47th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090287507 | Method for Operating a Return Generation System and a System for Generating Returns - A method for operating a return generation system comprises several steps. In a first step, a group of a plurality of individuals is determined. In a further step, at least one asset is gathered from each of said individuals. Said at least one asset is subsequently transferred to a pool of assets. Upon death of one of the individuals, a rate to be distributed to the surviving individuals is automatically calculated. Subsequently, the assets are distributed among the surviving individuals. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287508 | METHODS OF ANALYSIS OF POLYMORPHISMS AND USES THEREOF - The present invention provides methods for the assessment of a subject's health risk and the application of that assessment to a health-related decision, in particular a financial decision. The methods are dependant on the results of at least one genetic analysis, in particular genetic analyses that are predictive of predisposition to one or more diseases, including one or more genetic analyses of genetic polymorphisms associated with one or more diseases. Methods and systems for determining the availability of insurance to a subject utilising an assessment of a subject's health risk are also provided. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287509 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATING INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESSING - Techniques for automating insurance claim processing are provided. The techniques include obtaining at least one rule from historical data, using the at least one rule to segment a dataset, wherein segmenting the dataset comprises using an iterative process involving a pattern classification technique, using the segmented dataset to determine if a claim can be automatically settled, and automatically settling a claim if it is determined that the claim can be automatically settled. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287510 | Methods and products for providing incentive compatible mortgage loans - A method for efficient first mortgage loans including the steps of identifying suitable borrowers for a marginally priced mortgage loan, determining an aggregate asset value of property owned by the suitable borrowers, determining a capital structure of the marginally priced mortgage loan for the respective property as between debt and equity, tranching the debt capital structure into a plurality of debt tranches, wherein lowest loan to value tranches have seniority over higher loan to value tranches, assigning each tranche an interest rate based upon a plurality of criteria including probability of default, correlation of default, and credit market conditions, creating a structured note which provides legal rights for each such tranche in a bankruptcy remote issuance entity and securitization or sale of such structured notes to investors. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287511 | METHOD OF OBTAINING PREPAYMENT OF A CONTRACT PAYMENT - A method for conducting a transaction is provided wherein a consumer prepays for a service in a traditional retail transaction to obtain a voucher that allows the customer, at a later time and date, to complete the enrollment process in order to obtain the underlying service. In general operation, a customer selects a desired service that is represented by a tangible product representation, such as a gift card or the like. That product representation is then presented to the cashier at the retail location like any other product and the customer pays the cashier for the product. The settlement value for the retail transaction is sent to the service provider and the customer uses the product representation to contact the service provider to complete the transaction for services and establish a contract or account. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287512 | System And Process For Dominance Classification For Insurance Underwriting Suitable For Use By An Automated System - A risk classification technique that exploits the existing risk structure of the decision problem in order to produce risk categorizations for new candidates is described. The technique makes use of a set of candidates for which risk categories have already been assigned (in the case of insurance underwriting, for example, this would pertain to the premium class assigned to an application). Using this set of labeled candidates, the technique produces two subsets for each risk category: the Pareto-best subset and the Pareto-worst subset by using Dominance. These two subsets can be seen as representing the least risky and the most risky candidates within a given risk category. If there are a sufficient number of candidates in these two subsets, then the candidates in these two subsets can be seen as samples from the two hypothetical risk surfaces in the feature space that bound the risk category from above and below respectively. A new candidate is assigned a risk category by verifying if the candidate lies within these two bounding risk surfaces. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287513 | System and method for processing multiple bookings to receive a transportation service - A system and method for use by a transportation service provider to process multiple bookings in a single transaction. This single-transaction processing can be initiated to place passengers of multiple bookings on a same flight, to seat passengers of multiple bookings next to one another, or to reserve special services for passengers of multiple bookings. This mechanism is supported by a user interface that allows multiple bookings to be “visually merged”. This provides a display that presents data for multiple bookings as though that data is part of a same booking, and which readily allows a user to initiate processing of the data during a single transaction. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287514 | RAPID CANDIDATE OPT-IN CONFIRMATION SYSTEM - A recruiting system and method includes an automated candidate opt-in confirmation system for identifying and screening job candidate resumes that permits at least one potential candidate to opt-in to seek a job opportunity. The recruiting system enables a candidate to opt-in using a telephone, the Internet, or through any other suitable mediums or methods. The recruiting system and method provides a highly effective tool for job recruiters to select and identify qualified candidates that want to pursue a specified job opportunity quickly and efficiently. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287515 | Monetization of Offline-Interface Events Operating on Ads Distributed Through Advertising Networks - Ads servers, clients, and networks serve and/or publish ads through online networks, then track offline-interface events that operate on the ads, and charge advertisers based on the offline-interface events. An enabling network includes an ads publishing module to request an ad from an ads serving module and publish the ad, a tracking module to track offline-interface events that operate on the published ad, and a billing module to charge an advertiser based on the offline-interface events. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287516 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AGGREGATION AND COMMUNICATING OF PROCESS METADATA OF HETEROGENEOUS PRODUCTION PROCESS CHAINS - System and method for aggregation and transmission of process metadata ( | 2009-11-19 |
20090287517 | AUTOMATED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS USING MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATION TOOL - An automated method, system and program product for opportunity analysis utilizing a management qualification tool is disclosed. The management qualification tool gathers a current state data concerning a complex business situation and analyzes the data in a stepwise manner through successively detailed questions. A future state solution can be calculated and can be compared to established benchmark data. A report can be automatically generated in a standardized format. Such an approach can be carried out by a software application program associated with a GUI wherein the non-input required fields can be password protected. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287518 | Inventory control and optimization - A method of revenue management of an inventory of items in order to optimize the availability of one or several item(s) requested by a user, method comprising the steps of calculating an online estimate of a first element associated with the request; calculating an online estimate of a second element associated with the request; comparing the estimate of the first and second element to determine whether or not requested items can be granted to the requestor. The optimized calculations take place in real time and are handled by a single on-line system that does not need to rely on uploads of recommendations from an external off-line optimization system. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287519 | System and Method for Equipment Management - A method for managing equipment may include operating one or more equipment units, tracking operating data for the one or more equipment units, tracking equipment service data for the one or more equipment units, communicating the operating data and the equipment service data to a database, maintaining the operating data and the equipment service data at the database, operating one or more point of sale interfaces for processing customer orders, communicating customer order data from the point of sale interfaces to the database, maintaining customer order data at the database, and calculating estimated service dates for one or more of the equipments units. The calculation of estimated service dates may be based on the operating data, the equipment service data, and the customer order data. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287520 | TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINING AND REPORTING REDUCTION IN EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES AT A SITE - A system for generating standardized greenhouse gas emission reduction credits based on mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions at a site resulting from use of renewable carbon as a fuel at the site to produce energy in substitution for previous use of a fossil fuel at the site, includes a computer, at least one database accessible by the computer and containing past site-specific data and subsequent site-specific data regarding the at least one variable impacting emissions of the greenhouse gas generated from the use of the renewable carbon as a fuel for generating energy at the site, a greenhouse gas emissions modeling module, and at least one interface to the computer, for outputting a report of the identified quantity of the standardized greenhouse gas emission reduction credits. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287521 | Managing Project Schedule Data Using Separate Current And Historical Task Schedule Data - A project management system manages project schedule data using separate current and historical task schedule data structures. In general, current schedule data is stored separately from historical schedule data, so that the current schedule data may be retrieved separately from the historical task schedule data. The project management system may also maintain unscheduled tasks as “to-do lists.” Tasks may be added to a member's schedule without specifying any planned dates and the tasks are added to the database. The tasks have an associated revision number of 0 to indicate that the tasks were added, but not yet scheduled. The tasks are displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules. The tasks may then be displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules in a manner that allows a user to readily determine that the tasks are “to-do list” tasks. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287522 | To-Do List Representation In The Database Of A Project Management System - A project management system manages project schedule data using separate current and historical task schedule data structures. In general, current schedule data is stored separately from historical schedule data, so that the current schedule data may be retrieved separately from the historical task schedule data. The project management system may also maintain unscheduled tasks as “to-do lists.” Tasks may be added to a member's schedule without specifying any planned dates and the tasks are added to the database. The tasks have an associated revision number of 0 to indicate that the tasks were added, but not yet scheduled. The tasks are displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules. The tasks may then be displayed in the member schedule editor and in Web page schedules in a manner that allows a user to readily determine that the tasks are “to-do list” tasks. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287523 | SHOWING AND CORRECTING IRREGULARITIES IN A SCHEDULE - Technologies are described herein for showing and correcting irregularities in a schedule. A project management application allows a user to manually define tasks within a schedule. The application evaluates the manually defined tasks to determine if the tasks cause an irregularity within the schedule. If so, the application provides one or more visual indications of the irregularity to the user. The application also provides functionality for allowing a user to resolve or ignore the irregularity. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287524 | Method for offering the user through a web portal a project to be financed by means of credits accumulated with the purchase over Internet in properly selected e-commerce sites - A method by which various stakeholders may interact in order to allocate money funds to certain determined projects through a web portal to a project to be financed by means of credits accumulated with purchases over the Internet in selected e-commerce sites by web users who purchase or want to hand over sums of money, to users who offer projects to be financed through a portal which manages the transactions. The invention also includes a method for offering, through a web portal, projects to be financed by means of credits which accumulate as a result of purchases over the Internet that can offer wide guarantees to the donee that the proposed projects have considerable potential to collect cash funds which will allow the implementation of the proposed projects. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287525 | System and Method For Safety Management - A computerized method of safety improvement and management within an organization may include receiving a first set of data from the organization over a global communication network. The first set of data may include organizational data, safety incident data, safety performance data, and/or workplace hazard data. The computerized method may also perform, within a computer process, a needs assessment for the organization by analyzing the first set of data. The needs assessment may generate information regarding at existing safety issues, gaps within the organization's safety performance, and/or gaps within the organization's safety procedures. The computerized method may then, within a computer process create a safety program for the organization. The safety program may be based, at least in part upon the needs assessment and may include solutions to the existing safety issues and/or gaps within the organization's safety performance and procedures. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287526 | DYNAMIC WORK ALLOCATION SYSTEM FOR TRANSACTION PROCESSING - A dynamic work allocation system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes dynamically classifying jobs into job lists according to a predetermined classifying process by a collecting engine, a controlling engine, and a monitoring engine, dynamically prioritizing the jobs within each job list of the jobs lists into an ordered job list according to a predetermined prioritizing process by the collecting engine, the controlling engine, the monitoring engine, a diagnosing engine, a learning engine, and a predicting engine, and dynamically mapping the jobs in the ordered job list to agents according to a predetermined mapping process by the collecting engine, the controlling engine, the monitoring engine, the diagnosing engine, the learning engine, and the predicting engine. The method may include dynamically collecting of a job of the jobs and/or information associated with the job of the jobs by the collecting engine and the controlling engine. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287527 | Device for communicating orders for transportation, vehicle-base communication device, communication system and method - A communication system is disclosed for transportation orders. It at least one embodiment, it includes a central communication device, with a memory for recording order specifications, with a transceiver unit for receiving vehicle information and with an assignment unit which is embodied for assigning orders to vehicles on the basis of the vehicle information and the order specifications, with an order which can be assigned to one or more vehicles, able to be sent via the transceiver unit to the vehicle or the vehicles and further including at least one vehicle-based communication device, with a transceiver unit for transmission of vehicle information and for receiving transportation orders, with the communication device being connected or able to be connected to each communication device for communicating communication orders via a respective communication link. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287528 | DYNAMIC SELECTION OF WORK FLOWS BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS TO FACILITATE DATA ENTRY - A system and method for selecting a work flow to direct a user to an appropriate form and facilitate the entry of data. The system identifies one or more environmental conditions that are associated with the data that is to be entered. Environmental conditions may include the size of the display on which the form will be displayed, the user that will be utilizing the form, the location, date and/or time that the form will be displayed, and other conditions. Based on the identified environmental conditions, the system selects a work flow that will efficiently direct the user to an appropriate form or series of forms for data entry. The system may select a work flow from a plurality of template work flows. The system may monitor paths taken by users within a work flow and seek to optimize the work flow based on the monitored paths. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287529 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer-implemented data processing system comprises account management logic, workflow logic, and interface logic. The account management logic is configured to manage financial accounts associated with a plurality of users. The workflow logic is configured to identify workflow items to be acted upon by users in connection with financial transactions relating to the financial accounts. The interface logic cooperates with the workflow logic to generate a plurality of display screens to be displayed by wireless handheld mobile devices. The display screens comprise a home page screen that is provided to the user upon login and that includes a link to a workflow screen where the user may act upon one or more of the workflow items. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287530 | PLAN EXECUTION CONTROL APPARATUS, PLAN EXECUTION CONTROL METHOD, AND PLAN EXECUTION CONTROL PROGRAM - The invention provides a plan execution control apparatus, a plan execution control method and a plan execution control program capable of giving instructions for sensitively and efficiently maintaining even installations located in a wide range. The plan execution control apparatus includes a linkage reliability calculating section for calculating a target reliability of a single or a plurality of mutually related installations, a damaged state transition control section that provides a damaged state transition structure of the installations, a maintenance time limit calculating section for calculating a time limit related to the maintenance work to meet the target level of reliability of each key point and section, the constraint control section for recognizing and recording the constraints related to traveling of maintenance personnel, the traveling workload and the acceptable workload, and the itinerary maintenance determining section for calculating the itinerary schedule indicating the assignment to the object to be maintained. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287531 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SCHEDULE IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and method for managing a schedule in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes displaying a user interface including a whiteboard on a standby screen, receiving schedule data from a user through coordinates at which the standby screen is touched, and displaying the received schedule data on the whiteboard. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287532 | PROVIDING AN ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE TO FACILITATE HUMAN PERFORMANCE OF PROGRAMMATICALLY SUBMITTED TASKS - A method, system, and computer-readable medium is described for facilitating interactions between task requesters who have tasks that are available to be performed and task performers who are available to perform tasks. In some situations, the tasks to be performed are human performance tasks that use cognitive and other mental skills of human task performers, such as to employ judgment, perception and/or reasoning skills of the human task performers. In addition, in some situations the available tasks are submitted by human task requesters via application programs that programmatically invoke one or more application program interfaces of an electronic marketplace in order to request that the tasks be performed and to receive corresponding results of task performance in a programmatic manner, so that an ensemble of unrelated human agents can interact with the electronic marketplace to collectively perform a wide variety and large number of tasks. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287533 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MANAGING AN INVENTORY OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS - A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include storing telephone number inventory data using a database associated with a network, receiving, from a user system, a request for telephone number forecast data, forecasting future telephone number usage based on at least a history of telephone number inventory data, and providing, to the user system, telephone number forecast data based on at least the forecast of future telephone number usage. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287534 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTEMPORANEOUS PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SALES SUPPORT FOR RETAIL CUSTOMERS - A system and method for providing contemporaneous product information includes identifying a product by collecting information with a user device, and determining a customer location using information collected by the user device. Based upon the product and the customer location, a sales person qualified to respond to customer questions is identified. A link is established between the customer and the sales person to permit live chat between a sales person and the customer. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING DATA - In one embodiment, the method comprises operating one or more commercial appliances and establishing an event count each time a preparation event is carried out in the commercial appliance. The method further comprises communicating each event count to a database and maintaining event count information at the database. The method further comprises operating one or more point of sale interfaces for processing customer orders and communicating customer order information to a database and maintaining customer order information at the database. The method then comprises generating operating reports, the operating reports being based on the event count information and/or customer order information. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287536 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING CONSUMER PURCHASE BEHAVIOR - Disclosed is a method for determining consumer purchasing behavior by corresponding received transaction data and received electronic payment data at a purchasing behavior node. The correspondence between the received transaction data and the received electronic payment data can be determined using payment and purchase amounts with timestamps in the received transaction data and received electronic payment data. If the timestamps are unavailable, the correspondence can be determined using the order or sequence of the purchases and transactions. The purchasing behavior node links data from the electronic payment data with data from the received transaction data. The linked data provides valuable information on how specific consumers are spending their money. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287537 | Dynamic bidding and ranking system - The present invention relates to certain bidding and ranking systems, which may be used to rank objects in a computing environment, such as, for example, bidding and ranking systems that may be used to rank on-line advertisements. According to certain embodiments of the invention, such methods of ranking objects comprise receiving input values from a plurality of users. Each input value is preferably correlated with an object during a defined time interval, and each object is associated with a single user. The method further comprises calculating a sum of the input values associated with each object at defined time points, and then ranking each object, at each time point, based on the sum of the input values associated with each object. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287538 | System And Method For Determining Trailing Data Adjustment Factors - Timely projections of product sales for a reporting time period are obtained by combining actual sales data received from reporting stores and estimated sales data for non-reporting stores. The projections are adjusted to account for trailing data, which may be reported after the end of the subject time period. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287539 | Sample Store Forecasting Process And System - A method and system of predicting market information includes the steps of receiving first data, forecasting further data based on the first data, receiving second data and comparing the further data with the second data, and creating an adjustment factor to account for any difference between the further data and the second data. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287540 | System And Method For Allocating Prescriptions To Non-Reporting Outlets - A method for predicting market information for a plurality of pharmaceutical outlets includes the steps of receiving first data representing purchases and sales of at least one pharmaceutical product from at least one pharmaceutical outlet over a time period in the past, calculating the amount of prescriptions that are not reported in a timely manner at a product-level, computing a product-level projection factor for the at least one pharmaceutical product and using the product-level projection factor to estimate the unreported amount of prescriptions. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287541 | Sample Store Forecasting Process And System - A method and system of predicting market information includes the steps of receiving first data, forecasting further data based on the first data, receiving second data and comparing the further data with the second data, and creating an adjustment factor to account for any difference between the further data and the second data. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287542 | System And Method For Allocating Prescriptions To Non-Reporting Outlets - A method for predicting market information for a plurality of pharmaceutical outlets includes the steps of receiving first data representing purchases and sales of at least one pharmaceutical product from at least one pharmaceutical outlet over a time period in the past, calculating the amount of prescriptions that are not reported in a timely manner at a product-level, computing a product-level projection factor for the at least one pharmaceutical product and using the product-level projection factor to estimate the unreported amount of prescriptions. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287543 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING AGGREGATION OF SOCIAL CREDITS - Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for facilitating the aggregation of carbon reduction credits resulting from finance loans financing the purchase of energy technology. For example, a credit aggregator may receive from a finance institution estimate parameters describing a loan type. The credit aggregator may calculate a value of a carbon reduction credit associated with each loan of the loan type considering the estimate parameters and display the value to the finance institution. In addition, the credit aggregator may receive bid data and booking data from the finance institution. When a credit is booked, the credit aggregator may receive from the finance institution periodic indications of a status of the intervention technology. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287544 | Customer managed restaurant information system - A restaurant information system includes a point-of-sale (POS) device constructed and arranged for identifying a customer at a restaurant, an amount owed for food or other items purchased at the restaurant, a financial services provider, and a restaurant customer service of which the customer is a member. A network server is associated with the restaurant customer service, and is configured to access a personal customer file created by the customer. The POS device is configured to prompt and receive a customer entry including a review or other comments concerning the restaurant, and to address the customer entry to the second network server for writing in the customer's personal file. The network server may also be configured to compile a searchable database reflecting customer entries made in a number of different customer files. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287545 | System and method for computer program implemented internet digital music marketplace - A system and method for modeling and implementation of a computer program to provide an individual artist the ability to access a system for marketing music on the website, a fan voting system, an artist rating system, an artist award system, music genre chat rooms that play random tracks from the digital music store, the optional ability for multiple artists to post their live concerts, the ability for multiple artist to post tour schedules, music tournaments, charts, a digital music store that allow producers the ability to upload their instrumentals and sell them in a auction style listing, and a digital music store that gives multiple artist the ability to upload their music for sale with full control of their music's pricing and marketing. Said computer implemented system and method may be implemented on a single stand alone computer, or a computer terminal connected to a global public network. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287546 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORGANIZING HOTEL-RELATED DATA - A method for grouping hotels for a travel entity may include identifying a plurality of hotels stayed at in the past by members of a travel entity, identifying a subset of hotels having a particular significance to the travel entity, each hotel being associated with a position indicator, clustering hotels in the subset of hotels using a clustering algorithm, where the position indicator for each hotel serves as the basis for calculating a geographical similarity measure for the clustering algorithm, identifying hotels not used by the travel entity but that are within the boundaries of the clusters, and optionally displaying a visual depiction of a cluster of hotels. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287547 | SALES BENCHMARKING AND COACHING TOOL - A machine- or computer-implemented sales coaching tool and methodology provide a method for a user to evaluate a sales or marketing opportunity of interest. The sales coaching tool, method, and system are configured to present users with one or more questions related to one or more marketing conditions, receive a user response to the questions, process the received responses, and provide an advice package based on the responses. The advice package may include coaching advice and/or a benchmark of where the user may have strengths or vulnerabilities with respect to an opportunity of interest. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287548 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFORMING INFORMAL UNTRADEABLE PROPERTY TO FORMAL TRADEABLE PROPERTY - A method and system for transforming informal, untradeable properties into formal, tradeable properties in is carried out by controlling the design and implementation of regulatory and/or legal changes and by aligning interests of investors and governments to those changes. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287549 | METHOD OF ANALYZING A SALE PROCESS FOR A COMPANY - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-implemented method, a machine, and computer program product to determine an adequacy of a process to sell an entity responsive to competition, fairness, thoroughness, and good faith. A computer evaluates a sale of an entity by rating solicitation efforts associated with potential buyers of the entity, by rating information about the entity prepared for potential buyers, by rating time frames surrounding the sale, by rating circumstances associated with a transfer of the entity, by rating a negotiation process associated with the sale of the entity, and by rating efforts associated with an execution of the sale. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287550 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DRIVE THRU PERFORMANCE - In one embodiment, the method comprises operating one or more monitoring devices for recording and interpreting vehicle presence data and communicating vehicle presence data to a remote database. The method further comprises generating performance reports, the performance reports being based on the vehicle presence data. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287551 | Multi-level real estate method and system - A method of compensating a plurality of participants, includes hierarchically representing, in a database communicatively associated with a computer, a multi-level real estate team, the team being based upon sponsoring of members in the team; collecting a membership fee from each member of the team, the membership fee being independent of a real estate transaction; placing the collected fees into a revenue pool; determining by the computer, via interrogation against the database, a respective team bonus for respective team members based at least in part on the hierarchy between the team members; and distributing, based at least in part on the computer determination, the respective team bonuses from the revenue pool to respective team members. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287552 | System and method for playing sweepstakes games - Systems and methods for promoting a business with sweepstakes games and for playing sweepstakes games that allows a user to access or consume computer-based services while simultaneously playing sweepstakes games. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287553 | System and Method for Website Monetization - The present invention provides a website monetization system on a central computer, the website monetization system comprising a web page creation tool, a website hosting tool, an advertising tool, a content provision tool, a monetization tool, and a franchisee payment tool. The central server comprises a central website on a particular interest; a website creation tool operative to provide web page development tools to a franchise administrator system for generating a franchise website on the particular interest as it pertains to a target region, the web page development tools including an advertising tool for adding an advertisement of an advertiser associated with the target region into the franchise website, and a franchisee payment tool for providing a franchise payment to a party associated with the central website. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287554 | COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT, AND COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND COMPUTING SYSTEM FOR EXPOSING ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT - A computer-implemented method and computing system for providing advertisement content and a computer-implemented method and computing system for exposing advertisement content are provided. A computer-implemented method of providing advertisement content, the method includes: receiving a bid request with respect to the advertisement content associated with digital broadcast content; determining an exposure ranking of the advertisement content using quality information of the advertisement content; and providing the digital broadcast content and the advertisement content arranged based on the exposure ranking, wherein the advertisement content is classified by an accounting method. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287555 | SYSTEM FOR ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS - A hierarchical system for attracting new customer comprises providing a coupon to an existing customer, the coupon identifying only the existing customer and when that coupon is redeemed by a second customer, the first customer receives value. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287556 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR PRE-SCREENING CUSTOMERS FOR CREDIT CARD APPROVAL AT A POINT OF SALE - An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system and storage medium for pre-screening customers for a credit card at a point of sale. The method includes receiving the customer data at a point of sale system and, during a check out process: transmitting the customer data to a server; searching a database for the customer data; and based upon results of the searching, performing a credit worthiness check and providing said customer with an invitation to open a charge account. If the customer accepts the invitation, a charge account is opened before a payment method is selected whereby the customer can place the items selected for purchase on the new charge account while at the point of sale system. The system includes at least one point of sale system coupled to a communications link; a server coupled to the point of sale system via the communications link; a data storage device in communication with the server; and a link to a credit information server. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287557 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCENTIVIZING CONSUMERS - The system evaluates a set of incentives based upon a variety of factors and/or predetermined rules and consumers are provided incentives when they satisfy one or more criteria of making payments for their transaction accounts. The one or more criteria include making an early payment, paying more than a minimum amount due, and making the payment through an automatic payment scheme. If a received payment satisfies one or more predefined criteria, one or more incentives are selected for the consumer, tracked, and provided to the consumer. The system analyzes payment information to determine attributes and positive (desirable) behavior and provides incentives to the consumer based on such positive behaviors. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287558 | Electronic Coupon Tracking - In accordance with one or more aspects of the electronic coupon tracking, a record of an electronic coupon that has been distributed to a user is maintained. An indication that the electronic coupon has been redeemed at a retailer via a mobile device is received, and redemption of the electronic is recorded. Additionally, an indication can be received that the electronic coupon has been redeemed by the user. In response to receipt of this indication, a rewards account corresponding to the user is credited with one or more points. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287559 | TabTab - Electronic advertisements and other types of electronic information are distributed based on user profiles and in particular, collections of widgets. User profiles may be generated based on a combination of user searches for specific items or points of interest. Alternatively user interests may be determined by the customized tabs setup by said user for his own personal web portal. User entered information and information inferred or derived from user behavior and interaction patterns may be used to determine the type of directed advertisement to be targeted to a specific user. The use and collection of various widgets may also be recorded by a user profile to determine a user's preferences and interests. An advertisement may be distributed by segmenting a user population according to user profile information and one or more attributes of the advertisement. Users may further interact with the widgets in a variety of ways including specifying product request details such as make, model, price and color, requesting additional information about the advertised product or service and/or requesting communications with an advertiser without compromising their privacy. Thus, unnecessary surfing of the internet may be eliminated for updated information and internet commerce. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287560 | Items Ratio Based Price/Discount Adjustment in a Combinatorial Auction - In a combinatorial exchange, rules can be input for processing bids and a desired exchange objective can be defined. A subset of the rules can be used to determine if an allocation of the bids exists that is optimal for the type of exchange being conducted. If the desired exchange objective is not satisfied, new allocations can be determined using different subsets of rules each time until the desired exchange objective is satisfied. At least one of the bids can include a reference ratio; a discount; a price associated with a quantity Q | 2009-11-19 |
20090287561 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO AVOID FAKE METRICS IN ADVERTISING - A method and apparatus to avoid fake advertisement metrics from an untrusted application, the method receiving an indication from the untrusted application that an advertisement is required, assuming control of at least a portion of a user interface, providing the advertisement, compiling metrics; and reporting the compiled metrics. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287562 | ANONYMOUS MERCHANT-CUSTOMER LOYALTY REWARDS PROGRAM - A system of and method for rewarding an anonymous merchant-customer for performing multiple debit transactions on a defined set of merchant debit-machines comprises receiving data associated with a discrete one of the multiple debit transactions, generating and updating data associated with the anonymous customer without having the anonymous customer provide personally identifiable information, determining whether to reward the anonymous customer for performing one or more debit transactions, and if so, rewarding the anonymous customer. The method may be implemented on or by one or more merchant debit machines (e.g., automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals), remote processors, financial institutions, general-purpose computers, or special-purpose computers. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287563 | Method for funding a plurality of charities or similar organizations through flexible allocation of credit card rebates and similar contributions - The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus wherein consumers, typically credit card holders, can allocate their rebates and similar financial incentives amongst a plurality of charitable or non-profit institutions or other destinations. The method and apparatus further allows additional sources of funding such as rebates from additional credit cards, participating merchant rebate programs, incentives from banks or other financial institutions, donated airline miles and similar incentives, and payroll deductions. Likewise, the method and apparatus further allows additional destinations for a portion of the funding, including investment vehicles which are personally owned, and points or miles in airline or similar programs. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287564 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAXIMIZING A REWARDS ACCUMULATION STRATEGY DURING TRANSACTION PROCESSING - Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287565 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POINT OF INTERACTION BASED POLICY ROUTING OF TRANSACTIONS - Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287566 | USER EXPERIENCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS BY ALLOWING USERS TO IDENTIFY ADVERTISEMENTS THAT USERS DISLIKE - The embodiments of the present invention fill the need of avoiding the display of advertisements that are strongly disliked by users. Displaying advertisements that are strongly disliked (or offend), web sites stand the chance of driving users away or losing users. By allowing users to identify advertisements that offend or annoy (or are strongly disliked by them), web sites can configure the systems so that offensive or annoying advertisements are not displayed to the users in the future. In addition, when a user is seriously turned off by an advertisement, the user is more likely to indicate his/her dislike toward the advertisement (ad). The user is also likely to give a reason as to why he/she does not like the ad, and could be willing to provide further information on what types of ads are also liked or disliked by the user. User input can then be collected, enabling custom application of the user's preference for certain types of advertisements. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287567 | Method and System for Selecting and Delivering Media Content via the Internet - A system and method for selecting portions of content, and media content sets to be delivered over a packet based network is provided. The selected portions of content (such as a web page) may be keywords such as a word or a group of words. The media content sets may include one or more of video content (that may include an audio portion), audio content, graphics, images, or other multimedia or single media content. The media content set may include advertising, informational, business, educational, governmental, institutional, customized (e.g., personalized) content and/or other content. According to an example embodiment, the present invention provides a heuristic model employing a piece-wise linear optimization function to select keywords and the media content sets for delivery by a media delivery provider. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287568 | Method for providing daily dynamic visual information on beverage sleeves and/or cups - The present invention relates generally to method where advertising content may contain daily up to date information printed on the sleeves and/or cups or labels, such as daily national and world wide news, daily local weather report, daily comics, jokes, daily business and stock market information, daily local news, daily emergency local news, sport news, lottery report, health and sport information, and other daily information for the customers, advertising, sales, and the like. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287569 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AUDIO ADVERTISEMENTS IN A COMPUTER NETWORK - A method and apparatus for providing audio advertisements in a computer network enables Web sites to deliver audio advertisements that cannot be bypassed by a visitor. More particularly, an advertising or sponsoring Web site receives a request from at least one user for delivery of a user-selected Web page associated with the Web site. The Web site selects at least one audio advertisement from a plurality of audio advertisements for delivery to the user in conjunction with the user-selected Web page. The Web site then delivers the audio advertisement to the user via the network in a format that precludes the user from controlling the manner of playback of the audio advertisement. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287570 | E-commerce website - An Internet e-commerce website provides online content having incentives that motivate consumers to select affiliated vendors. After purchasing goods or services from the affiliated vendors, consumers view a purchase history and receive credit based on purchase amounts. Credits may be used to enter a sweepstakes. Consumers are also provided access to local vendors via website links to the local vendors' web pages. After completing their purchases, consumers receive scratch cards from the vendor. A consumer logs back onto the e-commerce website, and enters a promotion identifying number from the scratch card. A consumer's account is credited based on purchases made. The consumer uses the credits to enter a sweepstakes or other games offered through the website. The sweepstakes is a lottery-style play wherein the consumer picks a desired set of digits using a lottery play slip. The available numbers may correspond to a scheduled state drawing to ensure integrity. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287571 | Hypervisor and virtual machine ware - An apparatus, system and method for an instant-on environment. The apparatus, system and method may include a hypervisor instantiated by a BIOS, at least one application space instantiated by the hypervisor in parallel to, and prior to complete boot of, at least one main operating system, and a graphical user interface including at least one application software, which at least one application software includes at least one embedded content, launched within said at least one application space. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287572 | System And Method For Client-Side Advertisement Retrieval - A system for retrieving advertisements includes a client configured to receive content, the content including an identification tag identifying an advertisement type that is associated with the content, the advertisement type corresponding to an advertisement, and a browser associated with the client and configured to render the content, wherein the client uses the information in the identification tag to send a single request for an advertisement creative associated with the advertisement type. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287573 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PAY-PER-CLICK SATELLITE ON A USER DESKTOP - A system and method for placing a live, interactive, product specific communication conduit on user desktops. A retailer, wholesaler, or any other type of provider of goods or services having a website describing one or more products selects specific products for which the retailer desires to enable direct communication with consumers. The display of the selected products on the retailer's website are marked with an identifiable label, for example, the text “Grab-It”. Consumers are enabled to drag and drop the display of the product to their desktop, creating an interactive icon (also referred to herein as a “satellite icon”.) The interactive icon supports two-way messaging between the retailer and the consumer. The retailer is enabled to push content regarding the selected content, for example, product specific advertising to the icon for display. The consumer is enabled to request information or periodic updates regarding the product through the icon. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287574 | ATTACHMENT OF VIDEOS TO ADVERTISEMENTS ON WEBSITES - An advertisement is provided as an element of a personal space of a user. A video is added to the advertisement. The video is played in relation to the advertisement. The personal space, for example, may be a personal web page, which may be hosted by a social networking provider. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287575 | System, Program Product, And Computer-Implemented Method For Loading A Loan On A Pre-Paid Card - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, program products, and methods of loading a loan on a pre-paid card. A bank receives authorization from a lender to credit loan proceeds from the lender to an approved borrower on a pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor so that release of the loan proceeds is pending an activation of a pre-paid card. Next, the bank receives notice of an activation of a pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor responsive to an activation request on behalf of the approved borrower. Then the bank credits the pending loan proceeds to the pre-paid card processor for the activated pre-paid card so that the loan proceeds are released to the approved borrower and are immediately available. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287576 | COMMODITY SALES DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM, COMMODITY SALES DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY METHOD FOR TRANSACTION INFORMATION - A POS apparatus includes a code scanner and a radio communication unit. A store clerk inputs a commodity code from the code scanner. The POS apparatus generates transaction information based on the input commodity code. The radio communication unit transmits and outputs the transaction information. A customer carries a cellular phone. The cellular phone includes a terminal display unit and a radio communication unit. When the radio communication unit receives the transaction information, the terminal display unit displays the received transaction information. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287577 | System, Program Product, and Computer-Implemented Method For Loading a Loan on an Existing Pre-Paid Card - Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, program products, and methods of loading a loan on a pre-paid card. A bank receives authorization from a lender to credit loan proceeds from the lender to an approved borrower on an existing pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor. Next, the bank credits the loan proceeds to the pre-paid card processor for the existing pre-paid card so that the loan proceeds are released to the approved borrower and are immediately available. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287578 | CHARGING STATION FOR ELECTRIC AND PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLES - This invention is a pay charging station for electric and plugin hybrid vehicles. A vehicle parks at a space with the charging station and uses a credit card, debit card, cash, smart card or network connection to a database like EZ-Pass to pay for the space and the electricity. The station automatically charges the vehicle as long as it is connected to the station. The station automatically stops charging when the vehicle is fully charged. The customer only pays for the space and the electricity consumed. If the charging circuit is broken the customer must reinsert the smart card or credit card to restart charging. Sufficient funds are removed from the payment method on initiation of charging. Any money not used for charging is returned to the funding account upon the user reinserting the smart card, credit card or debit card, or cash change is returned if cash was the method of payment. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287579 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING AND UTILIZING OWED-VALUE ACCOUNTS - Systems, methods, and apparatus for enhancing and utilizing owed-value accounts are provided. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287580 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING, SELLING, AND REDEEMING LOTTERY TICKETS - A method for distribution and sale of lottery tickets includes defining sets of lottery tickets uniquely designated for a particular retail establishment, with the number and prize amount of winning tickets within each set being known to the central lottery authority. The sets of lottery tickets are provided to the respective designated retail establishments at a price that is a function of the total sales value of all of the tickets within the set to the purchasing public. The lottery tickets are sold to patrons of the retail establishment, while making known to the patrons that winning lottery tickets are redeemable only at the retail establishment where the lottery tickets were sold. Any winning tickets are redeemable only at the retail establishment at which the winning lottery tickets were sold. Lottery tickets uniquely configured for use in the system are also encompassed. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287581 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PURCHASING ON A WIRELESS DEVICE - A method and system for processing purchases from a wireless device. The method includes, responsive to a search command received from the wireless device, executing a search in a retailer database. The method includes transmitting a search result to the wireless device for display. The method includes, responsive to a purchase command received from the wireless device, processing a sales transaction with a selected retailer. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287582 | DEPLOYING SOFTWARE ITEMS FROM SOFTWARE SHOPPING CARTS ONTO MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICES - Software/content for a mobile device may be selected by means of the web using a device other than the mobile device, and the software/content is downloaded onto the mobile device. This provides the capability to interact with an e-commerce site using some other terminal, such as desktop or laptop computer, and to install the software/content over the air to a given mobile device. This provides improved convenience in the selection and purchase of software/content, as desktop and laptop computer systems typically have which have larger screens and higher speed connectivity than smaller mobile devices. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287583 | DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT LOCATION AND PURCHASING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for locating digital media content. The systems and methods include receiving search terms from a client device through a single interface, searching a plurality of digital media content providers for digital media content using the search terms to obtain search results, sorting and organizing the search results, and returning the search results to the client device through the single interface. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287584 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCT SAMPLES - Systems and methods are described for providing information associated with a particular product to a customer possessing a sample of the particular product. An identifier that is provided with the sample of the particular product and that uniquely identifies the product is received at a server. The information associated with the particular product is obtained based upon the received identifier. The information is provided from the server to the customer to thereby allow the customer to use the particular product that is in the customer's possession. The information provided may include safety information (e.g., a material safety data sheet (MSDS)) and usage information associated with the particular product. Such systems and methods may be particularly useful providing information relating to chemical components, such as those used in cosmetic, personal care or other industries. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287585 | PERSONALIZED GIFT CARDS FOR IMAGING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES - A method for producing a gift card for a gift imaging product, comprises receiving an order of the gift imaging product from a user, producing the gift imaging product, producing the gift card by the user for the gift imaging product; and consolidating the gift card with the gift imaging product into one package. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287586 | AUTOMATIC INTERNET ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM AND AUTHENTICATION CARD PRINTER - An automatic account generation system includes an account generator having an IP address and exhibiting an account management function, a printer and at least one apparatus capable of providing wireless Internet access. The Internet user access authentication information can be acquired and printed from the account generator via an input device of the printer. When a user inputs the Internet user access authentication information into a wireless access apparatus, such as a notebook or a PDA equipped with a WLAN card, he or she can automatically access the WLAN where he or she is located. Moreover, the present system is equipped with a payment apparatus that can be connected to the account generator, so that it can accept payment made, whether by cash or by credit card, for getting the Internet user access authentication information. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287587 | SYSTEMS METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING AUGMENTED SHOPPING INFORMATION - Methods for providing augmented shopping information to a user of a mobile terminal in a store include providing a shopping list identifying a plurality of items and obtaining information regarding physical locations of respective ones of the items in the store. The location of the mobile terminal in the store is established. An image of a view from the location is obtained. An item having an associated location in the obtained image is identified based on the obtained information regarding physical locations. A position within the image corresponding to the respective physical location of the identified item is determined. A graphic indication of the identified item is added to the obtained image at the determined position within the image to provide an augmented image of the view that is displayed to the user on a display of the mobile terminal. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287588 | METHOD, A SYSTEM AND A USER INTERFACE FOR SHOPPING USING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - There is provided a method for enabling a user to shop with at least one other user on a data network, the method comprising providing access to a user interface enabling the user to conceive a set of at least one item of interest, to share the set with at least one other user via the data network, and to communicate with the at least one other user via the data network to thereby shop said set. There is further provided a user interface and a system for enabling a user to shop with at least one other user on a data network. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287589 | MOBILE, COMPACT COMMUNICATION DEVICE INCLUDING RFID - A system and process including mobile communication devices having two RFID's each, one with the device and another with the SIM. An assembly/packaging system and process is disclosed along with service provider communications network(s) including a retail distribution processing system is provided including RFID readers at selected points in the process and system. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287590 | Multi-Supplier Transaction and Payment Programmed Processing System and Approach - In an example embodiment, a computer-based contract-management approach processes transactions involving at least one supplier (i.e., seller or sellers) fulfilling one or more sub-components of the transaction. Each of the suppliers (e.g., as well as other transaction parties) reference the transaction when communicating transaction information such as invoices, regardless of which sub-component of the transaction the seller is involved with. The invoices are associated with the transaction using the transaction referenced in each invoice and each supplier is accordingly paid for its performance of the sub-component of the transaction with which it is involved. From a buyer's perspective, the transaction is processed in accordance with the sub-components associated with the at least one supplier. Per each supplier, the transaction is processed generally two-dimensionally (via buyer and via suppliers), thus generally isolating (where desirable) each supplier from the sub-components of the transaction for which it is not a participant. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287591 | MULTI-STAGE, MULTI-USER ENGAGEMENT SUBMISSION AND TRACKING PROCESS - A method for submitting information for an engagement is disclosed. The method might include the steps of generating a tracking screen for tracking the submission of a plurality of files, including a tax file and an image file, each file having the same client identification code, receiving the tax file from a first client device, and updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the tax file. The method further might include the steps of receiving an image file from a second client device, updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the image file, and transmitting the plurality of files to a remote server system. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287592 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFERRING A BENEFIT TO A THRID PARTY FROM THE SALE OF LEADS - A computer system and method for operating a computer system to confer a benefit to a third party recipient from the sale of leads. Receiving a lead entry from the lead contributor, the lead entry having a lead description describing a desired good or service. Transmitting an alert of the lead to potential providers inviting the potential providers to buy a share in the lead. Upon receiving a lead purchase request from the requesting potential provider including a payment for the lead, processing the lead purchase request including crediting an account of a third party recipient with a portion of the payment. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287593 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods for processing commercial financial transactions are provided. In one aspect, a method for processing a commercial financial transaction between a customer and a merchant is provided. The method includes approving a customer for receiving a financing package for engaging in the commercial financial transaction with a merchant, and issuing the financing package to the customer from the originator, wherein the financing package includes a check having a plurality of security features and a security agreement between the customer and the originator. The method also includes entering into a financing agreement between the customer and the originator upon execution of the check and the security agreement, receiving first purchase data from the merchant, performing an initial verification of the commercial financial transaction including comparing stored financing package data to the first purchase data, and processing the commercial financial transaction if the initial verification is satisfied. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287594 | Methods of operating a self-service check depositing terminal to provide a tracking receipt - A method of operating a self-service check depositing terminal is provided. The method comprises receiving a check from a depositor, attempting to return the check to the depositor, printing a tracking receipt when the check is unable to be returned to the depositor, and dispensing the printing tracking receipt to the depositor to provide the depositor with information regarding next steps to take to resolve non-return of the check. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287595 | Dealer to Dealer Sales Lead System and Method - A system and method of creating a market for sales leads and financing amongst merchants of like wares that includes a central registry for receiving information about prospective buyers and their finances for compiling and communicating an anonymous sales lead including the prospective buyer's finances to merchants in the same line of business. The leads are auctioned or sold anonymously to interested merchants that receive the contact information for the prospective buyer but not the identity of the initial merchant. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287596 | Method, System, and Apparatus for Facilitating Transactions Between Sellers and Buyers for Travel Related Services - A method and system for facilitating transactions between sellers and buyers for travel related services. The system includes a database which stores data associated with a plurality of sellers, and a server operably coupled to the database. A buyer interacts with the server to define and submit a request for one or more travel related services. The system uses matching logic to analyze the database to select a set of sellers whose services and other associated data best match the request, and invites the set of sellers to submit offers corresponding to the request. The system communicates offers received by the set of sellers to the buyer and facilitates communications and transactions between the sellers and the buyer. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287597 | Method and System for Auctioning Bad Debts - A method and system for auctioning bad debts utilizing a sorting arrangement based on the geographic location where jurisdiction is present over the debtor. Clients in the public may remotely access and participate in an online auction forum for the purpose of buying bad debts. Bad debts may be classified into a designated location bidding site database that relates to a particular geographic location. A designated location bidding site that that is related to the same geographic location as that of the database may rotatively display bad debts for buyers wishing to view or bid on them. In this manner, creditors may sell bad debts they own by being able to easily and more effectively, locate buyers who are situated in or near a territorial location that has jurisdiction over the debtor. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287598 | Financial Institution-Based Transaction Processing System and Approach - Transaction processing for financial institution-based transactions is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction processing approach involves the processing of financial aspects of a transaction between buying and selling parties using transaction rules associated with a sponsoring financial institution. Transaction-related information is processed as a function of business rules associated with the sponsoring financial institution to facilitate payment for the transaction and the assessment of fees associated with the transaction processing. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287599 | Monetary Transfer Approval Via Mobile Device - A mobile monetary transfer approval process is provided that allows clients to approve or reject monetary transfer requests by utilizing the client's mobile device, such as a cellular telephone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA). From such a client mobile device, user may view pending outgoing and incoming payments and approve or reject them in real time. In addition, an alert may be sent to the client mobile device responsive to the monetary transfer request being initiated. This may allow the client using the client mobile device to know when it is appropriate to go through the approval process, rather than having to periodically check for new monetary transfer requests. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287600 | AUTOMATICALLY UPDATING RECORDS OF CORPORATE EXPENSE SYSTEMS USING CATEGORY SPECIFIC PAYMENT MECHANISMS BASED ON POINT OF SALE ACQUIRED DATA - A solution for charging purchases and tracking corporate expenses. In the solution, at least one payment artifact having credit allocations specifically associated with an expense category of a corporate expense management system can be established. A purchase transaction involving the payment artifacts can be identified. An expense category can be automatically determined based upon a payment artifact used for the purchase transaction. Records of the corporate expense management system can be automatically updated based upon the purchase transaction. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287601 | Network-Based Viral Payment System - A system and method for transferring funds among registered and unregistered users of a value exchange system comprises a server system for receiving value exchange instructions from a sender, where the value exchange instructions include a recipient who may not be registered with the system. The value exchange instructions initiate a computer-generated sequence for authenticating the identity of the recipient, permitting the recipient to designate a payment method, and transferring funds to properly authenticated recipients. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287602 | METHOD FOR POSTAGE PAYMENT - A postage funds credit system in which the customer pays for postage funds after they are used in franking mailpieces. A postal device is initialized with postage funds advanced to the customer by a third party. The value of a descending register of the postal device is read a first time and a second subsequent time. The later value is subtracted from the earlier value to obtain an amount of postage funds used by the customer between the two readings. The customer is billed for the amount of postage used after such use. The postal device can be replenished with additional postage funds advanced by the third party. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287603 | Actionable Alerts in Corporate Mobile Banking - Techniques for alerting a client about a pending payment over a communication device by a financial institution are disclosed. The client is able to view the alert on a communication device and can reply to the alert with an answer on how to process the pending payment. A designated user can consequently respond to issues without having to call staff or to log into the business's computer system. The response sent through the communication device indicates the designated user's decision to the financial institution's payment system. The payment service determines whether an alerting message should be sent to a designated user based on at least one criterion based on a set of business rules. The designated user is authorized to approve or reject the pending payment. In response to the alerting message, the designated user returns a response that contains payment information and a one-time password. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287604 | DESKTOP ALERT WITH INTERACTIVE BONA FIDE DISPUTE INITIATION THROUGH CHAT SESSION FACILITATED BY DESKTOP APPLICATION - A consumer installs a desktop application on a computer which renders a user interface on the computer's desktop. Upon installation, the desktop application is registered to receive offers and alerts. Each alert includes data for a transaction on an account conducted with a merchant where the account was issued by an issuer to an account holder to conduct transactions on the account with merchants. A received alert is rendered on the desktop. If the consumer, upon review of the rendered alert, deems the corresponding transaction to be fraudulent, the consumer can operate the user interface to activate a live chat with a web service, and use the live chat to send information sufficient to initiate a bona fide dispute of the transaction. The offers are rendered on the user interface as advertisement and are selectable to initiate a transaction on the account. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287605 | Pre-Paid Card Transaction Computer To Load A Loan On A Pre-Paid Card - A loan transaction for a pre-paid card is approved for a borrower so that release of the loan proceeds is pending an activation of a pre-paid card. A pre-paid card transaction computer activates a pre-paid card responsive to an activation request on behalf of the borrower. The pre-paid card transaction computer indicates the activated pre-paid card is to be used with a loan transaction pending the activation of the pre-paid card. The pre-paid card transaction computer loads the pending loan proceeds to the pre-paid card so that the loan proceeds are released to the approved borrower and are immediately available to thereby convert the pre-paid card into a loan delivery apparatus. | 2009-11-19 |
20090287606 | SYSTEM AND TERMINAL DEVICE FOR ELECTRONIC MONEY TRANSACTION ON INFORMATION AND METHOD THEREOF - An electronic money transferring method that enables the payment of electronic money through an electronic money transferring system with reliability. An external information processor is operated to enter the product number of a desired product, and then a host apparatus sends information about electronic money information indicating an amount of money necessary for purchasing the product, etc. to a control unit. The data processing unit reads electronic money information indicating the amount of money from an IC card. The electronic money information is transferred to the host apparatus. | 2009-11-19 |