42nd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 55 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080255946 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Real Time Communications and Commerce via a Social Network - Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, a social network is used to provide information about an advertiser to demonstrate the trustworthiness of the advertiser to potential customers. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a customer for a document; and providing the customer with an advertisement embedded in the document, the advertisement including information to identify an advertiser of the advertisement based on a social network. In one embodiment, the presentation of the advertisement or the advertiser is at least partially based on the social network. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255947 | MOBILE COMMERCE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods, systems, and machine readable media are disclosed for Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for utilizing mobile electronic devices in various types of financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a system for supporting mobile commerce applications can comprise a management and control layer. The management and control layer can be adapted to control communications to and from mobile wallet applications. The system can also have a gateway services layer communicatively coupled with the management and control layer and a plurality of content provider systems communicatively coupled with the gateway services layer. The content provider systems can be adapted to provide financial transaction content or services related to the mobile commerce functions of the mobile wallet applications via the management and control layer and gateway services layer. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255948 | VENTURE FUND INVESTING POINTS CARD - A process of controlling transaction cards to provide benefits of a rewards program contribution to a venture fund, which serves to identify potential investors through an application process for financial transaction card offerings, allowing recipients of the venture card to make purchases of products and services using the venture fund card, and taking a portion of the transaction value of a transaction to be used by one or more venture funds. Venture fund card activity statements to individual cardholders can include additional information regarding fund or funds in which the cardholder has invested or potential investment opportunities. Cardholders could be provided with an option to increase holdings in a particular venture fund associated with the venture fund card, or to liquidate investments in the associated venture funds. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255949 | Method and System for Measuring Non-Verbal and Pre-Conscious Responses to External Stimuli - Systems and methods of employing experimental tasks, neurological and physiological recording devices, and a sequenced process of data acquisition and analysis to produce measurements of pre-verbal and pre-conscious brain processes. An array of measurement devices are connected non-invasively to an individual (the subject). The subject experiences one or more external stimuli via any combination of senses, including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and/or gustatory. Experimental tasks, data acquisition, analysis, and/or presentation steps are processed to ascertain the subject's pre-verbal and pre-conscious responses to the external stimuli, including attentional triggering, emotional valence and arousal, interest, engagement, and activation of higher cognitive processes such as memory, preference formation, and decision making. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255950 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE SALE OF PRODUCTS THROUGH THE INTERNET BY DISPLAYING ADVERTISING BANNERS - A method and a system for the sale of products through the Internet by displaying advertising banners in a web page; the display system has: a server computer connected to the Internet; a memory space, stored in which is an advertising-banner template, a plurality of advertising messages, and for each advertising message at least one respective criterion of choice; a processing device of the server computer for determining, following upon a request for loading the web page by a remote client device connected to the Internet, at least one characteristic of the navigation context of the remote client device itself, a comparison device of the server computer for comparing the characteristic of the navigation context with the criteria of choice; a generation device of the server computer for generating dynamically an advertising banner using the advertising-banner template; and a communication device of the server computer for transferring the advertising banner to the remote client device. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255951 | METHOD FOR GENERATION OF EXCESS FUNDS FROM CREDIT INSTRUMENTS EARMARKED FOR PERSONAL USE AND DISTRIBUTION - A method of generating excess funds through use of a credit instrument, the excess funds being earmarked for at least one entity. The method including the steps of: at least one credit issuer affiliating a credit instrument with the at least one entity; at least one consumer obtaining the affiliated credit instrument and using it to make one or more purchase transactions at one or more points of sale, each transaction having an amount of purchase; and the at least one credit issuer processing each of the one or more purchase transactions using the following steps: performing credit instrument transaction processing procedures using a credit instrument processing network; at a period predefined for generating excess funds determining if an instrument used to pay for the purchase transaction being processed is the affiliated credit instrument; and if the instrument is the affiliated credit instrument, generating funds in excess of a sum total amount of all purchase transactions made using the instrument at all points of sale. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255952 | USING VIEWERSHIP PROFILES FOR TARGETED PROMOTION DEPLOYMENT - A system for generating viewership profiles to facilitate distributing promotions based on the profiles to one or more network devices, such as set top boxes. The system includes a promotion agent associated with each network device which collects viewing activity data of the network device. For example, the viewing activity data may include a channel the network device was tuned to, a time when the network device was tuned to the channel, and a time the network device was tuned away from the channel. The collected viewing activity data is then transmitted, for example, every twenty-four hours, to a life-cycle manager server, which also periodically receives a program schedule. The program schedule typically specifies the channel on which a particular program was displayed, as well as the time the program was shown. The life-cycle manager server correlates the viewing activity data with the program schedule to generate the viewership profile of the network device. The life cycle manager server determines the viewing behavior for four, eight, and twelve week periods, for example, or for a time period specified by a user. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255953 | Tier-based Dynamic Incentive Arbitration in an On-Demand Computing Environment - A system for allocating resources which are anticipated to be available in an on-demand computing at some time in the future, wherein a producer trending agent (PTA) lists resources according to a trend prediction of resource availability in the past, a consumer trending agent (CTA) places bids for listed resources according to previous resource usage trends, and an arbitration system (REAS) matches the bids with the listings to determine if a match exists. If so, a binding contract for consumption of the matched listed resources is established. The PTA also produce tier-based dynamic incentive (TDI) schema which divides potential bidders into tiers, and offers additional resource incentives according to the tiers. Both PTA and CTA dynamically update their available/usage trends, listings and bids, over time. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255954 | E-coupon service for location-aware mobile commerce which determines whether to supply requested e-coupons based on the number of requests received in a processing cycle, and a threshold number of requests required to make expected returns from redeemed coupons greater than advertising fees - A conditional e-coupon distribution method distributes e-coupons predefined by sellers to mobile users only if the number of mobile users requesting such e-coupons equals or exceeds a threshold. The method receives a request to browse e-coupons from a mobile user. The method receives the location of the mobile user and determines a plurality of sellers local to the mobile electronic device and a plurality of corresponding e-coupons available from the local sellers. The method receives a request for a particular e-coupon from a seller and authorizes the provision of said e-coupon to the mobile user. At the end of a processing cycle, the mobile user receives the requested e-coupon if all conditions, such as a period of time and threshold, have been met. A computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein allows for storage of the method. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255955 | Weight Management System with Simple Data Input - A weight management system comprises a cash register (CRS), a user client (UC) and a weight management module (WM), coupled via a wide area network (WAN). A user has a personal card (PC) with a code, the code identifying the user to the cash register and being related to a user ID. The cash register system (CRS) is arranged for sending, when the user pays the food item, corresponding food intake information and the user ID to the weight management module (WM). The weight management module (WM) comprises a food information system, a calorie intake component and a calorie balance component. The food information system stores a respective calorie content for a plurality of food items. The calorie intake component is coupled to the food information system and calculates an amount of calories taken by the user based on the received food intake information. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255956 | System and Method for Creating Personal Websites - A system and a method for creating a personal website in a public website on the Internet. At least one RFID transponder is intended to be placed at a physical sales meeting premise. A website configuration system includes an element to create the personal website in the public website on the Internet. At least one portable unit includes an RFID reader and an element for wirelessly communicating data to the website configuration system. Each portable unit is arranged to send data, which via its RFID reader has been read from at least one RFID transponder, to the website configuration system, which is arranged to create the personal website in the public website on the Internet based on said data. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE ITEM PUBLICATION AND MARKETPLACE WITHIN VIRTUAL WORLDS - A system and method for publishing information about items and allowing internet shopping within virtual worlds. A server based application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate with virtual world servers and the client programs that work with the virtual world servers. For example, a consumer within a virtual world may approach a billboard that will allow the user to interact with a real internet-based marketplace that is available in the real world. Both real world and virtual world items may be purchased from the internet-based marketplace after locating a desired item within the virtual world. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255958 | Approach for trading copyrighted movie or music clip as individual copyrighted frame - According to the approach, a copyrighted movie or music clip can be divided into in individual copyrighted movie frame or clip in it plural form. Each frame then can be sold or traded as independent copyrighted item. The “dividend” approach allows each frame owner to share the loyalty money of the whole movie or music clip. The “contract right” governs the right to approved loyalty contract. The “buyout right” governs the right to buy all remaining frame of the movie or clip. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255959 | INEXPENSIVE METHOD FOR PROVIDING VENDORS WITH THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF MEDICAMENTS FOR RESALE - A method that allows manufactures of medicaments to provide vendors with vendor's uniquely branded OTC medicaments for resale, the method comprising the steps of providing a manufacture's website, allowing vendor's to access the website, then having vendors choose a medicament from the wesite, then allowing vendors to review an FDA approved description of the medicament, then having the vendor choose a certain template for the labeling of the medicament and allowing vendor to fill certain fields so that vendor's contact information and branding can be incorporated within the template, then having the vendor preview the labeling created by the website and providing vendor with an option to order a certain quantity of medicament or to go back to the previous screen of website, then if an order was made in the previous step, providing thevendor with a secured page for paying, then delivering the medicaments to the vendor. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255960 | Managing retail transactions - An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for retail transactions. A display unit shows product information on a product. A transaction controller provides the product information. A database stores at least one of the product information and customer information. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255961 | PRODUCT INFORMATION DISPLAY AND PURCHASING - A method of providing additional information to a viewer of a moving image file is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing one or more tags within the moving image file indicating the existence of additional product information; visually indicating the existence of the tags alongside or over the moving image; detecting a request to view the product information associated with the one or more tags; pausing the moving image; and displaying the requested product information over the paused image. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255962 | DISTRIBUTED COMMERCE APPLICATION-WIDGET - In some example embodiments, a system and method are illustrated as including generating an item page that includes widget code and details related to an item for sale. Some example embodiments may include making the widget code available for retrieval from the item page. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255963 | Method for Displaying Catalog Information in an E-Commerce System - Method to visualize the information related to a catalog on an processing device ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255964 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SEARCHING ITEMS USING EQUITY - A method of marketing items, such as vehicles, is disclosed. The method may include creating a vehicle listing for a user by receiving input from the user relating to a specific vehicle. The listing may be created over a global computer network through a user interface such as a webpage. The user input may include an asking price for the vehicle, information relating to the type, make, model and specifications of the vehicle, as well as mileage and condition of the vehicle. As part of the method, access may be provided to a vehicle information database that comprises average retail values, average trade-in values and other vehicle data for comparison. The user input may then be compared to the vehicle information database, resulting in a vehicle listing for marketing the vehicle to potential purchasers. The vehicle listing may illustrate an amount of equity in that particular vehicle, which may be calculated by subtracting the asking price from the average national retail price, thereby indicating to a potential purchaser the value in the vehicle. Multiple listings may then be gathered in a database, which may be searched and accessed by the public and potential purchasers. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255965 | METHOD OF SOLICITING BIDS FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE - A method of marketing items, such as vehicles, is disclosed. The method may include providing a database of contact information of potential purchasers including vehicle dealers. The database may be accessible via a global computer network. The method may include receiving input describing desired sales locations from vendors desiring to sell vehicles. The vendors may also supply data describing the vehicles to be sold. The data regarding the vehicles to be sold may be submitted to the dealers in the sales location selected by the vendor. The dealers may be allowed to assess the data and provide purchase offers. The purchase offers may be submitted to the vendors such that the vendors can quickly sell vehicles at a fair price. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255966 | Method and Apparatus For Facilitating Sales of Goods By Independent Parties - A method for facilitating sales and pricing of independent parties' goods. The method removes price control from buyers and sellers by deriving a sale price from an index price using a method set by either the seller or a third party. The index price is provided by a party other than the buyer or seller. The sale price may be derived at a time of sale or at a time of registering the good for sale. The standard ID code of readily identifiable, fungible, durable goods is used by sellers to identify used goods to the marketeer. The marketeer exploits the nature of such goods by choosing the price of a comparable new good as an index price and deriving a discounted sale price for the used good from the price of a new good having essentially the same value due to its fungible, durable nature. A best price for a good is ensured by using as the index price a lowest price among a group of vendors for a comparable good. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255967 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPARISON SHOPPING - Embodiments of computer implemented systems and methods for comparison shopping are described. One example embodiment includes receiving a data resource associated with a web page, the web page including an offering of a product and product offering terms, extracting product descriptors from the data source, requesting a search of marketplace offerings of the product based on the product descriptors, receiving results of the search (the results including marketplace offering terms of the marketplace offerings of the product), and displaying the marketplace offering terms, thereby facilitating comparison of the product offering terms with the marketplace offering terms. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255968 | TIME-BASED PHYSICAL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - The present disclosure relates to software for performing and managing physical inventory processing. The physical inventory processing may be performed by a software application. The software can be operable to analyze timestamp data associated with a physical count of the inventory and timestamps associated with a movement of goods in the physical inventory. The timestamp may include a date and a time to an appropriate level of granularity as to quickly or easily distinguish between goods movement or to appropriately process or ignore such movement in calculating book stock. The analysis can dynamically calculate book stock that reflects the physical inventory by comparing timestamp data over a particular time period. This physical count can be performed utilizing a scanning device that automatically associates an initial timestamp for an inventory item. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255969 | Parts list system used for part number management and method for preparing the same - A method of preparing parts list system used for part numbers management, composed of a parts table database and a parts list controller. The parts table database includes a parts list which stores a state data and a part number data. The state data indicates a progress state of a part. The part number data includes a number of the part as an identifier. The method comprises preparing a part list storing the state data and part number data, setting the state data to indicate permission to change a part number, assigning a tentative part number, setting the state data after changing design of the part, defining the tentative part number as a normal part number, and checking validation of the tentative part number versus used part numbers and whether the tentative part number complies with predetermined rules for each part number data. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255970 | Method, system,apparatus or device for providing reconciled bookkeeping or accounting electronically - A method for providing bookkeeping or accounting electronically. More particularly, this invention relates to a system or method for creating a reconciled set of electronic books by firstly introducing and integrating an accounting classification code or codes into the transaction data routinely captured by financial institutions at the time of the financial transaction to form a data aggregate on the financial institution server; the access by and transfer to the server of a person, business or entity, or a service provider authorised by the person, business or entity, of those data aggregates; the processing of that data into a form or state compatible with the operating requirements of a bookkeeping or accounting program used to prepare the financial records of the person, business or entity and the transfer of the processed data into the program ledger, journal or cash book to produce a set of electronic books for a period. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255971 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SELF-AUDITING FOR RECOVERING SALES TAX - This invention relates to a method and system of self-auditing for recovering refundable sales taxes, including but not limited to value-added (VAT), by performing specifically established tax compliance algorithmic functions. Business entities are entitled to recover tax paid on purchased goods and services. The method and system allow the business to conduct self-audit on their own accounting system, which contains its business related accounts payable accounting transaction data in order to extract specific data anomalies related to sales tax entitlements. The method and system process and identify specific transaction details and calculate differential monetary currency tax recovery amounts that have been overlooked as tax entitlements or overpaid in error to vendors for their determination of their net tax owing to various government bodies. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255972 | LEGAL BILLING ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of creating a finalized invoice, having steps of creating a preliminary invoice, the invoice including individual tasks for activities accomplished, submitting the preliminary invoice to an automated rules engine, searching the preliminary invoice for keywords that define possible violations of a company's litigation billing guidelines, highlighting any invoice task that contains identified keywords that would define a possible violation of a company's litigation billing guidelines, querying a user to accept changes to an invoice task based upon the identified keywords, and modifying the preliminary invoice into the finalized invoice after the accepted changes have been conducted after the querying of the user. Using the searchable database to create reports that provide average rates charged by law firms on specific types of legal matters in all geographic areas, reports to evaluate which tasks are not being fully compensated by a specific company or legal auditing system, reports to evaluate the average cost to defend specific types of cases in specific jurisdictions. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255973 | Sales transaction analysis tool and associated method of use - A computer implemented sales transaction tool and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes at least one processor configured to receive sales transaction information and programmed to provide the following functionality: a series of control functions that can be selectively activated by input to the processor for creating at least one subset of the sales transaction information, a plurality of graphical representations that are generated based on the selected subset of sales transaction information, and displaying at least one graphical representation of the plurality of graphical representations on an electronic display associated with the processor. Graphical representations of sales transaction information may include a slope and scatter diagram of sales transaction information, a waterfall chart, waterfall transactional analysis, a time series chart, a price sensor, a margin sensor, a break-even analysis graph and a bubble chart. There are graphical representations to evaluate opportunity of moving low margin products to average margins of comparable products and determining value for products having a single customer. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255974 | Techniques to manage financial performance data exchange with standard taxonomies - Techniques to manage financial performance data are described. An apparatus may include an online analytical processing database with a multidimensional data model, and a business information exchange module communicatively coupled to the online analytical processing database. The business information exchange module may import a taxonomy to the multidimensional data model, create a business model using the multidimensional data model, and export financial data from the business model to an extensible business reporting language instance document. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255975 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THIN-FILE RECORDS AND DETERMINING THIN-FILE RISK LEVELS - In some embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for generating filters to determine whether a consumer is likely to have a scoreable credit record based on non-credit data, and to determine a potential risk level associated with an unscoreable credit record based on non-credit data. Existing scoreable and unscoreable records are compared to determine factors correlated with having an unscoreable record, and a multi-level filter is developed. Unscoreable records having at least one entry are compared to determine whether they are “good” or “bad” risks, factors correlated with either condition are determined, and a filter is developed. The filters can be applied to records comprising demographic data to determine consumers that are likely to have unscoreable records but represent good risks. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255976 | Systems and Methods to Present Members of a Social Network for Real Time Communications - Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and/or commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining data representing a social network of a plurality of members, including a first member and a second member; and providing the first member with information to present the second member, the information including a communication reference of a connection provider, the communication reference to be used to request the connection provider to establish a connection for real time communications between the first and second members without revealing a communication reference of the second member to the first member. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255977 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Searches via Social Network - Methods and apparatuses to search listings using a social network. One embodiment includes: receiving a search request from a first user of a social network, the search request including a specified distance in the social network; in response to the search request, identifying listings of a plurality of entities based at least in part on identifying one or more second users within the specified distance from the first user in the social network, the one or more second users being priori customers of the entities; and presenting the listings to the first user on behalf of the entities. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255978 | Double-Blind Financial Services Information Marketplace - An information marketplace is provided in which information items are received from various sources. Each item and the item providers carry descriptors that identify various attributes of the information being provided and by whom it is being provided. Requests for information are received from information consumers that are also tagged with attributes describing the consumer and the information being requested. A subset of the information available in the marketplace is provided to the consumer based on a degree of match among the characteristics describing the information, the attributes associated with the provider of the information, and the attributes associated with the consumer without identifying the actionable investment opportunity to the information consumer or identifying the information consumer to the information provider. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255979 | WELLNESS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND INTEGRATION WITH PAYROLL VENDOR SYSTEMS - A computer implemented method is disclosed for receiving employee usage information associated with at least one employee's usage of a wellness program. A status level associated with the at least one employee for the wellness program is determined based on the employee usage information. A status level indicates a degree of participation in the wellness program. A data set is created comprising at least the status level associated with the at least one employee. The data set is in a format acceptable by a payroll vendor without conversion of the data set. The data set is then sent to an employer of the at least one employee. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255980 | CARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of registering a credit card user's credit card information by a credit card management organization. A card user accesses the card management computer system in a computer network. The method provides a user interface whereby the user grants authorization to the card management organization to obtain the card user's credit report from a credit reporting bureau. The method further transmits a request for the user's credit report to a credit reporting bureau and automatically downloads the user's credit report when received. The method further parses the credit report to determine a card issuer for each card on the credit report using a database of card issuer aliases. The method then fully or partially automatically registers each card with the user's account in the card management association and then presents the opportunity to the user to review and edit each card. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255981 | Method for securing card transaction by using mobile device - A method for securing card transaction by using mobile device is a method of personal card transaction added with a mechanism of mobile device so that it is capable of preventing the card from being embezzled and counterfeited effectively. Hence, it is possible for the card proprietor to place more trust in the safety of card transaction. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255982 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REBROKERING ORDERS IN A TRADING SYSTEM - Systems and methods are described herein for supporting the trading of bonds in a computerized system using broker dealers as intermediaries. Broker dealers receive orders relating to particular transactions and have the option to accept the order by submitting a matching counter order, or to rebroker the order with the same or modified terms to a number of other investors or additional broker dealers. The additional broker dealers have similar options, thus providing a system wherein orders can be quickly proliferated to a large number of parties. This order proliferation can be fully or partially automated through the use of predefined rules stored in a database which dictate for each broker dealer whether, to whom and under what terms to rebroker orders. When an order is received, the system processes all such rules to output a set of orders which are then communicated to the corresponding parties. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255983 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BAIT GENERATION - The present invention relates to a system and method for generating and managing bait orders in high performance computer systems, in particular it relates to a computer system and method for bait generation in high performance trading systems. The present invention removes bait orders when the base order has changed in such a way so that the bait order is not tradable. Thereafter the invention regenerates the bait order at a later time. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255984 | RESOURCE PROVISION COORDINATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A resource provision coordination system includes an enrollment module enrolling members who wish to transact with their clientele, including obtaining promises of members to pay fees in exchange for membership, approving members for financing of credit lines, and creating member accounts having the credit lines associated therewith in computer readable memory. A datastore of member offerings includes resources supplied by engaged resource providers and offered to the members at least one of exclusively or according to terms not available to non-members. A coordinated resource provision environment provides community and a la carte resources at least to the members. The community resources include at least base offerings supplied to members by at least a resource provision coordinator in exchange for the fees. The a la carte resources include at least the member offerings. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255985 | Novel Method for Creating a Mortgage Moratorium - A method for creating a moratorium period for a mortgage, comprising the following the steps: creating an equity loan amount to be loaned based upon the value of a mortgagee's property; determining the monthly payment on the loan; determining a period of months which the mortgagee desires to avoid personally making monthly payments; placing a portion of the loan amount equal to the monthly payments for the desired period of months into a fund; and making the monthly payments for the predetermined period from the fund. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255986 | Targeting an Individual Customer for a Credit Card Promotion at a Point of Sale - Techniques are described for targeting customers with offers for pre-approved credit. The techniques can be employed while the customer is engaged in a business transaction at a merchant's point-of-sale by pre-screening for creditworthiness using basic customer information known to the merchant. The pre-screening can be performed on behalf of a single lender or in a cascading fashion on behalf of multiple lenders should the customer fail initial pre-screens. Additionally, techniques are described for using a cascading approach on customer-initiated credit applications, such that an applicant declined credit from one lender is automatically considered for credit from another lender via an arrangement between the lenders. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255987 | Composite Settlement System - Provided is a composite settlement system, including: a card; a terminal; and a management server, the card being capable of connecting to the management server via the card terminal, for storing management information on a card holder; the card terminal being capable of connecting to the card and the management server, the management server being capable of connecting to the card terminal and a computer of a financial institution, in which each of at least two business entities is allowed to execute a transaction and settlement with the financial institution based on an instruction issued from the card terminal connected to the card, whereby it is possible to improve convenience of a user by eliminating the need for carrying a plurality of cards different between business entities. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255988 | INTERACTIVE MEMORIALS - A memorial center is configured to receive a notification, where the notification includes identification information. The memorial center is further configured to authenticate the identification information contained in the notification, thereby creating authenticated data. The memorial center is further configured to receive a request to provide the authenticated data to a designee, and further configured to provide the authenticated data to the designee. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255989 | Systems and Methods to Facilitate Real Time Communications between Members of a Social Network - Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications and/or commerce via a social network. In one embodiment, communication references are provided to facilitate the requests for real time communications with a member of the social network via a connection provider, which performs scheduling, filtering, payment processing, etc. for the member of the social network. In one embodiment, a method includes, responsive to a request from a first member of a social network, determining a preference of a second member of the social network based at least in part on a characteristic of a social connection between the first and second members who are not socially directly connected in the social network; and facilitating real time communications between the first and second members in accordance with the preference. In one embodiment, the presentation of the advertisement or the advertiser is at least partially based on the social network. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255990 | On-Line Generation and Verification of Personalised Money - Personalised money may be produced on-line and carry an identifier having at least a first and a second data set. The first data set may represent a unique item identifier and the second data set other item related information. Both data sets are encrypted and printed on the money, for example encoded in a data matrix symbol. The user may present the printed money for redemption at which point the data matrix symbol is scanned to retrieve the encrypted data sets. The data set including the unique identifier may be sent to a remote location for decryption and comparison against a stored identifier. The second data set may be decrypted and compared locally. Different encryption may be used for the two data sets. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255991 | Payment System and a Realizing Method Thereof - A payment system, including: a payment unit, a gateway connecting to the payment unit, an intelligent peripheral and a service management point; the payment unit stores the data of users, the data of merchants and goods. The system authenticates a transaction request issued by the user using the data, and sends the transaction request passing through the authorization to the merchant; it also authenticates a payment request issued by the merchant and processes the payment service; the gateway and the intelligent peripheral provide modes of accessing the payment unit; the service management point provides a management interface and manages the user data in the payment unit according to commands received from the management interface. The invention also discloses a mobile communication payment method. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255992 | Double recognizing method by means of telephone number and identification code for online credit card transactions over the internet - The present invention relates to a “double recognizing method by means of telephone number and identification code for online credit card transactions over the internet,” in which the credit card holder not only registers a “self-chosen code” by himself/herself for VBV (Verified By VISA) or MSC (MasterCard SecureCode) network identity verification but also registers another set of “telephone number and identification code” by himself/herself for serving as an exclusive personal double identity recognizing information for online credit card transactions. The credit card issuing bank registers and stores the set of “telephone number and identification code” on a double recognizing database after checking truth of the related identity certificate provided by the credit card holder. When the credit card issuing bank handles the online credit card transaction of the credit card holder over the network, the credit card issuing bank not only proceeds the check on the “self-chosen code” used in the original VBV or MSC verification system but also performs the double check on the “telephone number and identification code” used in the telecommunications transceiving processor platform of the internal credit card double recognizing computer system, for example by sending out a short message to the credit card holder for requesting him/her to immediately reply by another short message to his/her “telephone number and identification code.” | 2008-10-16 |
20080255993 | Mobile payment and accounting system with integrated user defined credit and security matrixes - A platform that accommodates financial transactions and is accessible via mobile phone networks, Internet and traditional methods is linked to user defined credit and security matrixes. Credit risk tolerance factors consider the qualifications, characteristics, and profile of counterparties. Security risk tolerance factors consider the user's willingness to use a particular financial platform in an environment where abuse, fraud, theft, and other security factors are of concern. In both cases the user creates matrixes that describe risk tolerance and financial transactions must successfully pass through the filters designed by the user. The system can be used alone or linked to bank accounts, credit and debit accounts, etc. This provides a higher level of security and risk control in a mobile or Web-based environment. By giving customers way to control risk, use of new electronic methods of payment and other financial transactions can be accommodated in a more comfortable, secure, and efficient manner. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255994 | Content Preview - Techniques enable creation of a preview license for digital content. In some instances, the preview license indicates that it allows a content-consuming device to consume less than all of the content. This preview license may create a list specifying multiple portions of the digital content that the content-consuming device may consume. These techniques may also present to a device user an offer to purchase rights to consume all of the digital content after consumption of the preview-licensed portion(s). In other instances, a content server may embed the preview license into a content package that contains the digital content, allowing the server to distribute the package to multiple devices. In still other instances, the preview license may be bound to a domain rather than to individual devices. This allows member devices to share the digital content and the preview license, such that each member device may enjoy the preview experience. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255995 | POINT OF DELIVERY/SALE SIGNATURE CAPTURE SYSTEM AND PROCESS - A device, system and method for the collection and management of point of delivery/sale information. A device is described that combines transaction data and a captured signature into the same file or data packet for storage in a database. Additionally, a system and method are described for using the device to record point of sale/delivery data, associate the recorded point of sale/delivery data with relevant transaction data, save the point of sale/delivery data and the transaction data into the same file, and store the image file in a database for later retrieval. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255996 | System and Method for Exchanging Assets in a Network - A first negotiation ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255997 | ENTERPRISE INTEGRATED BUSINESS PROCESS SCHEMA - A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for exchanging process model data between process authoring tools in a process management system. A set of information requirements for exchanging the process model data between process authoring tools using different process model exchange formats within the process management system is identified. A definition of a common process model exchange format is extended to include a set of common objects using the set of information requirements to form a common process model exchange format. The set of common objects are supported between a source process authoring tool and a target process authoring tool in the process authoring tools. An output file is generated using the common process model exchange format. The common process model exchange format is compatible with a process model exchange format used by the target process authoring tool. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255998 | Construction Asset Backed Securities Method With Pud Auction Through Internet - The present invention is relating to the construction asset backed securities method through Internet, wherein above the method comprising the following steps: —registering developers, enterprises (Special Purpose Company; SPC) and financial institutions accessed to the PUD auction server as main bodies for development project; —proposing the project land for auction received the consents of enrolled landowners within the subject districts, after determining the project boundary with the Optimal Zoning Program in GIS fold of the Geography and Image server (S | 2008-10-16 |
20080255999 | Method and System for Effecting Straight-Through- Processing of Trades of Various Financial Instruments - A Straight-Through-Processing (STP) trading platform provides a fully electronic and seamless solution to all substantially aspects of the trading cycle for fixed income instruments and other financial instruments. In an exemplary embodiment, all participants to a trade transaction have access to computer software that facilitates trade order management, trade order generation, trade execution (including electronic axes), trade allocation, allocation acknowledgement, trade confirmation, and finally acquisition of settlement instructions. In said exemplary embodiment, the STP trading platform includes computer software modules including at least an account management module and an electronic trading module to handle the various stages of executing a trade, confirming the trade, and facilitating settlement of the trade. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256000 | Method and system for providing a fixed rate annuity with a lock-in interest rate feature - A data processing method and system administers a deferred annuity product during the accumulation phase of a contract term. The annuity product permits the client to select both an interest rate which is reset periodically (reset rate) and an interest rate which is guaranteed for multiple years (MYG rate), during the same contract term. The client may elect to automatically switch from the reset rate to the MYG rate, for the remainder of the contract term, when the reset rate falls below the MYG rate. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256001 | Derivative Securities And System For Trading Same - The present invention provides a derivative security whose value is determined by whether an underlying instrument will trade above or below a given price at or by a given time. The price of the underlying instrument in the inventive instrument must move a certain amount in a certain direction in a limited amount of time. If it does, that trade yields a fixed amount of money for the acceptor of the contract. If it does not, that acceptor loses the premium he paid for the contract. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256002 | Method and system for posting ideas to a reconfigurable website - A method for automatically reconfiguring a webpage is provided. The web page may include a plurality of sections, and each section may include at least one aspect related to a particular topic, such as customer support and an option for casting a vote for a topic posted. A vote may be received vote for at least one of the plurality of sections. A Total Qualitative Management Criterion (TQMC) may be determined for each section of the website. An increasing function of time may be applied to newer votes to enable relative weightings of older votes to diminish over time without requiring computing a decaying time function to determine weightings for each vote. The webpage may be reconfigured based on ranking the sections according to the TQMC for each section. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256003 | Gift equity mortgage (GEM) - This program allows for lien holders, owners, financial institutions their agents/agency's or any seller of Real Estate in which the property was acquired by the prior mortgagor/borrower defaulting on the mortgage/financial terms of there agreement in which real property was use as security for the terms agreed upon. These properties will now be referred to as Real Estate Owned (REO). | 2008-10-16 |
20080256004 | LOANS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - A system and method for providing loans to third parties based on the third parties' request to obtain funding for professional services includes loan financing that replaces a vast and existing market of underwritten unsecured debt. The system provides an amount of secured debt issued on repeatable underwriting standards and converts the debt to collateralized debt obligations which may be arranged in packages as transferable financial instruments that may be purchased by investors. The loans to the third parties may be provided with associated default risks depending in part on whether a security interest is taken by the lender. Further, the payments made to the professional service provider may be discounted based at least in part on when the payment is made by the lender to the professional service provider. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256005 | Method for Programming by Rehearsal | 2008-10-16 |
20080256006 | Clinical Trial Phase Simulation Method and Clinical Trial Phase Simulator For Drug Trials - A clinical trial phase simulation method for drug trials, which method allows to predict the trend of the results of a clinical trial phase of a drug with the steps of providing a database comprising for each of a certain number of individuals a predefined number of independent variables each of which corresponds to a certain clinical parameter relevant or characteristic for a disease condition against which the drug to be tested is oriented and at least a further independent variable describing the specific treatment to which the individual has been subjected between at least two different treatments one with the said drug and the second with a placebo or with another known drug, the database comprising also for each individuals one or more dependent variables describing the effects of the said treatments; carryings out an input variable selection; adding to the independent variables selected as input variables the dependent variables describing the effects of the treatments; training and validating an artificial neural network with the selected variables as input variables and with the dependent variables; interrogating the said neural network by inputting the values of the variable describing one of the treatments and obtaining as an output the variable values of the effectiveness of the treatment to which the inputted values of the variable of the treatment correspond according to the trained artificial neural network. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256007 | Learning A* priority function from unlabeled data - A technique for increasing efficiency of inference of structure variables (e.g., an inference problem) using a priority-driven algorithm rather than conventional dynamic programming. The technique employs a probable approximate underestimate which can be used to compute a probable approximate solution to the inference problem when used as a priority function (“a probable approximate underestimate function”) for a more computationally complex classification function. The probable approximate underestimate function can have a functional form of a simpler, easier to decode model. The model can be learned from unlabeled data by solving a linear/quadratic optimization problem. The priority function can be computed quickly, and can result in solutions that are substantially optimal. Using the priority function, computation efficiency of a classification function (e.g., discriminative classifier) can be increased using a generalization of the A* algorithm. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256008 | Human Artificial Intelligence Machine - A method of creating human artificial intelligence in machines and computer software is presented here, as well as methods to simulate human reasoning, thought and behavior. The present invention serves as a universal artificial intelligence program that will store, retrieve, analyze, assimilate, predict the future and modify information in a manner and fashion which is similar to human beings and which will provide users with a software application that will serve as the main intelligence of one or a multitude of computer based programs, software applications, machines or compilation of machinery. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256009 | System for temporal prediction - Described is a system for temporal prediction. The system includes an extraction module, a mapping module, and a prediction module. The extraction module is configured to receive X(1), . . . X(n) historical samples of a time series and utilize a genetic algorithm to extract deterministic features in the time series. The mapping module is configured to receive the deterministic features and utilize a learning algorithm to map the deterministic features to a predicted {circumflex over (x)}(n+1) sample of the time series. Finally, the prediction module is configured to utilize a cascaded computing structure having k levels of prediction to generate a predicted {circumflex over (x)}(n+k) sample. The predicted {circumflex over (x)}(n+k) sample is a final temporal prediction for k future samples. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256010 | NEURAL NETWORKS WITHIN A NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods to observe one or more network elements associated with a network, receive an indication of an event relating to one or more network element configurations associated with the network, observe a potential outcome associated with the network, store the potential outcome such that the potential outcome is associated with the event, determine a probable outcome based on the potential outcome and store the probable outcome such that the probable outcome is associated with the event. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256011 | Generalized reduced error logistic - The present disclosure is directed to a method for Generalized Reduced Error Logistic Regression (Generalized RELR). The method overcomes significant limitations in prior art logistic regression and non-generalized Reduced Error Logistic Regression (RELR) methods. The method is applicable to all current applications of logistic regression, but has significantly greater reliability and validity, using smaller sample sizes and large numbers of input variables, than prior art logistic regression methods. Further, unlike non-generalized RELR, the method of the present invention is not biased by the number of non-missing observations in independent variables. Rather, the method of the invention applies to repeated measures and multilevel designs. This Generalized RELR method also optimally scales solutions to achieve significantly greater accuracy than non-generalized RELR. This Generalized RELR method also automates variable selection to arrive at models with an optimal selection of variables. Variable selection features are not present in non-generalized RELR. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256012 | DYNAMICALLY GENERATING AND DELIVERING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EVENT - A facility for generating information in response to the occurrence of events is described. The facility detects the occurrence of one of a plurality of defined events. The facility matches the detected event occurrence against a set of scenarios. Each scenario specifies one or more matching rules, content, and a set of recipients. The facility aggregates the content specified by the subset of the set of scenarios whose matching rules are satisfied by the event occurrence for the recipients specified by this subset of scenarios. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256013 | ALGORITHMIC TRADING - Systems and methods of evaluating rules. Other embodiments are also described. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256014 | Editing and Compiling Business Rules - A component in a graph-based computation having data processing components connected by linking elements representing data flows is updated by receiving a rule specification, generating a transform for transforming data based on the rule specification, associating the transform with a component in the graph-based computation, and in response to determining that a new rule specification has been received or an existing rule specification has been edited, updating the transform associated with the component in the graph-based computation according to the new or edited rule specification. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256015 | Matching educational game players in a computerized learning environment - A system for matching users of learning application programs is provided. As one example, a learning service program can assess the performance of a user based on their interaction with at least one learning application program. Where the user requests an interactive session with other users for a particular learning application program, a learning service program can perform matching of the plurality of users according to the users' assessed abilities in the learning activities involved to achieve multi-user interaction that promotes learning by each of the users. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256016 | Bayes-like classifier with fuzzy likelihood - A method, system, and computer program product for building a classifier based on the concepts similar to a Bayesian classifier, but using fuzzy theory provides better understanding and an improved approach to modeling the data. The concept of prior information about the class is eliminated, and focuses on the likelihood function (obtained from training data). This is modeled as fuzzy sets. The process of classification uses the possibility-probability transformation. A method of performing data analysis processing includes constructing a fuzzy likelihood by modeling a likelihood of data given a training class using fuzzy sets and transforming the fuzzy likelihood into a probability distribution using a possibility-probability transformation. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256017 | INFORMATION EVALUATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING INFORMATION - A system includes: a preference model generating unit that generates a preference model by learning and storing the preference model for a user based on a behavior history that indicates history of behavior of the user; an evaluation list generating unit that calculates probability of a plurality of recommended candidates based on the preference model and generates an evaluation list indicating the probability of the recommended candidates; a default predicting unit that specifies habituation of the user based on the information on the behavior history and calculates a predicted default value of the plurality of recommended candidates based on the habituation; and an evaluated unexpectedness value calculating unit that calculates an evaluated unexpectedness value indicating unexpectedness where the unexpectedness is higher as a difference obtained by subtracting the predicted default value from the probability is larger. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256018 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRAPOLATING DATA FROM A SAMPLE SET - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to identifying a source of bias in a sample set and using statistical techniques to overcome the bias, thereby producing extrapolated data that accurately represents a population including the sample set. The method according to one embodiment comprises identifying a plurality of attributes corresponding to an entity, generating a plurality of clusters from the plurality of attributes, the plurality of clusters including varying numbers of the plurality of attributes, and performing measurements on each of the plurality of clusters to generate measurement data values for each of the plurality of clusters. A cluster with a greatest measurement data value is selected. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256019 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FAST ACCESS TO METAINFORMATION ABOUT POSSIBLE FILES OR OTHER IDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS - A method and computer system for determining an existence of a file and, possibly, information related to the file are provided. The method and system include providing a file name, generating a file designator from the file name, and generating a hash value from the file name. The hash value is used to index a cache containing other file designators that meet a certain criterion, and if no entry is found in the cache, an operating system call is performed. If an entry is found in the cache, the entry of the cache is compared with the generated file designator. If the entry and the generated file designator are not the same, an operating system call is performed. If the entry and the generated file designator are the same, this indicates that the criterion is satisfied. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256020 | Variant entries in network data repositories - A logical network directory database compliant with the X.500 standard for a directory data system is disclosed. The network directory database provides a source of subscriber and service data accessible by various control and management processes that require subscriber information. The network directory database may be extensible across various communications service providers and IT domain. Further, the disclosed network directory database may be applied to new and existing services, such as, IP Multimedia Subsystem, Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) and other IP services. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256021 | Information Leak Analysis System - An information leakage analysis system is provided. The access route model input device | 2008-10-16 |
20080256022 | TECHNIQUE FOR AUTO FILLING VALUES IN A USER INTERFACE - Disclosed is a method and system to receive a first value of a first attribute in a user interface and create a value pattern for a second attribute in the user interface based on the first value dynamically. A second value for the second attribute is automatically proposed from the created value pattern. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256023 | Method And System For Research Using Computer Based Simultaneous Comparison And Contrasting Of A Multiplicity Of Subjects Having Specific Attributes Within Specific Contexts - A method and system for an internet-based online research solution through the comparison and contrasting of a potentially infinite number of subjects having defined attributes within predefined as well as dynamic subject contexts; a method and system for searching a potentially infinite number of subjects against a customized set of attribute-value configurations to arrive at an appropriate set of subjects for further research; a method and system for an online research solution by which the user efficiently researches online using a highly customized search, collation, and compilation of comparison-contrast information; a Universal Research Framework that may be embedded within any externally managed information system and which enables the above three methods to be performed within the specific system for research. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256024 | Portable and Iterative Re-Usable Suboptimization of Database Queries - A method, apparatus and program product to optimize a database query. A query plan is generated for the database query where the query plan includes first and second subplans. Cached optimization data associated with the first subplan and generated during evaluation of another query plan for a previous query that uses the first subplan is retrieved. The first subplan is evaluated for resource cost using the retrieved optimization data. The second subplan is also evaluated for resource cost. The query plan is then evaluated for resource cost based upon the evaluations of resource cost for the first and second subplans. A query plan is selected based on evaluations of resource cost and the plan is executed to generate a result set. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256025 | Database Query Optimization Utilizing Remote Statistics Collection - A method, apparatus and program product to optimize a database query. In a first system having a first dataspace, a query plan is generated for the database query. Remote statistics collection associated with the database query is initiated on a second system having a second dataspace. The remote statistics collection uses the second dataspace, which includes a current copy of at least a portion of the first dataspace on the first system. Database statistics are collected for the first system by analyzing the second dataspace and then communicating the collected database statistics to the first system for use in optimizing database queries executed by the first system. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256026 | Method For Optimizing And Executing A Query Using Ontological Metadata - A method is provided for optimizing a query. The method includes providing metadata, and inputting an initial query including at least one initial class. The method further includes processing the initial query with the metadata. Additionally, the method includes obtaining an optimized query based on the processing of the initial query, where the optimized query provides at least one subsequent class based on the at least one initial class. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256027 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND CORRECTING RETAIL DATA - A computer system and method is disclosed that analyzes and corrects retail data. The system and method includes several client workstations and one or more servers coupled together over a network. A database stores various data used by the system. A business logic server uses competitive and complementary fusion to analyze and correct some of the data sources stored in database server. The data fusion process itself is an iterative one—utilizing both competitive and complementary fusion methods. In competitive fusion, two or more data sources that provide overlapping attributes are compared against each other. More accurate/reliable sources are used to correct less accurate/reliable sources. In complementary fusion, relationships modeled where data sources overlap are projected to areas of the data framework in which fewer sources exist—enhancing the accuracy/reliability of those fewer sources even in the absence of the other sources upon which the models were based. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256028 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND CORRECTING RETAIL DATA - A computer system and method is disclosed that analyzes and corrects retail data. The system and method includes several client workstations and one or more servers coupled together over a network. A database stores various data used by the system. A business logic server uses competitive and complementary fusion to analyze and correct some of the data sources stored in database server. The data fusion process itself is an iterative one—utilizing both competitive and complementary fusion methods. In competitive fusion, two or more data sources that provide overlapping attributes are compared against each other. More accurate/reliable sources are used to correct less accurate/reliable sources. In complementary fusion, relationships modeled where data sources overlap are projected to areas of the data framework in which fewer sources exist—enhancing the accuracy/reliability of those fewer sources even in the absence of the other sources upon which the models were based. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256029 | PARTITION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A partition management system is disclosed for a database comprising at least one database table. The system comprises a partition controller arranged to automatically create at least one table partition in advance so that at least one table partition is available prior to when the table partition is required by the database. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256030 | FINE-GRAINED AUTHORIZATION FRAMEWORK - A system and method for controlling access to an instance method on an instance-specific basis by intercepting an invocation of the instance method on an instance. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256031 | Method and Apparatus for Ranking-Based Information Processing - Techniques are provided for ranking-based information processing. Method steps can include integrating information from at least one source (a plurality of heterogeneous sources can also be handled), to obtain integrated information; mapping the integrated information to at least one application; ranking the integrated information based on the mapping and on ranking criteria from a knowledge base; and processing the integrated information, based on the ranking, to obtain processed integrated information. Optionally, the processing step includes formatting the processed integrated information for a plurality of applications. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256032 | Hierarchical Playlist Generator - A playlist generator partitions the playlist generation process into a multi-stage, hierarchical process. At an example highest hierarchical level, the user's “general” preferences are applied. These general preferences reflect the user's “tastes”, and are relatively constant. At a lower level of the hierarchy, the user's “specific” preferences are applied. These specific preferences reflect the dynamic time-dependent or event dependent aspects of a user's entertainment preferences. The high-level preferences generate a subset of material from the global collection of material, and the lower-level preferences are applied to this subset of material as the user's immediate preferences change. By segregating the playlist generation process hierarchically, efficiency is gained by applying immediate preference changes to a smaller subset of material, and coherency is improved by limiting the subsequent selection processes to a given subset of the material. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256033 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTED VOICE SEARCHING - A method for distributed voice searching may include receiving a search query from a user of the mobile communication device, generating a lattice of coarse linguistic representations from speech parts in the search query, extracting query features from the generated lattice of coarse linguistic representations, generating coarse search feature vectors based on the extracted query features, performing a coarse search using the generated coarse search feature vectors and transmitting the generated coarse search feature vectors to a remote voice search processing unit, receiving remote resultant web indices from the remote voice search processing unit, generating a lattice of fine linguistic representations from speech parts in the search query, generating fine search feature vectors from the lattice of fine linguistic representations, performing a fine search using the coarse search results, the remote resultant web indices and the generated fine search feature vectors, and displaying the fine search results to the user. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256034 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN KEYWORDS AND ADVERTISEMENTS - An impression graph is generated comprising keywords as nodes on a first side of the impression graph and advertisement listing as nodes on a second side of the impression graph, an impression relationship between a given keyword and a given advertisement listing represented by an impression edge connection. A click graph is also generated comprising keywords as nodes on a first side of the click graph and advertisement listing as nodes on a second side of the click graph, a relationship between a given keyword and a given advertisement listing represented by a click edge connection. A mapping function is applied to calculate one or more weights for a given edge in the impression graph and the click graph and the one or more edge weights, the impression graph and the click graph are transformed into a unified bipartite graph. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256035 | QUERY SUBSTITUTION USING ACTIVE LEARNING - The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for generating a linear regression model based on statistically frequent query pairs. The method of the present invention comprises storing statistically frequent query pairs, the query pairs constituting a query and a query rewrite. Query pair samples are generated based on the statistically frequent query pairs and an active learning algorithm is utilized to select the most informative query pairs. A linear regression algorithm is then utilized to generate a linear regression model based on the selected most informative query pairs. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256036 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING DATA SEARCHES USING MULTIPLE DATA SEARCH PROVIDERS - A system and method are provided for performing data searches in response to a user request. The system has an application server that is configured to receive user requests, to send search requests based on the user requests, and to communicate with a plurality of search provider systems. The search provider systems each have searchable data and are configured to receive the search requests from the application server and generate search results in response to the search request. A rules manager resides on the application server and is configured to identify a set of search provider systems to send the search request to based on the user request. The method includes the steps of: receiving a user request; determining a set of search providers based on the user request; sending a search request to the set of search providers; receiving search results from at least one of the search providers; merging the search results received from the set of search providers; and sending the merged search results to the user. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256037 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AN ORDERED LIST - A system for generating an ordered list. The system may include a query engine and an advertisement engine. The query engine receives a query from the user and determines parameters to match with the advertisement. The advertisement engine receives the parameters and generates a list of items based on the parameters. The system may function in a precompute mode to calculate intervals for each available item to minimize the variable processing costs for each item. Further, the number of intervals a crossed item may be selected in a manner to satisfy a given space constraint. By characterizing each item by a minimum price within each interval, the system can quickly query the interval matching the desired quantity for each item and determined if the minimum price for that interval is less than the top-k prices already included in the list. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256038 | Automated Method for Structured Artifact Matching - A method for determining a mapping between a first artifact and a second artifact, each artifact comprising at least one constituent, each at least one constituent comprising at least one feature, wherein each at least one feature is selected from a feature group consisting of: a relationship feature and a characteristic feature, the mapping comprising at least one constituent match comprising a correspondence between the at least one constituent of the first artifact and the at least one constituent of the second artifact, the method includes acts or steps of: a) receiving as input the first and second artifacts, and a description of the artifacts, constituents, and the features of the constituents; b) performing advanced inexact matching, comprising a step of selecting the mapping, the mapping comprising the at least one constituent match; and c) producing as output the mapping determined from the step of performing advanced inexact matching. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256039 | SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF QUERY SUGGESTION SYSTEMS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS - A system is described for determining the quality of query suggestion systems using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory and a processor. The memory may store data representing a plurality of query suggestion systems, a historical dataset, a plurality of residual values, and a data representing a network. The network may comprise a plurality of query items representing queries linked to a plurality of advertisement items representing advertisements via a plurality of query-advertisement link items. The processor may retrieve the historical dataset and generate the data representing the network. The processor may calculate the residual values for each query suggestion system in the plurality of query suggestion systems. The residual value may represent a value attributable to the query suggestions generated by a given query suggestion system. The processor may store the residual value of each query suggestion in the memory. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256040 | VISUALIZATION OF REPUTATION RATINGS - In one embodiment, a system and method is illustrated including receiving a feedback request identifying a particular user, retrieving a feedback entry in response to the feedback request, the feedback entry containing a first term, building a scoring model based, in part, upon a term frequency count denoting a frequency with which the first term appears in a searchable data structure, mapping the first term to a graphical illustration based upon a second term associated with the graphical illustration such that the graphical illustration may be used to represent the second term, and generating a feedback page containing the first term and the graphical illustration. The method may include assigning a value to the first term so as to identify the first term, assigning the first term to the searchable data structure, and extracting the first term from the searchable data structure based, in part, upon an extraction rule. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256041 | System and Method for Generating and Displaying Community Awareness Management Data - A system and method links one or more disparate community awareness management (CAM) datasets for a community awareness program (CAP) with one or more spatial layers to create linked CAM datasets. One or more data attributes common to a CAM dataset and a spatial layer are identified, and the link is defined between the CAM dataset and the spatial layer. The spatial layer and the linked CAM dataset then may be queried using a single input query. Features from the spatial layer and features from the linked CAM dataset that match the query are generated for display. In one embodiment, a system and method manage CAP assets, transactions, interest areas for the CAP, and buffer areas for the CAP. An audience utility enables entering and maintaining audience data for the CAP. A journal utility enables making journal entries for one or more audience members, CAP assets, transactions, and/or other CAM data. A link document utility enables linking one or more documents to CAM data. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256042 | Automatically Acquiring Acoustic and Cultural Information About Music - There are disclosed methods, apparatus, and storage media for building a music metadata library. Acoustic metadata for one or more music tracks may be automatically acquired from a plurality of client computing devices. Cultural metadata for the one or more music tracks may be automatically acquired by searching Internet-accessible content. The acquired acoustic and cultural metadata may be stored in the music metadata library. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256043 | ACCUMULATION CONTROL DEVICE - An accumulation control device arranged to accumulate data in an accumulation device accepts a data classification when the data is acquired, and stores the accepted classification in accordance with the data to be accumulated in the accumulation device. When the data accumulated in the accumulation device is selected, determination is made as to whether or not a current time is a timing at which an accumulation form of the accumulated data should be changed, and when determination is made that the timing has come, the selected data is reaccumulated in the accumulation device, in the accumulation form stored in an accumulation-form storage unit in association with the accepted classification and the determined timing. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256044 | Method And System For Searching An Information Retrieval System According To User-Specified Location Information - A method and system for searching an information retrieval system for items of interest that are in proximity to geographical locations provided by the user. The information retrieval system can perform a search for specified types of businesses or items of interest that surround or are in close proximity to the user's present geographical location, or a geographical location that the user has pre-configured in a database. The system receives geographical location information concerning the user's position from the wireless network carrier, which tracks the location of the user's mobile communications device. When the user desires to store a geographical location and geographical name for a future search, the information is entered into the pre-configured database. When conducting an information search at a later time, the user can narrow a search request to a geographical area in the vicinity of the stored geographical location. | 2008-10-16 |
20080256045 | XML SUB-DOCUMENT VERSIONING METHOD IN XML DATABASES USING RECORD STORAGES - A new sub-document versioning method for record storages of XML documents which uses virtual cutting points to ensure that a search tree is able to support multiple versions of sub-documents and provide efficient mechanisms for XML updating. Record boundaries and virtual cut points divide the two-dimensional space, the horizontal axis representing node identifiers in document order and vertical axis representing version numbers, into rectangles. The bottom corner of the rectangle is used to represent the rectangles and the corresponding information of the corner is added to the search tree index. | 2008-10-16 |