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|42nd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 54
|Patent application number
|METHOD OF PROVIDING LANGUAGE OBJECTS BY INDENTIFYING AN OCCUPATION OF A USER OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING THE SAME - The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a method of providing language objects by identifying an occupation of a user of a handheld electronic device and a handheld electronic device incorporating the same. A method and apparatus of providing language objects by identifying an occupation of a user of a handheld electronic device includes the following steps: identifying the occupation of the user of the handheld electronic device from a number of occupations; detecting a text input; and displaying at least a portion of at least a first language object that is associated with the identified occupation and that corresponds to the text input.
|Meeting visualization system - Voice of plural participants during a meeting is obtained and dialogue situations of the participants that change every second are displayed in real time, so that it is possible to provide a meeting visualization system for triggering more positive discussions. Voice data collected from plural voice collecting units associated with plural participants is processed by a voice processing server to extract speech information. The speech information is sequentially input to an aggregation server. A query process is performed for the speech information by a stream data processing unit of the aggregation server, so that activity data such as the accumulation value of speeches of the participants in the meeting is generated. A display processing unit visualizes and displays dialogue situations of the participants by using the sizes of circles and the thicknesses of lines on the basis of the activity data.
|Speech Recognition Method and System and Speech Recognition Server - A speech recognition method, system and server includes receiving speech information from at least one User Equipment; analyzing and recognizing the speech information and searching for a speech feature matching the speech information; and obtaining an instruction in accordance with the speech feature and executing the instruction. With the various embodiments of the disclosure, cost of the User Equipment may be reduced and accuracy of speech recognition may be improved.
|Voice activated mammography information systems - A mammography information system ("MIS") including voice command and audio feedback capabilities. A radiologist using the MIS can navigate a MIS application using voice command, thus enabling a "heads-up" and "hands free" environment for the radiologist and minimizing the amount of time required for reading mammograms. The MIS can include an audio playback feature enabling a radiologist to confirm each of the settings or variables included on the various screens while looking at an image without looking at the monitor.
|Providing Expressive User Interaction With A Multimodal Application - Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for providing expressive user interaction with a multimodal application, the multimodal application operating in a multimodal browser on a multimodal device supporting multiple modes of user interaction including a voice mode and one or more non-voice modes, the multimodal application operatively coupled to a speech engine through a VoiceXML interpreter, including: receiving, by the multimodal browser, user input from a user through a particular mode of user interaction; determining, by the multimodal browser, user output for the user in dependence upon the user input; determining, by the multimodal browser, a style for the user output in dependence upon the user input, the style specifying expressive output characteristics for at least one other mode of user interaction; and rendering, by the multimodal browser, the user output in dependence upon the style.
|Speech-Enabled Content Navigation And Control Of A Distributed Multimodal Browser - Speech-enabled content navigation and control of a distributed multimodal browser is disclosed, the browser providing an execution environment for a multimodal application, the browser including a graphical user agent ('GUA') and a voice user agent ('VUA'), the GUA operating on a multimodal device, the VUA operating on a voice server, that includes: transmitting, by the GUA, a link message to the VUA, the link message specifying voice commands that control the browser and an event corresponding to each voice command; receiving, by the GUA, a voice utterance from a user, the voice utterance specifying a particular voice command; transmitting, by the GUA, the voice utterance to the VUA for speech recognition by the VUA; receiving, by the GUA, an event message from the VUA, the event message specifying a particular event corresponding to the particular voice command; and controlling, by the GUA, the browser in dependence upon the particular event.
|APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR VOICE COMMAND PROCESSING - An apparatus for voice command processing comprising a mobile agent execution platform is provided. The mobile agent execution platform comprises a native platform, at least one agent, a mobile agent execution context, and a mobile agent management unit. The mobile agent execution context provides an application interface, enabling the agent to access resources of the native platform via the application interface. The mobile agent management unit performs initiation, running, suspension, resumption and dispatch of the agent. The agent performs functions regarding voice command processing.
|Recording and Reproducing Apparatus - Disclosed is a recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body; and a remote controller to perform remote control of the apparatus main body, wherein the remote controller comprises: a key operating section to receive a key operation by a user; a sound information inputting section to input sound information; and a transmitting section to transmit sound data based on the sound information to the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body comprises: a recording section to record input content data on a recording medium; a reproducing section to reproduce the content data; a receiving section to receive the sound data; a sound information recording section to record the sound data so as to be associated with a piece of the content data; and a sound information outputting section to reproduce the sound data to output the reproduced sound data.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD USING BLIND CHANGE DETECTION FOR AUDIO SEGMENTATION - A system, method and computer program product for performing blind change detection audio segmentation that combines hypothesized boundaries from several segmentation algorithms to achieve the final segmentation of the audio stream. Automatic segmentation of the audio streams according to the system and method of the invention may be used for many applications like speech recognition, speaker recognition, audio data mining, online audio indexing, and information retrieval systems, where the actual boundaries of the audio segments are required.
|Method and apparatus for coding and decoding amplitude of partial - Provided are a method and apparatus for coding and decoding an amplitude of partials, in which a step phenomenon can be prevented in the result of coding the amplitude of continuation partial partials in a parametric codec, thereby improving reproduced sound quality. The method of coding the amplitude of partials includes obtaining an inversely quantized amplitude of partials of a previous frame, determining a quantization level based on a function for the inversely quantized amplitude of the partials of the previous frame, and quantizing an amplitude of partials of a current frame based on the determined quantization level.
|Audio Encoding and Decoding - An audio encoder (
|Method and Apparatus for Decoding an Audio Signal - An apparatus for decoding an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving the audio signal and spatial information, identifying a type of modified spatial information, generating the modified spatial information using the spatial information, and decoding the audio signal using the modified spatial information, wherein the type of the modified spatial information includes at least one of partial spatial information, combined spatial information and expanded spatial information. Accordingly, an audio signal can be decoded into a configuration different from a configuration decided by an encoding apparatus. Even if the number of speakers is smaller or greater than that of multi-channels before execution of downmixing, it is able to generate output channels having the number equal to that of the speakers from a downmix audio signal.
|Method and Apparatus for Signal Processing and Encoding and Decoding Method, and Apparatus Therefor - An apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof are disclosed. Data coding and entropy coding are performed with interconnection, and grouping is used to enhance coding efficiency. The present invention includes the steps of obtaining a reference value corresponding to a plurality of data and a difference value corresponding to the reference value and entropy-decoding the difference value and obtaining the data using the reference value and the entropy-decoded difference value.
|Method for Encoding and Decoding Multi-Channel Audio Signal and Apparatus Thereof - Methods and apparatuses for encoding and decoding a multi-channel audio signal are provided. In the decoding method, a down-mix signal is generated based on an input signal, and spatial information is generated based on the down-mix signal through estimation. Then, a multi-channel audio signal is generated based on the down-mix signal and the spatial information. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for a down-mix signal or generate additional spatial information by using additional information.
|Audio decoding apparatus and decoding method - A signal characteristic is detected from a block shape indicating a time/frequency conversion block length by a signal characteristic discrimination unit to discriminate whether the prediction precision in the time domain is high or the prediction precision in the frequency domain is high and, on the basis of a result of the discrimination, a signal correction unit corrects a quantization error in spectral information obtained by de-quantization.
|Online interactive career profiles - Wagehunter AKA Foundation J. Enterprises, brings to the market of internet job search and staffing companies a higher level of control to job applicants. Before applicants were subject to the mercy of interpretation of their talents by recruiters and employers. Now, with the interactive resume, users can take more control over highlighting what they want viewers to notice about their resume and present it via an interactive image of themselves or a wagehunter recruiter that make the delivery more personable. It will also help with recruiter's interpretation job descriptions.
|PREDICTIVE ASSET RANKING SCORE OF PROPERTY - The predictive asset ranking system and process quantifies the condition of major components and sub-components of a property based on a systematic comparison of one major component against another utilizing analytical hierarchy analysis. The predictive asset ranking may be expressed as a value or score that may be used as a benchmark to compare one property to another property. The predictive asset ranking process applies multiple analytical hierarchies to the various attributes of a property. The analytical hierarchy may be based on an attribute weighing process and may include a series of qualitative questions indicative of attributes of the property. The predictive asset ranking system may be dynamic and may be customized for the particular asset being evaluated. When the system is customized, the process may automatically recalculate the weights and redistribute the points used in the predictive asset ranking analysis.
|METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING PAPERLESS CUSTOMS DOCUMENTATION - A method and computer program product for providing paperless customs documentation associated with an international parcel shipment. In various embodiments, the method comprises storing shipping data associated with a parcel shipment, the shipping data designating a destination country and including invoice data, verifying that the destination country accepts electronic customs documentation, and creating an electronic invoice from the shipping data. In various embodiments, the electronic invoice may be easily accessed, such as being transmitted over a network or stored in an RFID transponder associated with the parcel shipment. As a result, the present invention reduces the costs and shipping times associated with preparing, processing, and receiving international shipments by determining whether a country accepts paperless customs documentation and, if so, providing a variety of functions that streamline the international shipping process.
|METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CREATING ON DEMAND COMMERCIAL SHIPPING INVOICES - A method and computer program product for creating an international commercial shipping invoice on demand. In various embodiments, the method comprises storing an electronic copy of a shipping entity's identification indicator, storing an electronic copy of the shipping entity's shipping signature, receiving invoice data relating to the parcel shipment, and subsequently combining the identification indicator and the shipping signature with the invoice data to generate an on demand signed international commercial shipping invoice. In various embodiments, a signed international commercial shipping invoice may be generated by a parcel shipment carrier subsequent to receiving invoice data. In other embodiments, an international commercial shipping invoice may be generated by a customs broker upon request by an importing agent during customs processing. In any respect, the present invention reduces the time and costs associated with creating signed paper copies of international commercial invoices by separately capturing the individual components of an international commercial shipping invoice, and allowing these components to be subsequently assembled, upon demand, to generate the completed invoice.
|Using Relationships Between Master Data and Transactional Data to Process Business Documents - In a computing system, an indication of a predefined transaction participant role in which a specified participant serves in a specified computer-implemented transaction is received. An association between the indicated predefined transaction participant role and a predefined master code is determined. Previously stored master data that is associated with the specified participant and with the associated predefined master code is retrieved, and the retrieved master data is used during the specified computer-implemented transaction involving the specified participant.
|Systems and methods to integrated business data - According to some embodiments, a selection of source data elements may be received via an enterprise resource planning user interface. The source data elements may be associated with, for example, a first planning integration area. A selection of result data elements may also be received via the enterprise resource planning user interface, and the result data elements may be associated with a second planning integration area. It may then be arranged for information to be automatically transferred from the selected source data elements of the first planning integration area to the result data elements of the second planning integration area.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING AND DISPLAYING ESTIMATED WAIT TIMES FOR TRANSACTION REQUEST BASED ON THE SKILL REQUIRED TO PROCESS THE TRANSACTION REQUEST - A reception management system for handling transactions includes a plurality of ACMs (Automated Contract/Consulting Terminals) for receiving procedure requests for predetermined transactions from customers, a plurality of ROTs (Remote Operation Terminals) to be employed by an operator for handling the procedure requests, a server for storing information for managing the operators for each transaction skill, and information about queues formed for each transaction skill upon a procedure request accepted from an ACM, and a queue monitoring terminal for monitoring the queues by receiving information from the SACD server.
|Subscription-Based Private Civil Security Facilitation Method and Apparatus - A plurality of private civil security resources are provided (
|Generating safety report for fleet of vehicles - A method of generating a safety report for a fleet of vehicles comprising: (A) collecting a raw acceleration data for an each maneuver for each vehicle by using a firmware in a vehicle-based mobile unit, wherein the vehicle-based mobile unit comprises a computer processor, and a navigation system including a navigation receiver; (B) processing the collected raw acceleration data; and (C) transmitting the collected processed acceleration data to a database.
|Systems and Methods for Grouping Kiosk Users and Non-Users into a Community - Systems and methods for grouping individual kiosk users into one or more communities are described. The described systems and methods may further group people who have not used a kiosk into one or more communities. Additionally, the systems and methods may make information or data about a particular user and/or the user's activities at a kiosk available to members of a community, which may include users and/or non-users. The systems and methods also make the information about one or more communities available to a single user or non-user. The information may include user data, kiosk data, community data, location data, and the like. The data can be collected and reported to the individual and/or the community on a real-time or substantially real-time basis. The data reported can be then used for various purposes, including customizing the advertising for an individual user or community, statistical marketing analyses, viral marketing, or any other purpose. The information can result in increased consumer communication and awareness as well as savings for an individual user or non-user. Other embodiments are described.
|METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING AND RESPONDING TO LAND USE ACTIVITIES - The invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the use of land. More specifically, the invention monitors the use of land at a specified site, as well as at adjacent sites. The system continuously receives new land use data, The system identifies land use events at the specified site and filters these monitoring hits against alert criteria. The system then generates alerts to specified parties. Based on these alerts, proactive steps of intervention can be undertaken. The invention answers the question of how to manage risks relating to the use of land resulting from external activities and how to intervene proactively.
|Powertag: Manufacturing And Support System Method And Apparatus For Multi-Computer Solutions - A solutions-based computer system manufacturing process includes assembling computer and storage system components for creation of a given solution-based product as a function of a customer order or plan. The process further includes assigning a solution identifier to the solution-based product. The solution identifier includes a solution type and a unique identifier within the solution type.
|Method for Providing Health Care Services for a Group - A method for providing centrally-managed health care services for a group. The method for centrally-managed health care services for a group provides a systematic approach to allow a group to implement a health care program tailored to meet the goals of the group and/or to be responsive to the health care needs of the participating members. Combining the objectives of the group, the medical histories of the participating members, the resources of the health care provider, a participation-based incentive program for participating members, and the availability of customized health screenings or health education, allows the medical services provider to offer a health care program to a group that balances the financial resources of the group with the available medical services to work towards a goal of improving the overall health of the group.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING CLINICAL NOTIFICATIONS - A system and associated methods are disclosed for managing clinical notification delivery and related compliance monitoring. In certain embodiments, the clinical notifications are automatically driven by healthcare information associated with a specific patient, and are delivered to an electronic device of the patient at a remote location. Thereafter, compliance monitoring may be initiated to log the patient's intent to act in accordance with the notification. For instance, in certain embodiments, the notification relates to a reminder regarding scheduled medication administration for the particular patient, where a reply to the notification indicates whether the patient is following the scheduled medication administration.
|Systems and Methods for Managing Patient Preference Data - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method of managing patient preference data comprising: presenting questions to a patient; receiving responses from the patient wherein the responses indicate a preference of the patient; and recording the responses to a repository. Other embodiments provide a system for managing patient preference data comprising: an interactive patient module adapted to receive patient preference data from a patient; and a patient preference data repository adapted to record the patient preference data. Yet other embodiments provide a computer-readable medium having a set of instructions for execution by a computer, the set of instruction comprising: a questioning routine configured to obtain patient preference information from a patient; a recording routine configured to record the patient preference information to the patient's medical records.
|Location limited check-in kiosk method and apparatus - A method and system for helping a client check in for a scheduled activity wherein at least first and second subsets of activities occur proximate first and second locations, respectively, the method comprising the steps of providing a check in resource at the second location for checking clients in for the second subset of activities, associating at least a first electronic kiosk with the first subset activities, positioning the first kiosk at the first location for use by clients to check in for first subset activities, via the first kiosk, receiving identifying information from a first client, identifying at least a first currently scheduled activity for the first client, determining that the first currently scheduled activity is one of the second subset activities and via the first kiosk, indicating that the first client cannot check in for the first currently scheduled activity via the first kiosk.
|Bioinformatic Transaction Scheme - Secure network transaction system obtains user-authorized genetic term or bioinformatic profile, and transacts online service according to genetically-based user medical or other risk determined therefrom. Insurance policy, promotional offer, or other service may dynamically address genetically-based condition. Bioinformatic data classifies user per personal mask which filters subset of user genetic sequence. Risk profile may be calculated according to actuarial statistics, genetics and/or heredity using non-discriminatory rules specified for users in temporal or jurisdictional groups. User transactions are modifiable according to bioinformatic data representing genetically-based risk increase or decrease. Data is securely processed, modulated, and stored by network server for remote access and transaction using various portable user devices.
|Authenticated Stream Manipulation - Systems and methods for accessing a media stream are presented. In response to a request for a media stream, an individual can be authorized to manipulate the media stream. Once an individual has gained authorization with respect to a media stream's manipulation rights, they are allowed to manipulate the stream. In some embodiments, a provider controls a secure environment to play the stream and enforce the rights.
|Colo-rectal cancer screening system and method - The present invention is a colorectal cancer screening system that may be contractually deployed as a managed operation, either licensed or sold to community GIs or other endoscopists who also own endoscopy centers. The system includes an imaging center co-located with an existing or new endoscopy center, and a workflow there between that integrates the two modalities along with radiology services. The imaging center serves as a computed tomography colonography (CTC) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screen and patient referral source to the endoscopy center. The defined workflow is a process for same-day patient flow generally comprising the steps of the imaging center submitting images for interpretation immediately after image acquisition, reporting the results to the patient, and when problems are detected, immediately directing and admitting the patient to the endoscopy center for same-day OC under an exclusive provider agreement. The foregoing system and workflow ensures optimal and customized use of technology for each patient, that is minimally invasive to patients, improves patient acceptance and satisfaction, avoids the need for an uncomfortable and inconvenient second colon prep, reduces overall healthcare costs, and results in higher community colorectal cancer screening rates.
|Plan-of-Care Order-Execution-Management Software System - A method and apparatus that assists healthcare workers in managing each patient's "plan of care" (PoC). It consists of automated and semi-automated software modules integrated into a single system that perform processes for streamlining care planning, delivery and continuous quality improvement. These processes include establishing patients' PoCs, evaluating required POCs against available resource, notifying staff when resource shortages exist or are projected, adjusting PoCs to account for resource shortages, tracking the execution of PoC Orders, altering the Orders when they are not executed in a timely manner, adjusting PoCs to account for problems with Order execution, and presenting analytic reports of healthcare delivery performance.
|Intelligent parallel processing system and method - In at least one exemplary embodiment, a method and system for an automated intelligent parallel processing enabled architectural framework for supporting electronic human services (EHS) are disclosed. EHS include healthcare services. The system and method may include, for example, a methodology and process environment component having an intelligent parallel business process, a collaborative environment component, and a knowledge enablement and augmentation environment component that are operatively interconnected via an intelligent broker component/module. The architectural framework can be applied to one or more domains on a network. The intelligent parallel business process can include an initiation sub-process, an evaluation sub-process, a formulation sub-process and a communication sub-process.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING MEDICATION ADMINISTRATOR RECORDS - Several embodiments of medication administrator record keeping systems (MAR Systems). The MAR systems include MAR forms and a writing system adapted to permit health care providers to write onto the forms and to electronically capture pen stroke information corresponding to the written information. The MAR forms are associated with specific patients. The penstroke information is used to update an image of the MAR forms. The pen stroke information is also used to update information in a MAR database module. The MAR database module may be updated manually be a technician or automatically by a MAR data processing module. Some MAR forms may include action fields that trigger an action. For example, some MAR forms include a reorder action field that triggers a process of reordering meds for a patient.
|Treatment Order Entry User Interface and Processing System - A system enables a user to place large volumes of orders at one time as well as to assign the same order to multiple order sets and provides a method of using special formatting styles to group as well as differentiate orders in a shopping cart. A system provides data representing treatments for order for administration to a patient. The system includes a display processor for providing data representing at least one display image. The display image includes a data item indicating an individual treatment for order, data items indicating an order set incorporating multiple different treatments for order, and visual attributes indicating the different treatments are associated with the order set and are distinct from the individual treatment and the individual treatment is unassociated with an order set. A sorting processor sorts data items indicating the individual treatment for order and the different treatments for order for presentation in a sorted sequence in a display image by at least one of, (a) order set and (b) treatment description.
|Categorization of Information Using Natural Language Processing and Predefined Templates - A computer implemented method for generating a report that includes latent information, comprising receiving an input data stream that includes latent information, performing one of normalization, validation, and extraction of the input data stream, processing the input data stream to identify latent information within the data stream that is required for generation of a particular report, wherein said processing of the input data stream to identify latent information comprises of identifying a relevant portion of the input data stream, bounding the relevant portion of the input data stream, classifying and normalizing the bounded data, activating a relevant report template based on said identified latent information, populating said template with template-specified data, and processing the template-specified data to generate a report.
|PUBLISHER GATEWAY SYSTEMS FOR COLLABORATIVE DATA EXCHANGE, COLLECTION, MONITORING AND/OR ALERTING - A Publisher source of healthcare data is configured to communicate with an Internet-based data sharing system, the Publisher comprising a Publisher Gateway configured to electronically receive patient data from a plurality of data input sources, automatically correlate data from the plurality of input sources associated with respective patients into respective electronic patient data records having electronically searchable data fields, and electronically store the patient data records in a Publisher database.
|System and Method of Confirming a Transaction Between Parties - A service confirmation system records a disclosure of a transaction between first and second parties. The disclosure is confirmed for accuracy and sufficiency and then stored in a computer system. The confirmation can be retrieved to review the disclosure of the transaction. The confirmation is made by a third party to the transaction and includes voice as well as video data. The voice data can be analyzed for accuracy. The disclosure includes elements of suitability of the transaction for benefit of the second party. The disclosure covers areas such as start date, cost, fees, benefits, cancellation, and other topics material to the transaction. The elements of suitability involve income, financial obligations, assets, health, family, insurance coverage, and personal goals. The recording reveals subjective confirmation factors such as sufficiency of disclosure, suitability assessment criteria, basis for purchase decision, demeanor of the parties, environment, representations, tone, party actions, and purchase reasoning.
|Method and system for processing an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle - Disclosed is a system and method for processing an insurance claim by an insurance company for an insured's damaged vehicle The method includes acquiring information regarding the damaged vehicle, and the geographical location of the damaged vehicle. An auction is conducted based on the acquired information regarding the damaged vehicle to sell, for a satisfactory bid, the damaged vehicle from the insured to a bidder, wherein the insured is the owner of the damaged vehicle. A bidder, who submits the satisfactory bid, is informed of the location of the damaged vehicle, where he directly picks up the vehicle. The title of the vehicle is transferred directly from the insured to the bidder or from the insured to the insurance to the bidder during or after the auction.
|Methods, Systems, and Apparatuses for Determining Driver Behavior - Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining driver behavior based on vehicle operating parameters, adjusting insurance premiums accordingly, and preventing fraudulent manipulation of the methods, systems, and apparatuses.
|System and method for ticket selection and transactions - A system and a method for selecting tickets on-line according to one or more parameters by the user. Optionally and preferably, the user is also able to purchase the tickets on-line as well. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the user may optionally and preferably search on-line for a ticket according to a plurality of parameters, including but not limited to, price, dates/times, exact show, type of show and/or type of seat. Optionally and preferably the user is able to view available tickets through the secondary market, preferably simultaneously with tickets in the primary market and more preferably while also viewing one or more discounts. More preferably, the original and current ticket prices of a ticket in the secondary market are indicated to the user. The user may also optionally and preferably view at least the available tickets on one or more seating charts and/or maps, which are more preferably interactive. The user may also optionally interact with a theater community.
|TICKETING SYSTEM - A ticketing system is disclosed and comprises a computing facility. The facility is operable to (i) receive an order, for goods and/or services of a provider, transmitted to the facility by a remote input device; (ii) ascertain if the goods and/or services ordered are available from the provider in sufficient quantities to permit the order to be filled; (iii) transmit to the remote input device, if goods and/or services availability has been ascertained to be insufficient to fill the order, a notification as to non-availability; and (iv) if goods and/or services availability has been ascertained to be sufficient to fill the order, satisfy the order.
|METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A BUSINESS PROCESS - A method and system for monitoring and fine tuning a business process are disclosed. A system for monitoring and fine tuning a business process, according to an embodiment of the invention, includes a process cost definition engine to generate and define a cost definition, or function, for each sub-process that is part of a business process. The system may also include a process cost calculator for calculating the cost for each sub-process that is part of a business process, based on the cost function associated with the sub-process. The system may also include a display engine to display various views and communicate data generated by the system to various users of the system.
|System and Method for Oil Production Forecasting and Optimization in a Model-Based Framework - Systems and methods are directed to forecasting oilfield production in an integrated asset management framework and specifying conditions associated with the plurality of models. A graphical interface for generates a plurality of models that represent asset components in the oilfield, and a database stores the plurality of models. An application toolkit for analyzes at least one of the plurality of stored models based on a scenario to forecast a performance of an asset component associated with the at least one analyzed model.
|Method and system for managing regulatory information - The present invention provides a method and system for managing regulatory information. In an embodiment, a regulatory information management system includes a facilities compliance manager and a permit manager. The facilities compliance manager enables a main screen to be displayed at the client. The main screen allows a user to manage the facility data stored in the database to ensure compliance of the facility with federal and state regulations including air, water, and waste regulations and associated permits. Menus and icons are provided for accessing Facility, Materials, Air, Waste, and Water management screens. The regulatory information management system can also include a message generator, a formula calculator, a regulatory form generator, and an environmental tool integrator.
|Electronic product information display system - The invention discloses a printed label and a display shelf for a business establishment, including a display shelf having a length and at least one area on which at least one product is to be placed. The area has a length and a depth. The label includes product information printed thereon for identifying the at least one product for display on the shelf, and first and second space indicators for indicating a position, corresponding to a portion of the length of the shelf, at which the at least one product is to be placed. The label is constructed and arranged to have a predetermined length that is coextensive with the portion of the length of the area of the shelf on which the at least one product is to be placed. The first and second space indicators define the predetermined length. The first space indicator indicates where the portion of the length of the area of the shelf begins and the second space indicator indicates where the portion of the length of the area of the shelf ends.
|System And Method For Generating Data Migration Plan - A system and method for generating a migration plan for migrating data from a first electronic medium to a second electronic medium is provided. The system comprises a migration readiness assessment module for determining a migration recommendation; an effort estimation module for determining a total effort required for migrating data from a first electronic medium to a second electronic medium; and a migration plan generator module for generating a migration plan based on the determined migration recommendation and the total estimated effort.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIDING A BUYER TO CREATE A SUPPLIER SCORECARD - A method for aiding a buyer to create a scorecard of a supplier is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of allowing the buyer to select a scoring category for the supplier; allowing the buyer to select a criterion of the scoring category for the supplier; instructing the buyer to input the supplier's performed data related to the selected criterion; calculating a point of the supplier under the selected criterion; obtaining a rating of the supplier under the selected criterion; storing in the database the calculated point and the obtained rating; determining whether the supplier has been rated for all scoring categories if the supplier has been rated for all the criteria of the scoring category; and creating the scorecard of the supplier based on points and ratings of all the criteria of all the scoring categories. A related system is also disclosed.
|Using commercial share of wallet in financial databases - Commercial size of spending wallet ("CSoSW") is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet ("CSoW") is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Companies which provide databases of financial information about other companies can use scores provided by this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to give an indication of how much the company is likely to spend in the future.
|RISK MONITORING APPARATUS, RISK MONITORING SYSTEM, AND RISK MONITORING METHOD - A risk monitoring system is formed of a client terminal, a risk management apparatus, and a security device. A risk calculation portion in the risk management apparatus calculates the vulnerability of each room inside the workplace quantitatively in terms of three viewpoints: individuals, assets, and space, and calculates a risk value of an internal crime in each room in real time by multiplying the vulnerability by the internal crime probability and the asset value. A risk analysis portion analyzes a risk state on the basis of the risk value thus calculated and the analysis result is displayed on a display portion of the client terminal. It is thus possible to understand a risk situation of an internal crime against assets to protect in real time for enabling an action to be taken appropriately according to the situation.
|METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRACKING AND MANAGING VARIOUS OPERATING PARAMETERS OF ENTERPRISE ASSETS - Various embodiments of methods and systems described herein relate to tracking and/or managing any combination of energy consumption, GHG emissions, carbon credits, and/or costs associated with one or more pieces of equipment, one or more sites, or an entire enterprise.
|PROCESS FOR IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS FOR BUSINESS OUTSOURCING - A process for determining which of a large number of candidate companies are most likely to outsource some aspect of their business operations, based on a mathematical model capable of analyzing a large number of inputs, including financial metrics, executive changes, and other significant corporate events like mergers and acquisitions.
|Kiosk systems and methods - A kiosk includes a front panel defining an opening in a body and an interactive screen positioned within the opening. A moisture resistant support structure is disposed between the front panel and the interactive screen. A central processing unit is disposed within the body and the central processing unit is operatively connected to the interactive screen.
|System asset management - Systems, methods, and computer-storage media of the present invention facilitate the management of assets of an engineered system. These management activities enable a user to understand various conditions surrounding identified system assets and provide tools for guiding decision making in terms of how prioritize projects for such assets. A user interface is also provided to display geospatially associated information relating to a selected portion of a system asset.
|BUSINESS PROCESS EXECUTION METHOD, BUSINESS PROCESS ENGINE AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYING A BUSINESS PROCESS ENGINE - The present invention provides a business process execution method, a business process engine, a method for deploying a business process engine and a computer program product. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a business process execution method, wherein, the business process is predefined by using Business Process Specification Language, said method comprising: performing said business process and monitoring events generated during the execution of said business process; and jumping from one step of said business process to another step based on a preset jumping rule, thereby changing predefined process of said business process.
|Estimating Off-Line Advertising Impressions - A computer-implemented method for monitoring the effectiveness of advertisements broadcast is described. The method includes detecting that an advertisement has been aired by a broadcast station, monitoring a network for a duration subsequent to the airing of the advertisement for activity attributable to the airing of the advertisement, and developing a quantitative relationship between the activity and a number of listeners of the advertisement.
|Business Systems Management Solution for End-to-End Event Management Using Business System Operational Constraints - The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing a business systems management solution for end-to-end event management. The present invention realizes a number of business systems management functionalities, including defining event databases and means for event monitoring and correlating a customer's business functions by using an enterprise view focused on a system of applications, operating systems, connections, and physical components. Together these components make up a business system as defined by the customer. As such, a business system can cross technology platforms, physical space, and comprise multiple applications, or a business system could be limited to a single platform, location, and application. Components that comprise the business system and enterprise-level event management structure are defined, created, and modified to align the Information Technology with the business system's processes and to aid in the management of the information technology with respect to the business system.
|Animal Management System - A method of managing animals includes receiving animals to be kept at an animal management location for an undetermined time before being removed at a shipping date. The animals area organized in several arrival groups. A future weight estimate and a future backfat estimate are generated for each of the animals. Each of the estimates is generated using at least one physical measurement of the animal and an equation for making estimations for a single animal. Based on the future weight estimate and the future backfat estimate, each of the animals is sorted into one of several predetermined sort groups for separate management at the animal management location. The predetermined sort groups are different from the arrival groups and are associated with different predefined shipping dates. A system for managing animals includes a measurement component and an estimation component that generates the future weight estimate and the future backfat estimate.
|Class object wrappers for document object model (DOM) elements for project task management system for managing project schedules over a network - A client-server based project schedule management system comprises multiple editors accessible through a web browser to perform various scheduling tasks by members of a project. Client-executable code is generated by the server for the client, which is passed to the client along with schedule-related information for populating the respective editors. The client executes the server-generated code to display the respective editor with pertinent information populated therein, and to manage and maintain any new or updated information in response to user interactions with the editor. Rows of tasks are represented by corresponding objects, where editor elements are object attributes which are directly accessible by the respective objects. Database queries are generated by the server based on constant strings containing placeholders which are replaced with information used by the query.
|GENERIC FRAMEWORK FOR RESOURCE MODELING - Provided is a generic framework for resource modeling to assist in scheduling tasks. More specifically the model provides a structure and method for receiving a task having at least one resource requirement. Upon receipt of such a task, a set of compliant resources are retrieved. A graph is generated to indicate one or more resource paths, each path running through a subset of the compliant resources. Each resource is represented as a node on the graph, and each resource has at least one characteristic. A characteristic common to all nodes on each path is then selected and plotted upon a continuum. Each path is then evaluated to determine path viability. Path viability is indicated by a common intersection upon the continuum of the selected characteristic for all nodes along the path.
|PRODUCT, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMICALLY CHANGING THE EXECUTION SEQUENCE OF STEPS OR TASKS IN A COMPUTERIZED PROCESS - An invention is disclosed for dynamically changing the predefined execution sequence of steps or tasks in a computerized process while it is being performed by permitting one or more task(s) to be specified as necessary when other task(s) have been completed. Specifically, a product, method and system is provided for using a "workflow engine" software program acting in combination with a "decision-making layer" program interface between the workflow engine and the process model to determine the normal or ("default") next step in the process and all other possible process steps that can be permissibly completed after execution of the current step or task.
|Method and System for Adaptive Project Risk Management - A computer implemented method for improving project risk management based on (a) a quantitative analysis of risks affecting activities, i.e., the root factors leading to cost and time overruns on an activity by activity basis, and (b) an optimization of the resources allocation to each activity in the project plan, is employed to maximize the probability of completing projects on time and within-budget. The method can be employed prior to proceeding with one or more projects, but is also advantageous in that it is adaptive in the sense that more information can be learned during the course of a project about the risk factors present in the project, and this information is used to enable dynamically re-allocating resources to ensure a better outcome given an updated risk profile. Preferably, a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) is used to capture how risk factors identified by project managers influence individual activity durations.
|Method and system for adaptive closed loop resource management - A method and system provide closed loop management control of multiple sensors that receive kinematic, classification and search measurement inputs regarding targets being tracked by the sensors during a measurement cycle in addition to performance requirements inputs. The kinematic, classification and search needs and gains are computed by the system resulting in corresponding entropy outputs which are combined to provide outputs defining joint information need and gains. Based on the joint information need and gains outputs, the system pairs each track with a possible sensor for making measurements during the next measurement cycle and repeats the process this process until all performance goals have been achieved for optimally satisfying the information need requirements for accurate target detection, tracking and classification.
|Framework System and Method for Determining Deliverables Required to Implement a Technology-Enabled Business Change - Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for determining and implementing business changes. In one embodiment, a set of stages in a business change process are defined. A set of deliverables are also defined corresponding to each stage. A set of components are defined corresponding to each deliverable. And, a set of supporting assets are defined corresponding to each component. The various items may be view via a graphical user interface and may be selected to provide a customized plan for providing the deliverables to implement the business change.
|PEGGING RESOURCES TO SHIPMENTS IN A PRE-EXISTING PRODUCTION PLAN - In software systems for resource-constrained production planning (RCPP), it is often beneficial to determine a detailed association, or "pegging", between the resources and the shipments that are enabled by those resources. Presented here is a software-implemented method for constructing a pegging of a production plan for an RCPP problem. The method is called "Pegging By Explosion" (PBE). This method, takes a feasible production plan and reconstructs it, using its own specialized incremental allocation technique. A Pegging By Monitoring technique is applied to this reconstruction in order to produce the pegging. The reconstruction is accomplished by a specialized "explosion" technique related to the explosion technique of Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
|System and a Method for Managing Building Projects - A system and method for comprehensive data integration and management of large-scale building projects. The building projects comprised of a planning module (
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVERTISEMENT MANAGEMENT - The present invention relates to systems and methods for optimizing and managing advertising campaigns. The method of the present invention comprises storing one or more advertisement data structures associated with an ad group data structure in the ad group data structure. One or more ad group data structures associated with a campaign data structure are stored in an ad campaign data structure. Additionally, one or more ad campaign data structures associated with an advertised property are stored in an account data structure.
|System and method for forecasting demanufacturing requirements - Demanufacturing workload is forecast based on anticipated volumes of equipment to be disassembled and/or salvaged, as well as equipment complexity factors determined by disassembly prototyping. Staffing requirements are unique for each customer and are based on the number of pounds needed to be worked during each month and the associated complexity (work content multiplier) for that customer's typical or expected returns.
|Method For Business Management - A method for managing the complete workflow of a personnel network-oriented business that allows those at varying levels of the company hierarchy to manage, monitor, assign, accept and fulfill their client obligations through an interactive software-based process. Secure levels of administration and delegation combine with an array of links that ultimately organize workflow from beginning of a client file to the end.
|Ontological representation of knowledge - A technique for representing a project over a network involves developing requirements for the project and linking responses to the requirements. A user associated with the project is automatically linked to project data in accordance with the user's role in the project. The project data includes the requirements, responses and other data.
|SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SCHEDULE NOTIFICATION - Systems and methods are provided for receiving schedule information and providing notifications to participants of the schedule and scheduled jobs or tasks. Employees may define preferences for the content, mode, and timing of notifications. Notifications may be sent via text message, including SMS and IM text messages, and also via email, telephone call, pager, and fax. Employees may be enabled to respond to text message notifications either confirming or rejecting scheduled jobs or tasks. Attendance of employees at scheduled jobs or tasks may also be tracked by receiving text messages or GPS information from the employees' cell phones. System and methods are also provided for sequentially notifying other employees, in order of employee priority, of opportunities to cover for employees who are unable to fill assigned jobs or tasks.
|Virtual Sizing System and Method - Systems and methods for selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members dressed to project a commonly-governed image. One or more image criteria are established that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to the commonly-governed image to be maintained for the group. Virtual sizing sessions arc conducted with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network. User-specific information from a set of users (e.g., group members) is automatically gathered over the computer network, and a set of virtual sizing results is generated by at least processing user-specific information gathered from the set of users. The processing is based on the image criteria.
|PERCENTAGE BASED ONLINE ADVERTISING - The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that facilitate percentage based online advertising. Systems and methods described herein enable an advertiser to elect a share or percentage of a particular market instead of, or in addition to, submitting bids to auction-based advertising systems. Markets can be defined based upon impressions, clicks, actions or any other suitable attributes. For example, additional attributes can include user demographics (e.g., age, gender, geographic location, education, and interests), specified time periods (e.g., weekdays and business hours) and the like. Advertisers can also specify constraints that limit market share requests. Such constraints can include a maximum total cost, a specific time period or periods, a maximum cost within a limited time period and the like.
|PREFERRED COST BIDDING FOR ONLINE ADVERTISING - In an online advertising system, preferred cost bidding allows advertisers to specify a preferred "average" cost target (e.g., cost-per-click (CPC), cost per thousand impressions (CPM)), rather than a "maximum" cost target (e.g., maximum CPC, CPM). The system attempts to bring the advertiser's overall advertising cost as close as possible to the advertiser's specified average cost, using an iterative process (e.g., a feedback loop) that updates bids for keywords using historical performance data for the key words. In some implementations, a bid is automatically adjusted in an adaptive way to compensate for natural changes in fluctuations of the market using historical performance data to compute a bid that is likely to result in an average cost (per click) that is close to the advertiser's preferred average target cost (per click).
|Virtual Marketing Assistant - An embodiment is directed to a marketing method that includes analyzing a customer contact database to identify action contacts. A marketing plan is generated for the action contacts. The marketing plan including a proposed action for each action contact. User interface content having controls for implementing the marketing plan is communicated. Selections entered using the user interface content are received and analyzed to identify marketing actions selected to be implemented. Marketing jobs are assembled for the selected marketing actions. Each marketing job is communicated to a fulfillment vendor.
|Computer-Implemented Forecast Accuracy Systems And Methods - Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided to perform accuracy analysis with respect to forecasting models, wherein the forecasting models provide predictions based upon a pool of production data. As an example, a forecast accuracy monitoring system is provided to monitor the accuracy of the forecasting models over time based upon the pool of production data. A forecast model construction system builds and rebuilds the forecasting models based upon the pool of production data.
|SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING VALUE-BASED INFORMATION - Methods for generating value-based information are presented. Methods for displaying product information are also presented. In one approach, a feature to price distribution is approximated for each of a plurality of features of a plurality of products. Additionally, a product feature score is computed for each of at least a subset of the products. Furthermore, data corresponding to a visual representation of the at least a subset of the products in relation to each other is output based on the product feature scores and prices of each of the at least a subset of the products. In another approach, a value is assigned to each of a plurality of features of a plurality of products. Additionally, a product feature score is computed for each of at least a subset of the products. Furthermore, data corresponding to a visual representation of the at least a subset of the products in relation to each other is output based on the product feature scores and prices of each of the at least a subset of the products.
|QUALITY FUNCTION DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A method of supporting creation of a quality function development chart which converts customer requirements to product characteristics urges input of customer requirements, urges input of product characteristics associated with the customer requirements, urges input of a degree of association of the customer requirements and the product characteristics, and urges input of a design quality for each of the product characteristics.
|Forecasting - A method for forecasting a performance characteristic of a game title is provided and includes selecting base game-play data for the game title, wherein the base-game play data is at least partially responsive to the game-play pattern of a user, generating base sales data for the game title responsive to initial sales data and generating forecast data for the game title responsive to the base sales data and the base game-play data.
|TRUSTED NETWORKS OF UNIQUE IDENTIFIED NATURAL PERSONS - A secure trusted network of unique natural persons is formed by a configuration of natural person users, network gateways, and a network guardian. Users are allowed one registration per lifetime, and therefore have durable reputations on a secure trusted network. With all users having durable reputations, interactions on a secure trusted network are robust and reliable in comparison to less trusted and secure networks. Network gateways allow users to interact with other networks while protecting their data stream and provisioning identity information as may be required.
|Method for Obtaining Customer Feedback Through Text Messaging - A methodology and system for obtaining customer feedback via text messages from cellular phones uses an advertising display to solicit text message based feedback relating to a particular product or service. A receipt is generated at a point of sale when a transaction is consummated that identifies the time, place and goods or services associated with the transaction. The advertisement is positioned near the point of sale and prompts the customers to rate their service or experience and enter their identification code through text messages. A central server receives the text message responses and solicits additional feedback from the customers. Web based access to selected summary response data is provided to the customers. In addition, the retailer or advertiser can view more complete and unedited versions of the response data associated with their advertisements through a password protected web interface. GPS or cellular location technology is used when available to correlate the response data to a particular location or store. Directed advertisements are provided to the advertisers and customers based upon the products and services which they are associated with.
|Individually Controlled and Protected Targeted Incentive Distribution System - A targeted information and incentive distribution system that protects consumer privacy and analyzes individuals', including individual households' or individual groups, purchase histories obtained from several retailers and other providers of goods and/or services to determine targeted information and/or incentives to deliver to individuals. Purchase history and other relevant data for each individual user are accumulated at a computer that is under the control of that user and analyzed to determine which targeted information items and/or incentives to deliver to that individual user. Purchase history data in the exemplary embodiment is only maintained at the user's computer so as to increase the privacy for the user of this extensive purchase history data that was derived from multiple sources. Abridged purchase history data that does not contain information to identify the individual to which it pertains is uploaded for comprehensive analysis to develop future purchase incentive programs.
|Print Ink System and Print Method Used For Print 'It' Shopping-Linked Printed Matter and Print 'It' Shopping-Linked Printed Matter - There is provided a print ink system used for printing "a print IT shopping-linked printed matter" used in a commodity sales method in which a commodity can be ordered by converting a commodity information image in an imaged partition into an electric signal and transmitting it via a predetermined network, and by replying the order of the commodity, the order for the commodity is received and the commodity is sent, and furthermore, charging for the commodity cost is performed. The print ink system uses a combination of a print ink (a) for printing "a visible image of a commodity" (A) and a print ink (b) for printing "a commodity information code" (B).
|Method for Enticing Computer Users to Return to an Electronic Commerce Portal - A method for enticing computer users to return to an electronic commerce portal is disclosed. In response to a user registering to a merchant server for the first time, a unique number is associated with the user. Hardware information is then obtained from a computer utilized by the user. A digital certificate is generated by encrypting the unique number along with the obtained hardware information. The digital certificate is subsequently sent to the user computer for generating a unique customer number to be displayed on a web page of the user computer. On a periodic basis, the merchant server sends a master number to the user computer to be displayed on a web page of the user computer. In response to a notification of the master number matches the unique customer number on the user computer, a prize claiming process can be initiated.
|METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOMMENDING A PRODUCT OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK - A product is recommended over a computer network by initiating a recommendation network by creating an active advertisement object of a product on an electronic medium. A recommendation request is received from a user viewing the electronic medium to recommend the product to at least one more viewer. The viewer may be a recommended user. The user and the recommended user or users form a recommendation network. The active advertisement object is recreated on another electronic medium. The recommendation request and the recreation may be repeated, and a recommendation chain is determinable.
|METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELLING OR PROMOTING A PRODUCT ONLINE - A system for selling or promoting a product online comprises a plurality of users computing devices of a plurality of users. The system further comprises a plurality of seller computing devices of a plurality of sellers. Each seller has a promotional object for advertisement on each seller's computing device. The system further comprises an active advertisement object server in communication with the plurality of user computing devices and with the plurality of seller computing devices. The active advertisement object server propagates an active advertisement object of the product of the seller. The active advertisement object is propagated on an electronic medium of each of the plurality of users. The propagating occurs for one user to another of the plurality of user. The plurality of users comprise a recommendation network.
|Temporal targeting of advertisements - A system and method are disclosed for the temporal targeting of content, such as advertisements. The targeting may be based on time of day, day of year, season or upcoming holidays. In addition, prior search history may be utilized to determine current popularity and/or predict future popularity for a particular concept that may be used for targeting.
|System and method for balancing goal guarantees and optimization of revenue in advertisement delivery under uneven, volatile traffic conditions - Systems and methods for balancing goal guarantees and optimization of revenue in advertisement delivery under uneven, volatile traffic conditions are discloses. Generally, an advertisement delivery request is received. Using tolerance bands, a first plurality of advertisements served on a guaranteed number of impressions basis that may be served in response to the advertisement request is identified. Each advertisement of the first plurality of advertisements is delivering above a lower bound of a tolerance band associated with the advertisement and below an upper bound of the tolerance band associated with the advertisement. A second plurality of advertisements served on a performance basis that may be served in response to the advertisement delivery request is identified. An advertisement of either the first or second plurality of advertisements to be served in response to the advertisement delivery request is determined based on an amount of revenue generated for an advertisement service provider by serving the advertisement.
|SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF ONLINE ADVERTISEMENTS USING A NETWORK OF USERS AND ADVERTISERS - A system is described for optimizing the performance of online advertisements using a network of users and advertisers. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a data representing a network comprised of queries linked to advertisements, a search query, a relevance value for each query, and a predicted weight for each advertisement. The interface may communicate with a plurality of users. The processor may be operatively connected to the memory and interface and may identify the network, and receive a query from a user, wherein the query exists in the network. The processor may calculate relevance values for the queries and use the queries with the highest relevance values to calculate a weight for each advertisement, the weight representing the relevance of the advertisement to the search query. The processor may then serve the advertisements with the highest weights to the user.
|Package Assembly for Multi-Modality Sensation Chewing Gum Compositions - A package assembly for a multi-layer center-filled chewing gum is disclosed. The package assembly supports individual gum pieces that have a center surrounded by a gum region. The gum region may include a gum base. Optionally, the individual gum pieces may be further coated with an external coating layer. Components of the individual gum pieces create a duality, such as a dual sensation perception, that are identified by indicia on the package.
|SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING A CONSUMER ACCESS RIGHT TO A LIVE EVENT - A performer credit program facilitates crediting, tracking, and accumulating performer credits for consumer activity such as purchasing items related to a performer. Consumers manage performer credits in a performer credit account through a performer credit account facility and can elect to convert accumulated credits to access rights that can be used to acquire a ticket to a live event. Performers or their representative can use the information in the accounts to determine interest in and allocate seats for live events. Consumers can acquire, trade, exchange, or sell credits to other consumers on a secondary market allowing consumers to accumulate sufficient credits to convert to an access right. The program encourages consumers to acquire credits to exchange them for access rights that they can either sell or use to acquire a ticket to a live event.
|METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REWARD CALCULATION AND DISBURSEMENT - A method includes receiving data that represents purchase transactions received from acquirer financial institutions. The method further includes identifying, from the received data, purchase transactions that qualify for customer rebates. The method further includes transmitting rebate data to certain ones of the acquirer financial institutions. The rebate data identifies the purchase transactions that qualify for customer rebates.
|Method and system for generating, selecting, and running executables in a business system utilizing a combination of user defined rules and artificial intelligence - A system including: a memory element of a specially programmed general-purpose computer storing a set of rules; a generating element in a processor for the computer using at least one genetic algorithm to generate a plurality of executables; a selecting element in the processor using the set of rules to select an executable from the plurality of executables; and an interface element in the computer outputting the executable. A system including: a generating element in a processor for a specially programmed general-purpose computer arranged to generate a marketing offer using a set of rules and at least one genetic algorithm and an interface element in the computer arranged to output the marketing offer. In some aspects, the generating element is arranged to: generate, using the at least one genetic algorithm, a plurality of marketing offers; and select, using the rules, the marketing offer from the plurality of marketing offers.
|Mobile phone based rebate and gift card aggregation - Virtual mobile rewards, gift cards, and/or physical world retailers' loyalty and reward programs are aggregated into a common account accessible and transactional from an Internet capable mobile radio device. Subscribers gain access to discounted codes, coupons, rebates, gift cards, and/or limited time offers, on their mobile device for food, travel, lifestyle, electronics, and entertainment products that fit their lifestyle spending habits, enabling users to edit participating retailers, manage separate account balances, and present preferred discounted offers at retailers and apply discount towards purchase of goods.
|REFRESHING ADVERTISEMENTS IN OFFLINE OR VIRALLY DISTRIBUTED CONTENT - A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards providing advertisement insertions at a point of consumption into digital content, such as broadcast television content. A content provider may initially mark the content for advertisement insertion, and create a metadata file indicating constraints, targets, expirations, or the like. A downstream user employs a plug-in component and provides an initial user profile, in part, to access the content with advertisements. As the content is played, and an advertising marker is encountered, fast forwarding or other skipping features are disabled, and an advertisement stream is spliced into the content stream. The advertisement stream is determined based on the user profile and/or other metadata. Moreover, the advertisement stream may be obtained over a network such that advertisements may be refreshed even years after the content has been acquired by the user. In one embodiment, the advertisement consumption may be tracked and reported.
|Campaign Management Platform for Network-Based Online Advertising and Directed Media Transmission System - Embodiments of a system and method for managing multi-media advertising campaigns across multiple online and offline media sources are described. A durable network identifier is associated with a client device that is used to access an advertising network. The durable identifier comprises an alphanumeric tag associated with network traffic transmitted through routing devices of the network. The durable identifier indexes relevant user demographic and client device information for facilitating the delivery of directed media within the advertising network and is embedded within requests sent from the client computer to a target server computer over a network. A campaign management platform processes certain user metrics provided by the tag processing service and supplements this information with certain extrinsic data. Analysis processes determine behavioral or contextual targeting, as well as user response to ad messages.
|Producing image data representing retail packages - The production of image data representing retail packages for publication purposes is shown. Data serving devices (


text:
Fort Pierce, FL – They are beautiful, and they are really, really hungry. And they pose a threat to commercial and recreational fishing along the eastern seaboard, including the Treasure Coast. I'm talking about the lionfish - aggressive creatures with red, white and black stripes and flowing fins. Adult lionfish measure about 15 inches and weigh about a pound. They are native to the Pacific. Somehow they came to these waters, where they have few, if any, predators. Perhaps they were set free by aquarium owners because they were eating all the other fish. In this area, lionfish have been found in the Indian River Lagoon and up the Loxahatchee River. Lionfish devour shrimp, crabs and juvenile fish, such as groupers and snappers, and are reducing the populations of some marine species. They dance seductively toward their prey, then - Slurp! -- suck it into their mouth like a vacuum cleaner. A few lionfish in a tank are being studied at the Florida Institute of Technology's lab at Tracking Station Beach off A-1-A just north of Vero Beach. Maybe the researchers there will learn how to halt the takeover of the Atlantic coast by this invader. Their venomous spiky tentacles can sting human swimmers. But lionfish are supposed to be edible. So naturalists tell us, if you can't beat them, then eat them. For 88.9 FM, this is Paul Janensch.
Treasure Coast Essayist Paul Janensch was a newspaper editor and taught journalism at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

subset: commoncrawl


text: I love everything about this product. I bought it for my son last summer and still have quite a bit left. my son and I have very sensitive skin and most moisturizers break us out but even as thick as the badger sunscreen is it has never caused a problem for us. The sunscreen goes on VERY thick (you are supposed to apply liberally) and smells ok at first but if you are not getting in the water or sweating the zinc oxide begins to react with our skin oils and gets a really metallic smell. That aside, I have NEVER had a sunburn using this product and I am fair skinned and burn within 5 minutes of exposure. It has even helped keep me from getting a severe burn the next day.


text:
Parrot Shaped Handle Mug
This super cute and vibrant Parrot Shaped Handle Mug with Jungle Decal is a fun mug for those who like to grab attention with their cups of tea!
Made from quality ceramic, the mug features an exotic leaf print - but the handle is the real feature on this mug. What's not to love about a pretty ceramic parrot perched on the edge of the mug, surrounded by leaf detailing to add an air of the exotic to the look!?
This fun Parrot Shaped Handle Mug with Jungle Decal is perfect for those with a love of parrots, or who just fancy a mug with a difference that will certainly stand out in the kitchen! What's even better is that it is food and microwave safe for a variety of purposes.
- Parrot shaped handle
- Ceramic mug
- Microwave safe
- Italian style cup
NOT DISHWASHER SAFEDimensions
- 8.5cm x 13.0cm x 12.5cm
Parrot Shaped Handle Mug Customer Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have an un-answered question about this product? Simply ask us a question and we'll do our best to help.


text:
TRAINEE: Front Office Application Developer
- Competitive
- Hong Kong
- Stage, Plein-temps
- Societe Generale
- 25 sept. 17
TRAINEE: Front Office Application Developer
SG CIB is the Corporate and Investment Banking arm of the Societe Generale Group. Present in over 50 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia. SG CIB provides corporate, financial institutions, investors and public sector clients with value-added integrated financial solutions.
The candidate will be part of the Asia Information Technology / Market (ITEC / MKT) department which is composed of around 100 people dedicated to deliver high quality IT solutions to Front Office business lines in the Asia Pacific region. The team is mainly based in Hong Kong.
Within that department, the successful candidate will be dedicated to the GMxB team involved in developing and maintaining solutions for a variable annuity business working closely with operations, trading and financial engineering users.
The main assignment would be to develop and support applications for the GMxB business.
Main Responsibilities:
- Participate in application design and development
- Provide day to day application support of end users
- Help manage user requirements / problems and identify business priorities
- Communicate and report to IT peers
- Other ad-hoc duties as assigned
Your Profile:
- Hold a relevant Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or similar
- Academic background or a first experience with object-oriented development (Java /C# preferred)
- Demonstrable understanding of object oriented design and development
- Basic knowledge of Equity derivatives products
- Strong analytical mind
- Keen to learn
- Good communication skills and team spirit
- Well organized, reliable and quality oriented
- Innovative and passionate about technology
- Fluent English is mandatory
This is a fixed term 12 month Trainee contract with Societe Generale. You will form part of the team on a full time basis. In order to apply for the Trainee position please ensure you have completed your qualification and will be available to work full time for the duration of the Trainee contract.


text:
Aug. 19, 2012
LOGAN, Utah -
Contact: Kara Fisher - (435) 757-8184
This Week
Fri., Aug. 24 --- at Creighton, 4 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 26 --- at Nebraska-Omaha, 11 a.m.
Utah State women's soccer (2-0) will play a pair of road matches this week at Creighton (0-1) on Friday. Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. (MT), and at Nebraska-Omaha (0-1) on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. (MT). USU has never faced either team it is playing this weekend.
Last Week
W, 1-0 (OT) --- vs. Utah, Salt Lake City
Utah State began the 2012 season with a pair of wins as it defeated Utah (1-0, OT) at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, and UTEP (2-1) at home. Against the Utes, junior midfielder Jennifer Flynn scored the game-winning goal in the 94th minute. Senior goalkeeper Ashlyn Mulford had seven saves in the win. Against UTEP, the Miners scored the first goal of the match in the 48th minute before senior defender Natalie Norris got the Aggies on the board in the 76th minute. Sophomore midfielder Kylie Dibb then scored the winning goal for USU in the 88th minute as the ball hit off the right post.
Contact: Zach Fisher - (435) 213-0318
This Week
Fri., Aug. 24 --- PORTLAND, 10 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 24 --- UTAH, 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 25 --- SOUTHERN UTAH, 2 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 25 --- WEBER STATE, 7:30 p.m.
Utah State's volleyball team (0-0) will begin the 2012 season by hosting the second annual Utah State Invitational, sponsored by Gossner Foods. USU will begin the tournament by hosting Portland (0-0) on Friday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m., before playing Utah (0-0) at 7 p.m., Friday night. USU will conclude the tournament with a pair of matches Saturday against Southern Utah (0-0) at 2 p.m., and Weber State at 7:30 p.m. Other matches on Friday include Utah playing Southern Utah at 12 p.m., and Weber State facing Portland at 4:30 p.m. Other Saturday matches include Southern Utah facing Portland at 9:30 a.m., Utah playing Weber State at 12 p.m., and Utah facing Portland at 5 p.m. All-time, USU is 3-3 versus Portland, 25-41 against Utah, 1-1 versus Southern Utah and 33-19 versus Weber State.
Preseason Notes
Utah State, who is picked to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference this season according to the league's coaches, returns five starters and nine letterwinners from last year's team that finished 12-17 on the season and in a tie for fourth-place in the WAC with a 7-7 mark. Highlighting Utah State's group of returners is senior opposite side hitter Shay Sorensen who earned second-team all-WAC honors a year ago as she averaged 2.57 kills and 0.86 blocks per set, while hitting .202. USU's other returning starting senior is outside hitter Josselyn White who hit .167 a year ago and averaged 2.73 kills, 2.29 digs and 1.01 blocks per set. Both Sorensen and White were named to the WAC's all-preseason team in 2012. Other starters returning include sophomore setter Paige Neves, who was named to the WAC's all-freshman team a year ago, along with sophomore libero Ashlan Rogers and sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn VanHoff. Other returnees include senior setter Kassi Hargrove, junior outside hitter Tumua Etimani, sophomore outside hitter Rachel Orr, and sophomore opposite side hitter Jamaica Alisa. USU will also have the services of a pair of redshirts from a year ago in opposite side hitter Elle Brainard and middle blocker Shan England. One player who will miss the 2012 season is senior middle blocker Alyssa Everett who is recovering from offseason injury.
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What is religion? 10/07/2008
Religion is living with God. We will learn about God in other lessons of this blog. We will see that He is the unseen Maker of the world and that it is He Who preserves the World. People in all ages and in all countries have had a religion because it is natural for man to want to know his Maker, to love Him and to live with Him. This desire is world-wide and cannot be destroyed, although other desires sometimes take its place and lead us in wrong direction, that is, away from God.
God allows bad things happen because He wants to test us whatever we do what is good or wrong, He gave us our freedom choice unlike robots so that's why most people in this world made wrong chose things does not obey God's laws made war, crime, rape, thief, and etc. But bad things have to happen before the end of world because He wants to see if His people still trust Him or have a faith in Him.


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He's the best he is at what he does, and what he does is… gorgeous paintings?
That's the vibe we're getting from the stylish new one-sheet for The Wolverine, the latest film in the X-Men franchise, directed by James Mangold and once again starring Hugh Jackman as everyone's favorite mutant. The poster comes courtesy of our sister site SuperHeroHype, and you can click through for a bigger version.
The Wolverine, now considered a sequel to X-Men: The Last Stand (and not another prequel, as had been previously reported), finds Logan (Jackman) traveling to Japan, fighting samurai, falling in love, and kicking ass in his own inimitable fashion.
The Wolverine opens in theaters on July 26, 2012.


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Hello. My name is Mike. I moved from a very large city in California to a small city in northeastern Oklahoma, USA. I am enjoying the slower lifestyle in Oklahoma and taking pictures of flowers, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, storms insects and hills. I have an engineering degree, but I minored in Biology so I really enjoy studying nature and how God engineered it. I've always loved photography but digital macro photography and weather photography are my favorites. Slowing down to study the small things, like flowers, has continually reminded me that God gives us many blessings that are simply for our pleasure and He is the designer of beauty.
Mike Bryan (mbryan777)
Uploaded by: mbryan777
Saturday December 17, 2011
KBVO, OK (Current Weather Conditions)
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Disgraced mayor in wild rant on camera0:15
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been caught on a new video, apparently drunk and ranting he will kill someone and "rip his f--king throat out". Courtesy: The Star
A NEW video has surfaced showing Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in a rage, using threatening words including "kill" and "murder," as the saga that has gripped Canadians for months took yet another twist.
The mayor told reporters moments after the video was posted that he was "extremely, extremely inebriated" in it and embarrassed by it. The context of the video, which appeared overnight on the Toronto Star's website, is unknown and it's unclear who the target of Ford's wrath is.
At one point in the video, Mr Ford says he'll "make sure" the unknown person is dead.
The new video appeared a week after police said they had obtained another video that shows Mr Ford smoking a crack pipe. Mr Ford admitted Tuesday to smoking crack in a "drunken stupor."
Mr Ford said he made mistakes and "all I can do is reassure the people. I don't know what to say."
"When you are in that state ... I hope none of you have ever or will ever be in that state," Ford said.
"It's extremely embarrassing. The whole world is going to see it."
In the new video, a visibly agitated Mr Ford tells another person in the room, possibly the man filming the video, that he wants to "kill" someone in an expletive-laced rant. "Cause I'm going to kill that (expletive) guy," Mr Ford says. "No hold barred brother. He dies or I die."
Mr Ford's lawyer Dennis Morris said the context of the video "is skeletal."
"What we have to do is find out when it was taken," he said. "Was it taken eight, 10 months ago or a short time ago? I'm going to try to find that out too. Maybe the Toronto Star knows better."
Asked if Mr Ford told him about the tape, Mr Morris said: "I can't comment, but I don't think we really know."
Earlier overnight, Mr Morris said he was in talks with the police for Mr Ford to view the video that appears to show the mayor smoking crack, as city councillors stepped up their efforts to force him from office.
The mayor's travails were taking their toll on his supporters, meanwhile, as Canada's finance minister became emotional when asked about Mr Ford, who acknowledged this week for the first time that he smoked crack "probably a year ago" when he was in a "drunken stupor."
Police are seeking to question Mr Ford, whose attorney Mr Morris declined further comment because he "didn't want to jeopardise anything."
Mr Morris previously said Mr Ford would be willing to go view the tape but would not answer questions. Police have not charged Mr Ford, saying the video didn't provide enough evidence against him.
A police spokesman declined to comment.
The video sparked comments on Twitter leaving people in shock at the latest revelation.
the guys a broken man, and people are continuing to kick him when he's down! Rob Ford please resign it's getting ridiculous— Joseph Crimi (@JosephCrimi40) November 7, 2013
Police obtained the video last week in the course of a massive drug investigation into the mayor's friend and occasional driver.
The mayor of North America's fourth largest city has refused to resign or take a leave of absence despite immense pressure from allies and critics.
Members of Toronto's City Council were trying to ramp up their campaign to force Mr Ford from office, despite facing steep hurdles. Municipal law makes no provision for the mayor's forced removal from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offence.
City Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a member of Mr Ford's executive committee, said he plans to amend a motion he has filed that would ask Mr Ford to take a leave of absence. The amendment takes the unprecedented step of asking the province of Ontario to pass legislation to remove the mayor should he not agree to take a leave of absence.
The province has said it has no plans to amend the law, but the councillor was undeterred.
"Quite frankly extraordinary measures are needed in extraordinary times," Cr. Minnan-Wong said. "This situation is deteriorating, it's not going away. It's getting worse and council needs to act on this and the strongest thing we could do is ask the province, as the legislative body that controls municipalities, is to pass legislation to allow for the removal of the mayor."
Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said other members of the executive committee won't support the motion, a measure that could be voted on next Wednesday.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she's concerned that Mr Ford's personal issues were making it difficult for the city to carry on normally. But she said it was up to police, the courts or the mayor to take action.
"We need to let those processes unfold," Ms Wynne said.
That process was taking its toll on allies like Canada's finance minister, longtime Ford family friend Jim Flaherty. He was visibly upset when asked about Mr Ford.
"I am close with the family," Mr Flaherty said before a long pause.
"At the end of the day he has to make his own decision about what he ought to do. Certainly his family is helping him and wishing him well. That's all I can say."
Mr Ford acknowledged a drinking problem for the first time on Sunday, saying on his radio show that he was "hammered" in public at a street festival in August and "out of control" drunk, carrying a half empty bottle of brandy around city hall after St. Patrick's Day last year. He then made his stunning confession to reporters on Tuesday that he had smoked crack while drunk.
The mayor has called on police to release the tape, but police said they are prohibited from doing so because it is evidence before the courts. Police said the video will come out when Ford associate Alexander Lisi goes to trial on drug and extortion charges. Mr Lisi is accused of threatening two gang members who had been trying to sell the video to the media.
A judge is expected to make a decision early next week on whether to allow the release of remaining portions of a document that revealed Mr Ford's ties and covert meetings with Mr Lisi, an alleged drug dealer.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair has also said police have a second tape, but he has declined to discuss what's on it.
"I have no confidence that it's going to get any better with the wiretap info coming out and more info being released," Cr. Minnan-Wong said. "There are rumours swirling about what might be in the other video."


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Fear not, fans of the Video Library, the downtown staple is here to stay—just displaced a few blocks over in the Harvey Building at 839 Paseo de Peralta, in the Travel Bug and Mucho Gusto complex. The new space has 90 unassigned parking spaces, a luxury unknown to the Video Library's current location.
The Video Library's owner, Lisa Harris, was told last month that after 21 years in its Marcy Street location, Video Library would have to move by the end of January. The news sent Harris searching for a new, affordable location.
"We have gotten an astounding amount of support from our customers," Harris tells SFR. She says that many of her customers suggested locations to move and even went as far as to offer her help moving.
Harris was also inundated with requests that the Video Library stay downtown. "I didn't realize how many people are strictly on foot or bike and wouldn't have been able to follow us far away," Harris says.
In a world of Netflix and Redboxes, Video Library's popularity and very existence are a sort of enigma. According to Harris, "A lot of people still like to have human interactions." She also says Video Library's collection has kept it popular—"the unusualness of choices as opposed to just the standard top 20."
Of the new lease, Harris tells SFR: "It was at least priced at a point we could stay downtown."
Harris says she and her employees plan to wait until approximately Jan. 10 to begin the move, which she estimates will take two to three days.