatically generated customer identification data. In one embodiment, real-time data for a customer is received from a set of cameras associated with a retail facility to form detection data. The customer is automatically identified using the detection data to form customer identification data. Automatically identifying the customer occurs without human input. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer using the customer identification data. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249858 | AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING AN OPTIMAL MARKETING MODEL FOR MARKETING PRODUCTS TO CUSTOMERS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code generating an optimized marketing model for marketing products to customers in a retail facility. In one embodiment, event data is parsed to identify patterns of events, wherein the event data comprises metadata describing events associated with the retail facility; events in the patterns of events that achieve a target outcome are identified to form optimized events. A marketing strategy is generated using the optimized events to form the optimized marketing model. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249859 | GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING MESSAGES FOR A CUSTOMER USING DYNAMIC CUSTOMER BEHAVIOR DATA - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for customizing digital media marketing messages using customer behavior data. In one embodiment, patterns of events in customer event data are identified to form customer behavior data. The customer event data comprises metadata describing a customer associated with a retail facility. The customer behavior data is processed to form dynamic data. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer using the dynamic data. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249860 | Bonus system with rule based customization - A computer program product includes program code, stored on a machine readable medium, or provided in the form of a propagated signal, wherein the program code, when executed on a computer system, implements a bonus system, and allows the implementation of bonus programs, wherein several bonus program partners can participate in a bonus program. Bonus program members can collect bonus points during transactions with a bonus program partner, wherein the program code allows a customization of various bonus system functions through rules through a central interface. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249861 | Bonus system - A computer program product comprising program code, stored on a machine readable medium, or provided in the form of a propagated signal, wherein the program code, when executed on a computer system, implements a bonus system, and allows the customizable establishment of bonus programs. Several bonus program partners can participate in a bonus program. Bonus program members can collect bonus points in transactions with a bonus program partner. The bonus program comprises the following functions: defining, activating, and deleting a bonus program within the bonus system; defining individual bonus program properties and bonus program rules; defining, activating, and deleting bonus program partners; settling with bonus program partners; and establishing properties of bonus program accounts. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249862 | Business services program embodying a reinvestment - A method which is a two-way transaction between a media services provider (MSP) and a Client, the MSP making an investment with the Client in an amount based upon the purchase of advertising services from the MSP by the Client. The Client provides the MSP with its products and/or services in return for the MSP's investment, which the MSP remarkets Client's products and/or services to recoup its investment and earn a profit, at no cost to the Client. The method may also be employed between a provider (P) and a Client wherein the Client purchases either goods or both goods and services through P, P then reinvesting in the Client's business, and the Client providing its products and/or services to P who remarkets the Client's products and/or services at no cost to the Client, as described in the MSP/Client example, set forth above. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249863 | MANAGING A MULTI-FUNCTION SOCIAL NETWORK - Managing a multi-function social network. One or more communication devices are identified in various locations. Thereafter, activities on the one or more communication devices are captured. Based on the activities, data files are then provided independent of types of the one or more mobile communication devices, communication protocol and communication network providers associated with the one or more communication devices. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249864 | GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING CONTENT TO IMPROVE CROSS SALE OF RELATED ITEMS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages for marketing correlated items. In one embodiment, an item selected by a customer is identified to form a selected item. Items in a list of correlated items associated with the selected item are identified to form a set of correlated items. A correlated item in the set of correlated items provides a different basic functionality than the selected item. A set of dynamic data associated with the customer is analyzed using a set of data models to identify personalized marketing message criteria for the customer. The dynamic data associated with the customer is generated in real-time as the customer is shopping. A customized marketing message is generated using the personalized marketing message criteria. The customized marketing message comprises a marketing message for at least one item in the set of correlated items. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249865 | RECIPE AND PROJECT BASED MARKETING AND GUIDED SELLING IN A RETAIL STORE ENVIRONMENT - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating project based marketing messages to a customer in a retail facility. In one embodiment, at least one item selected by the customer for purchase is identified. A task that requires the at least one item for completion of the task is identified. A set of additional items recommended for completion of the task is retrieved. The customer has not selected the items in the set of additional items for purchase. A customized marketing message for at least one item in the set of additional items recommended for completion of the task is generated. The customized marketing message is generated in real-time as the customer is shopping. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249866 | GENERATING CUSTOMIZED MARKETING CONTENT FOR UPSALE OF ITEMS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages to improve upsales of items. In one embodiment, an item selected by a customer is identified. At least one upsale item associated with the selected item is identified. An upsale item is an item that provides a same basic functionality as the selected item. A set of dynamic data associated with the customer is analyzed using data models to identify personalized marketing message criteria for the customer. The dynamic data associated with the customer is generated in real-time as the customer is shopping. A customized marketing message is generated using the personalized marketing message criteria. The customized marketing message includes a marketing message that prompts the customer to purchase the at least one upsale item instead of the selected item. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249867 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING BIOMETRIC DATA FOR A CUSTOMER TO IMPROVE UPSALE AND CROSS-SALE OF ITEMS - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages to increase purchases by a customer. In one embodiment, an item selected by the customer is identified to form a selected item. Biometric readings for the customer are received from a set of biometric devices associated with a retail facility to form the biometric data. The biometric data is data regarding a set of physiological responses of the customer. A set of items is selected from a list of items associated with the selected item using the biometric data for the customer to form a set of promoted items. A customized marketing message for the customer is generated using a set of personalized marketing message criteria for the customer. The customized marketing message comprises a marketing message for the set of promoted items. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249868 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREFERRED CUSTOMER MARKETING DELIVERY BASED ON DYNAMIC DATA FOR A CUSTOMER - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for automatically determining a marketing status for a customer. In one embodiment, detection data is received from a set of detectors associated with the retail facility. The detection data is processed to form dynamic data. The dynamic data is analyzed using a set of data models to identify marketing initiation factors. In response to the marketing initiation factors indicating initiation of marketing to the customer, a customized marketing message is generated for the customer and dynamically transmitted to a display device associated with the customer. The customized marketing message is displayed to the customer in real-time as the customer is shopping at the retail facility. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249869 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING DISINCENTIVE MARKETING CONTENT TO A CUSTOMER BASED ON A CUSTOMER RISK ASSESSMENT - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing a level of marketing disincentives directed towards a customer using a risk assessment score. In one embodiment, a risk assessment score for a customer associated with a retail facility is retrieved. The risk assessment score is analyzed to determine whether the customer is a desirable customer or an undesirable customer. In response to the risk assessment score indicating that the customer is an undesirable customer, aggressive marketing disincentives targeted to the undesirable customer are generated. If the risk assessment score indicates the customer is a desirable customer, marketing incentives targeted to the desirable customer are generated. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249870 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECISION TREE BASED MARKETING AND SELLING FOR A RETAIL STORE - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for decision tree based marketing to a customer in a retail facility. In response to identifying a customer associated with the retail facility, a marketing decision tree for the customer is retrieved. The marketing decision tree indicates a set of paths through the retail facility that the customer will most likely follow while shopping. A next probable location of the customer is identified using a current location of the customer and the marketing decision tree. A customized marketing message for an item located in the next probable location is presented to the customer. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249871 | System and Method for the Advertising, Marketing and Sale of Real Estate - The invention is a system and method for the advertising, marketing and sale of property, such as real estate. In one version, the system/method operates on the principle of having the builder (and other parties) prepay a sum of money to be held by a facilitator (or another party) in trust. Over the first eighteen to twenty-four months of the property purchaser's mortgage, a predetermined portion of the proceeds of this trust is paid back to the property purchaser to assist (payment assistance program) the purchaser in making his/her mortgage payments. The result is that the effective mortgage payment amount of the purchaser/buyer is reduced for the first eighteen to twenty-four months, an incentive for the buyer to buy a home sold via the invented method. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249872 | Systems and Methods for Enabling Users to Sample and Acquire Content - A system for sampling content and presenting targeted marketing and advertising content, comprising: a sample/advertising server; a retail server receiving sample content from the sample server; media sample tablets for receiving sample content and targeted advertising content for display to a user; and means for collecting data from users. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249873 | ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An advertising system and method is provided and may include a display unit having a memory. The display unit may be mounted in any location and may display images stored in the memory of the display. A customer may pay a predetermined fee to load information into the memory of the display, which may be displayed on the display for a predetermined length of time. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249874 | Ubiquitous Music and Multimedia Service System and the Method Thereof - The characteristics of this invention consist of the following stages: the consumer connects to wire or wireless internet, mobile communication network, or digital broadcasting network through his/her terminal device; the consumer searches for and selects music and multimedia data; the consumer appoints the output device for the selected music and multimedia data; the music or multimedia data is played by the above selected output device; and the consumer and related business end settles the charges. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249875 | DISFAVORING QUALIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS IN CONTEXTUAL ADVERTISEMENT - Disclosed is a method of formulating a list of advertisements in an advertisement service. The method comprises analyzing a web content so as to identify a plurality of keywords therefrom, and retrieving data of a plurality of advertisements, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of keywords and is presently subject to an advertising service. The method further comprises processing the data of the plurality of advertisements so as to identify two or more advertisements that are associated with the same advertiser and further processing data of the two or more advertisements so as to identify at least one qualified advertisement for disfavoring in the advertising service. The method further comprises ordering at least part of the plurality of advertisements to display along with the web content such that the at least one qualified advertisement is disfavored in the ordering. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249876 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING DISTRIBUTIONS FOR MAKING AND OPTIMIZING OFFER SELECTIONS - A method and system for making and optimizing offer selections targeted to particular recipients or groups improves selection quality by combining and aggregating quantitative and qualitative data to capture recipient needs and provider expectations and intentions. Offer descriptions are first received. Distribution variables for application to offer descriptions and recipients are then selected. Distributions are then assigned to offer descriptions, and distributions appropriate to the recipient are determined and assigned to the recipient. Distributions can incorporate demographic, psychographic and behavioral variables. Offer description distributions and recipient distributions are combined for each offer description, resulting in a ranking for each offer description. Offer descriptions are automatically selected based on the rankings, using, for example, simple ordering or roulette wheel selection. Offer descriptions are instantiated as offers, and finally offers are output to the recipient. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249877 | Methods and Apparatus for Freshness and Completeness of Information - A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249878 | Method and Apparatus for Coupon Management and Redemption - The present invention provides a system for the electronic management and redemption of coupons. The system includes an integrated coupon card comprising a microprocessor, a random access memory means, a scanner, and a communications port. The coupon card is capable of scanning coupon bar codes from paper coupons and receiving redemption requirement data from a periphery device. The coupon card will allow bar codes and redemption requirement data to be transferred to a periphery device and will store what bar codes were redeemed because they corresponded to purchase data received from a cash register memory. The system further includes one or more periphery devices having a microprocessor, a first communications port for communicating with said coupon card, and a second communications port for communicating with a cash register. The periphery devices receive purchase data from a cash register memory and compare said purchase data to coupon bar codes received from a coupon card in order to determine which coupons are redeemable. The system also includes a server computer which will be connected to the periphery devices. The server computer will collect redeemed coupon information from the periphery devices and also provide the periphery devices with information such redemption requirement data or coupons which may be loaded onto a coupon card. A clearing house will collect coupon redemption information from all servers in the system to create redemption reports. The clearing house allows redemption requirement data and other information to be transferred through the servers to individual periphery devices and/or coupon cards. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249879 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO INCORPORATE GAME PLAY INTO PRODUCT TRANSACTIONS - A method for providing a product is described in which a selection of a product is received from a customer, a game is selected by the customer, the customer provides his credit card number, the customer plays the game and an outcome is determined. If the customer wins, the credit card is charged a game fee, if the customer loses, the credit card is charged the price of the product. In either case, the product is then provided to the customer. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249880 | iPOS Transaction Terminal - Apparatus and methods for transaction processing. The apparatus may be a transaction terminal including a keypad, a circuit for interacting with the transaction customer and a link communicatively connecting the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. The cashier may interact with the keypad, while the customer (and not the cashier) may interact with the customer-interaction circuit. The link may communicate a dollar amount for the transaction between the keypad and the customer-interaction circuit. Accessories for the keypad may include a check reader, a display or a receipt printer. Accessories for the customer-interaction circuit may include a smart-card reader, a magnetic-strip reader and biometric readers. The customer-interaction circuit may include a port for connection to a remote service provider. That port may be the only remote-access port in the transaction terminal. The customer-interaction circuit may include a virtual keypad, and the circuit itself maybe programmed to capture a personal identifier number by means of that virtual keypad. The customer-interaction circuit may include virtual paper, and the circuit itself may be programmed to capture a signature by means of the virtual paper. A cash register at the POS location with the transaction terminal may not be communicatively coupled to the transaction terminal. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249881 | METHOD OF ADVERTISING COSMETICS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS ON BEHALF OF THIRD PARTY BUSINESSES IN ETABLISHMENTS THAT PROVIDE LODGING - The present invention generally relates to a method of advertising to potential customers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the display of cosmetic materials within establishments that provide lodging and other services for travelers and other paying guests that is not coincident with the point of sale. These establishments may include hotels, motels, motor inns, bed and breakfasts, country inns, apartments, condominiums, complexes, cottages, lodges, ranches, resorts, suites, extended stays, histories, cruises, other lodging establishments, airplanes, trains, and other modes of transportation and the like. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249882 | System for purchasing commercial products and items having monetary value with entertainment content - A single entity for providing entertainment content with the purchase of a commercial product or other item representing monetary funds, such as a telephone card, gift card, or bank card. A first medium holds the entertainment content, and the commercial item can be any product sold at a retail store or on the Internet. The commercial product and/or the entertainment medium includes at least one serial number. A mechanism is also provided for qualifying a customer to participate in a contest. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249883 | Self Checkout Kiosk and Retail Security System - A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249884 | POS-centric digital imaging system - A POS-centric digital imaging system for installation at a retail point of sale (POS) station having a countertop surface. The POS-centric digital imaging system includes a system housing having at least one imaging window, and providing a cashier side and a customer side for the POS-centric digital imaging system. An omni-directional digital image capturing and processing subsystem is disposed in the system housing, for generating a 3D imaging volume adjacent the imaging window. A cashier/customer terminal is integrated within the system housing, for simultaneously supporting (i) cashier product scanning/imaging and checkout operations on said cashier side, and (ii) customer payment and other services on said customer side. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249885 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN INTERNET ASSET MARKETPLACE - Methods and systems of providing a market for Internet assets are disclosed. A format protocol for implementing Internet assets is established. The format protocol is established by the marketplace provider. Asset metadata associated with an Internet asset can be received from an asset provider. The Internet asset is implemented using the established format protocol. An asset listing is posted on an online market of assets. The asset listing can include a portion of the asset metadata. A request for the Internet asset can be received. The request can be received from an asset consumer that can invoke the Internet asset using the format protocol. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249886 | Satellite radio-based on-demand purchase system - A system for purchasing and downloading an audio file broadcasted through a satellite network to a predetermined storage device. The system includes a hub site containing a resident database of audio file content, transmission means, a satellite network for transmitting the audio files to subscribers, a portable satellite transceiver unit for receiving the satellite broadcasts, a purchase request function and signal for notifying the hub site of the subscriber's desire to purchase the broadcast audio file, and a storage device for receiving a download of the audio file from the hub site. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249887 | Methods and Apparatus for Freshness and Completeness of Information - A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249888 | AUTOMATIC BIDDING AGENTS FOR AUCTION SYSTEM - There is provided a system which enables human-like automatic bidding by combining a plurality of processing functions with a bidding logic of absentee agents for absent participants of an auction system. Absentee agents, present in an auction server, receive price distribution and perform bidding similarly to on-site human participants. Absentee information is given to the absentee agent at the start of an auction, and absentee agents make bids autonomously and in cooperation with one another. In order to perform the human-like bidding, each agent makes a bid by combining (1) bidding possibility determination processing, (2) final bidding determination processing, (3) repeat bidding determination processing, (4) repeat bidding prohibition determination processing, (5) right acquisition bidding determination processing, and (6) character bidding determination processing. Here, the character bidding determination processing determines a bidding atmosphere from the rate of bidding and the number of bidders, and dynamically assigns a character to each absentee agent. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249889 | Information communication system, content output apparatus, user apparatus, content delivery apparatus, and methods for controlling content output apparatus, user apparatus, and content delivery apparatus - In an information communication system, a portable apparatus stores owned content information as list information about a content already purchased by a user. The portable apparatus transmits the owned content information to an in-vehicle apparatus capable of wireless communication. When the in-vehicle apparatus does not store the content the user already purchased, the in-vehicle apparatus acquires content data for the content from a content delivery server. The information communication system can automatically supplement the in-vehicle apparatus to be used by the user with the content the user already purchased. As a result, the user can use the already purchased content on the in-vehicle apparatus without any inconvenient operations. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249890 | ANONYMOUS ONLINE MATCHING FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for anonymous online matching for products and services. A listing party uploads a detailed profile (e.g., indicating goods and/or service they desire to purchase) to a matching system. The matching system, automatically and/or manually, detects a match with a potential seller. The matching system sends a redacted profile to the potential seller. The redacted profile includes product and/or service information but omits indentify information of the listing party. The seller determines if further investigation is worthwhile (e.g., purchase of the detailed profile including identify information) based on the content of the redacted profile. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249891 | Method for Presenting Visual Assets for Sale, Using Search Engines - The present invention relates to a method for causing purchasable visual assets that can otherwise be accessed only by the visual assets provider' proprietary search engine, to appear within the result lists of public search engines, comprising: providing for each of said purchasable visual assets web page which includes at least the following: (a)—a representation image of said purchasable asset; (b) textual description best describing the content of said purchasable visual asset; (c) indication within said page or representation image for indicating that the asset is purchasable; and (d) a link to said stock library where the purchasable visual asset is sold. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249892 | Method and system for determining a value of a portion of content - There is provided a method for use by a computing device for determining a value of a portion of content selected by a user. The content can be, for example, a movie or a television program that includes approximately 30 frames per second. Then, data defining a beginning and an ending of the portion of content is received from the user. Metadata associated with at least one frame included in the portion of content selected by the user is processed by the computing device. For example, the metadata can include information describing the subject matter included in the frame or information indicating various attributes of the frame. Thereafter, one or more frame values are determined using the metadata. The value of the portion of content is then determined using the one or more frame values. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249893 | Apparatus and method for the ordering and creation of physical digital media - The ability of retail stores to sell digital products through the secure distribution and delivery of digital video and/or audio content directly to a Portable Multimedia Device or a memory module that inserts into a portable media device. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249894 | Product samples, methods for producing product samples and methods for distribution of product samples - The invention is directed to a device and methods for assisting in the selection of finishing materials or products such as countertop materials, flooring materials or products or a wide variety of other finish materials or products that are not conducive to forming product samples having desired characteristics. The devices may include a base substrate having an image of a finish material or product provided thereon, and a layer of material which provides a predetermined visual appearance shift in the image associated with the base substrate to make a laminate. The top surface of the laminate may be provided with a surface texture to form a product sample which closely simulates the color, pattern, texture and/or gloss, reflectance or light absorption associated with an actual predetermined finish material or product. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a product sample comprising the steps of providing a base substrate and forming an image on the substrate relating to a predetermined color and design of a finishing material or product. A layer of material is applied to the substrate to cause a predetermined visual appearance shift in the image formed on the base substrate to form a laminate. The top surface of the laminate is provided with predetermined surface texturing to provide a sample which closely simulates the color, pattern and texture of a predetermined finishing material or product. The present invention also relates to offering product samples via the Internet or other distribution channels not presently used to provide the user with desired product samples. The invention provides significant advantages in the selection of finishing materials for the consumer, or may be provided to architects and designers in various forms to facilitate use. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249895 | Consumer preference driven negotiation apparatus, system, and method - An apparatus, system, and method to display information identifying an attribute such as a product preference associated with a purchased product under control of a client system. Information identifying a product attribute associated with a purchased product is displayed on a client system. The product attribute includes features that are not included in the purchase of the product. The request for the product attribute is received from a user. The request is transmitted to a host system. The host system determines whether to assign the product attribute to the user based on the request relative to other requests for the product attribute until the product attribute is no longer available for assignment. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249896 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REQUESTING PRODUCTS - A system and method for selling product is provided. In accordance with one aspect, shoppers using an Internet-based commerce site may request custom designed products rather than mass produced products from willing sellers. Shoppers may provide terms under which the custom good must be manufactured. Various systems and methods may also provide a platform for shoppers and sellers to negotiate terms and/or to incorporate negotiated terms into such requests. According to some embodiments, the system and method for selling product facilitates fabrication, delivery and payment for customized goods. In one embodiment, requests for customized goods may be fulfilled by multiple sellers. One example includes multiple sellers fulfilling a custom request, and another includes multiple sellers each producing a part of a desired quantity for a custom request, among other options. One aspect also includes allowing shoppers to request custom made products from one or more manufacturers. One aspect includes placing a public request for bids to manufacture a custom product and accepting offers from manufacturers to fulfill the bids. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249897 | Electronic Commerce System for the Digital Fashion Using an Avatar Based on a User and Method for Operating the Same - A shopping-mall system utilizing user-based avatars comprises a terminal for transmitting user's three-dimensional image data through a wired or wireless communication network and then selecting any one of items provided through the wired or wireless communication network to receive an avatar image wearing the selected item and to transmit purchase specification information for purchasing the selected item. An avatar creation server receives the three-dimensional image data from the terminal and then creates an avatar image. A three-dimensional shopping-mall server puts any one item selected among a plurality of items stored therein on the avatar image created by the avatar creation server to provide the terminal with the avatar image wearing the item, and then performs an electronic commerce transaction with the terminal on the receipt of the purchase specification information of the selected item. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249898 | Method, system, and apparatus to identify products in proximity to mobile device - Present invention disclosed a method of product search comprising of first product database containing seller information, seller product information, and product location; second product database containing buyer product request; first application in mobile device having means to determine mobile device location at pre determined intervals and having means to automatically communicate mobile device location to second application; second application having means to match first and second product databases and mobile device location at pre determined intervals to generate local matching products database; mobile device having display means for products contained in local matching product database. According to another aspect of the invention, a method to inform sellers of potential buyers in proximity of seller location is disclosed. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249899 | System and Method for Inventory - Systems and methods for conducting an inventory of items at a retail or wholesale site include affixing RFID transponders to items and a computer-assisted inventory procedure determines which items are present at the retail or wholesale location, and the locations of these items, and provides instructions to operators as to how to proceed with the inventory. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249900 | Methods and Systems For Managing Dealer Inventories - A computer-implemented method and system for maintaining a plurality of dealer inventories in a supply chain management system comprising a plurality of dealer inventory data objects representing dealer inventories, a plurality of interfaces for accessing the dealer inventory data objects and a plurality of participants within the supply chain management system, wherein the dealer inventory data objects are stored with the supply chain management system; the dealer inventory data objects located with the supply chain management system of a second participant are owned by a first participant; the participants are accessing the dealer inventory data objects, wherein the first and the second participant having read and write permissions and the further participants having read permissions; and the interfaces are adapted to support online collaboration between the participants. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249901 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED APPROPRIATION OF EMBEDDED SERVICES, SOFTWARE, AND COMPONENT AMORTIZATION - A system for unbundling revenue. In response to receiving an order for a product from a customer, a revenue bill of materials is determined for the ordered product. Amortization schedules are differentiated for revenue components within the bill of materials for the ordered product that require an amortization schedule. Then, each of the revenue components within the bill of materials are assigned to an appropriate revenue account. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249902 | Process and system for automated collection of business information from a business entity's accounting system - There is provided a method, performed by a processor. The method includes obtaining accounting data from a first database, and sending the accounting data to a second database, wherein the second database is located remotely from the first database. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249903 | LONGEVITY AND MORTALITY INDICES AND ASSOCIATED TRADABLE FINANCIAL PRODUCTS - The document describes creation of one or more families of longevity and mortality indices, some or all of which may be tradable. In addition, this document describes tradable derivatives and other financial products whose value or payment obligations may be tied in some manner to one or more of the created longevity and mortality indices. | 2008-10-09 |
20080249904 | COUNTING AND BILLING MECHANISM FOR WEB-SERVICES BASED ON A SOAP-COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL - The present invention discloses a system and method for counting Web-Services by means of a Resource-Counter Service offered as an own, independent Web-Service based on a SOAP communication protocol as well as a system and method for billing Web-Services using the result of the Resource-Counter Service for calculation of a charge. The Resource-Counter Service may be accessed by all Service-Provider having service description of the Resource-Counter Service. The service description for the Resource-Counter Service may be preferably created and published by the Service-Provider, categorized by the Service-Broker, and can be found and used to invoke the Resource-Counter Service by all Service-Provider using a charging model for their Web-Services. The Resource-Counter Service mainly provides the functionality to create all necessary data allowing calculation of the charge for the use of a Web-Service. The final calculation of the charge itself may be done by a separate specific accounting and bill presentment component. | 2008-10-09 |