43rd week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 61 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140316863 | MONETARY DISTRIBUTION OF BEHAVIORAL DEMOGRAPHICS AND FAN-SUPPORTED DISTRIBUTION OF COMMERCIAL CONTENT - A method includes identifying a media file for distribution and identifying a plurality of commercial messages as possible content that can be associated with the media file when it is distributed. Votes from a plurality of customers can be received, with each vote reflecting a customer's preference for at least one of the plurality of commercial messages. The votes can be calculated and at least one preferred commercial message can be designated based on the calculation. At least one preferred commercial message can be associated with the media file to create a combined media file and the combined media file can be distributed and/or made available for distribution. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316864 | Systems and Methods for Reward Issuance - Systems and methods are provided for reward issuance. An example system includes a business-layer entity, a delivery-adaptation-layer entity, and a reward-logic module in a delivery-layer entity. The business-layer entity is configured to receive a user-task-fulfillment message, generate, using one or more data processors, a reward-issuance request based on at least information associated with the user-task-fulfillment message, and output the reward-issuance request, the reward-issuance request including prize-related information. The delivery-adaptation-layer entity is configured to receive the reward-issuance request from the business-layer entity and output, using the one or more data processors, the reward-issuance request. The first reward-logic module in a delivery-layer entity is configured to receive the reward-issuance request from the delivery-adaptation-layer entity and process, using the one or more data processors, issuance of a first prize to a user based on at least the prize-related information of the reward-issuance request. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316865 | PLATOON TRAVEL SYSTEM - A platoon travel system organizes and performs a platoon travel of plural vehicles along a preset travel route. The system has a grouping unit that divides the plural vehicles into a top group and a tail end group based on projection area information of the vehicles, and groups vehicles with a projection area in a first range to the top group and vehicles with a projection area in a second range to the tail end group, which is less than the first range. A final position determination unit determines a position of each of the plural vehicles in the vehicle groups based on the depart point information, positions the top group vehicles in an ascending order of depart point distances, and positions the tail end group vehicles in a descending order of depart point distances, thereby preventing deterioration of whole platoon energy consumption. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316866 | SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A CURSOR IMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH DISPLAYING ADVERTISING CONTENT - A system for displaying advertising content includes a client computer having a display device, a processor, a network interface, and a graphical user interface including a cursor. The client computer is arranged to receive advertising content data from a remote computer via the network interface. The advertising content data includes cursor display data for displaying a promotional image. The processor is coupled to the display device and modifies the cursor in accordance with the promotional image in response to a predetermined event. The promotional image may include elements such as animation, a satellite image, a sprite image, promotional text, and a combination thereof. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316867 | SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A CURSOR IMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH DISPLAYING ADVERTISING CONTENT - A system for displaying advertising content includes a client computer having a display device, a processor, a network interface, and a graphical user interface including a cursor. The client computer is arranged to receive advertising content data from a remote computer via the network interface. The advertising content data includes cursor display data for displaying a promotional image. The processor is coupled to the display device and modifies the cursor in accordance with the promotional image in response to a predetermined event. The promotional image may include elements such as animation, a satellite image, a sprite image, promotional text, and a combination thereof. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316868 | SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A CURSOR IMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH DISPLAYING ADVERTISING CONTENT - A system for displaying advertising content includes a client computer having a display device, a processor, a network interface, and a graphical user interface including a cursor. The client computer is arranged to receive advertising content data from a remote computer via the network interface. The advertising content data includes cursor display data for displaying a promotional image. The processor is coupled to the display device and modifies the cursor in accordance with the promotional image in response to a predetermined event. The promotional image may include elements such as animation, a satellite image, a sprite image, promotional text, and a combination thereof. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316869 | Method for Managing Customer Engagement - A service to manage customer/user engagement, sweepstakes, games, contests, loyalty programs and scavenger hunts is disclosed. The user of an end user device moves to different locations and sends back information regarding the user's location to the service. The service can be updated/adjusted real time to automatically track users, points, entries, location, and multiple step scavenger hunts. The service may send the user to different locations where the user can obtain prizes. Companies can engage with their customers in new ways by leveraging and modifying mobile technology. In one implementation locations, address book, on device animations, randomized unique identification generated by a device during the contest can be modified in real time during operation of the service. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316870 | PROMOTION OF CUSTOMER ACQUISITION ENGAGEMENTS WITH ONLINE ACCESSING CONTENT - A system and method for managing a computer-implemented online game provides an in-game advertising publication service to publish interactive advertising content within a computer-implemented game in accordance with a pricing structure that defines different prices for different types of player engagement, for example having a cost per acquisition (CPA) pricing mechanism and a cost per engagement (CPE) pricing mechanism. A linked sequence of prompts is presented on a user device, to prompt a series of player engagements including at least two different engagement types. In some instances, a CPA prompt is presented earlier in the sequence, with an associated CPE prompt being presented subsequent to player engagement pursuant to the CPA prompt. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316871 | Tribrid Compensation Plan - In a direct marketing environment, a compensation method for calculating compensation of a distributor entails utilizing multiple compensation systems in serial with each other, such that a first distributor of a direct marketing company may receive compensation under a first compensation system as well as compensation under one or more additional compensation systems, and wherein providing compensation under at least one of the compensation systems occurs without regard to whether compensation was provided under another compensation system. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316872 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING ENDORSEMENTS - The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a system for managing endorsements for products is disclosed that identifies a person of influence, and determines that the person of influence has identified a product provided by a merchant in a digital communication. The system may dynamically generate an endorsement deal communication including an offer to the person of influence to endorse the product, and provide the endorsement deal communication to the person of influence. The system may receive a response to the endorsement deal communication indicating an acceptance by the person of influence to endorse the product. The system may generate an endorsement communication including a product identifier identifying the product, an endorser identifier identifying the person of influence, and a link to an online location. The system may publish the endorsement communication electronically, after which is determines compensation for the person of influence. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316873 | Apparatus, system and methods to issue a prize to a user of a credit account based on user purchase activities - An apparatus for issuing a prize to a user includes a prize activity host computer including a prize issuing program, a seller computer, and a user purchase input device. A purchase authorization request is transmitted from the seller computer to the prize activity host computer. User information (including user identification and user account information, obtained from the user purchase input device) is sent to the prize activity host computer. When the prize activity host computer confirms the purchase request, the prize activity host computer also determines when a prize is to be issued to the user, and thereafter issues the prize to the user. The apparatus is particularly useful for issuing prizes to users based on the users' use of a credit account to make a purchase. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316874 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING RELATIVE PRICE POINT INCENTIVES BASED UPON PRIOR CUSTOMER PURCHASE BEHAVIOR - The invention provides a system, computer program, and method for generating price point based incentives comprising determining a category specific price point ( | 2014-10-23 |
20140316875 | METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A PRICE OF A VENDED PRODUCT - One variation of a method for dynamically pricing vended products includes: identifying a purchase pattern of a user at a vending machine; in response to an approaching sell-by date for a unit of a product loaded into the vending machine and based on the purchase pattern, setting a discount rate for the unit of the product for the user; transmitting an electronic communication to an account associated with the user, the electronic communication indicating the discount rate for the unit of the product; identifying the user in a transaction initiated at the vending machine; and in response to selection of the unit of the product from the vending machine during the transaction, initiating a payment with a payment mechanism supplied by the user according to the discount rate. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316876 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE MORE EFFICIENT UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND WATER RESOURCES - A method of and system for providing an incentive program for conserving a consumable resource such as electricity, natural gas, oil, air or water. The present invention monitors utilization of the resource at a location, and then determines a type and quantity of variable resource points to be provided to an account associated with the location or with a participant by analyzing the monitored resource utilization with respect to a plurality of varying conditions (time-variant, location-variant, cost-variant etc.). These conditions may be independent or interdependent; these relationships will be incorporated into the calculations resulting in the award of the type and quantity of resource points determined by the Program. The resource points are then stored in an account associated with the location or with a participant for future use. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316877 | METHODS OF PROMOTING PRINT DEVICE USAGE DURING NON-PEAK TIMES - A method and system for promoting usage of a print device during non-peak time periods is disclosed. A print device promotion system includes at least one print device, a processor in communication with the at least one print device and a computer readable storage medium. The storage medium is configured to store program instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to receive data corresponding to measurements of usage of a print device over a plurality of baseline time periods; identify at least one non-peak time period; select a promotion for the print device; receive data corresponding to measurements of usage of the print device over a plurality of additional time periods; determine whether the usage during the time window satisfied the one or more target usage criteria; and offer the consumer the consumable item at the reduced price. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316878 | INCREASING THE UTILITY OF OPPORTUNISTIC AND TIME CRITICAL GOODS AND SERVICES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a service to goods and/or service providers and consumers in the traditional context of a “first-come, first-served queue” or “class based” queue. A provider presents a listing of one or offerings to consumers to solicit bids for a good or service associated with the offering. After receiving an acceptable bid from a user, the provider provides feedback regarding the bid that indicates the ranking of the user with respect to other bidders in the bidding process. Based on the feedback, the user may submit a modified bid. Following confirmation of a bid by a user, a winning bid is determined and the user is notified. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316879 | INTEGRATED PAYMENT METHOD USING NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a method for performing an integrated payment using Near Field Communication (NFC). The method is performed using a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag information from a payment system in an NFC scheme. The mobile terminal analyzes the received RFID tag information, and then extracts an integrated payment application which corresponds to the RFID tag information. The mobile terminal drives the integrated payment application and transmits discount benefit information to the payment system. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316880 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316881 | ESTIMATION OF AFFECTIVE VALENCE AND AROUSAL WITH AUTOMATIC FACIAL EXPRESSION MEASUREMENT - Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture facilitate analysis of a person's affective valence and arousal. A machine learning classifier is trained using training data created by (1) exposing individuals to eliciting stimuli, (2) recording extended facial expression appearances of the individuals when the individuals are exposed to the eliciting stimuli, and (3) obtaining ground truth of valence and arousal evoked from the individuals by the eliciting stimuli. The classifier is thus trained to analyze images with extended facial expressions (such as facial expressions, head poses, and/or gestures) evoked by various stimuli or spontaneously obtained, to estimate the valence and arousal of the persons in the images. The classifier may be deployed in sales kiosks, online trough mobile and other devices, and in other settings. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316882 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Managing Advertisements - Methods, systems, and products manage advertisements. An advertiser submits multiple advertisements for an advertisement slot in media programming. As viewership and/or demographics change, different ones of the advertisements may be selected for delivery to customer devices. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316883 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTRIBUTING MULTI-CHANNEL CONVERSION EVENTS AND SUBSEQUENT ACTIVITY TO MULTI-CHANNEL MEDIA SOURCES - This paper presents a practical method for measuring the impact of multiple marketing events on sales, including marketing events that are not traditionally trackable. The technique infers which of several competing media events are likely to have caused a given conversion. The method is tested using hold-out sets, and also a live media experiment for determining whether the method can accurately predict television-generated web conversions. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316884 | INTERACTIVE ADVERTISING SYSTEM - An electronic device implemented method may include presenting an advertisement via user interface of a first application, receiving an anticipated user input associated with the presented advertisement, and performing an action associated with the anticipated user input. The anticipated user input being a gesture and the action being at least an interaction with an advertiser or an agent of the advertiser associated with the advertisement. Alternatively or additionally, the action may be at least an interaction with a second application associated with the gesture. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316885 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES TO DELIVER TARGETED CONTENT USING INFORMATION ABOUT AN INDIVIDUALS SLEEPING HABITS - The methods and systems described herein may involve determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and delivering content to at least one individual based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing a game, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one player of the game, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and affecting the game play based on the analysis. The methods and systems described herein may involve providing an interactive space, determining at least one lifeotype of at least one individual in the space, analyzing the at least one lifeotype, and modifying at least one attribute of the space based on the analysis. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316886 | PROVISION OF ANONYMOUS CONTEXT INFORMATION AND GENERATION OF TARGETED CONTENT - Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards selective disclosure of user or computing environment attributes to facilitate generation and/or provision of targeted content. In various embodiments, a likelihood that disclosure of an attribute of a user or of a computing environment associated with the user will enable identification of the user may be determined based on an associated population count of users or computing environments sharing the same attribute. In various embodiments, the attribute may be selectively disclosed to a content provider configured to provide targeted content, or a recommendation may be selectively provided to the user as to whether the user should disclose the attribute to the content provider, based on the determination and a risk tolerance associated with the user. In various embodiments, a dimension authority may track and make available population counts of users or computing environments having various attributes. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316887 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316888 | Method and System for Making a Targeted Offer to an Audience - A method for making a targeted offer to an audience of a population of entities (e.g., social network). The method involves retrieving, from one or more databases, a first set of information including activities and characteristics attributable to a first plurality of entities; generating a plurality of interaction associations based on at least one of selected activities criteria and selected characteristics criteria from the first set of information; and conveying to a third party one or more interaction associations to enable the third party to identify a second set of information including activities and characteristics attributable to a second plurality of entities. The second set of information has matching activities and characteristics to the activities and characteristics of the interaction associations. The second plurality of entities has a propensity to carry out certain activities based on the activities criteria and/or characteristics criteria used in forming the interaction associations, to enable a targeted offer to be made to an audience of the second plurality of entities. A system for making a targeted offer to an audience of a population of entities (e.g., social network). | 2014-10-23 |
20140316889 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316890 | Entity Bidding - A method includes generating preliminary search results based on a search query received from a user device. The preliminary search results include search-result links to a plurality of native applications. Additionally, the method includes identifying a plurality of entity records that each include an association with one of the native applications of the preliminary search results. Each of the entity records includes an entity name and an entity link. Each entity link includes a reference to a state of a native application associated with the entity name of the entity record in which the entity link is included. Additionally, the method includes selecting one of the entity records based on an advertiser bid price associated with the entity record, retrieving the entity link from the selected entity record, and transmitting the search-result links and the retrieved entity link to the user device. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316891 | INTERACTIVE ADVISORY SYSTEM - A method for providing information to a plurality of vendors located remotely from a broadcast network. A plurality of user-defined parameters are received by a user input database with at least one of the user-defined parameters including a user profile. Each of the user profiles includes a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user. Real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices is received by a communicator location database. Search information is received independently from a plurality of vendors and a data set is generated for each vendor. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316892 | SERVING PROMOTIONS TO MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICES BASED ON WIFI ACCESS POINT PRESENCE - A promotion system for serving ads is provided. The system may include an ad server and a WIFI access point configured to establish wireless connections with mobile computing devices of users via a WLAN, and execute a local captive server that serves to the mobile client devices a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to register users with the ad server device to receive advertisements, and store profile data about the users in a database associated with the ad server. The ad server includes an ad creation interface configured to enable an advertiser to distribute an advertisement to the mobile computing devices of users who have been detected at the WIFI access point. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316893 | LOCATION-SPECIFIC ADVERTISING - The usefulness, and consequently the performance, of advertisements are improved by allowing businesses to better target their ads to a responsive audience. Location information is determined (or simply accepted) and used. For example, location information may be used in a relevancy determination of an ad. As another example, location information may be used in an attribute (e.g., position) arbitration. Such location information may be associated with price information, such as a maximum price bid. Such location information may be associated with ad performance information. Ad performance information may be tracked on the basis of location information. The content of an ad creative, and/or of a landing page may be selected and/or modified using location information. Tools, such as user interfaces, may be provided to allow a business to enter and/or modify location information. The location information used to target and/or score ads may be, include, or define an area. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316894 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS WITH SOCIAL NETWORKS AND MEDIA PLAYBACK DEVICES - A system and method for interfacing interactive systems with social networks and media playback devices is described. For example, a system for generating and interacting with media content is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an interactive system that displays media content, wherein the interactive system includes a first computer and sensors for recording a user's interaction with the displayed media content, and a kiosk that allows a user to share the interactive media content with social networks and media playback devices, wherein the interactive media content includes the media content and metadata representing the user's recorded interaction with the media content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316895 | MOBILE ADVERTISING SYSTEM - In a cellular telephone system, an ad server is used to monitor activities of a cell phone. When a call is made from the cell phone to third party, an ad is presented on the cell phone to its user while the voice channel is established. The ad is selected based on a profile of the user or his geographical location. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316896 | DECISIONING SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING AND DELIVERING OPTIMIZATION, LAYOUT, AND OTHER STORE INSIGHTS FROM LOCATION DATA - The present disclosure provides a system, method and computer readable medium that enables the delivery of data to retail stores and their affiliates. In addition, the present disclosure augments existing data gathering solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is capable of tracking client movement within a store, and presenting the client with targeted advertisements. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316897 | LOCATION BASED COMMUNICATION PLATFORM - Systems and methods presented herein provide for location based communications. An internet server provides the location based communications to a plurality of user devices. An interface of the server communicatively couples to the user devices through the internet. The server also includes a processor that processes location information received through the interface from a first of the user devices, identifies a set of the plurality of user devices located in a vicinity of the first user device, configures a hub for the first user device that includes the set of user devices, links the hub to an application interface of the first user device, and provides a communication platform between the set of user devices and the first user device based on the hub. The communication platform links each of the user devices in the hub to provide textual communications between the users in the hub. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316898 | OBSERVATION PLATFORM FOR PERFORMING STRUCTURED COMMUNICATIONS - Methods and systems are disclosed for sending information in an observation platform. A determination is made, at an observation platform, that a first communication device associated with a first user is located in an environment. A determination is made, at the observation platform, that the first communication device is located in proximity to a second communication device associated with a second user. Speech information is sent to the first communication device for the first user to use in communicating with the second user. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316899 | LIVE AD PROCESSING ENGINE SERVICE - Techniques described herein provide for a live advertising processing engine service to act as an intermediary between client applications and advertising networks. The live advertising processing engine service can provide an interface with which the client can interact, via an application programming interface (API) or directly through the use of a standardized language, thereby allowing client applications to receive advertisement data without the need to be customized to communicate with specific advertising networks. The live advertising processing engine service can further track where, in playback the live content, a client currently is, to indicate to the client—or other application—when advertisement breaks are and/or provide supplemental advertisement information to enable the client to provide a rich user experience. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316900 | REAL-TIME TARGETED DYNAMIC ADVERTISING IN MOVING VEHICLES - Dynamically changing targeted advertising content is dispatched wirelessly in real time via a cellular network from a remote web portal to a plurality of vehicles, and ads are displayed on a digital display mounted in a rear window of the vehicles. Vehicles communicate wirelessly to the web portal their geographic location, and cameras are used to record the effect of the ads on viewers in following vehicles. Ads are changed based upon criteria established by advertisers, changing vehicle geographic locations, and changing conditions such as areas, times of day, traffic on roads, and profiles of viewers. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316901 | Automated Limited-Time Retail Merchandise Promotion System - A computer-automated system is disclosed for promoting specifiable items of merchandise in a retail shopping facility for specifiable time periods. The automated promotion system enables a customer with an appropriately configured mobile device to avail of promotional prompts within the shopping facility electronically (i.e., within the specified time period), substantiating redemption of a related benefit at checkout (i.e., within or beyond the specified time period). The system has three principal components: a source, a node, and a checkpoint. The source enables a retailer to script the parameters of the promotion (e.g., the duration, benefit, and relevant merchandise). The node—preferably, an electronic shelf label—provides means for publishing the promotion to a customer pursuant to information entered by the retailer at the source. The checkpoint consummates the promotion. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316902 | Systems and Methods for Online Advertising Using User Preferences - Various implementations described herein provide systems and methods for online advertising and, more particularly, systems and methods that utilize user preferences in providing online advertising. In various implementations, systems or methods described herein facilitate user control of user-related data with respect to online advertisement systems, which can include supply-side platforms (SSPs), advertisement exchanges, demand-side platforms (DSPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), ad networks, or adservers. In some implementations, the system and methods implement or otherwise facilitate a user advertisement preference service that enables online users to manage one or more user advertisement preferences and selectively provide those user advertisement preferences to online advertisement systems. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316903 | CONSUMPTION PROFILE FOR MOBILE MEDIA - Targeting advertising content via a media management platform includes taking at least one consumption profile for content items of the media management platform, wherein the at least one consumption profile includes a profile of devices on which a corresponding content item can be accessed, a profile of networks on which the corresponding content item can be delivered, and attributes of the corresponding content item. Further a targeting input is produced by processing at least a portion of the consumption profile for a content item. Lastly, the targeting input is provided to an advertising fulfillment engine that targets advertising content to media management platform content item recipients. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316904 | E-commerce advertising method with dynamic bid decrease and concealed bid time frame - An e-commerce advertising method is provided with creating an e-commerce advertising website having web pages each including a product and service advertising region and a promotional product bidding region. The promotional product bidding region includes a graphical and textual overview of a promotional product, a supplier hyperlink, and a predetermined bid displayed in the promotional product bidding region, and a bid time frame of the promotional product is set. With the concealed bid time frame, dynamic bid decrease is performed so that network users cannot predict the price decrease time of the promotional product, but need to browse the e-commerce advertising website all the time to monitor the price change in order to bid the promotional product with a lower price. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL ADVERTISING - The present invention relates to a system and method for three-dimensional advertising. The system and method of the present invention store advertisement data capable of being rendered as a three-dimensional object, the real position of which is designated. When a mobile communication terminal including a GPS receiver measures its own position, and transmits the position information of the mobile communication terminal to an advertisement server, an advertisement server transmits advertisement data set around the position information of the mobile communication terminal to the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal renders the advertisement data into a three-dimensional object, and displays the rendered advertisement data by overlapping same with a real image, which is displayed through a camera built in the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, the present invention can effectively expose advertisement information to a user by arousing the user's curiosity by making the advertisement object appear to exist in real space. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316906 | Systems and Methods for Identifying Talent - Systems and methods for identifying talent that eliminate or minimize the costs and/or risks of identifying such talent, involve public feedback, and generate significant charitable donations. In one aspect of the present invention, talent's or bands' songs are made available to critics such as members of the public via mediums such as the Internet, radio, and television. Such individuals provide feedback during successive phases of the talent identification process, and talents and/or bands with the greatest public appeal advance to the final stages of the process. Ultimately, the talent or band receiving the most favorable feedback is promoted or awarded with, for example, a record deal. Throughout the process, revenue is generated via a variety of methods including voting/critiquing fees, advertising, sale of promotional items, and the like. In some aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of such revenue is donated to charity. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316907 | MULTILAYERED USER INTERFACE FOR INTERNET BROWSER - Methods and systems directed to a web browser on a computing device comprising a user graphic interface having at least two layers: at least one layer presenting web browser content; and at least one layer, having at least two visual modes: a semi-hidden mode in which an at least one toolbar is visible; and a visible mode wherein said at least one toolbar and a content tab are visible, wherein the content tab presents content from an at least one pre-defined source and the content tab does not completely hide the at least one layer presenting web browser content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316908 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING REAL ESTATE PROPERTY INFORMATION WITH PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT/MAINTENANCE HISTORY - Techniques for providing property information are described herein. According to one embodiment, a cloud-based platform at a server is provided to allow property owners to engage with property service providers regarding property improvement projects to be performed on the properties. Information describing tasks of the property improvement projects performed by the property service providers is recorded in a property history database. In response to a request received from a user for information concerning one of the properties, property improvement history data of the property is retrieved from the property history database. A property report is generated for the property, where the property report includes general multi-listing service (MLS) information and the property improvement history of the property. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316909 | System and method for automated generation of communications involving products or services - Methods and systems for preparing combined communications having a plurality of client communication sections is presented. Initial interest in a product or service offer is received from a client at a computer system. The computer system generates a communications that combine host information and one or more client communication sections, wherein the client communication sections contain a second offer for the product or service. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316910 | SYSTEM FOR REPLACING A CURSOR IMAGE IN CONNECTION WITH DISPLAYING ADVERTISING CONTENT - A system for displaying advertising content includes a client computer having a display device, a processor, a network interface, and a graphical user interface including a cursor. The client computer is arranged to receive advertising content data from a remote computer via the network interface. The advertising content data includes cursor display data for displaying a promotional image. The processor is coupled to the display device and modifies the cursor in accordance with the promotional image in response to a predetermined event. The promotional image may include elements such as animation, a satellite image, a sprite image, promotional text, and a combination thereof. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316911 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY VERIFYING DOCUMENT CONTENT - A news and/or search engine system predicts events and stories based on existing events, stories, etc., extracted from a knowledge domain. These predictions can be used for a number of different purposes, including locating new content and actual event outcomes. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316912 | INTELLIGENT LINK ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS - Establishing a telephone call includes enabling display of a visual indicator of a call destination entity and detecting selection by a user of the visual indicator. The availability of the user to receive a first telephone call is determined. Voice communications between the call destination entity and the user are established in response to detection of the selection by the user of the visual indicator and conditioned on the user being determined to be available to receive the first telephone call. Establishing voice communications includes enabling placement of the first telephone call to the user to establish a first PSTN link with the user and enabling a voice communications link to be setup with the call destination entity. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316913 | METHOD AND CLIENT FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS - A method and a client for displaying advertisements are provided. First, an advertisement configuration file is downloaded. If the advertisement configuration file is a new version of advertisement configuration file, a name of an advertisement picture resource package is extracted from the advertisement configuration file, and the corresponding advertisement picture resource package is downloaded according to the name. An advertisement display location and advertisement configuration information are parsed out from the advertisement configuration file. The advertisement configuration information includes an advertisement validity period. Advertisement configuration information within the advertisement validity period is added into an advertisement alternate playing list. An advertisement is displayed at the advertisement display location on a screen of a client according to the advertisement alternate playing list and the advertisement picture resource package. Thus, advertisements displayed at a client may be dynamically updated. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316914 | Chefteria System And Method - Chefteria System And Method provides web based computer system/platform for the chefs to create and sell their menu of freshly prepared-to-the-order foods and deliver instantly to the customers. Registered customers who place the successful food order through online system can view the live video streaming of the chefs preparation/cooking of their order. Registered chefs who are approved through selection process, only will be able to sell their foods through Chefteria platform. Chefs in this system can specify location(s)/day(s)/time(s) information that they would like to offer their services. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316915 | VISUALLY ADAPTIVE PROCESS IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM FOR ORDER TAKING - A system for order taking formed with one or more computers, cameras, computer networks and vision based computer algorithms and designed to visually obtain information to facilitate and obtain an order. The system's applications including drive through orders, kiosks, vending machines and other automated ordering or points of sale. The system further tailored for people with hearing or speaking disabilities as well as improving the process of cleanup and preparation for the next customer. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316916 | COMPUTER-CONTROLLED, UNATTENDED, AUTOMATED CHECKOUT STORE OUTLET AND RELATED METHOD - A computer-controlled, automated checkout store outlet comprises at least one bay. A normally locked door is associated with each bay, and provides access to items within the bay by customers approved by a computer of the automated store outlet. At least one tray is disposed within at least one bay, and adapted to hold items to be stocked by the bay. A sensor system is configured to detect the removal of an item from the bay and identify the removed item, such as when a customer is removing the item for purchase. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316917 | RETAIL CONVENIENCE MARKET TECHNOLOGY WITH ENHANCED VENDOR ADMINISTRATION AND USER MOBILE APP FUNCTIONALITY - A self-service, self-checkout micro-market retail shopping system for disposition and use in a private or public office, factory or other workspace for use by employees, workers and the like. The micro-market may supply snacks, candies, beverages, other food items and various convenience items such as toiletries for use by employees, workers and other during the work day, lunch and break time. The micro-market may also supply work related items such as uniforms and apparel, tools, office supplies, travel accessories and the like. The devices and process also include enhanced vendor administration tools and functionality. The devices and process also include enhanced user ability to use mobile devices and apps, and on-line tools for creating and managing accounts and for purchasing items. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316918 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING A USER TO SELECT A SECURABLE DEVICE THROUGHOUT MULTIPLE SECURABLE DEVICE STATIONS - A system and method of provisioning a securable device may include providing a plurality of securable device stations, each securable device station including (i) a controller and (ii) a set of securable devices in local communication with the controller, the controller being configured to enable a user to initiate access to a securable device from a set of securable devices. In response to a first controller of a first securable device station receiving (i) an access indicia and (ii) rental parameter that enables the user to access a securable device located in at least two of the securable device stations from a user, the first controller may communicate the access indicia and rental parameter to a network address that enables, by a second controller, the user to access a securable device at the second securable device station as provided by the rental parameter. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316919 | AUTOMATED SECURE CHECK-OUT AND DROP-OFF RETURN OF PRODUCTS USING MOBILE DEVICE - Generally, this disclosure describes a method and system for automated check-out and drop-off return of products using a mobile device. A method may include purchasing at least one product of a plurality of products wherein each product is located at a respective associated product location in a store that sells the plurality of products and a point of sale of each purchased product corresponds to the respective associated product location. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316920 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMMERSIVE MOBILE GIFTS - Disclosed are systems and method related to media and gift credits. A method includes receiving an indication that a giver has given a gift credit to a recipient for use at a merchant. The system then receives a media from the giver, such as an image or a video or other input. Upon confirmation or input from the recipient, the system presents the media on a device of the recipient. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316921 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Ordering Items - Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When an online order is received, a profile may be checked. A customer may her profile with items that are automatically added to the online order. Food and beverages, for example, may be items that are frequently consumed and thus automatically added to any online order. Electronic commerce may thus be enhanced to restock items that are frequently purchased. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316922 | PASSBACK AUCTION - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating content. In one aspect, a method includes identifying bids for a plurality of eligible bidders that are eligible to provide a content item in response to a content item request. From among the eligible bidders, a set of passback bidders having a passback capability are identified. The passback capability provides passback bidders an option refuse to provide a content item. From among the bidders, a set of general bidders, for which the passback capability is not enabled, are identified. A bidder chain that includes a highest general bidder and passback bidders is generated. A highest bidder in the bidder chain that does not refuse to provide a content item after being identified as the winning bidder is selected as the final bidder. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316923 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SPECIFIC SERVICE - The present invention provides a method for providing a service to a device having an interest in a specific service in a device-to-device (D2D) condition. The method includes: searching for a device which enters into an area managed by a device which provides the specific service; and identifying an interest of the searched device in the specific service and inviting the searched device to participate in the specific service. In the method, by selectively connecting a session based on a service interest, an efficient management in view of an entire network capacity is possible and an advantage of reducing a time for session connection is achieved. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316924 | Method, Apparatus and Program Product Facilitating Contract Formation With Labor Component - A method, apparatus and program product which facilitate contract formation by making explicit the labor content of a bid presented by a second party (potential supplier) to a first party (buying the services or goods). Software executing on an information handling system and controllably accessible to both parties which provides a common set of the job roles, job skills and costs associated with a bid to be presented. Such clarification by use of a common taxonomic table enables the buying party to better understand the cost build up for the labor component and to rank the cost build up among several bidders. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316925 | Method and System of Obtaining a Bid For Services - A method and system of obtaining a bid from a provider of services, involving creating a client request for proposal (RFP) document, storing the client RFP document in a data store, inviting a bidding service provider to respond a stored client RFP document, allowing an invited bidding service provider to access the stored client RFP document, allowing the bidding service provider to respond to the stored client RFP document, obtaining all completed responses and all rate elements from bidding service providers, generating a comparative financial analysis showing a sorted list of responses, generating a weighted report, the generated weighted report comprising a display of bids having a best compliance with the client RFP document in top down order based on the comparative financial analysis, and providing the generated weighted report to the client. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316926 | Automated Market Maker in Monitoring Services Marketplace - An application services marketplace may match various solution providers to a solution request, then creating a bid or proposal for services. Upon acceptance of the bid, the services may be configured and deployed. A market maker may combine multiple solution providers to address a specific request, and may use a schema expressly defined or implied in a request to select and configure a combination of services. The market maker may combine monitoring services with analysis services, monitoring services with load generators, or other combination of services that may be used during development or deployment of an application. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316927 | METHOD FOR COORDINATING MESSAGING BETWEEN MOTIVATED BUYERS AND SELLERS ON LIST OF SELLERS - An on-line venue in which buyers can anonymously communicate precisely what product or service they want to purchase by posting an interactive request that a number of sellers/service providers can then directly respond to according to one embodiment of the invention. Such embodiments may promote the buyers interests in directly matching their needs with qualified vendors. In contrast to what others provide, where the buyer has to search within each seller/service providers and then send their request. Embodiments of the present invention broadcast a buyer's needs to relevant/selected sellers/service providers. Such embodiments may take the burden from a buyer in finding the right products and services by self-qualifying the lead to proactive prospective sellers/service providers. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316928 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BUSINESSES TO ACQUIRE PROFITABLE CUSTOMERS - The disclosure provides a method and system for customers to identify their Financial Value and to auction this value, through a full-time public network, to selected service and product providers (collectively “vendors”) seeking customers with specific profiles. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316929 | Computer-Implemented Souvenir Generation System and Method - A computer-implemented souvenir generation system automatically generates a customizable souvenir document by seamlessly gathering information based on a traveler's own experience. The computer-implemented souvenir generation system may include a souvenir repository, a souvenir customization module that generates customization data and a souvenir delivery module. The system may interface with a reservation system that stores a user's passenger record containing travel-related information. The computer-implemented souvenir generation system may automatically generate a souvenir document based on a user's customization and operation data. The souvenir delivery module may deliver the generated souvenir document based on an occurrence of an associated delivery trigger via a customizable delivery method. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316930 | EXPLANATIONS FOR PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS - Generating and selecting recommendation explanations for personalized recommendations may include retrieving in response to at least one recommendation query, a document from a corpora of available documents for consumption by a user. The at least one recommendation query may be associated with a corresponding plurality of candidate recommendation explanations. The plurality of recommendation explanations for the document may be ranked based on popularity of at least one of the plurality of recommendation explanations when previously provided to the user and/or popularity of the document among a plurality of users under each of the plurality of recommendation explanations. The popularity of at least one of the plurality of recommendation explanations previously provided to the user may be based on document engagement history associated with the user when the at least one of the plurality of recommendation explanations were previously provided to the user. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316931 | F& I MENU SYSTEM - An F&I menu system for the sale of vehicles, or other products which are often financed and which includes multiple options. A display shows the price of the vehicle with and without the options, and as icons representing the optional items are selected and deselected, the with-options price is automatically updated. The display may include an area showing a predetermined set of options and an associated price, and individual icons may be dragged and dropped into a separate selection area whose display is suppressed until an icon is moved into the selection area. Once a sale is completed, the backend system may generate customized electronic follow up communications to customers concerning certain options the customer originally declined to purchase for their vehicle as well as a timeline display of the customer's interaction with the F&I menu system display. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316932 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316933 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316934 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM TO MANAGE USER PROFILES REGARDING USER PREFERENCES TOWARDS A CONTENT - A computer-implemented method and system to manage user profiles regarding user preferences towards a content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316935 | System and Method for Providing Electronic Multi-Merchant Gift Registry Services Over a Distributed Network - An online Gift Registry Service provides registration of information for a gift registrant and allows access to the registry by potential gift giver users. In addition, users can tag items of interest at participating Service Provider (SP) sites and the SP sites will register these items with the Gift Registry Service on the user's behalf. It further provides a streamlined checkout process for purchasing these gift items with the registered SP sites (e.g. World Wide Web sites) over a distributed public network. Users and Service Providers (SP) initially register with the Gift Registry Service and are provided additional functionality. For users, a reminder service is provided to notify individuals automatically upon the trigger of certain events, such as important dates or product sales from online merchants. In addition, there are various occasion planning services available such as distribution lists, discussion groups, and other related resources for multiple events including weddings, baby showers, etc. These other resources include sending out announcements, reserving halls, and contracting services of related businesses for the occasion. A distinct advantage of this system is that users can perform all the planning for the event online in the comfort of their home or office. Service Providers on the other hand, can register system notification messages to be triggered on pre-determined events. In addition, Service Providers can obtain marketing information to tailor their products and services. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316936 | TAX CODE DETERMINATION - A method of assigning tax codes for a transactional document such as a list of items in a shopping cart. This method is a configurable solution without making changes to the application code. A series of questions are directed to an end user. Depending on the tax requirements of a country, the questions are tailored in a language understandable to the user. From these questions, possible answers are collected, and translated to a set of indicators. These indicators are mapped to tax codes that can be assigned to a transactional document listed in a shopping cart. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316937 | DIGITAL SYSTEM FOR GIVING A REAL GIFT - A computer-implemented method, comprising a method or touchscreen keyboard method to provide a Gift Character which is defined as a) an image or moving image which attaches monetary value corresponding to a real redeemable gift, b) an image or moving image which communicate visually the intrinsic and emotional value of a gift for electronic messages and documents. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316938 | LOCATION BASED SHOPPING LIST - A user can obtain a list of products previously purchased at a store where the user is presently shopping via the user's mobile device. The user can use this list to determine if any of the products previously purchased should again be purchased on the present shopping trip. For example, the user can choose from an app on the mobile device to view products purchased by location. A location based shopping list system can then determine at which store the user is shopping based upon a UPS location provided by the user's mobile device. The location based shopping list system can then return the list of product previously purchased at that store. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316939 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION - A computer-implemented method for providing an electric vehicle charging station recommendation includes receiving, at a remote server including a processor, a charge request from a vehicle computing device associated with an electric vehicle and determining at least one compatible charging station from one or more charging stations based on a comparison of the charge request to charging station data stored in a charging station database at the remote server. The method includes determining an availability status of the at least one compatible charging station based on whether real-time availability data can be obtained from the at least one compatible charging station and selecting at least one compatible charging station with an availability status in accordance with the charge request. The method includes providing information associated with the selected at least one compatible charging station to the vehicle computing device associated with the electric vehicle. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316940 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR DETERMINING PARTICIPANT RATINGS - Some examples provide systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for evaluating participants in a market platform based on the performance of the participants in transactions using the market platform. These evaluations may result in ratings being assigned to the participants, where the rating provides an assessment of the desirability of contracting with the particular party. For example, a rating may provide an estimate of the likelihood that a buyer will comply with the commitment level of their committed pricing agreement, or a rating may provide an estimate of how likely a supplier is to deliver ordered goods in a timely manner and at an agreed-upon price. Implementations may further allow for configuration of a rating engine to provide a unique rating designed for a particular contracting party. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316941 | Self-Adjusting Seller Zones - According to various embodiments, a first group of potential buyers of a product item is identified, and an item listing for sale of the product item is posted on a marketplace website, wherein the item listing being viewable by the first group of potential buyers. Thereafter, if it is determined that the product item has been purchased by at least one member of the first group within a predetermined time interval, the item listing is closed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product item has not been purchased by at least one member of the first group within the predetermined time interval, a second group of potential buyers may be identified. Thereafter, the item listing may be modified to generate a modified item listing being viewable by both the first and second groups of potential buyers. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316942 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSACTION AUTOMATION - A system and method provides a user of a network-based commerce system drag and drop functionality that allows a user to purchase goods from a network-based transaction system through the use of links and images. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316943 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATING AN E-COMMERCE PROVIDER WITH THIRD-PARTY VENDORS - A computer implemented method and apparatus for integrating e-commerce providers with third-party vendors. The method comprises receiving an order from one vendor of a plurality of vendors, wherein the order comprises a vendor identification, a fulfillment identification, and a vendor stock keeping unit (SKU), and wherein a plurality of the vendors each has a unique communication protocol; mapping the fulfillment identification to a user identification (userID) known to a provider; mapping the vendor SKU to a provider SKU; generating a provisioning call responsive to the mapping; and provisioning the SKU for the userID in a database of the provider in response to the provisioning call. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316944 | ESL SYSTEM USING SMART PHONE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention provide an ESL system using a smart phone and an operating method thereof. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the operating method of an ESL system using a smart phone includes listing purchase target product items and transmitting a product purchase item list through a smart phone of a user, and receiving the product purchase item list through a gateway, searching products of purchase items, and transmitting position information of each product to the smart phone, by an ESL server. The method further includes calculating an optimal path from a current position of the smart phone to a position of each product based on the position information of each product by the smart phone, and transmitting final position information of a corresponding product to the smart phone by the ESL server, when the smart phone approaches the corresponding product of a purchase target depending on a movement of the user based on the optimal path. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316945 | PROVIDING GIFT CLUSTERING FUNCTIONALITY TO ASSIST A USER IN ORDERING MULTIPLE ITEMS FOR A RECIPIENT - A method and system for creating of gift clusters of multiple items in a client/server environment by users, and for the ordering of such user-defined gift clusters of multiple items. In particular, a user can specify multiple items to be associated together as a gift cluster, and can also specify a variety of descriptive information about the gift cluster. That user or another user can then order the gift cluster as a gift for themselves or for another recipient, and may also order the gift cluster for the same or different recipients multiple times. The descriptive information can provide various information about how the gift cluster is to be used, and can also assist the user or others in identifying when the gift cluster is appropriate for a recipient. When customers are later searching for appropriate gift clusters, the various categorization or other descriptive information can then assist is identifying appropriate gift clusters. The gift clustering functionality may be provided by and work in conjunction with a particular item ordering service, or instead may work independently from any particular item ordering service. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316946 | EVENT-DRIVEN SALES PLATFORM AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - An online marketplace where second-hand sellers can attract and notify buyers of their inventory. An item can be added to the market place by a seller using the seller's computer. Alternatively, the seller can advertise a sale of multiple items using the online marketplace. A buyer can browse items and sales using the buyer's computer, can choose to add items to wish lists or watch lists, and can purchase items directly from the online marketplace. Alerts are sent to the user when items added to the watch lists or wish lists are altered to change quantity, quality, or price information. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316947 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316948 | Systems and Methods for Identifying and Delivering Tailored Content Based Upon a Service Dialog - The present disclosure identifies and/or delivers tailored content based upon a service dialog. For example, the systems may receive a request for tailored content, facilitate a service dialog to obtain information related to the request, and communicate a plurality of tailored content based upon the information related to the request. Further, the systems may identify tailored content based upon a consumer profile, communicate the tailored content to a web client, and/or receive a selection of the tailored content. Further still, the systems may modify a magazine (e.g., content that is presented electronically) based upon tailored content. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316949 | BUYER-SELLER PROPERTY MATCH MAILER NOTIFICATION METHOD - The invention disclosed herein is a method for informing uncommitted potential property owners that a buyer is potentially interested in purchasing a property with similar features as those possessed by the owner's property. The inventive method matches buyers interested in purchasing a property, such as a home, with prospective sellers that may be interested in selling their respective properties, via a web-based service maintained through a service provider. The sellers are prospective sellers and are made aware of buyer interest in their property by a service provider website, which instigates finding their properties through a title search, wherein search criteria are given to the title search based on buyers' property search criteria. Returned matches are listed, and from the information provided by the title search, a match mailer is sent to the property owner informing the owner of a buyer that may be interested in purchasing the property. If owner is interested, they may initiate contact with the potential buyer via the service provider's website. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316950 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENGAGING IN A TRANSACTION BETWEEN A BUSINESS ENTITY AND A MERCHANT - A computer-implemented method of engaging in a transaction between a merchant and a business entity. The method includes: initiating a transaction by the business entity with a merchant; obtaining, by the merchant, a business entity data set including at least one data field; communicating an authorization request from the merchant to a provider, the request including at least one data field from the business entity data set and at least one field from a transaction data set; establishing a credit-based relationship between the provider and the business entity; communicating an authorization response from the provider to at least one of the merchant and the business entity; and engaging in the transaction between the provider and the business entity based at least in part upon the established credit-based relationship. A system and apparatus are also disclosed. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316951 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING INVENTORY OF A PRODUCT WITHIN A STORAGE BIN - A system and method can monitor inventory of product within storage bins of a storage facility by mounting cameras to the storage bins. The cameras and a user processing device may be operably connected to a network such that the user processing device is in communication with the cameras. Further, the user processing device may search records of a database that correspond to product stored in the storage facility. Once a product of interest is identified, a location of the relevant storage bin may be provided to the user processing device, along with an image and/or video captured by the camera to show contents of the storage bin. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316952 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAPPING RECORDS IN A MANUFACTURER LINE, SERIES, MODEL HIERARCHY - A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for mapping product records according to attributes in a standard schema, the standard schema mapping product records from a plurality of content providers according to a product hierarchy from each respective content provider, the method including: receiving product data from a plurality of feeds including feeds from one or more content providers; identifying a plurality of product records received from each of the plurality of feeds; identifying a taxonomy of products received in each of the plurality of feeds; and storing product records and corresponding product attributes in a standard schema in a data set for each feed according to the taxonomy identified for each respective feed. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316953 | DETERMINING DATACENTER COSTS - A method for determining costs associated with at least one datacenter is described. A portal is accessed, the portal operable to provide a data collector. A data collector is received at the at least one data center. Data collected by the data collector sends the data to the portal. A report associated with the costs associated with the at least one datacenter is received. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316954 | SINGLE OR MULTI-COMPANY BUSINESS ACCOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAME INCLUDING ACCOUNT NUMBER MAINTENANCE - A computer implemented method for account number maintenance used within a single or multi-company accounting system is provided. The method comprises at a processor, performing the account number maintenance on at least one of a plurality of accounts. Each of the accounts has a plurality of account segments. Performing the account number maintenance includes at least one of i) renaming the account segment of at least one of the accounts; ii) changing a length the account segment of at least one of the accounts from a first defined length having a first number of characters to a new defined length having a second number of characters; iii) changing the account segment of at least one of the accounts; iv) merging two or more of the accounts into one of the accounts; and v) splitting one of the accounts into two different accounts. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316955 | Method for Automatic Testing of Tax Software - Configurations of client specific taxable transactions are validated by inputting client initial transaction data to a test deck generating program which is executed to generate a client tax configuration test deck comprising the initial transaction data, assumed transaction data, and expected taxability of the initial transaction data and assumed transaction data. A tax determination program is executed using data from the client tax configuration test deck to generate simulated tax calculations. The simulated tax calculations are input to a configuration validation program to compare the simulated tax calculations with the expected taxability of the transaction data to identify defects. A report is generated identifying any defects. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316956 | Cost Allocation System, Method and Device Having Multiple Data Collection Modules with Hierarchal Structures - A system has a hierarchal data structure for at least one offering, at least one provider of the offering and at least one receiver of the offering. In one embodiment, the system receives an input for a transaction involving the provider and receiver. The system generates cost information, which is available to system users. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316957 | CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH HIERARCHICAL INVOICING AND DIRECT PAYMENT FEATURES - A construction payment management system stores project data stored on a computer-readable memory for a plurality of construction projects. The system accesses stored project data for a first construction project and electronically generates a first request for payment on behalf of a first participant in the first construction project in response to information received by the application server from the first participant. The first request for payment is generated based at least in part on the accessed project data and is displayed to a general contractor for the first construction project. A payment is initiated from a project owner for the first construction project to the first participant based on the first request for payment after receiving approval of the request for payment from the general contractor. The stored project data stored is then updated based on the payment made to the first participant. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316958 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENERGY ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT - A method for tracking a quantity of a utility supplied to a device connected to a utility supply associated with a first account of the utility is disclosed. The method may include determining if the device is associated with a second account, and associating the quantity of the utility consumed by the device to the second account if the device is associated with the second account. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316959 | ESTIMATING FINANCIAL RISK BASED ON NON-FINANCIAL DATA - A method for estimating a risk associated with a project includes preparing a plurality of data models, where each of the plurality of data models examines a different dimension of the project, classifying each of the plurality of data models to produce a plurality of prediction models, where each of the plurality of prediction models is defined by a plurality of quality metrics, and where the plurality of quality metrics includes a preliminary estimate of the risk and a measure of confidence in the preliminary estimate, and computing a refined estimate of the risk based on a quality of the plurality of quality metrics. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316960 | MERCHANT BANK TOOL - Apparatus for identifying a disputed merchant bank is provided. The apparatus may comprise a receiver configured to receive transactional data, claim data, and disputed merchant data from one or more databases. The apparatus may also include a processor configured to calculate metric values for each of a plurality of merchant banks. The processor may be further configured to profile a distribution of each of the metrics into two or more bins and to assign a risk score to each bin. The processor may also be configured to calculate an aggregated risk score for each of the plurality of merchant banks by summing a risk score for each metric value associated with the merchant bank, the risk score corresponding to the risk score of the bin into which the metric value is distributed. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316961 | Dynamic Tick Size Order Aggregator - Systems and methods are provided for dynamically adjusting a bid ask spread while maintaining a fixed trading increment. Various criteria may be analyzed to determine if a bid ask spread meets the desired criteria. When the criteria is not met, the bid ask spread may be adjusted by aggregating orders. Aggregation may include raising a price of the lowest ask prices and/or lowering a price of the highest bid orders. | 2014-10-23 |
20140316962 | Post-Order Management of Financial Instruments - Methods for managing a plurality of orders for a financial instrument includes accepting the plurality of orders for clearing; sending a cleared confirmation message indicating that the plurality of orders has been cleared; receiving notification instructions to group the plurality of cleared orders; terminating the plurality of cleared orders and creating a new order; and sending a cleared confirmation message for the new order. Systems for electronically managing a plurality of orders for a financial instrument and computer-readable media are described. | 2014-10-23 |